Am I running out of Maine trails to explore? You tell me
In recent years, I’ve given slideshow presentations and talks throughout Maine about my outdoor adventures, and more specifically, the many hikes I’ve been on for this blog. I usually end these talks by opening it up for the audience to ask me questions, and as one might expect, there are a few questions that pop […]
1-minute hike: Taft Point Preserve in Gouldsboro
Difficulty: Easy. The preserve trails travel over a fairly smooth forest floor and altogether total about 1.5 miles. Expect a gradual uphill climb from the shore to the parking area on both loop trails. How to get there: From the intersection of Route 1 and Route 186 in Gouldsboro, take Route 186 (South Gouldsboro Road) […]
Wildlife photography tips for beginners
For an upcoming presentation I’m giving at a local school about outdoor writing, I decided to create a slideshow of wildlife photos, just to make things a bit more interesting for the children. After all, who doesn’t enjoy looking at photos of swimming moose, baby bears and soaring eagles? And as I dug through about […]
1-minute ski: Penobscot River Trails near Grindstone
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous, depending on which trails you ski and how far you go. Altogether, the trails total over 15 miles. The Long Logan Loop, which is located near the visitor center, is hilly and more challenging, while the trails leading to the warming huts are easier, with just a few small hills. Parallel […]
1-minute hike: Champlain Mountain North Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park
Difficulty: Moderate. The 1-mile North Ridge Trail on Champlain Mountain is fairly gradual climb with just a few steep sections and staircases. The trail does not feature ladders and requires no hand-over-foot climbing. If you park at the parking area near the trailhead, the out and back hike is 2 miles. In the winter, the […]
1-minute hike: Stover Preserve in Belfast
Difficulty: Easy. The 0.9-mile hike is over mostly even terrain with a few small hills, exposed tree roots and rocks. Footbridges have been constructed over the soggiest sections of trail. How to get there: From downtown Belfast, drive west on Main Street and turn right onto Waldo Avenue. Drive 1.5 miles, then turn right onto […]
Tips for attending, competing in US National Toboggan Championships
Zipping down a chute of ice at 40 mph while clinging to a simple wooden sled sounds a bit crazy, but that’s precisely what hundreds of people do each February at the US National Toboggan Championships in Camden, Maine. And for several years now, I’ve been one of those people, screaming my heart out and […]
Trail snack tips, suggestions and recipes from readers
There’s this phenomenon I’ve heard talked about among outdoorsy folks, that out in the wilderness, food tastes better. During a mountain hike or an ocean paddle, even the simplest fare can be enjoyable and nourishing. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put a little extra thought and effort into what you pack to eat – […]
Battling freezing wind to ice skate on Green Lake
As we laced up our skates at the edge of Green Lake on Saturday, the cold numbing our bare fingers, I thought, “We’re crazy.” “What?” my husband Derek said, shouldering our backpack of emergency gear and snacks. “Oh,” I said, realizing I had voiced by opinion out loud. “We’re just kind of crazy to be […]