Have a ride, signed up to race down Derby Hill in Houlton Maine?
The “Thrill of the Hill” happens again June 22nd, 2024 on Derby Hill in Community Park in Houlton Maine.
It’s year number 29 for the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby. Tech Day for new parents and drivers is May 18th at Derby Hill. Derby tech day helps teach car drivers and their support team about safety procedures. And an opportunity to order parts and for new races to test drive Derby Hill. Here’s the race course for down hill derby local and rally races.
Houlton Maine Soap Box Derby Hill Sketch When “Selling” A Piece To Local Volunteers, Contributors.
Houlton Maine’s local race on Derby Hill is the only venue if a boy or girl age 8 to 18 wants to compete in all of “Vacationland”.
Back in the 1990’s, there were five local race locations in Maine.
One of the big reasons the Houlton Maine derby committee continues the racing tradition is a specially engineered hill.
Derby Hill is fast, long and two lanes. Derby Hill has a run off area, a car return lane and a launch / storage garage at the top.
Safety Cones On Run Off Area Of Derby Hill. Houlton ME Race Largest In USA 5 Years Running.
Ease of setting up a safe course for the local annual race and for spring/fall rallies. Derby Hill is one sweet set up and kids love to race down it. Lights for night racing, guard rails in place, easy car return lane.
To keep a soap box derby program vibrant and year after year up and running means build a hill.
Taking over a street logistics and set up, tear down are too labor intensive. And none of us derby diehard volunteers are getting any younger
Check them out.
Have you watched a few Northern Maine Soap Box Derby race videos?
Reach out with questions, let’s get your young derby drivers signed up to compete in the state of Maine race June 22nd, 2024.
There are existing cars to slide behind the wheel or consider buying a new stock, super stock or master kit.
The soap box derby program in Maine teaches kids a lot.
How to assemble a car from scratch following instructions . The fun of derby program and good sportsmanship along with the science and engineering that goes into gravity downhill car racing. It sure beats sitting on a couch, inside on their device.
Anywhere in Maine, the state race in Houlton is part of soap box derby district ten.
Had two children win the local and go on to race in Akron Ohio which is an experience they will never forget. Have stayed active in the Maine soap box derby racing program since 1995 and enjoy it immensely.
Heavy Boys? Super Stock Derby Cars Can Be A Tad Heavy To Lift Up, Set Down.
Please reach out and would love to help you get started in soap box derby racing. It’s exciting car racing and gravity is your motor. It’s all downhill from here.
Anxious, Nervous, Excited All Mixed In With The Stomach Butterflies.
Tips to get your local race off the ground and how to compete with simple hacks all part of the discussion once you get “derbymania”.
Here is the All American Soap Box Derby rules to scan and consider. Maine had 5 local race sites around the state. Now the big state of Maine race is on Derby Hill, Houlton Maine. Only race course in state if the one in Aroostook County, Derby Hill. Like to learn more about the Houlton Maine soap box derby racing program or to set up your own?
The Great North American Total Solar Eclipse, did you witness Totality? April 8th, 2024 was a pretty big deal in my small hometown of Houlton Maine.
Maine Eclipse Watchers Set Up Cameras, Timers, Telescopes For Total Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine.
Perfect weather, years of planning, lots of food, fun and family spreading blankets, putting on eclipse glasses. Loads of people young and old from everywhere flocked to Houlton Maine. Traveling to Southern Aroostook County for the total solar eclipse experience.
The screams, laughter, cheering, clapping, singing then silence to take it all in at the moment of Totality.
Temperature 62 Degree, Clear Blue Sky Sunshine On Total Solar Eclipse Day Houlton Maine.
Different than watching a yearly small town fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July nation’s birthday.
It is high emotion and relief, hope, faith, wonderment, science all rolled into the one Johnny one time hit wonder.
Knowing this kinda spectacle does not happen everyday, not once a year nor is it a CGI Hollywood digital stunt.
Weather temps drop, a solar wind develops, animals and humans alike can be caught off guard if you missed the memo about totality.
Besides the 6,000 locals, how many visitors showed up for the Houlton Maine total solar eclipse?
To me it felt like (adding machine stops, ripping paper sound) … 27,417. Seriously, like the prediction of how many would come, the exact head count of how many actually did will cause wild speculation. Then the media herd will run with the distilled number or a tad little higher in the race to be the most accurate source of news.
From Other Universe Solar Systems, Everyone Came To The Houlton Maine Total Solar Eclipse April 8th, 2024.
Talked with a family from Maryland next to us with two young children. They peered up at the 2017 total solar eclipse. Said they are hooked on totality and just had to travel to Houlton Maine for another town with one.
Another West African man who lives in Berwick Maine now among the many. Sadie’s Bakery took an informal census from their donut sales, claiming 21 states and Switzerland for eclipse festival customers.
All today rubbing sore necks from all over Maine to California, extending across the pond to England. Heck even from what would appear to be other solar systems friendly curious aliens transported down from the Mother Ship to Market Square.
What builds eclipse nervous excitement is so much at stake for tourist dollars and the maximum experience speculation on the Maine weather.
What good is totality and all the logistical eclipse planning if a stubborn cloud cover pattern blind folds it all to make detailed viewing impossible or diminished?
Don’t want to over stock or wished you had prepared better as a retailer.
Only 3 And A Half Minutes To Capture A Total Solar Eclipse Is Stressful. No Second Chance.
Leading up to the total solar eclipse, the Houlton Maine planners, vendors, dining, lodging and event participants just did not know.
All rolling the dice like a Maine farmer in spring hoping for a money making or at least a break-even year ahead.
