Category: Vacations in Maine

Snowmobiling In Maine | Hitting The Snow Sled Trails

Fresh dragged, groomed snow sled trails carved and made smooth during the middle of the Maine winter night

And this fine next morning you, your snowmobile party can’t wait to try them out to discover new places, old haunts in Maine. Just had a local home made breakfast with plenty of talk about today’s snow sled trip. Are you in this dream? There is nothing like the pleasure of trail riding in winter in Maine. Seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. Crossing a river by a new bridge built by hard working local snow sled club member volunteers this past summer. Using a trail system kept brush free and safely marked by snowmobile enthusiasts of all ages. Who pitch in to create interesting courses, loops, to groom their section of an ITS snow sled trail that passes through their part of Maine. The support also from local businesses, with a little help from the snow sled dealers, and the state of Maine. With permit money funneled back from a portion of the snowmobiled machine in state, out of state registration fees.

Follow Me To Maine. Explore ME Riding The Snowmobile Network Trails System Of Groomed Trails!

The biggest obstacle for the success of the winter snow sled season is the white stuff.

If it is scarce, the out of town snow sledders uses radar and the grapevine to find out where the flakes are piling up to play on this coming weekend. Some snow sledders do local loops and mostly to places to eat and socialize and then back to their Maine lodge log cabin or motel room. The local Maine snow sled clubs all take turns with their winter celebrations that are ideal to visit on a snowmobile. Ever been on a poker run to collect your hand at different snow sled stops? Ice fished in Maine using your snow sled to visit the shack over the five inch hole to wet the line?

Some hard core snow sledders with more time to logged behind the handlebars join Canadian snowmobile clubs.

To gain entry to the International trail system across the Canadian border. To head up to Labrador, Quebec, New Brunswick. But Maine has 14,000 miles of snow sled trails to entertain and keep it new and different. In a state nine hours long, you can spend a lifetime plying the trails, crossing the frozen lakes, hitting the kill switch to stop and gawk. To develop the million dollar stare from a mountain top or elevated ridge section of the snow sled trail.

By George We Have The Snow Your Machine Needs! Visit Aroostook County To Snow Sled This Winter!

Bring your go pro camera, pack a smart phone with decent video and picture taking. And use that cell to stay connected with the outside world when you enter the pure white landscape of Maine. Let’s check in to find out where’s the snow in Maine trail report latest news round up.

I have three snow sleds registered with new stickers in Maine this year.

We get over 100 inches of snow annually! There is plenty of snow and it is being shaped and groomed to create perfect conditions to make your trail ride memorable. Safety first and the trails are so so well marked with signage and mapped. To make it easy getting around. No one is going get lost. Come up up to Maine!

Tips for Maine Snow Sledders New To The Winter Sport.

Stay on the trail. Unless you want a good work out digging out of a hole that only gets deeper the more you squeeze the throttle.

Respect the Maine landowner’s property you are crossing on your snow sled. There are small trees in a plantation on one side, obstacles like parked farm equipment on the other that are trail hazards. You want to visit Maine and stay outdoors not hit the emergency room right? Don’t go home with a neck brace, a cask or worse in a casket. Stay on the right on trails and don’t shut down the machine on a blind curve. That’s a recipe for disaster and getting hit. Don’t over drive your lights at nights. You may have carbide steel ski runners, lots of titanium picks on your spinning track but high speed means longer distance needed on the trail to stop.

Remember These 8 or 10 horse power Ski Doo’s? Narrow to fit the trails that did not exist. Leaning into corners, bogie wheels and no frills snow sledding. Where you tinker for two hours to ride for one. Kids learned about mechanics.

Look for local newspaper advertisements about public suppers.

Study bulletin boards and social media portals from the snow sled clubs. These local feasts are low cost, home made by the best chefs in the land. Someone like your grandmother that cook you and I under the table.

Enjoy home style baked bean crock pots, the sliced just so coleslaw, potato salad, ham or turkey or roast beef, the corn bread, the pies. Well what we are trying to say is get one heck of a feed. While at the same time breaking the bread with the locals.

Learn more about the areas you are snow sledding in Maine from the folks who live here. Not just a brief conversation with a hotel front desk clerk, the gas station attendant or local waitress. Become part of the local fabric of Maine by eating with the locals at a public supper or weekend breakfast that’s raises money for the snow sled club to benefit the trails. Or that is a fund raiser for someone locally suffering with cancer treatments, battling recovery after losing everything in a house fire, some other personal disaster. Mainer’s help each other out.

Public Suppers

Any season Vacationland is worth your time to visit.

