Category: Maine White Water Rafting

  • Maine Canoe Kayak River Races

    Maine Canoe Kayak River Races

    Maine offers a variety of canoe and kayak races throughout the year, with several notable events scheduled for 2025.

    Paddling in a spring Maine river race is as much about the journey as the competition. It’s a chance to challenge yourself. To embrace the raw beauty of nature, and connect with the Maine river in a way that few other experiences can offer. It’s tough, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Maine canoe kayak river races are a rite of spring. A chance to celebrate one more outdoor waterfront tradition.

    outdoor fun in maine
    Paddle, Drift, Gawk. Witness Small Town Maine. What It Is Really Like Living Here. Canoes Can Have Motors… But Not In A Maine River Race.

    Families, individuals, folks you work with and old childhood classmates connect at a Maine race venue.

    Year after year it becomes a fraternity, sorority ritual for many.  Do you get out on the open water for the thrill of paddling down a Maine river?

    Connect with others that have the same healthy river paddling habit. The Maine canoe, kayak and paddle boards don’t just get used in a spring race and then put away to gather dust.

    Here are some of the key Maine canoe kayak river races, along with their locations, dates, and registration details:

    St. George River Race
    Date: Traditionally held on the last weekend in March. The 2025 date is yet to be announced.
    Location: Searsmont, Maine. The race starts at the St. George Bridge in Searsmont Village.
    Registration: Typically opens on February 1st each year. For updates and registration, visit the Waldo County YMCA website.

    Passagassawakeag River Race
    Date: Traditionally held on the first weekend in April. The 2025 date is yet to be announced.
    Location: Belfast, Maine. The race course typically runs along the Passagassawakeag River.
    Registration: Details will be available on the Waldo County YMCA website as the date approaches.

    Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
    Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025.
    Location: Bangor to Kenduskeag, Maine. This is a 16.5-mile race starting in downtown Bangor and ending in the town of Kenduskeag.
    Registration: Registration details will be available in early 2025. For more information, visit the official race website.

    Aroostook River Spring Runoff Canoe & Kayak Race
    Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025.
    Location: Caribou, Maine. The 6.2-mile race starts at the Lower Lyndon Street Boat Launch by Caribou Stream and ends at Forbes Pit, 1100 Fort Fairfield Road.
    Registration: Race day registration is from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the starting point. Fees are $10 per paddler aged 19 and over, and $5 for paddlers 18 and younger. Online registration is available through the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department’s portal.

    Sheepscot River Race
    Date: The 2025 date is yet to be announced.
    Location: Newcastle to Wiscasset, Maine. This is a 6-mile canoe and kayak race starting in Newcastle at the Route 1 Rest Area Bridge and finishing at the Wiscasset Waterfront.
    Registration: Registration opens on race day at 11:00 AM at the Newcastle Rest Area. The fee is $20 per person, with discounts for kids under 17 and adults over 70. For more details, visit the organizer’s website.

    Cathance River Flatwater Race
    Date: Traditionally held in September. The 2025 date is yet to be announced.
    Location: Bowdoinham, Maine. The race begins at the Bowdoinham Kayak/Canoe Launch.
    Registration: Registration typically begins at 2:00 PM on race day, with the race starting at 3:30 PM. For more information, contact the event organizer.

    Regarding the number of spring canoe river races, Maine typically hosts several. The events include the St. George River Race, Passagassawakeag River Race, Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, and Aroostook River Spring Runoff Canoe & Kayak Race, among others.

    The exact number can vary each year based on scheduling and conditions.

    In terms of difficulty, the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is often considered more challenging due to its length (16.5 miles) and sections of whitewater, including the notable Six Mile Falls.

    In contrast, races like the Sheepscot River Race are shorter (6 miles) and feature more flat water sections. It makes them more accessible for beginner paddlers.

    The amount of winter snow significantly impacts Maine river conditions during spring races.

    Last year, Maine winter weather was mild and low on the snow amounts. This year has started out with a repeat snow less Maine winter but lots of rain. A heavy snow pack leads to higher spring runoff, resulting in increased river volume and faster currents.

    More water, higher levels can make races more challenging and exciting.

    Conversely, a lack of winter snow reduces runoff, leading to lower water levels, slower currents. Potentially exposing obstacles like rocks and sandbars, which can affect race dynamics and safety.

    For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s advisable to check the official Maine river canoe race websites .

    Or contact the organizers of each race as the event dates approach.

    Maine Is Outdoor Simple Living.
    Maine, Somehow Water Is Always In The Background, foreground, All Around. Part Of The Outdoor Fun In Maine Is Water.
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    Grab A Partner To Canoe River Race In Maine. Kayaks, Paddle Boards Welcome Too!

    Historical Perspective on Canoes in Maine

    Before the development of roadways, railways, and recreational trails, Maine’s rivers served as vital transportation routes for its early inhabitants, including Native Americans and European settlers.

    Canoes, particularly those crafted from birch bark, were essential for navigating the state’s interconnected waterways.

    These vessels were not only lightweight and portable but also well-suited for Maine’s rugged terrain. Allowing people to traverse vast distances for trade, communication, and resource gathering.

    Rivers like the Penobscot, Kennebec, Androscoggin, and St. John served as the primary “highways” for early Mainers. Connecting settlements and enabling the transport of goods such as furs, timber, and agricultural produce.

