Quarry Roads Ski Trails in Waterville, Maine - Fund Raiser - Feb 6, 2010

Kennebec Messalonskee Trails will be conducting a “Fun Raiser” day on February 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Quarry Road Ski Trails located of North Street in Waterville, Maine. The rails are suited for nordic skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and walking.  Activities Include: trailside food and hot beverage stations provided by local restaurants, ski lessons by Central Maine Ski Club, winter biking demos with CeMeNEMBA, hands-on laser biathlon demo and a live radio broadcast by 92 Moose from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Source of info:

http://www.thevalleyvoice.org/2010/01/28/quarry-road-ski-trails-grand-opening-celebration/

Amtrack Rail Service to Extend Beyond Portland, Maine to Brunswick, Maine

News has come out that the rail passenger service (by Amtrak) will be extended from Portland, Maine to Brunswick, Maine.  The federal government (your tax dollars at work) is providing $35 million for the project.  The Amtrak Downeaster will pass through and stop in Freeport, Maine as well.  Over 30 miles of track needs to be rehabilitated for the project.  Service will start in 2012.  Read more in "Maine to get $35M to extend Amtrak to Brunswick", WMTW.com, January 28, 2010.

Rangeley Lakes Loppet XIII (25k and 50k Course) March 6, 2010

The 13th Rangeley Lakes Loppet (cross-country ski race) will take place on March 6, 2010.  A 25k and 50k course is available.  Read more here.  The races are held at the Rangely Lakes Trails Center in Rangeley, Maine.

Maine Fishermen's Forum (March 4-6, 2010)

The Maine Fishermen's Forum will be held on March 4-6, 2010 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine.  For more information visit http://www.mainefishermensforum.org/.

York, Maine Ice Fishing Derby

The Springvale Fish & Game Club will host the first Annual York County Ice Fishing Derby on January 31, 2010.  Both adults and children are invited.  There will be cash prizes for contestants. 

Rangeley, Maine in the Winter: Ski and Snowmobile

Rangeley, Maine is a great winter destination if you like to ski or snowmobile.  There are country inns to stay at, restaurants to dine in, and a mountain to ski.  See http://www.saddlebackmaine.com/.  Learn more about Rangeley, Maine in "A west that's wild and well-groomed", Boston.com, January 20, 2010.

3rd Annual Aroostook Women's Ski Day (Sunday, February 7, 2010)

The 3rd Annual Aroostook Women's Ski Day will be hled on Sunday, February 7th at the Nordic Heritage Center.  Many activities will take place to include ski clinics, snow show tours, yoga, nutrition classes and more.

Art Exhibits at the University of Maine at Orono

Maine has lots of museums - especially for art exhibits.  The University of Maine at Orono has one as well.  Some of the current exhibits there include "Resonant Places Paintings by Megan Chase",  "Simple Complexity Installation and Works by Gerry Stecca", and "Bio-Permutation Sculptures by David Isenhour".  The University of Maine Museum of Art is located on 40 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine.  Read more in "Current Exhibits at the University of Maine at Orono Museum of Art", The Valley Voice, January 24, 2010.  Click here for a listing of museums in Maine.

Guide to Maine Museums: A Blog

 I just stumbled across a new blog that is about museums in Maine.  In fact, the name of the blog is "A Guide to Maine Museums".  The blog was started in December 2009 and so far has posts about 6 different museums in Maine.  The blog is by a Maine school teacher who lives in Rockland, Maine.

Click here to visit the blog about museums in Maine:  http://mainemuseums.wordpress.com/

Click here to learn more about museums in Maine.

Five Fields Farm, Bridgton, Maine - A XC Skiing Trail Review

The Five Fields Farm in Bridgton, Maine offers cross country ski trails.  A family recently went skiing there and wrote up their experience on the Maine Outdoor Journal.  The column offers photos of the trail system (18 total), a video, and an interactive map.  The article is entitled "Get into your skinny skis" and is dated January 18, 2010.  The website for Five Fields Skiing area is http://www.fivefieldsski.com/.