You work on the devil in the details part of the let’s host a Houlton Maine total solar eclipse event.
Put the Maine small town on the map and sharpen your tourism skill set. Everyone have a safe fun memorable time and see what a neat small Maine town we live in and what we can do?
Southern Maine coastal towns and cities get a lot more tourist marketing experience.
Totality in “The County” put Houlton and Aroostook on the map for more than the standard fifteen minutes of fame and mention.
Houlton Maine, Aroostook County Town Where Totality Happens During The Solar Eclipse.
It was not until last week that national, state and local weather forecast skies brightened for Houlton Maine.
When you see Al Roker pointing at the eclipse path of totality across the nation smiles ear to ear. Touting Maine as is the only eclipse path section standing out as clear blue, it made everyone’s pulse quicken. Big sense of urgency that something very important was looming.
Ready or not, it was here it comes, the last call for the Great North American total solar eclipse 2024 edition.
Lots of folks did make the trip north up I-95 to the Gateway from Maine to the Atlantic Canadian provinces for the total solar eclipse. Houlton Maine is at the crossroads of US RT 1, 2, 2A and I-95.
Big Green Bridge To Maine. Heading Up I-95 To Attend The 3 Day Festival Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine. You Going?
Maine weather was the biggest concern because it’s always take it or leave it.
Pivot and adapt to work with what you got and Maine weather is never ho hum the same. The spring like clear blue skies and 62 degree temperature conditions April 8th could have been a better stage for total perfect darkness. Other pathway of totality states like Texas did not fare as well, Houlton Maine got a boost of even total solar eclipse watchers
Houlton International Airport KHUL was the busiest it has been since World War Two days of lend lease flys in.
Where local farmers hooked onto planes to “drive not fly” them into neighboring Canada before the US declared war on the Axis. In my Maine real estate job, that airport is a real asset for travelers.
The Houlton Maine Airport KHUL, One Busy Place For Chartered Jets, Private Pilot Aircraft April 8th, 2024.
Eleven big jets, sixty or more smaller private pilot aircraft added to the total solar eclipse frenzy.
A total solar eclipse and perfect weather conditions is a rare bird.
Pretty Silver And Other Color “Birds” Flew Into Houlton International Airport Maine Solar Eclipse Day 2024.
A Maine eclipse is not something you can put off and maybe view next week or the one after that when your schedule is not so overbooked. There is no rain date or second chance for an eclipse. The dress rehearsal date is missing and the next one is a decade away.
Adam Sandler’s jet, Oprah’s private aircraft, even talk Taylor Swift’s sky ride was here according to the coffee drinkers down at the corner store grapevine news outlet.
Not sure if she was in it or not but lots of media buzz about who flew in for the total eclipse of the Sun. Like the Carly Simon song about heading to Nova Scotia. (Now you have the clouds in my coffee, the “You’re So Vain” song playing in your head right?)
The NASA scientists showed up in Houlton Maine and just as predicted, the perfect calculations hit the astronomical power ball.
Houlton Maine Total Solar Eclipse April 8th, 2024. Lots Of Refresher 8th Grade Science Class Refresher Notes To Review And Share With Other Star Gazers.
At 3:32 PM April 8th, 2024 full totality arrived overhead Houlton Maine.
The weather channel, state and national media broadcast networks and World wide news services were in Houlton Maine!
What really helps studying, capturing a total solar eclipse on film and in the memory banks is not just the weather forecast. Lights, when it gets dark in a small Maine town, the photo sensor kicks them on like night time clock work.
Our local Houlton Water Company power utility pulled the plug in “star parks”. So totality was true total darkness. Thank you HWC for the boom, boom out go the lights!
The day after a Houlton Maine total solar eclipse.
Not quite like a Monday Christmas and then return to a business-as-usual normal Tuesday.
You do think about the solar system overhead when you did not before so much. The power of planets and moons and how their interaction affect our daily life suddenly, well eclipse. Everything gets elevated high above the news of the day and line items on your to do list.
My Totality Overhead Snap Shot. Besides Eclipse Photos Of Total Solar Eclipse, Most Time Spent Capturing People’s Reaction Down On The Ground.
How did the Maine total solar eclipse affect you?
Houlton Maine, Everyone Pumped Up Excited About The Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024!
Some watching the wall to wall eclipse news asking what am I missing?
Am I the only one that does really care about the moon butting in front of the sun to darken the Earth?
Others remember eight grade science class trips and the outdoor night time look up at the stars.
Time to test your constellation star pattern eclipse planet orbit astronomy knowledge recall.
But for those lucky enough to be in totality pathway, the solar eclipse news dominates your thoughts on a Tuesday morning. As life settles down, the population trims and small Maine town life resumes.
You can not help but be reminding all of us are pretty darn lucky to live in Houlton Maine, any of the 450 small communities in this rural New England state.
Would not trade it for anything and I hope folks who came to the Houlton eclipse went
Moose In Maine Further Up In Aroostook County Safe From Drunk Hunters. Who Start Shooting Cows, Horses In Lewiston, Further South.
Are you too busy or healthy enough to witness another one and just how far would you travel to experience another one? Are you an eclipse addict or groupie?
Most solar eclipses go out over the Earth’s expanse of water and are not available to enjoy.
It’s like being a gunslinger preparing for the shoot out getting prepared for the time sensitive solar eclipse event.
Had telephoto lens on one camera, a wide angle one on another on a tripod and the cell phone, Go Pro. No one wants to miss a Kodak moment.
Remember “Time goes by”.
What does a total solar eclipse experience do to a person? There is nothing ho hum about it. Listen to the folks around you react to totality. Going in, during, coming out of the light to darkness back to light.