But during winter especially the locals are even more friendly and extremely glad to see you. They open up to share their communities if you like to play in the snow flakes like we all do. Come meet the down to Earth people who will share with you where the best trail rides are. Custom made suggestions considering the age of your party and your particular interests. Maybe it is to see a Maine moose, other furry creatures who live in the woods, around the lake, rivers, streams. Or to park by a roaring water falls and learn about the local history of lumbering when they used the waterways to move the logs to the mill downstream. And steam engine Lombard forestry machines before the gas and diesel modern machines took over the woods operations with grapple hooks and skidders doing the tree yarding when someone hollered “TIMMmmmmber.”

We Should Take This Route Over By Bible Point When President Teddy Roosevelt Started His Vacation Day Hunting / Fishing In Maine. See? It’s Right (Squinting) There On The Trail Map.

Make sure your vacation on snow sleds in Maine is unforgettable.

Try new areas you have not visited before and experience more to add to the vacation collection. Visit up in the St John River Valley where there are two sets of trails, just like the North and South bound of the Intertstate 95! Make snowmobiling a healthy habit for your family and friends. When you need to take a much needed vacation during the winter months. Don’t just think of summer at the Maine coast only. Or a trip to hunt and fish or hike and bike in the fall only. Snow lubricates the machines and helps you glide up and over hill and dale. The white new fresh blanket makes Maine truly a winter wonderland. Everything is sugar coated and sparkling under the gaining strength sunshine of longer days. For those under the moonlight night sled trail rides.

Hasn’t it been too long since you spent time in Maine? Hold everything. Plan the trip, make the call, google Maine snow sledding options because the coast is clear. We have plenty of snow to open up all parts of Maine to you and your party on the fun to ride machines.

Rent Snow Sleds From Northern Outdoors! But You’ll Want To Buy Your Own After Catching The Snow Sledding Fever.

Low cost, high scenery, fresh air, sunshine, wide groomed safe marked trails and all kinds of local cuisine. That’s what waiting for you now in Maine!

Break up your winter running the channel changer and snacking too much. Get off that couch. Shake it up. If you do snow sled in Maine it is preaching to the choir. But if it is something new you have not considered, catch the sled head bug. Once you do, the entire family will be right with you on the snow sled trails in Maine. Here are some images of Maine snowmobiling to motivate you to get that winter clothing just hanging in the closet assembled for your next trip north. Catch the fever for new snow. It’s in the air in Maine.

There is no reason to be chilly and the new snow machines have thumb warmers, heated handlebars, radiation under your feet. Strap on your snowmobile helmet, pull on the snow sled moon boots, zip up your action hero looking suit. It’s time to turn the key or pull the cord to begin your snowmobile adventure in the vast state of Maine. Bring your own machines or rent them in Maine. Hear from those who use the snowmobile trails! Tap the video for Maine snowmobile riding. Maine winter snow sled riding, take a trip where cars, truck and man don’t go much or at all.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

February 18, 2018
Up North In Maine

Heading North to Maine. Heading into the North Maine woods

What is the magic of just the location, that one word North? Heading into the North Maine woods. Pointing whatever you drive or piling in with a group of friends to head North to ski, snow sled, hunt, fish or get out on the water.

North Sign, What’s The Buzz, The Big Deal About Up North?

On a compass or a map, the first thing the user wants to determine is where is North. Because the needle better seek north. Not have a mind of its own. And after rolling out the tightly curled up map, you look first and foremost for the arrow pointing in the direction of North. The orientation of North trumps all the west. You have to know where is North first to get your bearings and avoid vertigo.

The North star, Polaris used for navigation unless pesky cloud cover messes up the exercise to know if you are still heading in the right direction.

Up North in Maine. Each quadrant of the circle conjures up an image or two of the other regions. Causes the dream maker insider all of us to consider what if we headed in that particular direction armed with knowledge from the grapevine. Just hearing, seeing, thinking about one word from books, the boob tube or conversations.

West, heading out west.

Panning for gold. Laying claim to free land, a new start for your family in the wagon train. Or smelling like soot. Riding the iron rails in the steel horse gnawing on beef jerky. New unspoiled fertile land, heavily wooded with incredible scenery out West awaits you. All aboard.

Someone in your family’s past headed West to make their fame and fortune right? Hoping they were not a gun slinger or horse thief. Cowboys, rodeos, branding irons, lasso roping scared little Hereford calves. Waving a branding iron for the circle K tattoo. Surf boards, 409’s, Rodeo Drive, Route 66, Area 51 are what you find out West. Hope we don’t have one big final Earthquake.