    Major Rivers Hosting Canoe and Kayak Races in Maine

    • Penobscot River
    • Kenduskeag Stream (a tributary of the Penobscot River)
    • St. George River
    • Passagassawakeag River
    • Aroostook River
    • Cathance River
    • Sheepscot River
    • Androscoggin River
    • Meduxnekeag River

    The Oldest, Newest, and Most Popular River Races in Maine

    • Oldest Race:
      The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, first held in 1967, is the oldest continuously running canoe race in Maine. This iconic event attracts paddlers from across the country and is a hallmark of springtime in Maine.
    • Newest Race:
      The Cathance River Flatwater Race in Bowdoinham is one of the newer additions to Maine’s canoe and kayak racing calendar, emphasizing a more relaxed paddling experience with scenic views.
    • Most Popular Race:
      The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is also the most popular race in Maine. Known for its 16.5-mile course featuring a mix of flatwater and challenging whitewater sections, it draws hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators annually.

    How Early Rivers Shaped Racing Culture

    Maine’s historical reliance on rivers as primary transportation routes has evolved into a strong paddling culture. With recreational and competitive canoeing and kayaking becoming popular Maine pastimes.

    meduxnekeag river race houlton me
    Early Races Are Cold River Runs With More Water, Greater Speeds, Trickier Currents.

    Many races take place on rivers that once played a critical role in the state’s economic and cultural development. Maine’s combination of history, natural beauty, and challenging waterways ensures that its canoe and kayak races remain deeply rooted in the state’s identity.

    Nothing cures cabin fever in Maine better than paddling for all you are worth to come out on the top of the field of river racers.

    maine canoe races in spring
    Spring Means High Fast Water, Canoe Races.

    Or to just clear out the cobwebs being cooped up parked by a Maine cabin wood stove. Young and old alike team up for the chance to compete, complete and maybe win a t-shirt.

    paddlers maine river race
    Been On Your Feet All Day? Er I Mean Through Maine River Rapids, Twists And Turns? River Race Paddlers, 2 Paddle Boards In The Meduxnekeag River Race.

    The cost of purchasing a canoe in Maine varies based on factors such as the canoe’s material, brand, condition (new or used), and specific features. Here’s a general overview to guide you:

    New Canoes:

    • Plastic Canoes: Typically range from $800 to over $2,000, depending on size and brand.
    • Aluminum Canoes: Generally priced between $1,500 and $4,000.
    • Composite Canoes (e.g., Kevlar, Fiberglass): Often start around $2,500 and can exceed $6,000, reflecting their lightweight and high-performance characteristics.

    Used Canoes:

    • On average, a used canoe costs about $750, with prices ranging from $300 to $1,500, influenced by factors like condition, age, and brand.

    Local Maine Options:

    • Two Rivers Canoe & Tackle: Based in Sherman, Maine, they offer the “Maine Freighter,” a custom-built canoe known for its quality and durability. For specific pricing, it’s recommended to contact them directly.
    • Saco River Canoe & Kayak: Located in the Mount Washington Valley area, they sell gently used kayaks and canoes at affordable prices. For current inventory and pricing, reaching out to them is advisable.
    • Check Uncle Henry’s, Facebook Marketplace, Heck Mardens!

    When considering a Maine canoe purchase, it’s essential to assess your specific needs. Such as intended use (recreational, whitewater, or expedition), desired durability, weight preferences, and budget.

    Visiting local retailers or outfitters in Maine can provide hands-on experience and personalized advice to help you make an informed decision.

    kayak maine canoe races
    Grab A Paddle, Load Up The Canoe, Launch The Kayak! Spring High Water Time Is Here!

    Paddling hard in a spring Maine river race is a mix of adrenaline, connection to nature, and sheer physical effort. It’s an experience that pushes you physically and mentally while immersing you in the beauty and unpredictability of Maine’s rivers. What does a Maine river canoe kayak paddler experience from the waterway run around the state?


    The Build-Up: Anticipation and Energy

    • Spring in Maine: The rivers are swollen with snow melt, running fast and cold. The air is crisp, and the landscape is a patchwork of lingering frost and emerging greenery.
    • Pre-Race Jitters: Standing at the starting line, surrounded by other paddlers, you feel the buzz of excitement. Everyone is checking gear, strategizing, and trying to stay warm.

    The Start: Pure Adrenaline

    • When the Maine canoe race begins, it’s chaos in the best way. Paddles splash, competitors shout, and the Maine river seems alive, surging forward as if it’s part of the race.
    • The water grabs your canoe or kayak, demanding quick reactions. Your heart pounds—not just from effort but from the thrill of it all.

    The Physical Challenge: Pushing Hard

    • Paddling Against Resistance:
      Each stroke cuts through icy Maine river water, your muscles burning as you fight the current, your competitors, and sometimes the wind.
    • Rapids and Obstacles:
      Maine’s spring rivers are unpredictable, with rapids, rocks, and sometimes low-hanging branches that require skill and focus. A lot like unpredictable forces in life right?
    • Cold Water Reminder:
      The cold splash of the Maine river keeps you sharp. It’s invigorating but a reminder of how serious the conditions are. Better bungie cord the cooler and any loose items just in case we capsize.

    The Mental Battle: Grit and Strategy

    • Finding Your Rhythm:
      After the initial burst of energy, you settle into a paddling rhythm. Your breathing aligns with your strokes, and your mind shifts into a zone. Maine, the way life should be.
    • Strategic Decisions:
      Do you paddle harder to gain ground or pace yourself to save energy for the end? Reading the river current becomes critical—choosing the fastest line, avoiding obstacles, and adjusting to currents.
    • Moments of Doubt:
      When your arms ache, and it feels like everyone is pulling ahead, it takes mental grit to keep going down a Maine river.

    The Connection: Nature and Camaraderie

    • Wild Beauty:
      The riverbanks are alive with the first signs of spring—birch trees budding, birds calling, and the smell of damp earth. Even as you push hard, you can’t help but notice the beauty around you.
    • Shared Experience:
      Whether it’s a glance exchanged with a competitor or a friendly laugh at a near-capsize, there’s camaraderie in the shared effort.