Emotions bubble up in the anticipation excitement, for some fear, others wonderment. It forces clarity, awards wisdom, develops patience and for a moment there is an out of this World connection.
The Sun, Earth, Moon and stars are a tad older than the rest of us.
The celestial orbits and the plantThe eclipse light to darkness is humbling, powerful, a positive experience for 99% of people no matter what nationality, race, religion, politics. It’s science, historic and definitely time
Eclipse Waters From Everywhere! All In Houlton Maine April 8th, 2024.
sensitive.
An eclipse is a bigger than life event… Far out, right on, it blows your mind man.
In a small Maine town, the eclipse is comforting, unifying, a positive experience that leaves you thinking now what.
Pondering what just happened and how does it change anything going forward.
It opens a person up and spurs you on to be a better person and do more for mankind.
Not hokey, and not because of mushrooms or edibles.
Pills?
No thank you. Pass. High on life.
The Maine eclipse happened just as the corner is turned from winter to mud season to spring.
At first knowledge of the date, I think most folks in Maine thought “Wish it was in summer,
Houlton Maine Celebrates Totality In Market Square Fireworks Display!
any other time than April 8th for all the
company we had drop in for the eclipse.
But now thinking the beginning of spring and renewal, planting new seeds and the end of winter / mud season was the perfect time.
(It did not hurt the weather did 180 degree change to sunshine and warm temps either.)
The older you get, the faster the seasons turn.
Maine, The Way Life Should Be. One Big State, Lots Of Special Hidden Areas To Discover.
Knowing many of us won’t see another one is sobering but freeing as we all accept that.
Turning the page and moving on with a little different outlook thanks to Maine eclipse 2024.
Please follow our Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and other social media outlets key word “mooersrealty”.
Hope you enjoy the image highlights from the Great North American Houlton Maine total solar eclipse 2024.
Houlton Maine, the oldest town in Aroostook County and a shire town. What is a shire town you wonder?
A shire town is the county seat and Aroostook is the largest of Maine’s sixteen counties. “The County” is bigger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined and the largest east of the Mississippi.
What can I tell you about Houlton Maine, the place?
Quick observations from a local native who calls Houlton Maine his home.
The people in my small Northern Maine town are friendly, helpful, funny and hardworking. Families are tightly knit and the Houlton and the ring of communities around the town pull together during tough times to help their neighbors.
You’re never alone in a small Maine town.
How do I know? Just pop the hood on your stalled car or pick up or snowmobile. Bang. Instantly all kinds of folks rise to the occasion and show up to help you out pronto.
Why? Because they can and someone else did the same for them.
They put themselves in your shoes and figure that could be me. Do something good.
Need a hand? Run out of gas? I have jumper cables for that tired battery or here. Here. Use my cell phone to make a call.
Welcome To Maine. How About A Super Sized Ice Cream Cone Treat?
Folks who live in the greater Houlton area surrounding communities take turns creating some amazing home grown experiences.
It’s not just Houlton Houlton Houlton (chanted like Marcia Marcia Marcia refrain).
Walk through the sheds filled with axes, saws, chains, horse harnesses, peaveys, Lombards, twitch cables.
Learn about river runs and using the waterways to transport the logs to mills downstream.
The entire northwest half of Aroostook, Penobscot Counties is “The Great North Woods” where we hunt, fish, ply the vast trail network on ATV four wheelers and snowmobiles.
Learn about local family farming traditions picking potatoes. Why Aroostook County is called the “Garden of Maine” and about her rich fertile farm field history.
I grew up on a Maine potato farm.
My four kids all picked fall harvest baskets of freshly dug golden farm field spuds.
To fill empty barrels then ticketed, hoisted up and hauled away for potato house winter storage.
The Family Farm Owned And Enjoyed By Me In Maine Author Andrew Mooers.
The work ethic learned heading out early and staying late in the Maine potato farm field is invaluable.
A child managing their own hard earned money is way more careful with impulse control spending it.
All Aboard. Oakfield Maine Railroading Is Big In Southern Aroostook County!
Tour the train station that celebrates the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad rich history hauling potatoes and passengers through out “The County” and beyond.
Stay at one of many woods camp sporting lodges in Southern Aroostook, Northern Penobscot and Washington Counties.
Houlton Maine is at the crossroads of US RT 1, 2, 2A and I-95 that connects to the Trans Canada highway.
Explore the recreation trails any of Maine’s four seasons. Get away from the noisy slow moving crowds and break free.
Run away up to camp in Maine.
Unplug and recharge in front of a crackling wood’s fire under the star filled sky.
Earning Your Spending Money. Managing Your Own Savings! Creates Impulse Control & Life Skills.
The silence is deafening at first. You replace the city sounds of EMS vehicle sirens, jet engines overhead, honking horns.
No garbage truck back up alarms and clanging dumpster bin sounds.
Visit one of many Amish communities surround the Houlton Maine area of Southern Aroostook.
The local farm to table vegetables, home made baked goods taste delicious and you get to know the grower and their families.
Others living off the land peddle their produce at the area local farmer’s markets. Farm to table is a beautiful thing.
Four seasons outdoor natural unspoiled beauty is what surrounds Houlton Maine in Southern Aroostook County.
In all directions, you can hit the rec trails and find total peace and quiet. See wildlife, watch the seasons changes and hear yourself think.
No better place to raise a family, run a small business, retire or vacation than Houlton Maine. Period.
The on the border distinction provides visitors with a two nation vacation experience.
Head over to Hartland New Brunswick to cross the longest covered wooden bridge in the World.