Pass me that harmonica Cookie. We get to the Rockies by night fall tomorrow if the bag balm works like a charm on lame old on Lightning here. I got a dose of the joint paint myself. Hand me that little green square tin will you? (Rattlesnake sound, hungry wolf howling, cactus shadows around campfire perimeter). Another splash of coffee or a long haul on the flask filled with the recipe?

South, down south.

You might picture mint juleps, Southern hospitality, cotton and tobacco and moonshine. Gray colored material pitted against dark blue. Sitting a spell on a huge mansion porch held up by large pillar columns. Pleasant weather in the sunny South where snow shovels are not needed. Kentucky blue grass music fills the air. Is that a banjo in the mix?

Chasing white golf balls, fishing for red snapper, liberally applying sun screen on your kids at the sandy seashore. Visiting glove wearing cartoon characters at the Magic Kingdom. Pour me another tall glass of the orange juice Anita Bryant. Leave in lots of the pulp and make it country style. Boll weevil and termites and Tennessee walkers. We’re down south.

East, Far east.

Sounds exotic, I can hear zitars and harp strings and pan flutes. Where we have a serious shortage of four legged chairs. Lots of pillows though all over the flooring. You might think about spices, smooth shiny silk, the fragrance pretty blue lotus flower and sitting cross legged clearing your mind. (Snap) Need another pair of chop sticks to chase your rice cakes and raw fish around the plate? Those waxed paper thin sliding house doors would not stand up to a gale force Maine wind.

North. Due North.

Unfortunately for some, the first thought that pops in your head is snow. Lots of white stuff. Maybe reindeer that go air born. The cheerful short round guy dressed in red velvet / white fur trimming. Ho ho ho Santa, Mrs. Claus and their low to the ground gang with the pointed ears. Dog sleds and float planes for transport and igloos for housing. Polar bears of white riding on ice floes.

Heading North, Hitting The ITS Trails In Maine.

Maine is parked up North.

But you can go way way further climbing up the lines of latitude on the spinning globe. Extreme north can be the vision of Maine for those who have never set foot in the Vacationland state. Maine shares borders with Canadian provinces which causes a cultural exchange missing at the North Pole. There are no polar bears in Maine.

When you live in Maine, West becomes Jackman, Sugarloaf Or Sunday River. Your South orientation becomes the Wells, York Beaches, the Old Port, Kittery Trading post.

Your Downeast Maine a winding trip up US Route One to get your fill of lobsters, steamers filled with clams and fresh native corn on the cob. Look, was that a distant lighthouse, hump back whale or eagle spotted off the bow of the schooner?

I live in Northern Maine.

Snow Is Not An Evil Four Letter Word. Not In Maine.

But where I blog from you can travel two hours north and still be in Maine. Up in the St John River Valley in the Crown of Maine. Aroostook County is the largest of Maine’s sixteen. Aroostook the garden of Maine known for its potato fields. The heavily wooded forest land, the clean lakes and rivers. The fresh air and winter is just one of the four months. And there is lots to be said about your wood burning stove, the charm of winter living in Maine.

What is your image of Maine? Hopeful more than winter snow flakes, icicles and hand knit mittens and hat. Sample ME for yourself. You fill up your mental slate with experiences in Maine. Any chance you can get, sneak or steal away to Maine. Easy to find and always due north from most places. Define Maine in your own words and from personal experiences you collect and cherish any of the four seasons.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

February 12, 2018
Maine Winter Fun | Sliding, Sledding, Ice Skating, Skiing.

When old man winter arrives in Maine for another visit, the simple outdoor outdoor traditions return.

The ones started in our youth and preserved into adulthood. You begin to know how much fun you forgot climbing on a pedal bike is when you push up the kickstand. And take it to new unexplored places in Maine which is a six hour long state. That has so many choices for outdoor fun not matter which of the four seasons you find yourself enjoying.

Maine Outdoor Living, We Keep It Real, Simple, Honest.

Ever used pedal power, two wheels and commanded a bike to tour a Maine island? The same joy you remember as a kid returns when you bundle up and grab a snow sled. Trudge up a hill to climb aboard and let gravity be your engine to pick up speed. Heading to the bottom with family and friends of all ages. To do again, just one more run.

Traditions in Maine, the best ones started as a kid.

Introduced by older brothers and sisters. Where you used your imagination, were not parked on a couch killing time inside just because the thermometer mercury sits a tad low in the glass tube.

Sliding downhill in Maine means fresh air, crisp clear scenery, seeing your breath. Exercise, hot chocolate after you hang up your wool mittens. Climbing out of the layers of outerwear to cozy up to a wood stove crackling fire. Falling asleep tonight happens quicker, goes deeper when you downhill slide in Maine.

