Maine Pro 100 Snowmobile Race

Greenville, Maine will be the site of the Maine Pro 100 Snowmobile Race on March 20, 2010.  Read more in "Greenville draws pro snowmobiles", Bangor Daily News, January 30, 2010.  Click here to learn more about snowmobiling in Maine.

CAN-AM Crown International Sled Dog Races, March 6, 2010 at Fort Kent, Maine

The CAN-AM Crown International Sled Dog Races will take place on March 6, 2010 at Fort Kent, Maine.  Click here to learn more about dogsledding in Maine.

Walking Tour of Bath, Maine - 19th Century Architechure

An online article about 19th Century Bath architecture can be found at the link below.  The article mentions the city hall, Percy & Small Shipyard, and J.R. Maxwell's as sites to visit.  All can be reached on foot from some of the cities bed and breakfast establishments.  See "Take a Walking Tour of 19th Century Bath Architecture", Bed & Breakfast Inns Online.  Click here to learn more about Bath, Maine.

Upcoming Maine Birding Events

Have you ever wondered how to find out about birding events in Maine?  Well the answer is very easy.  Go to the MaineBirding.net website and click on "upcoming events".  There are eleven events listed for the month of March to include programs on bird photography, birds of Monhegan, weekly bird walks, and more.

http://www.mainebirding.net/events/

Portland Museum of Art to Celebrate Youth Art Month

The Portland Museum of Art has organized an exhibition of art by Maine students.  The exhibition will take place during National Youth Art Month - which is March.  The museum is doing this in collaboration with the Maine Art Education Association.  Read more in "Portland Museum of Art Celebrates Youth Art Month With Student Exhibition", americantowns.com, February 8, 2010.

http://www.portlandmuseum.org/

http://www.travel-maine.info/museums.htm

Maine Dogsledding Adventures

Are you looking for an unusual winter adventure?  Try dogsledding.  One place to dogsled is in the woods south of Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park in Millinocket, Maine.  You can link up with some experienced dog sled "mushers" who can take you on a guided tour.  See the website for "Maine Dogsledding Adventures" for more information or click on dogsledding in Maine for a complete list of all firms that offer dogsledding opportunities.

A Little Snowmobile History in Maine

A recent news article provides a little history about snowmobiles in Maine.  My first ride on a snowmobile was on my Dad's farm in Oxford, Maine.  It was a Skidoo I believe.  He had it running for a few years and then it fell into disrepair.  It lay in the back field for quite awhile until it was hauled off into the woods to rust.  That snowmobile is a far cry from what folks are riding today.  Read "Snowmobiles get faster, cost more", Bangor Daily News, January 30, 2010.  Click here to learn more about snowmobiles in Maine.

Learning How to Work with Sled Dogs in Maine

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with a dog sled team?  Twelve novices learned just that recently.  Learn more in "Day with sled dogs all about fun, team building", Bangor Daily News, February 1, 2010.  Click here to learn more about dog-sledding in Maine.

Maine Snowmobile Drag Racing Association (MSDRA)

The Maine Snowmobile Drag Racing Association (MSDRA) helps with the running of snowmobile ice races that run every year from January and ending in March.  Click here for the schedule of the MSDRA for 2010.

Winter Camping in Maine Can Be Fun

Why is winter camping better than summer camping? No mosquitoes, bugs, or black flies. But preparation is the key for cold weather camping.  Read some helpful hints in an online blog post entitled "Winter camping can be a blast - if you have the right gear", Maine Outdoor Journal, February 7, 2010.

Maine Maple Syrup Season Starts Soon!

The Maine maple syrup season will start soon.  Some say that it starts on Valentine's Day.  Hmmmmm.  Read a Maine blog about maple syrup.  See "Maple Syrup Making Time!".  Click here to learn more about maple syrup in Maine.

Rockland, Maine: Historic Inns

Rockland, Maine - a seacoast community - has lots of history as a fishing village and a commerce center for some of the smaller communities.  Rockland also has some historic inns.  An online article provides info on these Inns.  See "The Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine", Peter Greenberg Worldwide, February 12, 2010.

L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley, Maine

Maine has lots of museums and one of these, the L.C. Bates Museum, can be found in Hinckley, Maine.  The museum is a bit offbeat and has some surprising exhibits.  Read more about the museum in a recent news article entitled "Curiosities abound at Maine museum", Boston.com, February 7, 2010.  Or visit the museum website at http://www.gwh.org/LCBatesMuseum.aspx.  The museum is located on Route 201 in Hinckley, Maine.

Cellardoor Winery Winterfest 2010 - Feb 20, 2010 - Lincolnville, Maine

The Cellardoor Winery Winterfest 2010 is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in Lincolnville, Maine.  Family fun event to include snow sledding, snowman making, ice skating on pond, ice carving artist, snowshoeing, music, and horse drawn wagons.  And . . .  of course . . . food and wine pairings. 

Maine State Museum in Augusta Offers School Vacation Activities for the Family

The Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine is offering activities for the family during the upcoming school vacation week.  The list includes Maine attics, paper quilts, fish printing and more.  See "Maine State Museum Presents School Vacation Family Activities", The Valley Voice, February 13, 2010.  Click here for a list of Maine museums.