Or down to Nackawic to see the largest axe on the planet. Visit Kings Landing to step back in time in an early Canadian settlement.
The International boundary line border crossing creates lots of jobs. US Border Patrol, Customs, Immigration employment generate money for the local economy.
Country Rides Around Houlton Maine. Do You Have This Kind Of Scenery Where You Live Now?
Those jobs and others attract new families who add so much to Houlton Maine and the surrounding communities.
No better place to raise your family, start a small business or enjoy the blend of work and play in Northern Maine!
Houlton Maine. it hits you as you drive the streets.
These people are friendly, courtesy, let me go at the four way stop sign with a smile.
Everyone nods hello or makes a how you doing comment. No one has a need of a taser.
No one is worried about personal safety.
Living where you want to be makes a major improvement in anyone’s attitude.
Low cost power from not for profit Houlton Water Company keep juice prices attractive.
Local high speed Internet broadband connections second to none in Houlton Maine (Pioneer, Consolidated, other providers).
In small Maine towns get used to low crime (Maine is 4th least crime state in USA) and no traffic.
Looking, Flying Over Houlton Maine, The County’s Oldest Town.
Want to go to Walmart shopping quick and easy or to the local hardware store while puttering?
No time suck getting what you need or even double tracking back for the right item if you mess up. Have to back track for a second try to get it right. To cross off the DIY to do list.
Small towns like Houlton Maine are way easier to maneuver.
All Ages Picked Maine Potatoes In The Farm Field.
Less time spent at traffic lights or in grid lock. Your fellow motorists are way way kinder, gentler and no angry hand gestures.
Welcome to Houlton Maine, the way life should be.
Space, clean surroundings, friendly locals and home town pride volunteering. Find that in Houlton Maine. Your neighbors check in and want to help when you are struggling. You want to give back and pitch in to make the community what it is. Pick an event, that’s your contribution for life and you love it.
Small towns like Houlton Maine are not pay the price of a ticket to attend an event.
It’s working behind the scenes volunteering to put on the event year after year. That’s the way you give back and how you get to know the other members of your small but mighty population.
Houlton Maine had the largest local soap box derby race in the nation five years running.
Check out a soap box race on Derby Hill inspired and engineered like the All America race in Akron Ohio.
Way more satisfying living because you and I are the community where the small Maine towns offer smaller circles.
Everyone tightly connected in towns like Houlton Maine.
There is not the disconnect I hear about from people living in crowded areas. Where just too many people and you find a wall of impersonal and keep your distance. Back off Jack.
So to sum it up, small town Houlton Maine living provides wide open outdoor recreation.
Maine Youth Working The Maine Potato Harvest. Did Not Hurt Their Work Ethic!
Lower cost real estate, less traffic and crime. You get more nature experiences, meet friendlier people, enjoy a sense of community. Most of the recreation is low or now cost and the food and lodging is cheaper.
Every been on a vacation and thought what if I lived her full time and thought maybe I should consider relocating there? Maine is so much of what is missing where 8 out of 10 people live… in an urban setting.
Small Maine towns like Houlton in Aroostook County.
Barrels of money not needed to enjoy them like many expensive tourist trap locations. Simple camping, trail hiking, lake or river canoeing or kayaking.
You’re in Maine, surrounded by unlimited natural beauty whether high atop Mt Katahdin looking out over the landscape.
Or on your boards at the summit of Mars Hill Mountain’s Big Rock, Quoggy Joe or some other small Northern Maine ski area.
Plenty Of Parking At A Maine Ski Area Or A Small School Soccer Game. Welcome To Maine!
Everything is low or no cost which amplifies the enjoyment of all Northern Maine, Southern Aroostook and Houlton Maine.
Constant opening up the wallet wide is taken out of the picture here.
You can let go and get caught up in the vast open space and outdoor natural setting.
The down to Earth people here want to share suggestions on what to do for fun.
Locals are proud of where they live and will answer questions to make sure your visit is worthwhile and memorable.
In small Maine towns like Houlton, everyone is an ambassador.
The circles are smaller, tighter, more intimate and everything moves more efficiently when the communities are really just like large families.
Whether it is a movie in the historic Temple Theatre, stepping up to order a Houlton Farms Dairy Bar ice cream treat.
Too Much Excitement Or Pacing Yourself With A Car Nap While Waiting To Go Water Skiing On A Maine Lake?
Or heading out to NIckerson Lake’s Crescent Park, Birch Point on Pleasant Lake or taking in the Million Dollar View in Weston Maine’s scenic turn out.
Welcome to Houlton Maine.
It’s not like this many other places. Far enough away from population centers to stay small, personable and off peace and quiet. Insulated from over commercialization or exploitation.
Loaded with all natural four season beauty, wildlife, woods, farms, waterways to discover. All kinds of wildlife, natural resources with crystal clean water, fresh air to tap.
In life it is not one size fits all.
And these days folks seem to have strong, louder opinions on what you should or should not be doing in your life.
Houlton Maine, Aroostook County. Home Of 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
But maybe too small is just right because too big is impersonal and expensive.
In my job, I hear it a lot.”I want to run away from too many people, HOA’s and heavy layers of regulations and code enforcement”.
Or “I’m in Florida, Arizona Texas and burning up”. And lastly, “it’s too expensive where I live now and can not afford to retire here”.
If housing is too expensive where you live now, consider small town Houlton Maine real estate prices and selection.
When crime is high, traffic is heavy, small town Maine communities are such a contrast.
If where you live now people don’t smile, avoid making eye contact and keep to themselves, that’s not the feeling of community you get vacationing or living in small town Houlton Maine.
