Early each September, the United States Coast Guard, the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation sponsor Maine Open Lighthouse Day. The event provides an opportunity for the public to visit and explore many historic lighthouses and attracts more than 15,000 visitors each year. This year, the event was held on Sept. 9. […]
kayaking
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Hiking the scenic mountains of Donnell Pond Public Lands
For me, Labor Day marks the beginning of a change in my outdoor activities. Paddle sports are winding down and fall mountain hiking is gearing up. Not one to quickly surrender the joys of kayaking, for many years, I’ve eased into the transition by planning what I call surf-and-turf outings. These adventures are loosely described […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A kayak voyage to Thrumcap Island
One of the most interesting and less well-known sea kayak destinations on the Maine coast is Thrumcap Island. Located between outer Johns Bay and the mouth of the Damariscotta River, the diminutive atoll is the last stop after passing a series of rugged ledges with the unique name Thread of Life. The Thrumcap area has […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Kayaking rugged Campobello Island
Our multi-day adventure vacation on Campobello Island in New Brunswick was winding down. Ten of us had shared several hiking, biking and sea kayaking outings in the area while camping on the island at Herring Cove Provincial Park. Stormy weather had restricted our activities to short hikes and bike rides on the previous day. My […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: To Islesboro and back
A paddling trip to Islesboro begins with a 3-mile open-water crossing of West Penobscot Bay. During a prior outing, I was part of a group that encountered gusty winds and rough seas when we returned from the island. So, planning a cruise there entails careful analysis of the weather in advance, particularly winds. After watching […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Two Bush or bust
Two Bush Island is the most distant island in the Muscle Ridge archipelago. Located about 4 miles from Spruce Head, it’s home to historic Two Bush Island Light. Situated near the heavily trafficked southwestern entrance to Penobscot Bay, the lighthouse was built in 1897. Typical of Maine lighthouses, it has a rich history of hazardous […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A traverse of Megunticook Lake
In my opinion, Megunticook Lake is one of the most picturesque lakes or ponds in Maine. The lofty cliffs of Mount Megunticook rise abruptly from the eastern shore. A multitude of islands and small peninsulas populate the 1,300-acre lake providing myriad opportunities for exploration by kayak or canoe. The largest body of water in Knox […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Exploring Branch Pond
Exploring Maine’s many small lakes and ponds can be very stimulating outdoor adventures. In recent years, my wife, Nancy, and I have endeavored to add that activity to our paddling agenda. Small narrow bodies of water with numerous islands, coves and inlets that are habitats for a variety of birds and wildlife are particularly appealing […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Austin Stream rocks
Every cloud has a silver lining. Given the rainy, foggy, humid weather we’ve experienced over the past month, that’s likely an adage many find difficult to embrace. However, there has indeed been a silver lining for one group: whitewater boaters. For several weeks, the rivers and streams have been raging. For many paddlers, choosing from […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Sea kayak adventures continue on Muscongus Bay
Four of us were sea kayaking back from remote Eastern Egg Rock in outer Muscongus Bay. A modest tailwind helped propel us north while traversing the 3-mile exposed crossing to the relative security of a trio of islands. Franklin Island Light dominated the view in the east. Members of the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society, […]