    The Finish: Exhaustion and Triumph

    • Final Push:
      As you near the finish line, you dig deep, every ounce of strength going into those last strokes.
    • Relief and Joy:
      Crossing the line is pure satisfaction. Your body aches, but it’s worth it for the sense of accomplishment.
    • Post-Race Vibe:
      Onshore, there’s a mix of laughter, shared stories, and warm drinks to chase away the chill. You feel part of a community that understands the unique thrill of river racing.

    Maine Is Second Hand Clothing, Low Or No Cost Options.
    Dressed For Fun, The Outdoor Application. Not Being A Clotheshorse. Or Out To Impress. Just Warm, Cool, Dry, Comfortable.

    Why It’s Worth It

    Paddling in a spring Maine river race is as much about the journey as the competition. It’s a chance to challenge yourself. To embrace the raw beauty of nature, and connect with the river in a way that few other experiences can offer. It’s tough, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Thanks for following our Me In Maine blog posts.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 |  info@mooersrealty.com   | 

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

  • Mini Vacations In Maine

    Mini Vacations In Maine

    Mini vacations in Maine.

    During COVID, the ability to venture up into Maine has been tougher on some states than others. I always remind anyone planning to cross the big green southern bridge to check with www.me.gov . To know for sure who’s on the naughty or nice list and gets a travel pass depending on your state’s high or low coronavirus numbers .

    When you live in Maine, vacations closer to where you live in the state happen a lot.

    family snowmobiling maine trails
    Hearty Lunch, All Fueled Snowmobilers Ready To Hit The Trails! Riding And  Exploring Hidden Communities In Maine.

    You are already here. Being socially distant and practicing safety pandemic protocols is not so hard due to our small Maine population. No traffic or grid lock slowing travel down in Maine. Outdoors any season is the reason we hang our hat in Maine over any other location.

    This past Martin Luther King weekend, a quick trip mini instate vacation to Millinocket Lake happened.

    The New England Outdoor Center is a hidden facility ideal for couples, families, small groups to tap into some Maine recreation.

    My first experience with NEOC was white water rafting the Penobscot River.

    The flow of water out of hydro electric dam controls the speed of the watery ride through Exterminator and other creatively named river locations.

    Paddling hard, digging into the rushing cold river water for right, left or lift directions hollered out by the guy or gal sitting on the back of your bright yellow colored raft. Sometimes it’s “HOLD!” shouted out which means one arm raised high holding your paddle. While other reaches for the short rope secured to the raft floor as a wall of water enters your boat and hits whoever sat up front the hardest of river ride companions.

    My youngest son Elliot was a river guide on the Penobscot River for Northern Outdoors during college summers.

    Working in the River’s Edge Restaurant nights, helping tourists with wet suits and water vests work up an appetite and to stay in the boat days.

    new england outdoor center food
    River Driver’s Restaurant To Fill Your Stomach After Spending A Winter Day Outside.
    maine mini vacations
    Heading To Eat After Tramping Outside On A Maine Winter Day. The River Driver’s NEOC Lodge.

    This weekend no climbing into a raft or holding a paddle. It’s winter which means snowmobiling, cross country skiing. To hike up and down twisting groomed woods trails wearing a pair of snow shoes. Everyone well distanced on the trail. Being a ways up I-95 into the belly of real Maine means less campers, more Maine all to yourself.

    Sections of Millinocket Lake cleared of snow and flooded with water from a couple ice fishing size holes to make it smooth and polished.

    milliinocket lake neoc
    Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling, Pond Hockey, Snowshoeing And Cross Country Skiing. The Frozen Lakes Get The Winter Traffic.

    No Zamboni used to erase the cracks from the outdoor ice surface between spirited pond hockey periods. But I could hear the “he shoots, he scores” from across the lake as my party snow shoed out across it.

    The crunch of snow mixed with the sound of a light wind as fresh clean air fills your lungs. While admiring the Maine’s highest mountain and the supporting cast of foot hills around Mt Katahdin. That rise up and populate Baxter State Park’s forever wild legacy created by one smart, unselfish Maine governor.

    mt katahdin maine
    Any Season, Any Angle, Mount Katahdin Captivates A Person Any Age.

    It was Percival Baxter who knew best the perfect gift to leave behind for the many generations to come to enjoy.

    Outdoor enthusiasts who would make the yearly pilgrimage to the Baxter State Park area via the quickest route available. And for as many times possible to sneak up into Vacationland to unplug and recharge in Maine.

    New England Outdoor Center has other Maine sporting locations too.

    Have stayed in The Forks to paddle down the Dead and Kennebec Rivers. Those trips white water rafting are a change of scenery. But those boat rides don’t begin to compare with the thrill of the maneuvering around rocks and water pockets. Hang on for a fast ride excitement no matter how many times you float fast down the Penobscot River. Check out the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) website for lodging, meal plans, vacation packages.

    maine white water rafting
    Hang On, Get Sprayed, Rushing Through Maine’s Penobscot River Rapids.

    Here’s a quick video of New England Outdoor Center lodging, the setting in Millinocket Maine run and gun collected to share from last weekend’s visit.

    Needing a mini vacation in Maine and way over due?

    Are you getting a little stir crazy and developing cabin fever from the weight and length of the pandemic?

    moose loon lodge neoc
    Moose And Loon Lodge At The New England Outdoor Center, Millinocket ME. One Option To Run Away To Vacationland For A Maine Mini Vacation.

    Need to fill your lungs with fresh clean Maine air?

