Outdoors

Published
January 23, 2011

Snowmobiling: Baxter offers a secluded wilderness experience

Now that most of Maine has received some significant snowfall, the gentle of whir of snowmobiles can be heard out on the trails. Recently Bob Meyers, the executive director of the Maine Snowmobile Association, was part of a group of five snowmobilers who broke trail on the Baxter State Park Tote Road. “The riding was […]
Published
January 23, 2011

Deirdre Fleming: Bethel’s annual week of winter frolic is here

For 10 years Bethel has made it a point to have one of the most unusual winter carnivals. Unusual enough to make the Guinness Book of World Records twice. And even years when the town’s effort to create some winter curiosity falls a bit short, locals step forward to energize this ski town during its […]
Published
January 23, 2011

Outdoors Calendar

Winter Walks, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday. Full moon hikes are planned for Monday, Feb. 15 and March 18. A $5 donation is suggested. Please pre-register, especially if you want to rent snowshoes. Visit www.hvnc.org, call 586-6752 or e-mail waywards@hotmail.com for more information and reservations. Winter Hikes, Great Works Regional […]
Published
January 23, 2011

Birding: Don’t underestimate the raven

One of the joys of Maine is seeing or hearing a Common Raven. These massive birds belong to the perching birds, or passerines, the largest order of the birds. All passerines have three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward, adapted to hold on to a branch or other support for perching. We normally think […]
Published
January 23, 2011

Hunting: Midwinter means it’s hare season

Winter has settled in. The woods are dressed in white and it’s prime time for snowshoeing. Rather than ash hoops and rawhide web (or kevlar and aircraft aluminum), the snowshoeing I’m referring to involves furry white critters, though the two are certainly not mutually exclusive. In fact, a pair of snowshoes is often recommended attire […]

Published
January 23, 2011

Skiing in Maine: At Meathead Films, it’s all about the East

For many skiers out West, eastern skiing is at best an oxymoron and at worst a pair of dirty words. For the crew at Meathead Films, “Ski The East” is a way of life. Based in Burlington, Vt., Meathead Films was founded by Geoff McDonald. In 2001, he put out and distributed the first Meathead […]
Published
January 23, 2011

BLAZING A TRAIL

Creators of a system of cross-country ski trails in Woolwich hope to introduce families to the sport.
Published
January 23, 2011

Allen Afield: When it comes to nature, appearances can be deceiving

In my lifetime, an explosion of enlightened, meticulous nature research has shown up in magazines and books, written for laymen. Indeed, the accumulated wisdom of the world’s naturalists lies at our fingertips, making the 21st century an exciting time to live. In contrast, during my early youth, the average outdoor wanderer’s knowledge of nature included […]
Published
January 23, 2011

Trail & Error: Snow detractors, you’ve met your match

Snow divides people. When the fallen fluff gathers on streets, fields and front steps, people typically have one of two disparate reactions. They either rage against it, wielding shovels and cursing nature from the driveway, or they revel in it, on skis and sleds and snowshoes. It’s a winter-specific “fight or frolic” response. Psychologically speaking, […]
Published
January 16, 2011

Skiing in Maine: Absence from trails, slopes makes skiers fonder

In 1977, after years in the ski business, I sold my last ski area and left alpine skiing behind, both physically and psychologically. That coincided with the burgeoning national interest in recreational cross-country skiing. Bizarre, I thought, because I grew up and competed in the era of four-event intercollegiate competitors, and we were measured by […]

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Outdoors