Listing of Maine Nordic Ski Areas

Are you interested in Nordic Skiing in Maine?  The Maine Officer of Tourism has a listing on their website of the Nordic Ski Areas found in Maine.  The listing currently has the names, addresses, phone numbers, and in most cases the webpages of these cross-country ski areas in Maine.  Click here to view the Maine Officer of Tourism's Nordic Ski Area listing.  Click here to learn more about cross-country skiing in Maine.

Book on Maine: A Soldier's Son - An American Boyhood During World War II

This past Christmas I received a book from my daughter.  She knows that I am interested in books about Maine and history in general. The book is entitled "A Soldier's Son: An American Boyhood During World War II".  It is written by John E. Hodgkins - a long-time resident of Maine and "the son".  The book is non-fiction and is about a family from the small town of Temple, Maine (to the northwest of Farmington at the end of Route 43) that endures the separation of their father when he goes off to fight in the war. The book is very well written and an enjoyable read.  I took it on my first trip of the year and had finished it before my return to Maine.  Couldn't put it down.  To read reviews or buy the book on Amazon.com click on the following link:

A Soldier's Son: An American Boyhood During World War II

Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby - Gray, Maine (Saturday, Jan 30, 2010)

The Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby will be held at Crystal Lake, Gray, Maine on Saturday, January 30, 2010.  All proceeds will benefit the USO to support the U.S. military.  The hours will be 8 AM to 4 PM (snow or shine).  Prizes include $400, $200, $50 and so on.  Food and hot drinks will be available.  The lake is being stocked!  Find out more by clicking on the link below:

http://crystallakefishingderby.webs.com/

Snowmobiling in Greenville, Maine

Snowmobiling is big in Maine and the area around Greenville, Maine is no exception.  You can check for the latest in events, snow reports, trail conditions, and weather in the Greenville area on the "Greenville ITS Trail Grooming" website.  Their 3rd Annual Free Family Fun Day is scheduled for February 18th.

How to Build an Ice Shanty (for Ice Fishing)

If you want to do some ice fishing then you will need all the basic equipment: fishing line, bait, warm clothes, insulated boots, beer, etc.  For those of you who think you will do it more than once you should consider building an ice shanty.  How do you build an ice shanty?  Click on the following link to learn:  "Building an Ice Shanty", Skinny Moose, December 18, 2009.  Click here to learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Book: "Winter Sport of Skeeing" by Theo Johnsen

The first book ever published on the sport of skiing was by a man who lived in Maine in the early 1900s - Theo A. Johnsen.  Johnsen immigrated from England at age 21.  He worked in his father's wood working business and then later opened up his own business in the Portland, Maine area.  He was a businessman who manufactured summer and winter sports equipment - to include skiis.  He is noted for writing the first book on skiing and helping to advance skiing as a sport.  (info from Wikipedia entry on Johnsen).  His book is available on Amazon.com at the link below:

The Winter Sport of Skeeing (Originally published in 1905 in Portland, Maine)

Maine Ski Heritage Classic - Sat, Feb 12, 2010

The Ski Museum of Maine will present its 3rd Annual Benefit - called the Maine Ski Heritage Classic - on Saturday, February, 13, 2010. It will take place at Sugarloaf. Click here to learn more about skiing in Maine.

Book Review on "Maine 101" by Nancy Griffin

A new book about Maine has been released entitled "Maine 101: Everything You Wanted to Ask About Maine and Were Going to Ask Anyway", MacIntyre Purcell Publishing, Inc., 2009.  The author is Nancy Griffin and works as a freelance writer for Working Waterfront.  A book review on "Maine 101" has been posted online.  Below is an excerpt from the book review: 

"Griffin's book reflects the state's wry, deadpan sense of humor. In an age of tweeting and shouting, Maine humor is still subtle. As Griffin writes in the section "MaineSpeak," many words and expressions come from working in the woods and on the ocean. "These two occupations-still the most dangerous in the country-not only contributed many words to the Maine lexicon, but probably gave rise to the laconic, economical, understated manner of speaking (way more adjectives than befits a Mainer)."

