Sea Kayaking Begins at Mere Point

Like my Native American ancestors, when the blackflies arrive I gravitate to the coast. Consequently for me, sea kayaking normally begins in late May or early June when the nasty blood suckers begin to proliferate in the mountains and on the rivers. The pandemic has added another incentive as sea kayaking doesn’t require a shuttle […]

Tumultuos Times on the Machias River

Forget the St. John, Allagash or Moose Rivers. As far as I’m concerned, the Machias River is the best canoe trip in Maine. A free flowing river with a large watershed, it begins in the lakes region of northern Washington County and then tumbles for eighty miles to the sea in the coastal community of […]

Three Generations on the Ossipee River

Seniors Not Acting Their Age Three Generations on the Ossipee River I’m old but I have young whitewater friends. Some are very young. I’ve been paddling with the Galway family for over a decade. Ryan and Shweta are about the same age as my sons. Consequently, their paddling children, Mason and Krea, are young enough […]

Pandemic Paddling

The pandemic has complicated our lives in many ways. Like virtually everything else, paddling while complying with safe distancing guidelines is a difficult challenge. Shuttles are particularly problematic. The Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society cancelled all trips until further notice. Although paddling is an excellent source of exercise, the decision was made out of an […]

Social Distancing on Mount Megunticook

For the present, the pandemic has changed our world. I feel a sense of helplessness about the predicament. I’m old and supposedly more vulnerable. Totally lacking in healthcare-giving skills, it seems I’m a spectator in the unfolding emergency. I want to be part of the solution not part of the problem. I don’t want to […]

The Cathance River Ice Breaker

From Interstate 295, the Cathance River in Topsham appears to be a docile, meandering coastal stream. Hidden from view in a remote area are about two miles of cataracts and exciting whitewater rapids. More than three decades ago, the whitewater community “discovered” this little paddling gem. For years, challenging the Cathance has been a rite […]

Challenging Magnificient Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge in northwestern New Hampshire is one of the two most spectacular ridge hikes in New England; Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin being the other. Franconia has a couple of significant advantages; two 5,000 foot peaks instead of one and hikers can drive to the trailhead in winter as opposed to pulling a sled […]

A Sure Cure for Cabin Fever

A friend once said, “If you live in Maine, you need to embrace winter.” She was right. After too many years of misspent youthful winters, I found the antidote for cabin fever. Identify the things you love to do and discipline yourself to get out and do them. Eventually, you’ll be a winter devotee addicted […]

Lands in Trust

Land trusts have positively impacted my life for many years. Yet I’ve lacked a clear understanding of the important role they play in Maine and the breadth of benefits they provide. A recent accidental encounter has changed that. Last fall, while hiking on Pleasant Mountain near Bridgton, I met Jon Evans who was busy on […]

Feeling Presidential

Hiking the Presidential Range in New Hampshire used to be a regular part of my winter agenda. A continuum of battles with arthritic knees and hips had kept me off the big peaks for three years. Recently, a couple of cortisone injections and an invite from friends Gary and Suzanne Cole to climb Mounts Madison […]