Sugar Coated Maine, Don’t Miss A Season, Make Winter Sparkle Part Of Your Vacation Plans.

What else happens in Maine winter? Ice fishing with pretty elaborate shacks for the social aspect. Snow sledding the ITS trailers with motors, carbide runners, radiation under your feet and electric thumb warmers. Downhill and cross country skiing. If you are cold, you are not dressed right or need to pick up the pace in whatever outdoor pastime you picked for pleasure. Shovel a walk way, clear off a porch roof and you don’t need a coat zipped high with a scarf wrapped around your neck. You are plenty warm and full of energy to do more outdoors in Maine.

Kids know how to have fun in a marshmellow world all around Jack Frost had a hand in creating. Maine is like the snow globe kids buy or make for their parents for Christmas. When someone took the time to snow plow or shovel off a small pond. And drops the black circle that causes the spirited pond hockey game to begin in earnest. Skating, puck handling combine with the lines formed for a friendly hockey contest. Bonfires to warm your bones and to detach, dream, stare into the dancing flames.

The simple pleasures are not store bought or needing batteries during any of Maine’s four seasons. There is no software associated and it is a return to your childhood rituals.

Walking on cleared sidewalks in a small town under street lights or around town to window shop. Sure, being careful for slipping up on the ice down under means easy does it. But get outside. To enjoy the splendor day or night of Maine communities or the deep woods, an open field with a white cover frosting. Depending on what type of snow you have outside to work with, snow men, digging tunnels and making forts to defend the backyard is one option. If thick snow that supports someone’s weight on bear paw snowshoes is not crusted over and offers crust sliding on flying saucers and slippery magic carpets. The pattern of ice crystals, snow flakes and magic of crisp, clear frost add a sparkle to Maine winter living.

Small Maine Town Christmas Light Parades Welcome Santa, Entertain The Little And Old Alike.

Winter in Maine is peaceful.

There is a silent roar as new snow falls and everything gets muffled sound wise. Crunching snow under your boots, the sharp sound of scraping a windshield to make it safe for winter travel. The distant whine of a two cycle snowmobile with tuned exhaust. Or a chainsaw working it’s way through a thick hardwood tree trunk or dissecting a smaller limb.

The snow plow rumbling by on a country or US highway. The pulleys of a ski area rumbling as your pommel t-bar or chairlift pass by the galvanized tower. The sound a toboggan makes as it eats up a run down over an iced over groove loaded with laughing passengers. Hanging on to the one in front of you with feet tucked around them in one long human chain ready for what’s ahead. But preparing for what to do if things go sideways.

All those sounds help the journey back into what you did as a kid in Maine when the calendar months are those of winter. Maine winters are not harsh or scary and we still spend our recreational time outdoors. Ask a kid, be one again. Don’t black out winter in Maine or you miss out big time.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

December 25, 2017
Portland Stage, Finding Common Connections Within The Community.

Back in an earlier life as a Bangor Maine broadcast news director, I interviewed Eaton Tarbell, a patron of the performing arts.

New At Acting Old. The Potter In This Play Is A Lady Playing The Business Angles Expertly.

He designed lots of buildings around the state. Tarbell was a regular on the airwaves for colorful sound bites. On the show often to check in and update the listening audience with the latest happenings behind the curtain at Lakewood Theatre , Maine’s oldest summer theatre in America. Lakewood Theatre raises the curtain on first rate performances of comedies, dramas, musicals, and children’s shows. The productions at Lakewood run on stage from late-May through mid-September. This year marked the 117th season for Lakewood. Where is Lakewood Theatre? Find the productions, a restaurant to at 76 Theatre Road, Madison, ME 04950 • (207) 474-7176.

Maine, A Fun Place Inside And Out. Drive The Back Roads Outside And Discover Much About Maine, Yourself. Hit A Play Production Inside.

This past weekend, I was fortunate to take in a live show at the Portland Stage.

The live radio broadcast simulated for the holiday play production Of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. In the handout Anita Stewart, the Portland Stage Executive and Artistic Director spells it out simply. The mission to discover the character who you think you know from your introduction during the first scene. But as the play progresses the unexpected side of the character appears. The unexpected happens. It points the process we all do in quick scans, sudden judgements as we filter all we think we need to know to sum it up nice and neatly.

The connective play thread this season at the Portland Stage according to Stewart is to open up the possibility that there is a different way of approaching one another. The play characters help us understand the World is full of complex people if we just open up to take the time to go beyond that initial layer when we size them up maybe just a little too pat. And if you see yourself in the characters, maybe it will help accepting others in the community. Small towns, the handful of cities in Maine and our families, in our lives that are comprised of folks just like you and me. And many others that are not carbon copies. So we learn to embrace those differences that help us grow and learn that benefits us all.