    Your eyes and ears and nose with the sights and sounds and smells of outdoor all natural Maine?

    There are plenty of options to rent a cabin or stay in a lodge trail side for whatever your favorite outdoor recreation up here in Maine. Maine sure is the way life should be. Pick an area and see the options in your Internet search.

    moose lodge millinocket lake me
    Space Inside, Outside For Your Mini Vacation In Maine. Moose Lodge, Millinocket Lake At New England Outdoor Center.

    Mini vacations in Maine.

    The sheer size of Maine makes the statement sound like an oxymoron. Because travel tiime to get to and from Maine can eat up a big chunk of your small window of time that you wished you could spend in Vacationland.

    mt katahdin maine photo
    Just Shy Of A Mile High, Mt Katahdin In Winter Fly Over.

    It’s like a flight to the moon or a distance planet and so much of the resources of fuel and time are eaten up in the Maine vacation travel mode element.

    I see it when say a real estate buyer from Rhode Island is eight hours away. When they are up to their small camp on forty acres up in Maine and it’s Sunday morning. They are well aware if we don’t get on the road to start the trek back to their home state, it’s going to be a hard week ahead. You can hear the clock ticking as soon as you wake up and have to think about breaking camp up in Maine.

    where to stay in maine vacation
    Where To Stay On Your Maine Vacation? Google It, Lots Of Choices Like The New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket Or The West Forks In Maine.

    The older you get the more difficult it becomes to make long road trips.

    Mini vacations in Maine don’t allow enough time and involve a lot of prep work. Gearing up, staying awake, getting all packed up and leaving before the crack of dawn. To race up to Maine arriving very late on a Friday night and trying to jam in as much fun as possible while road weary. Then tearing home, arriving dog tired and exhausted. Trying to rise and shine to get up Monday morning to begin another work week where you lost the weekend to properly prepare for the nine to five. To function on all cylinders in following days back in the dog and pony grind. Trying  to get stretched back into their routine. The one all shook up by how long it takes to get up in, around and down hill back out of Maine.

    snowmobiles rentals maine
    Bring Your Snowsleds, Rent A Snowmobile Up In Maine. Hit The Groomed Trails Either Way!

    Living in Maine full time still means travel to access all her goodness.

    But when you can shave off four, five or more hours of travel time it means an extra refreshing mini vacation. Out of the car and not pinned behind the wheel plying the trails. Seeing the sights, sampling the local food and traditions. Tickling all the senses. The folks that appreciate Maine most often have something very different to compare it to where crime is high. Just like the cost of living. The price you pay in populated centers where folks are not the friendliest and just too many in number on all four sides.

    snow shoeing in maine
    Winter Fun On The Groomed Wood Trails. Do You Own A Pair Of Snowshoes?

    What’s your favorite spot in Maine to return to through out your life?

    What do you hope to do in Maine that is on your bucket list to cross off that you dream about doing? I long for the Canadian US border to open up for free traffic to resume. As a Maine border town on the boundary line, the locals miss how easy it is to leave the country for a day. Winter is a season like all the rest, we are outdoors and not stuck inside. Ever taken a mini vacation in Maine over the winter months?

    maine moose on wall
    Just Hanging Around At Home? Needing A Mini Vacation In Maine?

    Maine, our lower population and big supply of open space awaits to create safe pandemic sensitive vacation options.

    Itching to head north to switch into mini vacation in Maine mode? Quick trips up into Maine. The further you go, the more space and lower the Maine vacation costs you enjoy. Not everyone gets to all four corners of Maine to discover the special places that don’t get the ink. The Maine coastal tourist traps get most of the press and winter recreational fun is lost on snowbirds that beeline out of state to warm climate locations. But for those of us who hang around, that are nestled in the cozy corners of Maine small town living have a blast. You have the trails pretty much to yourself.

    cross country skiing in maine
    Even The Puppy Comes Along On The Cross Country Ski Trails. Winter Fun Outdoors On A Maine Mini Vacation.

    Mini vacations in Maine, is that part of your New Year’s 2021 resolution in the months ahead?

    This past weekend saw lots of folks with the same idea to hole up up in Maine at a sporting retreat. Mini vacations in Maine to cure the suffering of cabin fever. Don’t waste a Maine winter and take advantage of the lodging and meal deals. Exercise outdoors on your mini vacation up in Maine. Lots of options, does not have to cost an arm, leg or duplicate organ. Maine, the way life should be.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com | 

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

     

  • Wilderness In Maine, Welcome To The Allagash Waterway.

    Wilderness In Maine, Welcome To The Allagash Waterway.

    Maine is pretty sparsely populated.

    You and I have not debate nor need to split hairs on that statement. But within the stretches of remote wilderness, some areas stand out more than others. Usually waterways were the first prerequisite of any early settlement in Maine or anywhere. If there had not been the Allagash River, probably the plantation with the same name may not have gotten off the ground. Or earned a dot on the Maine Vacationland map.

    Allagash ME, Vacationland’s Largest Township Land Mass. Almost 3 Acres Of The 42 Is A Famous Stretch Of Water.

    Allagash, the community itself is a collection of Scotch-Irish DNA.

    Located at the end of Route 161 and the French Acadian Saint John River Valley, this corner of Maine has a pretty unique history. The Saint John River is what brought settlers to the Allagash’s wild timberland regions up here in the upper regions of the Crown of Maine. The population of Allagash Maine is 220 souls.

    But the land mass that is dubbed Allagash is 42 square miles.