Black Mountain of Maine Winterfest (Feb 26-28, 2010)

Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford, Maine will have its Winterfest on February 26-28, 2010, Friday night through Sunday. Cross country ski tours, torch light parade, music, happy hours, chili cook-off, BBQ, dog sled rides, sleigh rides, ski and snowboard lessons, and fireworks are offered.

http://www.skiblackmountain.org/

Interview with Director of Ski Maine Association

Maine has a diverse ski industry - small, family oriented slopes and large commercial enterprises offering many different types of services.  The Ski Maine Association represents "18 alpine areas, 19 Nordic centers, and two snow tubing parks."  The director of the association is Greg Sweetser who has worked in the Maine ski industry for years.  Maine Outdoor Journal has conducted an interview with Mr. Sweetser about his job and his hobbies.  See "Ski Maine director living the dream", Maine Outdoor Journal, January 31, 2010.  Click here to learn more about the Ski Maine Association, Nordic skiing in Maine, or alpine skiing in Maine.

An Olympic Experience in Maine

The winter olympics are scheduled to start in a few days - even though a shortage of snow is a problem.  Too bad they are not being held in Washington, D.C. - with the record snowfalls our nation's capital is experiencing.  If you can't travel to Canada to see the olympics then perhaps you might try to participate in some of the events in Maine.  A recent news article tells you where you can experience champion-making downhill race trails at Sugarloaf Mountain and other places.  See the online post by the Boston Herald below:
  http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/general/view/20100210create_your_own_olympic_experience_nearby/srvc=home&position=also

Maine Outdoorsman Blog - For the Adventurist!

From time to time I like to list blogs that talk about Maine - whether it be sports, vacation, island life, lighthouses or whatever.  Here is a blog about being an outdoorsman in Maine.  Lots of nice posts about fishing and hunting and great photos as well.

http://www.themaineoutdoorsman.com/

Click here for a list of other blogs about Maine.

http://www.travel-maine.info/maine_blogs.htm

Snowshoeing on Sears Island, Maine

The Meandering Maine website has published a post about snowshoeing on Sears Island in Maine.  Entitled "A Perfect Winter Day on Sears Island", February 8, 2010, the post has a description of the trail and some very nice photos.  Click here for more information about snowshoeing in Maine.

Banff Mt. Film Festival World Tour - Rockport, Maine - Friday, Feb 12, 2010

The Banff Mt. Film Festival World Tour will be at Rockport, Maine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 12-14, 2010 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Camden Hills Regional High School Strom Auditorium. 

" Hot on the heels of the largest, and one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the world, the Banff Mt. Film Festival World Tour has hit the road, with stops planned in more than 285 communities in 30 countries across the globe. Experience the courage, the passion, and the inspiration of mountain stories as well as the thrill of high adrenaline sports when this year's Tour comes to Rockport, ME!"

Adult: $12 ($10 in advance), Student: $5. Advance tickets are available at Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport, 236-7120.
 
http://www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/

Unique Foods and Drinks Consumed in Maine

A blogger has posted a list of five unique drinks and foods consumed by residents of Maine.  These include Allen's Coffee Brandy, lobster rools, Moxie, fiddleheads, and whoopie pies.  Read the post here.

Norway, Maine has Bikini Clad Models on Snowmobiles

The town of Norway, Maine recently saw a number of models in bikinis modeling on top of snowmobiles.  Read more in "Models brave cold for calendar shoot", Sun Journal, February 1, 2010.

Maine Polar Bear Dip on Eastern Promenade Beach in Portland, Maine on Saturday, February 13, 2010

The 2010 Maine Polar Bear Dip will take place on the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Camp Sunshine presents this event to raise funds to send children with life-threatening illnesses to their camp in Casco, Maine.

Maine's Trotting Parks of the Past

From time to time we like to post some items of historical interest (if it is about Maine).  I just ran across a blog entitled "Maine's Lost Trotting Parks".  It is a part of Maine that no longer exists and something I really didn't know about.  Below is an introduction to the blog:

"After the American Civil War, the trotting horse industry flourished. Trotting parks were built throughout the State of Maine. At one time, there were more than 92 trotting parks in Maine. Few of these parks remain today. You are invited to participate in this blog and recreate the rich history of Maine's trotting parks and the horses that established the industry."

  The blog can be reached at the link below:

 http://losttrottingparks.blogspot.com/

20th Annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships in Camden, Maine - Feb 5-7, 2010

The 20th Annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships will be held in Camden, Maine this coming weekend (Feb 5-7, 2010).  Practice runs start on Friday and the races will start on Saturday morning.  Read more on the website about the championship.  The Camden Snow Bowl will also be open for skiing and snowboarding.

http://www.camdensnowbowl.com/20th-annual-toboggan-championships

Making Maine Snowshoes the Old Fashioned Way

Watch a video about a man from Maine who makes snowshoes.  See "Maine man makes snowshoes the old-fashioned way", NECN Network.  Click here to learn more about snowshoeing in Maine.

Winter Family Fun Day in Aroostook State Park - Maine on February 20, 2010

Aroostook State Park will hold its Winter Family Fun Day on February 20, 2010.  Offered will be cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sliding, snowmobiling rides, dog sled rides, bonfires, and hot food.  For more information see:

http://www.parksandlands.com/

2010 Sno Carnival in Stockholm, Maine - Saturday, February 27, 2010

Stockholm, Maine will hold its annual winter carnival on Saturday, February 27, 2010.  Many events are planned to include sliding, snowshoe races, Nordic skiing, sled and snowboard races. 

http://www.visitmaine.com/event/5761/2010_sno_carnival/

Snowmobiling in Maine - Trails Maintained by Local Snowmobile Clubs

There are over 13,000 miles of snowmobile trails in Maine.  About the same number of miles as there are highways and town roads.  So that is a lot of places to go snowmobiling.  These trail systems are maintained by over 290 snowmobile clubs that work at the local level to maintain and groom the snowmobile trails.  Read more about how these trails are maintained in "Quality trails draw riders", Bangor Daily News, February 1, 2010.