Houlton Maine Loaded With Grand Older Well Preserved Victorian Houses.
Walking to everywhere easily happens in small town Houlton Maine.
Leave your car or SUV or pick up parked with the keys in the vehicle.
Walk downtown, to the movies, to the tennis courts, baseball field, basketball court, along the Riverfront Park trail.
Get out, hoof it and see how folks smile and are friendly.We use our open porches and wave, say hello.
Getting Out Of The Maine Real Estate Office, Not Pinned To The Wall By A Desk.
Simple living, easier day to day interactions with local folks who want to help.
Ask for help.
What kind of experience are you looking for?
This blog post simply attempts to describe what greater Houlton Maine is like.
It’s up to you to feel whether a visit here is worth the time and expense to come sample this special corner of Maine.
Here to help and please ask us all your questions.
Love where I live and want to help save you money, to make your vacation stay memorable, whatever you need.
Call, text, email, send a carrier pigeon capsule or send a smoke signal.
Come visit us in Houlton Maine!
Thanks you for following our Me In Maine blog posts!
Get calls from Maine real estate buyers who need to invest in property someplace else that where they now live.
Maine, The Way Life Should Be. One Big State, Lots Of Special Hidden Areas To Discover.
Some are looking for a vacation home location and Maine scores top of the list.
Moving to Maine.
Others just know they can not stay where they live now. Either to raise a family, run a business, to retire and enjoy the Golden Years as best they can.
Had a lady from Texas as a recent example who dreams of moving to Maine.
Getting Out Of The Maine Real Estate Office, Not Pinned To The Wall By A Desk. Lucky To Live In Maine Is How I Feel Every Day!
Her husband works for the phone company, she has MS and is from Maine.
Does not need a prepping on what it is like living in Maine.
The couple bought a house for around $150,000 years ago near Houston Texas that is now worth three times that figure.
“It’s too hot and burning up” is a remark I hear a lot these days and those exact words she shared with me on the phone today.
This lady says you know it is time to move when you come out of a big box store and your jeep is parked next to a Lamborghini on one side, a Maserati on the other.
There’s one of the signs. This couple in their early 60’s are looking to sell out and move away to get to Maine.
It’s not just the cost of living outside rural Maine that is nose bleed high pushing the pack up push back to relocate to “Vacationland”.
Maine is drop dead naturally gorgeous and a four season stunner.
The simple small town way of living in rural Maine is the hook, the carrot.
The communities, the people who live in small town Maine are the best. You wake up and wonder who plowed your driveway and have no idea. A casserole shows up with a hand written note “I know you are going through a tough time in your life and hope you like this covered dish at meal time.”.
Or “heard your mom had fallen and hope she is doing okay” is also on the same note.
In large over populated rush rush hurry scurry areas, kind gestures don’t happen like that. In small town rural Maine they do all the time.
Smaller group of people, friendly happens. More intimate, personal and friendly. Less crime, no traffic and lower cost of living kicks in living in rural Maine. High price of fuel oil or gas, no problem. Heat with renewable resource wood and warm as toast.
Live Music, A Maine Community Band Supplies It Weekly For Free. That’s Maine.
Next year’s heating supply of wood is all cut, stacked, stored away. Mainers are more organized and well prepared. The root cellar in the home basement has canned fruits and vegetables. The chest freezer gets pulled from over the winter months.
A garden is a source of joy and tasty food your planted on your knees and kept weeded, watered, tended.
Sometimes searching online comes up with very little Chamber of Commerce type information blurbs.
Hard To Stay Indoors For Long Living In Maine.
No chamber, low population and just not a lot to browse and consider in typical small rural Maine towns.
Or other times, lots of write up on many websites created that just miss the mark. What should happen is testimonials on why do you live in Maine? What makes you some kind of glad everyday you live in Maine? What is life like and what do you do for fun?
One website I stumbled upon tries to pick a region of Maine and showcase a “day in the life” there.
The hour by hour break down would not attract anyone to come to Maine let alone stay here. The same format write up but find a different local coffee shop, insert it.
Life Is A Maine Beach. Salt Water, Fresh Air, A Summer Breeze At A Maine Beach.
Highlight the mill the local Maine native works at and mention how during break they take a walk to enjoy the outdoor location. That’s it. No images, no narrative written by the local native… just how someone outside Maine would describe what life is like. About as exciting as watching paint dry. It is obvious who threw together the copy does not feel grateful they live in Maine.
We Have A Green Light On Derby Hill! Heat 109, Drivers Ready…? Check Your Brakes.
I hope the images, the video embeds and what is blogged about on Me In Maine is worthwhile and transparent.
Living here, raising a family in Maine and enjoying four seasons of so much natural beauty is part of what pulls at a person’s heartstrings.
But the community spirit, the local population that steps up to help out and shares the same lucky to live in Maine attitude.
So many people in this World want to run far away to hide out somewhere, anywhere. Moving to Maine. Itching to run away and doing your home work on just where?
Maine, are you looking for small town friendly and real, wholesome, healthy?
Houlton Maine, Everyone Is Excited About The Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024!
If you know of a boy or girl in Maine, anywhere around the state who wants to race in the soap box derby, please reach out.
Every young driver should not have to wait until they are sixteen to get behind the wheel of a car. Learn the “thrill of the hill” happens at Community Park in Aroostook County’s oldest town each June.
The winner goes on to represent the state at the big All American Soap Box Derby Race out west in Akron Ohio.
Need to send them a race application for the big state of Maine race on Derby Hill in Houlton Maine.