    Whoa. Way way larger than the 6 by 6 miles that the bulk of Northern Maine townships that show up as on the systematic square rows of township this, range that tout for their size. Allagash Maine is the largest land mass of any town in Maine. (Almost 3 square miles of Allagash is water.) Famous water called the Allagash Wilderness Waterway that is over 92 miles long and comprised of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the North Maine Woods. Canoeing, fishing, hunting, camping in the Allagash River Wilderness Waterway is on the bucket list of anyone with affection for the state of Maine. Images, pictures of Allagash Maine.

    First organized in 1885, the town of Allagash was not incorporated until 1966.

    welcome to maine
    Take Your Time! Welcome.. We Really Mean It In Maine. Come On Up… Way Way Up And See It All.

    Slim fast is happening. Sadly the town has about fifty percent of the population now that it did in the 1970’s. The Allagash Maine large land mass is T16 R10, T16 R11, T17 R10 and T17 R11. More on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and a detailed map to show the regions: that explains the size of canoes and kayaks, other regulations of this protected natural resource to abide by when you are paddling down this wilderness liquid highway.

    Henry David Thoreau visited the Allagash waterway in 1857 with the help of a pair of Penobscot native American guides. The most publicized section of the Allagash wilderness waterway is Chase Rapids located just downstream from Churchill Dam which is classified a class II rapid. Don’t expect wall to wall cell phone coverage and plan that it will be spotty.

    Make sure to pack a first aid kit on your up to 92 mile trip. And as you plan your Maine vacation adventure on the river, be sure to build in extra days for a buffer. To absorb unexpected weather that may keep you off the water.

    Guide services for hunting, fishing and the river adventure are the mainstays for the micro local economy in Allagash.

    The town office has a lot of uses to be the most efficient and because there are not any other options to house them. Route 161 literally makes this the end of the line in Maine. There is a Maine beer named Allagash too. They employ around 130 workers and are growing like a lot of Maine based breweries. They are filling bottles with a variety of secret brew recipes in the Portland area, not in Aroostook County. Yet. (Smile).

    The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is one of the premiere canoe trips in the Eastern United States.

    There is no argument fro anyone on that statement. Watch, listen to some Allagash River videos.  Get in touch with nature. Be outdoors in Maine and not limited to the space that four walls provides for a prison. Paddle a pristine series of interesting water components that you may or may not have been aware of up until now. You will not be bored; there is variety and something new every trip down the waterway because the season may be different, the weather not the exact same or the wildlife you see will vary. You are not the same either as you plan, paddle, reflect and connect with unspoiled nature.

    Often the images of large Lombard steam log hauler timber locomotives are what many recall as the  huge idle dinosaurs left still standing out in your journey down the connection of waterways. A rusting reminder of the not silent buzz of lumbering activity that the Allagash area of Maine was back in the days of large cross saws two man metal saws. Long before chains saws motor driven saws were reached for to use before hollering “Timberrrrrr”.

    Between 1900 and 1917, 83 of the steam powered locomotives were welded and brazed and bolted together in a Waterville Maine plant. Sadly, only 3 of these iron horses designed only for logging not passengers or assorted freight are still alive and running today. Watch number 74 of the Lombards hauling logs and in action. As it does what it was made to do years ago in the woods when it jumped the iron rails to hit the twitch trails plying the vast timber tracts in Maine.

    Forget the paddles and life jackets and black fly repellent? No sweat. Put on your mittens or gloves, slide on a full coverage helmet and gas up. Hang on. Take the groomed trail trip by snowmobile. Two impressive train locomotives still rest off the shores of Eagle Lake in Piscataquis County in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

    Your journey by canoe, kayak or maybe snow sled, hiking and hoofing it  will be memorable. But be prepared to assure you have a safe and enjoyable trip to the Allagash.

    The Little Black River joins the St John in Allagash. The St John is the dividing line between Canada and Maine for most of the crown called Vacationland. Waterfalls, a series of lakes, places where at certain times of the year portaging around what’s up around the next corner could be prudent.

    The smallness of the Allagash community like most low number towns and plantation settlements brings those that do live there closer. When a birth or death happens it is a big deal. There is hope or a deep loss and both are felt by the locals in different but powerful ways. Small towns or villages or settlements are pockets of intimacy and creative industry. Glowing brightly when the circle of life calling the small Maine community home is small, tight and depend on each other. Is that the take away where you live now? “Maine, the way life should be “is more than a catchy state motto. Come see for yourself and sample some pure Maine.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com  | 

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

     

     

  • Maine Is Outdoor Fresh Air, Wide Open Space.

    Maine Is Outdoor Fresh Air, Wide Open Space.

    Sometimes you have it made but can lose track of just the why part when you live in Maine.

    It is easy to take for granted what we have so much of when it is not this way many other places on Earth. What makes you tick and whatever you need is found in the nature of Maine. Places in the outdoor spaces. Maine is unspoiled, under populated and 100 percent fresh and natural. We go into nature in Maine for outdoor recreation, to preserve traditions, for food and wood to burn, for answers. For beauty not found many places just too over developed.

    Maine Lighthouses Are Neat In Winter Magic.
    Everything Changes In A Blink Of The Eye. Like The Seasons. Small Maine Towns Pull Together To Get Through The Good, Sad Times. Life Happens Outdoors In The Fresh Air To Clear Your Head, Calm Your Heart.

    Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy. Isaac Newton

    Nature is cheaper than therapy. Unknown

    Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Lao Tzu

    Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    The mountains are calling and I must go. And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul. John Muir

    I love places that make you realize how tiny you and your problems are. Unknown

    Go where you feel most alive. Unknown

    But ask some Mainers about bragging up what we have to offer and they can clam up.

    maine baby loons
    Where’s My Mom? Baby Loon Wonders To Himself.

    Thinking because there is not one giant tourist attraction like the place where the two mice wearing the white gloves and all their friends hang out, then somehow we are lacking. Living in Maine is plenty exciting but not in a man made way.