Learning Over The Play Scenes, That It Is A Wonderful Life George Bailey. An Angel Is Finally Going To Get His Wings.

If you can rip yourself away from the holiday carol singing, the mad dash to present shopping ’til you drop.

Take the time to squeeze in a play performance at the Portland Stage for “It’s A Wonderful Life; A Live Radio Play.” An adaptation by Joe Landry to help you celebrate the Holiday Season with a beloved classic. The show bill teaser promises “This heartwarming story of renewal is retold as a 1940’s radio broadcast. Complete with sound effects performed live on stage. With the help of an ensemble and angle called Clarence who has been waiting around 200 years to get a set of wings. George Bailey discovers the million ways we are tied to those around us.”

The play runs from November 24 through December 24, 2017. There’s even a Christmas carol or two that the audience gets invited to sing. To warm up the audience because they are part of the radio theatre broadcast. You feel part of the production because the audience is relied on to put their hands together when the applause light shines.

Looking Into Their Lives Played Live Before You At The Portland Stage Play House In Maine’s Largest City.

When the hand held signs instruct to “hiss” or “ahhh” or a variety of other commands right on cue. To help the at home audience fill in what they can not witness first hand watching the stage production. That radio land audience that only has their ears to guide the vivid imagination parked behind their unused eyes.

Amidst AM static with the reception degree of crackling tied to the weather, the type and height of antennae. Or the distance away from the transmitted filled with tubes and causing cancer to the majority of first class engineers keeping the signal pumping, the radio station on air.

The audience of thousands tuned into the broadcast signal beamed into each and every living rooms. Where families crowd around the wooden early radio cabinet using the all there was medium for family entertainment. The same device connecting them to the outside World. Used to collect most of their important news from stock market crashes to Pearl Harbor Sunday morning bombings. To follow the radio serial shows, the baseball games and to catch musical performances. Along with the nightly news, crop reports, local weather forecasts and political race results.

The Theatre Production “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”. The Portland Stage Curtain Raises.

The play production intermission means tasty cookies, fresh moist cakes and other delicacies with a variety of refreshments all calling you in unison from your theatre rows and rows of seats. As the house lights come on you rise to saunter to the lobby. To stretch your legs between play production scenes for a little snack.

The chatter is loud after being silent so long. Knowing whispering is really talking. While all attention is eyes forward to follow the unfolding story line. Watching the play line by recited line develop the characters carefully from out in the audience.

Talking between scenes now about the play characters, comparing notes on how the performance is hitting each of those sitting around you. Studying the large black and whites on the wall. Peeking at upcoming play productions and cursing yourselves for past ones missed and still talked about because they were that

Making A Point, To Help The Plot, Develop The Play. Taking Turns Reciting Lines. It’s Show Time For The Portland Stage’s “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

good. Milling around and exposed to new people you get to know that love the same performing arts. Performed under hot spot lights,bathing your favorite characters in colorful pools, inside the shadows of the gels. The audience that follows the actors, the series of season play productions through out the year once the bug bites you. To challenge, inspire, to reflect. That is what the Portland Stage acting troupe strives to do and puts the mission in writing so they never forget either.

Have you been in community theatre as a character, playing in a cast? Do you make it a habit to attend plays, to follow the productions of a acting group? Break a leg. Maine has lots of folks dedicated to small town community theatre. This blogging channel on Maine has featured community theatre before and will again. The play production live audience makes the stage characters soar, stay flat or flop badly. That audience is the reflections, is the indicator of just how are we doing behind the footlights. Maine, so many sides to this jewel. Her facets are many and life is so short.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

December 10, 2017
Things To Do For Fun In Maine | Whitewater River Rafting.

Want to get wet, can you handle fast moving water down a river winding through the Maine woods on the front of a boat white water rafting?

Things to do for fun in Maine. Can you swim? Will you stay in the white water river raft pointed down the river from a hydro electric power plant discharge staging area? White water river rafting in Maine is one heck of an exhilarating experience. Many natives and vacationers from out of state visit Maine rivers often to climb in the raft, to learn how to help the guide on the back pilot the boat through the series of rapids and rocks down stream.

Ski Passes, White Water Rafting Trips, Anything Maine Outdoors Is A Welcomed Christmas Present. Let, Right, Hold On To The Short Rope Paddles Held High! I’m On The Right Near Skipper Eliot Shouting Out How To Steer The Raft. The Guys, Gals Upfront Get Hit With More Refreshing River Whitewater.

It is more than the thrill of fast river water when you sign on to be a member of a rafting party too.