Also, the count down has started. Ready for the big total solar eclipse in Maine? Here to help with logistics if you are heading North to experience it in Northern Maine, Aroostook County!
April 8th, 2024. Circle it several times in red magic marker please and thank you.
Sorry, you snooze and lose. It will be a lotta years before the next one in Maine. There is no rain date for the total solar eclipse in Houlton Maine 2024, the last location in the USA to experience “Totality.
The warmer than usual temperatures earlier this winter made Maine lake ice fishing impossible. Open water kept ice fishing shacks from populating Maine lakes earlier this winter. And this week’s Maine weather forecast is calling for more above freezing point temperatures.
Everyone Enjoys Outdoor Maine Lake Ice Fishing. Even The Family Dog.
The tug of war from no ice to a thin layer then back to open water forced Maine winter outdoor lovers to try other sports.
Not that small Maine down hill ski areas have it much better. Lucky to have any mountain trails available like this Hermon Mountain ski area short video shows.
Making snow is expensive and higher than normal Maine temperatures messed up skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing too. Winter snow is vital to Maine tourism at local lodges, motels, restaurants and communities that depend on the white stuff to boost the economy.
So back to lake ice fishing in Maine.
This past weekend thanks to a few days of lower weather forecast temperatures, Maine lakes firmed up enough to allow ice fishing.
Saturday all around Northern Maine ice fishing enthusiasts headed out onto frozen lakes to set up the shacks. To drill the maximum five holes to open up the Maine lake. Dropping the baited lines, setting ice fishing traps to wait and watch for the orange flags to trip. You’re not going to get a hernia from the pace of the Maine lake ice fishing sport. It’s not a race waiting for fish of all types to nibble on the line.
Ice fishing Maine lakes is not a highly strenuous outdoor winter spot.
But there is lots more to it than just catching your limit or the largest fish pulled up through the hole during an ice fishing derby.
Kinda Windy Out In The Open On A Maine Lake Ice Fishing. No Trees For A Wind Break As Gusts Pick Up Speed Down Across The Frozen Layer Of Lake Ice.
The ice fishing shacks have all the creature comforts.
More chili? Pulled pork sandwiches or baked beans? Oyster or better yet fish chowder? Some hot chocolate? I’ve seen Satellite dishes to watch the super bowl. Gas or wood unit stoves heating the smaller square footage. The wind gusts pummel the small shack hauled out to be your temporary home ice fishing.
Winds and blowing snow creates the cozy, tight quarters home away from home by yourself on a Maine frozen sheet of lake ice.
This year’s drought of snow and unseasonably warm temperatures have fouled up ice fishing, snow skiing, all of the winter recreation in Maine. Here is the local Maine ice fishing lake report around the state.
Snowmobiles A Big Part Of Maine Ice Fishing. Lugging Your Gear, Food, Fire Wood… The Shack Out To Your Spot On A Maine Lake.
Spirited cribbage board and card games happen during Maine lake ice fishing season.
The kids are pulled by snowmobiles on toboggans, saucers and sleds. Four wheelers are equipped with tracks to keep them from getting stuck.
Ice Fishing On Maine Lakes, A Plowed Or Groomed Roadway Leads To The Village Of Ice Fishing Shacks.
Roads are plowed down the middle of Maine lakes using pickups or snow sled club groomers for the temporary transportation.
Hauling out the ice shack, the tents, the Jiffy ice auger and supplies for food and fun.
An eight inch hole is best for larger fish that won’t fit so easily through a six inch one. But a ten inch hole would be dangerous for ice fisherman and their friends, families who could accidently step into them and potentially hurt their legs.
Drews Lake Maine Group Of Ice Fishing Shacks. Fishing Derbies Around Maine Lakes Make Angling For Fish Profitable And Competitive.
I know a friend of mine who was fishing for salmon on Deering Lake in Weston Maine who cut his leg on the ice auger.
A few years back, he had an accident. He lost quite a bit of blood and drove himself to the local hospital. The motorized auger got too close to this snow sledding boots. Bit him. A buddy system and measuring the ice depths all help make ice fishing less stressful for the local Maine game warden.
Maine Drews Lake Ice Fishing Derby Happened As Part Of Moosestompers Weekend.
A friend of mine lived on Drews Lake and in high school if I ask permission to spend the night, my Dad would always make me promise.
Don’t drive on the ice. I can hold my breath, but not until spring. You go through the hole in the ice and might not find an opening to come back up through if their is a water current.
Socializing, More Than Just Fishing For Supper Or A Trophy Under The Frozen Sheet Of Maine Lake Ice.
The thought of falling through the ice walking, on a snowmobile or in a vehicle is a nightmare I don’t want to be in. But flying the drone and thanks to a telephoto camera lens brought along for the capture from shore,
Dad would be happy. I did not have to drive out on the ice to get closer to the ice fishing lake action for the video and still photography.
Making A Weekend, Enjoying A Maine Winter Ice Fishing On Drews Lake!
Ever do it? It is peaceful, quiet and you never know who will stop in by cross country ski, snowmobile or driving out to your ice shack to visit. Maine, we don’t hibernate and sit on a couch shivering. Playing outside learned as a kid and sticks with you until the end of your days living and enjoying rural Maine.
Drone Aerial Of Nickerson Lake Ice Fishing This Past Weekend Up In Aroostook County.
Dressing with layers and the right gear to be out in the fresh air in Maine.
True Mainers are outdoors everyday of the year and loving it. Blue sky, fresh sparkling snow, the sound of it crunching under foot. Winter air invigorates and increases awareness in the stillness around you up to camp in Maine.