    The best parts of Maine are the people, the experiences, the fresh air and clean water settings. Maybe the not realizing how lucky we are with all this outdoors is because a teacher or parent taught the child that there is nothing here that they felt is important. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Gratitude is riches, criticism is poverty.

    When you walk outside during a winter starry night you get zapped with a sense of peace and space. The World does stop spinning and your focus improves. The trillions of stars overhead force you to realize how lucky you are, how not to take yourself too personally.
    Kayaking a Maine lake or stream does the same unplug and recharge inside blow you away sensation.

    Have you ever looked out with a thousand yard stare after a climb to the top of Mt Katahdin or standing on a pair of boards on a mountain top in Maine? Sea kayaking paddling out to an off shore lighthouse or reaching down to sample fresh blueberries along a craggy trail?

    maine lake loon with fish
    Come And Get It. Fish For Free Are Fresh In A Maine Lake. Adult Loons Are Excellent Anglers To Feed Their Young!

    You suddenly realize this is where you find all you need, everything that is important in life to you and your family.

    You and I, wildlife need wide open space.

    Not a few acres set aside for millions of people like a Central Park. Not in a roomy museum hideaway in a city setting. To get the long lasting feeling of peace in nature, you need to be deep into what Maine does so well. And one week’s vacation is not a high enough RX dosage for what ails you. Or to stay centered and balanced. At peace and contented even keeled.

    But being parked away from the hustle bustle can make someone who lives in Maine feel they could be missing something pretty exciting in the bright lights, big city. So take a trip, sample the city treasures and then retreat back to Maine.

    maine lake loon baby
    Fish For Young Lake Loon. Mom Knows How To Angle For Them Best. Until Junior Learns The Ropes For Catching His Fish Dinner!

    For many that trek “uptah camp in Maine” is the safety net, how they keep going and stay sane. Jammed in a space like a submarine for too long in a city setting can drive a person crazy. And easily slip into the notion that this condition is the norm for everyone in the land.

    In Maine you have sixteen counties and most of them are split into three, four or more regions.

    No two areas are quite the same carbon copy and every small Maine community, the handful of cities too are unique.

    It’s a new year and what are your plans that involve a Maine backdrop setting for you ahead? Maine, commune with nature, go deep in

    maine snow sledders up north
    Heading North, Hitting The ITS Trails In Maine.

    the woods, take in the waterfront options and enjoy our farm to table home grown experience as often as you can. Adopt your own small Maine town for reasons only you can explain and keep returning to these venues to stay current, to feel healthy and worthwhile. It is all about quality of life. I think the secret is being outdoors in Maine. Any chance you can slip outside back to nature in Maine.

    Here to offer my two cents living in Maine full time.

    To provide insider local tips to make your trip to Maine experience more memorable. Ask any local and feel the friendly suggestions flowing your way on the lay of the land in Maine. Maybe you have forgotten since you were a kid how much fun getting outdoors to play really is. Come visit the areas carved out of the woods by lumberjacks, by farmers creating agricultural homesteads, by rock bound coastal fishermen. Sample a local brew, some of the local cuisine and listen to the music, hear about the small Maine town history.

    maine snow sign
    Snow Is Not An Evil Four Letter Word. Not In Maine.

    By hooking on the fresh Maine air oxygen mask.

    We’ll fix that amnesia problem of what a kid knows how to do and that adults can forget being way way too serious when life loses its fun and games approach. Don’t let the imagination go stale or completely dark from lack of use.

    Like a horse stuck inside for the winter and not turned out. Slow down on the rich clover and fresh grass. Easy does it as you turn on the natural gas. No hurry. Breathe long and deep with a long hit of Maine fresh air.

    Take your time, you’re not on the clock and there is no test afterwards. No two exact same methods to get that peaceful easy feeling in Maine’s outdoors no matter what one of the four seasons the calendar displays.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com | MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

  • What’s It Like Living In Maine?

    What’s It Like Living In Maine?

    What’s it like living in Maine?

    It’s pure and natural and four season beautiful. But somethings are the same no matter where you hang your hat. Minding my own business and the phone in Maine rings. We get those interruptions too. Ever get a call where someone promises you this phone interview should not take long? They act like you are getting an important call you expected. Just a few simple questions and you are free to go. The whoever think tank public opinion pollster they work for on the other end on the signal is never sufficiently identified.

    Because both sides of the hurried conversation just want to get it over with quickly.

    You because you had other task plans that were interrupted by taking the phone call. The voice from the other end because maybe they get compensated the higher the number per completed interview. And extra points heaped on like the ice cream cherry on top. If they can sway and skew the results in the direction of whoever is funding this rate the following one to five or chose from the following two sides of the coin positions on some trending hot topic.

    maine beach photo
    Working Together, Making Maine Great. It Takes Accurate Information About What’s It Like In Maine To Attract People To Move, Relocate Here.

    You know the drill when the telephone is ringing and gotcha, you picked up.

    Now what? When neither question options to select from really completely nails it on how do you really feel on this, this and one more question choice. You wonder where are they going with this line of questions? Who wants to know and how are they going to use the poll results?

    The interview when it goes on too long can become a had enough situation.

    Just get through the questions and you’re not even sure what they are asking after the slur of words as patience wears thin. How much longer? My life is on hold and I’m wasting daylight. That’s the way anyone living or growing up on a Maine farm reacts to costly delays when chores are waiting. Because the simple couple of questions in the poll is not the case. Too many parts to the all important poll questions that just keep coming your way. Had an interviewer doing the poll say “now we move into the part of the survey where we ask you blah blah…” ?