Read the rest of the book review at the following link:   book review about Maine 101.  You can buy the book at Amazon.com by clicking on the following link:  Maine 101: Everything You Wanted to Know About Maine and Were Going to Ask Anyway

Snowmobiling in Maine

The Maine Office of Tourism website offers information about snowmobiling in Maine:

"One of the best ways to enjoy Maine’s stunning landscape is to climb aboard a snowmobile, rev up the engine and ride to your heart’s content. With 12,000 miles of snowmobile trails maintained by more than 280 local snowmobile clubs, you’ll always find new and exciting places to ride. Our extensive trail system offers up incredible scenery as you wind through fragrant pine forests, along crisp mountain streams and across wide-open plains."

Continue reading here.  Click here to read more about snowmobiling in Maine.

A Blog About Hiking in Maine - "Hiking in Maine with Kelley"

I recently came across a blog about hiking in Maine.  The blogger lives in Maine and is retired.  He writes about his hiking trips that he takes with his dog "Kelley".  He shares with you some wonderful hikes that he has done and has some great photos.  See:

http://hikinginmainewithkelley.blogspot.com/

Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby- Jan 30-31 - Maine Office of Tourism Notice

The Maine Office of Tourism has posted a notice about the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby to be held on January 30-31, 2010 in northern Maine. Click here to learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing in Maine

The Maine Office of Tourism has a webpage that provides information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Maine.  Below in quotes is an excerpt of the page:

"On a crisp, sparkling winter day, one of the most magical ways to take in Maine’s landscape is to venture out on cross-country skis or snowshoes. There are nearly two dozen commercial cross-country touring centers that offer beautiful well-groomed trails totaling more than 700 kilometers for skiers and snowshoers alike. Tour through our pine-scented forests, feel the sun’s warmth reflecting off the snow and listen for the chickadees in the clean crisp air. Maine’s cross country ski centers and winter guide services offer gear and access to miles of trails, where you can discover the majesty of a snow-blanketed forest, the wonder of a bright-white expanse of meadow, and the awesome beauty of the crashing blue Atlantic surf. After an exhilarating day on the trail, retreat to one of our cozy inns, warm yourself by the fire, and rest up for another day on the trails."

Click here to visit the webpage.

Carriage Roads of Acadia

An adventurer has wrote an article about hiking the carriage roads of Acadia National Park (bring skis for the winter).  Read the online article posted by the Daily Times on December 20, 2009.

"The Highwayman: Carriage Roads of Acadia".

Tubbs Snowshoes in Maine: Where to Buy Them?

Snowshoeing is a great sport that offers outdoors fun and exercise.  If you are looking for a pair of snowshoes in Maine then the Tubbs Snowshoes website can be helpful.  Tubbs Snowshoes are sold worldwide in stores and online.  My family owns three sets of Tubbs snowshoes and they are well-made.  The Tubbs Snowshoe firm was started in Norway, Maine.  The link below will provide you with a webpage search function and assist you with finding a Tubbs Snowshoe dealer.

http://tubbssnowshoes.com/dealers/search

Learn to Ski in Maine: Read How One Woman Did It!

Do you want to know how to ski?  Do you need to know what someone else went through in learning to ski?  Read a recent online posting by a woman who did just that.  Her experiences are funny to read yet informative for the novice who wants to take some ski lessons here in Maine.  Read "Learning to ski no big deeeeeaaaaalll" in Maine Outdoor Journal, December 20, 2009.  Click here to learn more about Maine ski areas.