Ice fishing in Maine is one more winter sport to help pass the time as the kitchen calendar sheets one by one get checked off and used up slowly.
The estimates are 10,000 up to 40,000 viewers taking the trek to the last USA Houlton Maine solar eclipse 2024. There are lots of logistics to plan to manage that many additional people heading to Aroostook County Maine. When you consider the total local small Maine town population is around 6000 happy souls. May be a little outnumbered but Houlton and the communities surrounding it are ready for a little company.
Plenty of long range problem solving, public discussions needed to happen and did for the total solar eclipse Houlton ME event April 8, 2024.
To pull of the solar eclipse event without a hitch for a positive experience takes everyone on the same page to how best to pull off the four day festival event.
Maine, The Way Life Should Be. One Big State, Lots Of Special Hidden Areas To Discover. Thought About Going To The Total Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine?
What’s the big deal about a total solar eclipse?
Oh, I don’t know. Just the wrap up of the 13 state 2024 solar eclipse light show tour. A celestial astronomical event that is not going to cause totality again in my home town of Houlton Maine for hundreds of years. There is no rain date and no dress rehearsal. It’s showtime. Hit the lights.
Starting in Texas as the opening act, ending up just an hour later passing over Houlton Maine. Houlton Maine is lucky to be dead center for totality in the path of darkness bathing the Earth as it passes overhead.
The fun continues “over home” as we like to call Canada on this side of the border eh? My Dad’s mom, my grandmother Bessie Burtt was 100% Canadian red maple leaf DNA. Everyone is related back and forth on both sides of the USA / Canada International boundary line. You learn how to play better hockey on the solid sheet of frozen water at a Canadian ice arena.
Last USA total solar eclipse Houlton ME.
Big happenings with the 2024 total solar eclipse as it exits Maine, enters New Brunswick Canada.
Houlton Maine, Last Place To Experience Totality, The Total Solar Eclipse 2024! (Poster copyright by local Mainer Cynthia Taylor Studios)
The solar eclipse 2024 continues rolling on without stopping at customs and immigration inspections thru New Brunswick into Atlantic Canada, then out to sea.
So opening up the highways leading to your small Maine home town. This blog post is about rolling out the red carpet, firing up the welcome wagon. What’s involved in a slightly more complex event with all these out of town visitors. Attendance was high at last night’s meeting, lots of questions and brain storming at one of many solar eclipse gatherings at the Houlton High School auditorium.
What about cell phones and are the local tower systems designed for up to 40,000 visitors for the 4 day festival?
The extra load on communications, Internet, highways, local services, EMS. Traffic flow, what roadways to make one way? Coordinating public safety with the local Houlton Maine police working hand in hand with state police, sheriff’s patrol, US border patrol. I wondered about street lamps on sensors coming on to take away from the afternoon totality black out in Houlton Maine.
Where do you plan to view the eclipse wearing your special eye protection glasses?
Mt Katahdin, the very top would be a crowded place if Baxter Park was open to hikers in April which it is not. Or the site for the Waston Settlement covered bridge in Littleton that is a whisker north of Houlton Maine.
Houlton Maine, Aroostook County. Home Of Totality, The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
Local WHOU radio station and Channel 8 public service announcements to keep the public in the know of what to expect.
Solar totality blog posts, Houlton Pioneer Times and Bangor Daily News read all about the latest developments during planning and the actual eclipse festival event. Folks toying with the idea of traveling to Houlton Maine for the total eclipse. They all need to know all about the area, the festival of events, places to stay, where to eat and what to do for fun.
Questions, Answers, Updates From Houlton Maine Eclipse Planners Sharing The Houlton High School Auditorium Stage Last Night.
It’s a lot different than when this is your fourth, seventh or a yearly tradition to know what to expect for the next one.
There is no minutes from the wrap up meeting of last year’s total solar eclipse in Houlton Maine to re-read and build on. Learning from past years lessons to fine tune and tighten up the event are not here to glean.
Adjustments and refinement, like we make yearly to the Houlton Fair, Rotary Auction, Northern Maine Soap Box Derby or Moosestompers etc local events.
Those are easy because something to build on and either worked or did not from experience on each recurring yearly event. This is like the first ever let’s send some astronauts to Moon and back exercise. Risks, weather, expenses and unknowns on just how many people will show up in Houlton Maine wearing solar glasses.
Mark Hovarth, Holder Of A PHD In Astronomy Teaches The Houlton Maine Audience About Solar Eclipses.
The AirBnB and VRBO vacation sites, local motels for lodging are booked solid.
Local folks are opening up their houses, camps, cottages as extra places to stay. Transportation with five buses so far to shuttle solar eclipse watchers, event goers opening up local options to help shuttle all these guests. Want to be an Uber or Lyft operator for a weekend and have a clean driver’s license? Lots of ways to monetize the solar eclipse event.
Parking lots, places to camp with tents, RV’s on open land near the festivities. Lots of opportunities for local property owners to consider sharing their private location for eclipse watchers this April 8th,2024. Parking your vacation on wheels rig at Walmart store #1974? Only so many spaces for the last USA Total Solar Eclipse.
Big Green Bridge To Maine. Heading Up I-95 To Attend The 4 Day Festival Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine. You Going?
You can read to learn what to do, what to avoid online accounts are helpful. But experience with something of this magnitude and event planning that started years ago. The weather forecast, time of year affectionately known as “mud season”.
How much food to order, like a cruise ship, the best way to serve it up without long lines, big delays or bottle necks.
How to assure a fire truck or ambulance or police officer can respond to an emergency situation with all the traffic and wall to wall people. When you have around a 6000 population, the getting ready for possible six times or more that number of people roaming around in your small Maine community is exciting.