    I thought we WERE close to the end and it was going to be like you tell the kids “quick like a bunny”.  Whew, I’m off the hook soon. Trying to help the telemarketer pollster. But realizing with a bad taste developing in my mouth. That there is a pattern to the what is being asked and how it is being phrased in the progression of need your opinion inquiries.

    The questions try to build a case for some kind of public opinion poll result position for whoever funded this exercise.

    You are the witness being groomed for a case by your yea or nay response. Or could be cast away and deemed as not so fun, not so useful on the hunt to find those who are. I guess if 80 to 90 percent of respondents feel a certain way, that influences where you throw your support?

    houlton maine small town photo
    Small Maine Towns Where People Are Closely Knit, Often Times Related.

    Mainers are pretty practical independent thinkers. When the end is near and you can smell freedom to get on with your life the answer box checker individual asks would you mind if a reporter calls you? Somehow your answers make you a good candidate for a talking head holding a mic with the bright light to saddle up beside you. For collecting a staged, distilled thought provoking little video clip and a catchy sound bite. Because you and I seem to trust the man on the street a little more than the wisdom of the one in the elected office.

    Nothing can rub a true Mainer harder the wrong way either than some of the blog posts or media interviews that try to size up the state based on a very narrow viewpoint.

    One that does not represent how those who live here really feel about the Maine experience. What is it like living in Maine. The power of the pen authority you don’t know from Adan applies their own template of good, bad, ugly Maine rating as they try to size up the biggest New England state. From what they find important that it is assumed every other reader agrees with who lives here. Or assuming the reaction they would have by this tour guide trying to save everyone a little heart ache.

    But the images used in the post that they not take. Because never been here or it was a whirlwind trip for a few hours, parts of a day or weekend that does not help you size up the what do you think about Maine. The copy is a quick cut and dry that sounds a lot like the shortcomings in other rural state locations they also have a strong opinion on and are not timid about sharing it.

    The size it up based on not very much real information from local experiences and lacking interviews with people from Maine that could share valuable insight. Instead, judging the area from a few comment trails in a forum. Filling in with what they don’t know by broad brushing the state of Maine is an overly critical spot light like they were a life long resident.

    And they miss the mark about summing up what Maine is like horribly.

    But those hunt and pecked electrons hit and run damaging pieces sure do make the rounds on blog posts circuit that continue to come up in search results as gospel.

    horse drawn wagon rides in maine tours photo
    Outdoor Jaunts On Foot, In A Wagon Or Sleigh Depending On The Season. Mainers Are Outdoors All Four Seasons Touring The Gorgeous Unspoiled Countryside.

    Beat the drum louder, longer and remind the reader in search of where to move, where to vacation, anything Maine to make sure your authority is in the Pine Tree state and actually lives here. So they know what they are talking about from first hand grass roots experience. not repeating a myth and acting like an authority when they don’t have much boots on the ground. The landscape changes and gets reinvented so historical perspective helps the explanations you read about when someone is looking for the lay of the land first hand information to base their opinion on Maine.

    What’s it like living in Maine and can we hear from those in the Vacationland region in the answers?

    What is really important, what matters most for everyone does not come up with the same pat answers. Responses to FAQ about Maine. That shows someone has filled you with a lot of bull or you just need more accurate information to base your decision to move to Maine, to vacation here. Come see for yourself, do your own thinking, draw your own conclusions on Maine.

    Points to remember about living here in Maine….

    It’s more than quaint sea salt air and rock bound coastal harbor towns with a collection of lighthouses. Maine offers more than a moose sighting and a lobster roll and that concludes the check list of what you come for and then quickly leave. Back over the big arched green iron bridge on the southern end connecting it to the rest of New England and points unknown. Maine is rolling farms, virgin wood forests, wildlife of all types. It is hardworking families, mom and pop small businesses, Maine is small town grateful people. Maine is unspoiled and not over commercialized, the fourth lowest crime state. You don’t experience traffic or waiting around in Maine living. It is low cost real estate, uncomplicated simple living and more hands on DIY. Neighbors helping each other.

    Keep your card in your wallet and save the yearly membership dues for roadside assistance. You won’t need triple A to jump start your dead car battery. Just put up the hood and watch five people put on the four way flashers and join forces to give you a hand. To stay with you until a solution to the problem is figured out like you have known them for years. You can trust the down to Earth Mainer who is upbeat and positive and who shy away from whining, complaint or snarky. Because you are wasting daylight, you are not squeezing out of life what is most important that you kid’s pick up and apply to their outlook to pass on to their young ones. What’s it like living in Maine?

    Help others and add your talents to make things better than they were.

    maine white tail deer photo
    Meet Your Neighbor In Maine. Shy, Quiet, Usually Four Legged.

    Mainers contribute, make themselves useful and don’t feel entitled, are anything but lazy. You will be rescued if ever stranded on the highways of Maine. You too will help others broke down to figure out solutions so they don’t stay that way. Small Maine towns are like that.

    We don’t rely so heavily on money to fuel the experience. Mainers are more into using their imaginations, snow shoeing across the white blanketed farm field or through a woods trail. We have it all from clean air, fresh water, a sky loaded with stars overhead and no light pollution.

    You will like all pure natural Maine for what she does offer and the even longer list of what you don’t enjoy where you live now in an urban setting. The best of both worlds is to live in small town Maine but plan a trip to a population center to sample and return to simple low cost living for the bulk of your day to day lifestyle pursuits.

    The Internet lets folks roam freely and telecommute remotely to online jobs that once kept them limited and tethered to an expensive city locations.