The eddy out for the greatest, tastiest on the river meal prepared at the shoreline on solid terrain. The conversations of the crew members aboard your boat and others that dine in the woods next to a calmer area of the river where it is less noisy. And you meet interesting folks from all over, all walks of life who share the experience for the first time or one of many waterfront outings. The wild rice that goes along with your meat or fish choice from the grill in this kind of Maine wilderness setting is worth looking into if you are physically fit. And love the outdoors of Maine.

Powered by the river waves as you are instructed in orders to paddle left, right or on both sides with full steam ahead. To as an entire boat weave your wave in the rubber raft through a serious of fixed river obstacles. Like a slalom skier one at a time tuck, bend and turn to keep the boat hitting the waves from upending and splitting the crew into the cold fast water. The river that you are told by the instructor captain who sits on the back of the raft up higher than the rest of the paddlers. Who reminds you to keep your feet, your legs up if you do get pulled from the boat by the forces of nature when tossed this way, thrown that way. Because you want to avoid breaking those two legs and feet used after the fast boat ride down a Maine river. Hold on to that short rob in front of you with paddles raised high to avoid knocking someone’s teeth out. Maybe your own.

Whitewater rafting happens from April to October in Maine.

Rafting Down Whitewater In Maine. How Many Times On Which River In Maine?

The later excursions on the Maine rivers require wet suits to avoid hypothermia. All ages, all abilities are provided for by Maine rafting companies. I have taken a bunch of river rides on Northern Outdoors yellow rafts and my youngest son Elliot was a raft guide for the company living near The Forks.

Trips white water rafting down the Kennebec, The Dead River and more of them down the Penobscot River create a tradition for our group. And offer tremendous exercise for the entire family on exciting rafting trips that accelerate based on the amount of water released from the hydro dams that is the horsepower to add to the day’s river ride.

The water levels are highest after a deep snow of a heavy supply winter provides the spring melt run off that swell the waterways.

These white water rafting or kayak conditions are harder to plan for unlike the timed release from the hydro power plants on Maine’s largest, most lively river rides with licensed guides. Helmets, safety equipment, a talk before the ride all make safety priority one.

The Kennebec River in Maine offers 12 miles of white water fun and it begins at Harris Station on Indian Pond.

The Kennebec ends at The Forks. Providing twists and turns and the ups, downs of special places on the river like the Kennebec Gorge. The Penobscot River offers rapids classified as 2 thru 5. What’s the difference explained below one by one.

Rafting In Maine, Surfing, Paddling The Whitewash From Rapids! The BBQ Food On The River Tastes Greater From All The Exercise.

The Dead River is a long, unbroken whitewater stretch.

Probably one of the longest in the East. Experience white water river rapids from class 4 and 5. The Dead River 16 mile route begins at Grand Falls, ending also at The Forks Maine.

The Penobscot River has special rapid names like “The Exterminator” and “The Cribworks” .

The Penobscot River raft run starts through Ripogenus Gorge that lasts 2.5 miles before a dozen more miles that wraps it up at Pockwockamus Falls. The lower Seboomook River region of this raft run is ideal for younger or less experiences river paddlers. Find river raft rapid class 2 through 5 on the Penobecot River.

More water, a faster ride and is it safer if the rocks are covered and not exposed? The river hydraulics make any paddling a challenge and the risk adds to the thrill of a Maine whitewater rafting trip. The water levels change daily and the way to tackle a river can vary which makes the ride a different challenge every time. Along with who you raft with, your guide and company can enhance or limit the take away when you peel off the wet suit and unsnap the life vest, remove the water shoes. Regardless, plan the river raft trip to eat up most of a day in Maine. This is not a short twenty minute water ride and hanging around for a micro brew of local hops, a glass of adult grape juice. Leading to tent camping out, or renting a cabin, spending the night in a lodge just adds to the take away to the white water rafting experience.

White water rafting, what to the class distinctions means?

Class 1 is easy paddling, no obstacles, small turbulence and a slow river current experience.

Class 2 adds more obstacles to make it interesting, comes with a medium current with waves.

Class 3 provides longer, more difficult river rapids and strong, not so predictable currents.

Class 4 is going to be a challenge in difficulty. Expect very difficult, steeper, longer rapids complete with lots of river obstacles to navigate around and through.

Class 5 is going to help you sleep tonight with strenuous vertical river drops, rugged hydraulics, swifts not so predictable currents and heavier obstruction traffic to paddle around quickly.

Class 6 on a Maine river is very dangerous, near impossible to negotiate and should only be attempted by teams of experts, after study of this part of a Maine river and with red alert safety standards enforced by the rafting party.