A College Students Guide to Portland, Maine

If you are a college student living and attending school in Maine then you are fortunate.  Maine has a lot to offer; especially if you are from "the big city".  But we have our "big city" as well and it is called Portland.  Saint Joseph's College of Maine has a page on its website dedicated to what Portland, Maine has to offer - so it is presented with the college student in mind. 

"Portland, Maine's largest city, is a favorite destination if you want a complete change of pace from your studies. With cobblestoned streets and red-brick storefronts that reflect its New England heritage, the Old Port district is renowned for its waterfront, museums, clubs, theater, galleries and fine restaurants. If you love shopping, L.L Bean, outlet stores in Freeport and Kittery, and the Maine Mall are close by."

See Portland Area by Saint Joseph's College of Maine.  Click here to learn more about Portland, Maine.

Maine Learn to Ski & Ride Card

The Maine Learn to Ski & Ride Card is an inexpensive way to learn to ski in Maine.  The participating ski areas are Camden Snow Bowl, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River.  For just $89 you can pack in three days of skiing and ski rentals along with one day of lessons.  Click here for more information.  Click here for more info on ski areas in Maine.

History of Snowshoes

While we are in the heart of a Maine winter there are many who are going snowshoeing for fun and exercise.  Maine has a rich tradition of snowshoeing as a recreational activity but also as an aid to living and working during daily life.  You can learn more about the history of snowshoeing in Maine by visiting the link below:

Snowshoe Exhibit (online) at Hudson Museum of the University of Maine.  Click here for more information about snowshoeing trails in Maine.

Sunday River Ski Area in Maine Celebrates 50 Years

The Sunday River Ski area located in Bethel, Maine is celebrating 50 years of business. 

"It was Dec. 19, 1959, when the first skiers rode a single T-bar lift and made the first turns on a brand new ski hill in Newry, Maine. This new area took its name from the stream that flowed by its base - Sunday River."

Read the rest of the article in "Sunday River celebrates 50 years", Concord Monitor, December 21, 2009.  Click here for a listing of Maine ski resorts, snow reports, history and news articles.

Belfast, Maine Art Gallery (and restaurant)

A recent online article in the Bangor Daily News showcases a restaurant in Belfast, Maine that also serves as an art gallery.  The restaurant is called Chase's Daily (on 96 Main Street, Belfast, Maine) and it hosts the Perimeter Gallery.  The article is entitled "Belfast restaurant gallery secures the perimeter of contemporary art", December 22, 2009.

Bethel, Maine: Snowshoeing and Nordic Skiing

Advertised as Maine's most beautiful mountain village, Bethel, Maine has a lot to offer during the winter months. Some of the prime outdoor winter activities in Bethel, Maine are snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. There are many organizations, resorts and cross-country ski areas where you are afforded the opportunity to get outdoors and have some exercise in the Bethel, Maine area. Mt. Abram Resort, Sunday River Inn & Cross Country Ski Center, Carter's XC Ski Centers & Ski Shop, Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Handicapped Skiing, Black Mountain of Maine, and the Western Maine Mountain Clinic all offer opportunities for winter outdoor activities. Click here to learn more about snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in Maine.

Safe Ice Fishing in Maine

Here is an article posted by a blog on safe ice fishing.

Libby Hill Forest Trails in Gray, Maine - Hiking and Cross Country Skiing

The Libby Hill Forest Trails network consists of over 7 miles of multipurpose recreational trails in Gray, Maine.  To find out more about the trails you can visit the blog at http://libbyhilltrails.blogspot.com/ or the website at http://www.libbyhill.org/.  Click here to learn more about cross-country trails and hiking trails in Maine.

January is "Learn a Snow Sport Month"

January is designated "Learn a Snow Sport Month".  I guess it is the ski industry that has made this designation (the governor issuing a proclamation makes it official).  What is important to us is that some recreational packages and winter sport equipment deals are offered along with the "event".  Read more in  "Learn a Snow Sport Month means cool deals for Mainers", Maine Outdoor Journal, December 6, 2009.