When conditions are right, the Penobscot River Trails in Grindstone offer some of the best Nordic skiing in Maine. As was true throughout most of Maine, snow was scarce in northern Penobscot County during the first several weeks of winter. A major mid-February snowstorm dumped 16 inches of powder on the trail network significantly increasing […]
seniors
Outstanding Nordic skiing at Jackson Ski Touring
Jackson Ski Touring in Jackson, New Hampshire, is usually one of the first Nordic ski centers in the region to offer quality skiing. However, they experienced a dearth of snow during the first several weeks of the winter season. A succession of late-January and early-February snowstorms changed that dramatically. Jackson Ski Touring has much to […]
Nordic skiing in Maine is back
For the first several weeks of winter, Nordic skiing was almost nonexistent in Maine. Rainstorms dominated the weather pattern in December and early January. Cold weather with minimal snowfall ensued. Finally, beginning in late January, a succession of modest snowstorms gradually covered the trails in my favorite ski areas. As usual, Rangeley Lakes Trails Center […]
Mount Cutler in Hiram is a little-known gem for adventurers
Until a few years ago, I had never heard of Mount Cutler. A small peak located in the tiny village of Hiram in southwestern Maine, a friend recommended it as a quality hiking alternative without the need to drive another hour or more to the taller mountains in western Maine and New Hampshire. For over […]
Kennebunk housing units in $42,000-$50,000 median income range win town approval
Avesta Housing is one step closer to building affordable senior housing in Kennebunk with approval from the town Planning Board.
A glorious day on Mount Kearsarge North in N.H.
Located on the outskirts of North Conway, New Hampshire, Mount Kearsarge North, elevation 3,268 feet, is an excellent intermediate mountain hike. Ledges on the upper western slope offer wonderful views of surrounding mountains and the distinctive fire tower at the top provides phenomenal panoramic vistas. Originally called Mount Pequawket, Mount Kearsarge has an interesting history. […]
Evolution of three huge social media platforms
Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, X (formally Twitter), and TikTok have made front-page news recently, though the front page may mean “trending” on social media. Certainly, politics, personal relationships and societal attitudes have all been affected by social media over the past 20 years. Do we even remember how each got started? Also, are these platforms […]
Challenging Nordic skiing in Quebec
Quality Nordic skiing has been difficult to find this winter. Seven Mainers planned three days of skiing near Mont Sainte Anne in Quebec over the recent New Year’s week. Situated farther north, our hope was the higher latitude would offer deeper snow levels. We reserved a condo in the village of Beaupre at the foot […]
Icy hazards while hiking on Mount Pisgah
My first introduction to Mount Pisgah in Winthrop was about 35 years ago. A friend, Gary Cole, invited me on a cross-country ski trip over the summit. There were no conventional cross-country ski trails on the mountain. Rather, Gary, who was very familiar with the small central Maine peak, cobbled together a combination of old […]
Conquering wintry conditions on Ragged Mountain
One of the many benefits of membership in my outdoor club, the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society, is the ability to network with a large number of outdoor enthusiasts. We have more than 300 adult members, so finding companions for an outdoor adventure is often a phone call or club email away. When I recently […]