Outdoors

Published
August 1, 2010

Boating: Yes, that ‘No Wake’ sign applies to you

There’s one — or perhaps a few — in every harbor, every marina, and on virtually every body of water. You’re ghosting along in a light breeze on your sailboat, paddling your canoe or kayak along a quiet lake shoreline, or perhaps enjoying some quiet time at anchor, when some inconsiderate boater buzzes by at […]
Published
July 25, 2010

What’s Up in AugustSpectacular Perseids, tight planet trio to light up night sky

August opens with a trio of neighboring planets playing tag in our western evening sky shortly after sunset. We are in the middle of summer now, and the nights are getting longer again so we can enjoy more of their wonders. The night sky always has much to offer, but many of us simply don’t […]
Published
July 25, 2010

Boating: The summer of learning

Hang around boaters long enough and you’ll run into some people who are immediately at ease the minute they step on board. Regardless of the boat’s size, style, purpose, or method of propulsion, they adapt seamlessly and seem to know where everything is (or where it should be) and how everything works. I don’t fall […]
Published
July 25, 2010

Allen Afield: You seem to love those snake stories

My newspaper columns wind up on the Internet, where they hang around for years, attracting readers from across the nation. Often enough, these folks write e-mails about long forgotten articles, leaving me scratching my head, trying to remember having written them. One subject that captures big-time interest involves creepy snake stories. Folks just love being […]
Published
July 25, 2010

Freshwater Fishing: Despite the hot weather, fish are biting

Hot weather be darned. Fishermen are still catching fish around Maine, as far south as Sebago Lake. REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE Last weekend around Sebago, there were a lot of fishermen out and having luck catching landlocked salmon, said state fisheries biologist Francis Brautigam. Brautigam said the reports coming in are for better-than-normal fishing. “Even […]

Published
July 25, 2010

Got Gear?

One benefit of joining a gym? Having a secure place to stash your stuff as well as access to bathrooms and fresh water. But high membership fees are a disadvantage and many Americans are trying to save cash as the economic downturn continues. Outdoor exercising is free and there are inexpensive products that can conveniently […]
Published
July 25, 2010

Racing, with waves of fun

Usually they use their boats to catch lobsters, but on the weekends
Published
July 25, 2010

Birding: Such a rich history of field guides

The year 1934 was an important one for birding in North America. That is when Roger Tory Peterson published “A Field Guide to the Birds,” a seminal guide for identifying the birds of eastern North America in the field. Peterson was an accomplished artist and prepared all the plates used in his guide. But the […]
Published
July 25, 2010

Deirdre Fleming: Will others follow Obama here?

Locals on Mount Desert Island last weekend revelled in sharing their national playground with President Obama and the First Family. And some believe the Obamas’ outdoor vacation to Acadia National Park will pay dividends. “That’s exciting, them choosing Acadia. … I think in the long run people will say, ‘Oh, the President went there, we […]
Published
July 18, 2010

Hiking: Finding Phippsburg’s hidden gems

Heading south on Route 209 through Phippsburg you’d hardly know the wealth of conservation lands that are all but hidden around you. Certainly the DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer provides only a hint as you make your way down the scenic road toward the ocean. Get your hands on a copy of “Walking Phippsburg,” published […]

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Outdoors