Biting insects can be extremely bothersome, and in some cases, dangerous. Mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums and deer flies — they all exist in Maine, and they can really make a mark on your skin and your sanity. Unfortunately, the same goes for your dog. There’s nothing quite so pathetic as a pup’s belly covered in […]
I’ll be celebrating the release of my new guidebook, “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” from 5pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday, June 18, at Epic Sports in downtown Bangor, and I’d love to see you there! (I realize this is very last minute. I’m not the best at advertising myself. However, the event has been listed on […]
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on how far you choose to paddle, the weather conditions and how far from shore you venture. On a windy day, the waves and wind will generally be stronger the farther you paddle from shore, and this will make paddling more difficult. How to get there: The public boat launch […]
The hummingbird feeder is out, the grill has been cleaned and the ruts in the road that formed during mud season have been filled in. Spring is in full swing at our home in the woods, even if the weather is still chilly and exceptionally wet. Located on a wooded hill above a lake, our […]
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the trails you explore. The easiest trails are Cony Beach Trail, Shackford Head Trail and most of Overlook Look. The most difficult trails are Schooner Trail and Ship Point Trail due to steep, rocky slopes. How to get there: From Route 1 turn onto Route 190 and head towards […]
There were still patches of snow in the woods when I found my first tick of the year crawling on my jeans. It was a tiny creature, no bigger than an apple seed, but its slow, deliberate crawl up my thigh put a fear in me that no other animal in Maine can. Fortunately, despite […]
As the days warm and lengthen in the spring, the forest surrounding my house comes alive with birdsong, drawing me outside with a camera in hand. A number of animals stick around for Maine’s long, harsh winters, but the population of active wild things in the state notably increases throughout April and May as birds […]
Difficulty: Easy. The trail is about 0.7 mile long and travels over fairly even terrain. The most challenging part of the hike is staying on trail because the blue blazes that mark it are spaced far apart in some areas. Also, near the field, the trail can become a bit overgrown. How to get there: […]
A form of wilderness therapy developed in Japan, Shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” has caught on in the United States in recent years as more people are turning to the outdoors to bolster their health and overall well being. To clarify, forest bathing has nothing to do with soaking in water. (Though you certainly can add […]
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The trail network is made up of over 2 miles of trails that travel over small hills and across several footbridges. How to get there: The preserve has two parking lots. The largest parking lot is on Route 1, about 100 yards south of the Belfast-Northport town line. If driving from […]