Where Are You? Houlton Maine Welcomes You To The April 8th 2024 Totality. Ever Experienced A Total Solar Eclipse? You Are Invited To Houlton Maine For One!
Lots of jobs and responsibilities for paid staff and volunteers to pull together to make the event a positive experience.
It makes a small Maine community pull together and work hard to tackle the known and unknowns. Stay tuned for more in future posts in this Maine blogging channel.
Communicating what is happening as the event schedule fills up and the calendar days accelerate toward April 8th, 2024’s total solar eclipse.
Maine Humorist, Tim Sample From Fort Fairfield Part Of The Houlton Maine Total Eclipse 2024!
The count down toward totality, the last place in continental USA for a total solar eclipse in Houlton Maine.
Local eclipse watchers to crane their necks skyward to view the light show wearing eye protection. This celestial chain of events is once in a lifetime for most. Protect the peepers and avoid life long damage by covering up eyes to filter out the harmful, powerful Sun please.
This simple video shows you what happens that causes wildlife to hush and everything goes dark in Houlton Maine’s total eclipse.
The area 15 churches and counting are onboard and working together for warming areas, additional places to dine according to Hollie McAffee.
Besides church groups, eclipse planner Hollie McAfee says the local area snowmobile, fish and game clubs, area schools are coming together. Any gym, barn, warehouse is fair game to retool and use for some aspect of the total darkness in Houlton Maine. 10,000 of the 60,000 special safety approved eclipse eye glasses are given free to the area schools. Safety talks and reminders how to not damage your eyes for life education is so critical.
Totality, The Scientific Parts Of A Total Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine.
I remember the 1963 partial eclipse in Houlton Maine.
My 3 older brothers, mom and dad were ready to watch through welder’s glass for eye protection. But many of my friends were rushed inside into rooms with the blinds and shades pulled down.
As local panel speaker Mark Horvath, holder of a PHD in astronomy warned the group. During last night’s Q&A public session, he told the group you don’t want the total solar eclipse blinding light as the Moon slides away from between the Sun and Earth to be the last thing you ever see.
What Happens During A Solar Eclipse. Total Or Partial Events, What Happens?
Safety first and last. Burning your retina and doing damage of any degree to your eyes is not worth it.
Dumpsters, is 100 porta potties enough? Do we need more venues for dining and how to creatively open up extra lodging options? More varied event entertainment, food trucks, pop up businesses and parking, spacing. Five star parks sponsored and designated for group watching as of this date.
The list of what’s going on for eclipse events grows and changes daily.
Learned last night the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd is ordering 1500 fresh lobsters, steaming them up, adding a baked potato and home made whoopie pies. Last USA Total Solar Eclipse Houlton Maine, you planning the trip north?
The Event Calendar For 4 Day Eclipse Festival Continues To Grow. Stay Tuned For The Calendar Of Events.
Locals are told to get your prescriptions filled, fuel up your vehicles before the mass exodus to the final total solar eclipse 2024 in Houlton Maine.
Like preparing for a Maine storm, stock up on what you need while you can buy it from local stores. School is off, local businesses are encouraged to free up their work force to create additional labor for the solar eclipse 4 day festival. It like a Monday national holiday in Houlton Maine.
Last USA total solar eclipse Houlton Maine.
The climax being the 2:22 to 4:41 April 8th here we go. The actual total solar eclipse is 3:32 to 3:35 PM April 8th, 2024.
The last major crowd traveling through “The County” was one of the two Phish concerts held at former Loring Air Force
Base in Limestone Maine. It is estimated 65,000 music lovers following their favorite band traveled up into Aroostook County a few years back for the outdoor live musical event. Some band followers and music lovers missed the Houlton I-95 Exit 302 and ended up in Canada. But that is a ‘hole ‘nother story for another Maine blog post.
So, Last USA Total Solar Eclipse Houlton Maine, here is why the math has to be just so for planet Earth, the Moon and Sun.
The Moon, Earth, Sun All Have A Major Part In A Solar Eclipse.
The full schedule for the four days of family fun events continues to be added to in Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou and over into New Brunswick, Canada.
Guided historical walking tours, Howl At The Moon Dueling Piano Show, John Cariani presents “Almost Maine”, Maine author and comedian Tim Sample, Blackfly Brewfest, 3.32 mile road race, astronaut talk, solar system bus tour & planetarium visit. And so much more being added and updated daily.
Lots of fun, food, bring the entire family. Share the eclipse 2024 event with all your friends on social media outlets please.
What Is Happening, What Needs To Get Squared Away Before April 9th’s Solar Eclipse?
The party celebration happens before, during, after the total eclipse ends in Houlton Maine and continues across into Canada.
More to come as the event gets closer and the schedule of events firms up to help you have the best experience possible. Reach out with questions and here to help as a local lifelong native of Houlton Maine. Everyone is an ambassador of Houlton Maine and home town proud. Here’s Market Square, one of your five local star parks to observe with facilities and friends the solar eclipse. Why not attend the last USA Total Solar Eclipse Houlton Maine?
In this video, Market Square Houlton Maine used as a farmers market venue.
What are you doing around April 8th, 2024?
Last USA total solar eclipse Houlton Maine. Have you ever witnessed a total or partial eclipse in your lifetime? There is a major difference between the two. Here’s your chance to travel to Houlton Maine for an out of this World experience. Want to volunteer or help underwrite the tremendous expense to open up a small Maine community for a total solar eclipse? Reach out and let the Maine Eclipse folks know you want to volunteer time, money or both and help in any way.
