Outdoors

Published
July 20, 2013

Allen Afield: Some hunters grousing about the rain in June

In the last six weeks before writing this column, several ruffed-grouse hunters have told me that they fear we’re in for another bad grouse season this fall. They base their worry on the rainy meteorological pattern in June and into early July, because long rainy periods for six weeks causes high mortality for grouse-chick broods […]
Published
July 20, 2013

Birding: Some birds already in migration mode

After a wet and cool June, the warm temperatures in July convince us that summer has finally arrived. However, birds operate on a different calendar. Tree swallows and barn swallows can be seen by the tens and even hundreds perched on utility wires with migration on their minds. Least sandpipers, greater yellowlegs and short-billed dowitchers […]
Published
July 20, 2013

Best Bets

TUESDAY Pemaquid Paddlers 9 a.m. at Damariscotta The Pemaquid Paddlers are celebrating their 10th year of warm-weather Tuesday paddles. Trips last two to three hours and are easy to moderate in difficulty. Participants must provide their own canoe or kayak and wear a life jacket. Call 677-6380 or email pema-quidpaddlers@aol.com. This week’s paddle is on […]
Published
July 13, 2013

Kid Tracks: Evans Notch at its family friendliest

There are a lot of challenging hikes in Evans Notch in the White Mountains National Forest, but there are two hikes in this area that are great for families or those looking for a less challenging trek with great mountain views. The Roost is a hike that has been on my family’s bucket list for […]
Published
July 13, 2013

Camden Hills: Not too remote a retreat

About 30,000 campers visit the state park annually while being comfortably close to civilization.

Published
July 13, 2013

Deirdre Fleming: Sunday River’s mud run strictly for those who tough it out

Sunday River’s Tough Mountain Challenge mud run keeps growing in size, interest and best of all, toughness. The last is what participants want, including the team of four Maine game wardens who will compete again this year, this time for a film crew from “North Woods Law,” the cable show featuring the Maine service. “When […]
Published
July 12, 2013

North Cairn: At least this dog should go to heaven

Now the gentle plans unfold, harsh as shards of granite beneath the skin, splintering every nerve. The dog is ready to rest. Meanwhile, resisting with every cell still storming, I try to organize the arrangements I hoped I would never have to specify — the site and manner of death, dealing with the body and […]
Published
July 12, 2013

John Christie: Women can walk the walk and soak in the scenery

Let me begin by dispelling the myth that there are such things as “Women’s Hikes.” Some of my most challenging hikes have been keeping up with my wife on the trails on the Cutler Bold Coast, and Megan Roberts on Bigelow, and Deirdre Fleming on Connor’s Nubble in Acadia and Bald Mountain in Oquossoc, and […]
Published
July 12, 2013

Allen Afield: We bicyclists needn’t be driven crazy or off the road

Last month a truck hit and killed a Massachusetts bicyclist during the Trek Across Maine, making an enormous impression on me for two reasons: The incident occurred on Route 2 just north of my home, a delightful rural highway that I pedal often. In my humble opinion, a Maine bicycling law encourages motor vehicles to […]
Published
July 12, 2013

Carey Kish: Maine Woods Initiative has proven a success

Charcoal gray clouds rolled overhead, thunder clapped not too far off and a light rain began to sprinkle down. If we were going to get back to camp before the inevitable deluge of rain, well, it was probably time to go. But here on the shore of Second Little Lyford Pond, I found it hard […]

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Outdoors