Aye Aye Captain. Your River Guide Through The Whitewater On A Maine River Salutes You.

Capture Kodak moments with that waterproof helmet cam or hovering drone. Of laughing, screaming, hollering wet rafters plunging and paddling hard. Digging for all they are worth through places called Big Pocwockamus, Moxie, Nasowadnehnuk Falls and Big Eddy, Caratunk, The Exterminator. And living to tell about it with the refrigerator snap shot with a go pro camera to prove it. More about white water rafting in Maine at this helpful link. (Check out the Three Rivers Whitewater rafting video in the website header to wet your appetite.)

Grab a paddle, strap on the helmet and life jacket and get ready for high adventure on a wild Maine river.

More white water river rafting links to consider are raftmaine.com and northcountryrivers.com . One more to round it out and see it is not just white water rafting that the companies do to make it interesting and to appeal to a broader outdoor Maine enthusiast audience. This Maine whitewater rafting link spells out what you get for how long and for how much.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

December 3, 2017
Things To Do For Fun In Maine | Climb, Hike Mt Katahdin.

Things To Do For Fun In Maine | Climb, Hike Mt Katahdin is one suggestion.

Maine has elevations, nothing like the Continental Divide but mountains none the less. The most famous Maine mountain is Mount Katahdin, the cornerstone of Baxter State Park. Mount “K” is a recreational visit that many try to experience at least a couple times each year. The yearly tradition of hiking up Mount Katahdin or one of the many smaller elevations surrounding it is a healthy habit. To get high and feel above the noise of everyday living. Being just shy of a mile in the air can clear your head like no other experience.

Mt Katahdin | Baxter State Park – One Fun Event To Consider.

Mt Katahdin is 5267′ tall.

The Penobscot Indians dubbed the rock formation as “Katahdin” which means “greatest mountain”. Maine Governor Percival Baxter spent his entire life adding to the park land holdings to preserve the special place for generations to come. To quote Baxter’s own wise words “Man is born to die. His works are short lived. Buildings crumble, monuments decay and wealth vanishes, but Katahdin in all its glory forever shall remain the mountain of the people of Maine.” Naturalist Henry David Thoreau wrote “What a place to live, die, be buried in. There certainly men would live forever, and laugh at death and the grave”.

The number of hikers on the trails of Baxter State Park are limited to protect the wildlife and delicate nature of the sanctuary created by the late Maine governor. The mountain visits increased remarkably once the Appalachian Trail completed in 1937. Mount “K” is the northern most end of the road for the AT trail system. Visit the Baxter State Park website to reserve your spot on the mountain, to learn about highly sought after camping overnight options.

The famous Baxter State Park climbers ranged from Percival the man with a dream hatched long before becoming Governor in 1921 – 1925.

Theodore Roosevelt, Henry David Thoreau made the Mountain Katahdin climb too. Surveyors Charles Turner Jr. and Zachary Adley with a party of just shy of a dozen studied the Maine peak back in 1804. Percival Proctor Baxter has the vision that the 202,064 acre park should forever be kept in its natural state. Over 45 years of fund-raising and efforts in the legislature help to realize Baxter’s life long dream. Baxter a Portland native visited this Katahdin region in his youth and entered the legislature at the age of 26. He envisioned Maine as one big state, to be kept one entity to protect and preserve. And to move forward together promoting the rich heritage and natural resources Maine is blessed with in her vast size. Parts of the park are set aside for forestry research, some tracts open for hunting, only a few regions allow boats, aircraft like Webster and Matagamon Lakes.

When you hike Katahdin, the trail incline and vegetation change. The timberline ranges from 3500 to 3800 feet and peters out in the tableland area of Maine’s highest mountain. Where fog mist rolls in to hide the trail you just traversed. To deliver you to a spiritual place to sort your thoughts, to reflect on your life and feel very humble. Reduced to a very small but humble spec that gets it. The journey through life is so short and the hiker is reminded make every moment count. Simplify, reduce and stay grounded works best to see what really matters and reward yourself and others that we share the spinning blue and green marble third from the Sun.

Any Season Is The Right One To Visit Mt Katahdin, Anywhere In Maine.

Mt Katahdin is horseshoe shape and faces the sobering north east to keep your attention. There are nine trails to the summit and five separate peaks. The toughest trail is the “Knife’s Edge” which joins the Baxter and Pamola Peaks.

I always liked taking the Abol Trail, 3.8 miles long that gets you to the top quickest.

Abol is the steepest. Knife’s Edge is a 1.1 mile narrow ridge trail. You look down each side of a sharp granite steep drop off as you chose your steps carefully. Barely more than a few feet wide, the elevation sheers away hundreds of feet from the skinny trail that leaves nothing to waste as you trek across it in the strong breeze and incredible scenery beyond and below you.

The longest Mount Katahdin trail is Hunt and you access it from the back of the mountain. The over 5 miles of Hunt Trail crosses lots of boulders, streams, and you witness waterfalls that are seen, heard, felt. You will not forget the hike on trails at Baxter State Park. The experience does not dim in your head and heart. Cathedral Trail is 1.7 miles long, is steep and has its share of large rocks to climb up, over, around to complete the hike. You should go up not down Cathedral to tackle and tame the 3 large granite rock Earth apples.

Meet The Locals At Baxter State Park! Located In Piscataquis County.

The trails of Katahdin are in alphabetical order Abol, 3.8 miles, Cathedral 1.7 miles, Chimney Pond, 3.3 miles, Dudley, 1.3 miles, Hamlin Ridge, 1.5 miles, Helen Taylor 3.2 miles, Hunt, 5.2 miles, Knife’s Edge. 1.1 miles, Saddle, 2.2 miles. The 5 separate peaks are Baxter (5267 ft), Hamlin (4751 ft), Howe (4612 ft) No. Howe and So.Howe (4734), Pamola (4912 ft), South (5260 ft).

Study the map, plan the trip to Baxter State Park! Percival Baxter donated the land for the state park with the stipulation it be kept forever wild. More on the history of Baxter and his quest to give Maine a lasting gift that would survive time. Picnic, bike, hike, paddle, fish and climb, camp at Baxter State Park.

Wildlife you see at Baxter State Park include about 100 black bear, moose, coyote, white-tailed deer, red fox, beaver, red squirrel, vole, mole, mink, snow shoe hare, marten, weasel, muskrat, woodchuck, otter, porcupine, along with other rodents. The Katahdin region was logged from the mid 1800’s until 1965 when the last of the retained logging rights in the deeds conveying the land to Baxter extinguished. The early loggers chopped down pine, then spruce, then pulpwood for paper making and other uses. The only land sections that did not get lumbered completely were Howe Brook and also the Klondike Bowl. The early timber cut from the lands around Baxter State Park, Mt Katahdin were transported by waterways. Dams were built to help move the logs to Bangor sawmills to the south. On the Allagash and St John Rivers that original flowed north until dams were made to change that. To help move things southerly to hit the Penobscot River’s East Branch used as a highway for sawn fallen, delimbed logs.

You can stay longer than an early day in and quick trip up and down before nightfall. That is how locals can access our beloved Mt Katahdin and other Baxter State Park peaks and trails. Camp sites are hotly sought after and like waiting for a Black Friday special at a store with closed front doors, it is competitive for the dash to secure a limited number of locations to spend the night, more time in the park. There are two kinds of bedrocks in Baxter State Park. Light gray or pink Katahdin granite mostly found in the southern sections. The other stone color is charcoal gray found in northern sections around Traveler Mountain which was once a volcano.

The glacier period flatten some areas to create basins and push, piled up rocks in other sections of Baxter State Park. To make dramatic settings for your hike. For photo taking too so bring something to capture the imagery of this forever wild setting. Winter park hikes with a competent leader are allowed if the Park director deems it is safe with at least four week’s notice of your intent to visit a white Baxter Park. Bring your snow shoes, cross country skis, your technical climbing gear. Baxter State Park is rarely a once and done visit for most. You return to unplug and recharge, to gain wisdom, to experience an inner joy near that lives near your soul. She is that magical, so well preserved and sacredly protected because of the experience you pass on to your loved ones. Thank you Percival Baxter. Everyone that protects her magic.

No Area Prettier Than Baxter State Park! Hike, Climb Mt Katahdin, Other Peaks.

Should Baxter State Park move up to National status? We’ve blogged about Baxter State Park / Mount Katahdin before. Over 87,000 acres to the east of Baxter is a monument. Weigh in on what the Baxter State Park director says about the monument topic.

Regardless of what the maps or media create for a designations, Baxter State Park is worth protecting, should be visited by all ages.

It is not just Mt Katahdin that should take up the spotlight either at Baxter. Little 1400′ high Horse Mountain is an ideal hike to get youngest or slightly feeble a dose of hiking under their belt. To create the burning desire for more vacation trips to sample the woods, wildlife, waterfront. Start your collection burning calories and snapping imagery and video in full color. More on the long list of Maine mountains. Bring your trail mix, extra water tucked into your zipped fanny pack. The knapsack or camel pack and something water resistant, warm for adding or removing hiking layers on the up and down climb of Mt Katahdin at Baxter State Park.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

November 2, 2017