    Whether starting a family, retiring after a long career, opening up a business enterprise or just on vacation, you could not do better than Maine. The Canadian provincial connection just adds to the sizzle for a truly International bonus “two nation vacation”.

    What’s it like living in Maine?

    When you read up on Maine, go deeper than the only been to Portland ME or other coastal town contributors. Or avoid those who have never set foot in Maine nor have any personal experiences to draw from to make it an accurate representation of this great state with all the space, where you can entertain yourself so completely without using a credit card for the artificial retail therapy temporary fix. Here are some community videos of Maine to add to the homework assignment as you glean and surf the net.

    Maine is not wall to wall people on top of each other fighting to get you out of their face and space.

    Has the nearest city to where you live now outside of the state of Maine started the sprawl in your direction? Is your small town changing in how it used to be back when you enjoyed the community? Maybe it is time to consider where and when you are going to have to face the facts. To relocate to Maine, the way life should be. How much information on Maine do you have and where do you get it? This blog on what’s it like living in Maine tries to shed some light on the topic from a local that grew up here and loves the state!

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 |  info@mooersrealty.com 

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

  • Kayaking A Maine Lake | No Motor For A More Powerful Experience.

    Kayaking A Maine Lake | No Motor For A More Powerful Experience.

    Under your own power, not twisting a throttle or pushing a foot feed on one of Maine’s many lakes.

    That’s the best way to see, hear, smell, feel Maine under your own speed with self provided paddling power. Keep the motor boat, the jet ski, the pontoon party vessel lashed to its mooring post. And slide on a life jacket, grab a two sided paddle to dip and push in alternating motion. To play a Maine lake.

    maine lake kayaks photo
    Lake Kayaks, Cover The Shoreline Of An Entire Maine Lake Easily! See The Islands, Discover The Many Interesting Coves!

    Hop in, push off, see how much easier a kayak is to cover the surface of a Maine lake than the paddle boat where you work your guts out.

    To end up not getting very far from out front a Maine waterfront property. Maybe you want the kids to stay handy and if so, promote the paddle boat option. But when you make time to explore the perimeter of a Maine lake, all the interesting coves, islands and the wildlife, it is a habit you will repeat through out your life.

    The lake loons, their babies sharing the Maine lake.

    The jumping fish that sea gulls and other hungry birds of prey circle over head looking for a chance to dive and grab. Without a loud motor, you can talk with your mate too. Exchanging what each is seeing as you study the shoreline, the other kayaks or water fowl you come up on as you paddle slowly.

    maine lake loon baby
    Fish For Young Lake Loon. Mom Knows How To Angle For Them Best. Until Junior Learns The Ropes For Catching His Fish Dinner!

    Like riding a bike, you can coast with a kayak with little effort paddling and you glide and coast. The sea kayaks are bigger, longer, heavier. And with two holes for a co-pilot to paddle too, you often need a set of dolly wheels to center the craft that takes two to launch and remove from the Maine ocean front.

    Paddling out to a close Maine lighthouse on a calm sea day is a sure way to capture some great images. And to work up an appetite for Maine local home grown food. To sample whatever is in season from the garden, the deep sea or farm field.

    You are in another’s home when out on the water in your kayak that glides in close.

    maine baby loons
    Where’s My Mom? Baby Loon Wonders To Himself.

    The fish swimming beneath you jump. You see little minnows hanging out of a mother loon’s mouth that she is taking

    maine lake loon with fish
    Come And Get It. Fish For Free Are Fresh In A Maine Lake. Adult Loons Are Excellent Anglers To Feed Their Young!

    back for junior to sample. The young loons no where near as pretty or decked out as the mature adult loon. Or the full grown duck that paddle by in one direction as you head in another. Bald eagles, hawks, herons, otters, beavers. You see them all, even hitch hiking dragon flies that flit and bask in the sun just like you.

    Do you own a kayak?

    maine lake kayak dragon fly
    Like A Parked Helicopter, A Dragon Fly Sets Down, Parks It. As You Keep Paddling Around A Maine Lake In Your Kayak.

    The pair of LL Bean Loon 111’s are a neat pair to invest in. Some of the kayaks are completely open, others have a oval cockpit hole with comfortable seat and foot pegs. To push down as you dig in to move the water backwards as your kayak propels forward. Pack a lunch, bring some sunscreen, don’t forget your camera.

    See how easy two or three hours can burn by as you relax, bob, drift on a Maine lake. The exercise is easy, the scenery so interesting you forget you are paddling. Especially as you get close to wildlife without disturbing them.

    Kayaking makes you think about the watershed, how man helps or hurts the waterfront.

    Wave to other happy campers on shore or out on the waterfront with the same idea you had on a sunny summer day in Maine. Fishing, sight seeing, pulling a tube or some loved on on a set or single water ski. See the lake slowly and under

    maine lake camping tent fire
    Young Boys Camp Out, Tent On A Less Populated Part Of A Maine Lake.

    your own steam in your trusty kayak.

    The travel paced nice and easy or digging in to work up a hunger. As the wind comes up, the travel difficulty cranks up a couple notches. Hopefully not one angry black cloud in the sky to spoil the blue, white and sunshine. Big swanky vacation homes, small quaint colorful camps. You see it all as you study the shoreline. The water level outlined on rocks to show like an engine oil dipstick where the line usually is when a summer is dry and someone turned off the rain.

    Hunger improves the taste too remember?

    The longer you kayak, the more a snack seems like a good idea. Smell the outdoor fires cooking summer time food on the grill. The pines, lush forest around the lake, the smell of the water itself too that just jacks up the sensation. Along with the rippling water off the back of your kayak, the little spray when the breeze picks up as you paddle around your waterfront paradise in Maine.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 |  info@mooersrealty.com  |  MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA