Maine Highland Games, August 21, 2010 to be held in Topsham, Maine

The Maine Highland Games will be held in Topsham, Maine on August 21, 2010.  Many events are planned to include concerts, food, entertainment, highland sports, pipe bands, dancing contests and more.

  http://www.mainehighlandgames.org/

Fort Popham - Maine Coastal Defense

Fort Popham, located in Phippsburg, Maine, was built to provide coastal defense to the Maine coast during the Civil War.  Although it did not take part in any military engagements during the war it provided a deterrent to Confederate naval ships that might try and attack important targets along the Maine coast - most notably shipping commerce and the ship building facilities located in Bath, Maine along the Kennebec River.  To learn more about Fort Popham click on the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic-forts/fort-popham-maine.htm

Fort Baldwin, Phippsburg, Maine

If you are looking for a place nice to visit that has some history then consider a trip to Phippsburg, Maine to visit Fort Baldwin.  Fort Baldwin is a World War I era coastal defense fort constructed to keep watch over the entrance to the Kennebec River and keep the capital of Augusta, Maine safe as well as the ship building facilities located at Bath, Maine.  The fort is easy to get to and is located near Popham Beach.  The picture at left is the observation tower found at Fort Baldwin.  It was built during World War II to allow observers to radio the positions of enemy vessels to coastal defense batteries located throughout Casco Bay. To learn more about the fort click on the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic-forts/fort-baldwin-maine.htm

Sebago to the Sea Trail Almost Complete: Another Step Ahead for Maine Outdoors Advocates

The Sebago to the Sea Trail system that connects Sebago Lake to Portland, Maine is gathering steam towards its completion.  18 of 26 miles are now complete.  The Westbrook, Maine City Council recently voted to ". . . support development of a 28-mile trail system linking existing hiking trails, bike paths, and sidewalks with some new trails to create a continuous walkway between Sebago Lake and Portland's East End Beach".  Read more in "Westbrook gives Sebago to the Sea trail system a 4-mile leg up", Portland Press Herald, July 5, 2010.  Learn more at the Sebago to the Sea Trail website.  Click here to learn more about hiking in Maine.

Little River Lighthouse (Cutler, Maine) Will Open to Public

The Little River Lighthouse will re-open to the public.  The lighthouse, one of many Maine lighthouses, is located on a 15-acre island off the coast of Cutler, Maine.  Read more in "Maine lighthouse opening to public", Seacoast Online, July 4, 2010.  Visit the website of the Friends of the Little River Lighthouse.

South Portland, Maine History Museum Now Open

"SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine -- South Portland's new historical society opened its doors for the first time on the Fourth of July. The event has been four years in the making at a cost of about a quarter of a million dollars. The museum is based in the old Cushing's Point House at Bug Light Park. The entire building was moved just a short distance away to city-owned land. The house is itself a piece of history. It was used by the shipyard where the famous Liberty ships were built during World War II. Inside the museum is a vast collection of old photos snapped during the shipbuilding days. Historians refer to that era as an incredible period of growth for South Portland, which is today the fourth largest city in Maine. The Portland Pipe Line acquired the building and donated it to the South Portland Historical Society last year."

Information from "South Portland History Museum Opens", July 4, 2010.  Click here for a listing of museums in Maine.

Reid State Park in Maine

Are you looking for a nice beach to visit along the coast of Maine? Then Reid State Park may be exactly what you are searching for. It is located in Georgetown, Maine. This park is a beach on the ocean and is about 15 miles from Bath, Maine. It is a very scenic country drive to reach the ocean. There are picnic areas and grills and also a bathhouse on site with flush toilets.

Bangor, Maine Festival - August 6-14, 2010

The KahBang festival will take place in Bangor, Maine.

http://www.kahbang.com/

Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Music Festival - August 26-29, 2010

The 35th Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Music Festival will take place on August 26-29, 2010 at the Litchfield Fairgrounds in Litchfield, Maine.  Learn more by clicking on the bands website.

Maine Lobster Ride & Roll, Rockland, Maine - July 24, 2010

The 9th Annual Maine Lobster Ride & Roll will take place on July 24, 2010 in Rockland, Maine.  You can bicycle along the winding country lanes and visit lighthouses on the Maine coast.  The race has full support to include maps and rest stops.  You can choose from 16-, 30-, 50-, and 100-mile rides.  Sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.  Click here for more information about bike rides in Maine.

Bike to the Breakwater (Bike MS) July 31 - August 1, 2010

The Bike to the Breakwater event will take place on July 31 to August 1, 2010.  It starts at Saint Joseph's College on Sebago Lake, Maine.  It is sponsored by the Maine Chapter of the National MS Society. 

Click here for more info:

http://bikemem.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_MEM_homepage

Destination: Freeport - An Online Travel Website for Freeport, Maine

If you are looking for lodging, events, or restaurant listings for Freeport, Maine - then consider Destination: Freeport.  This is a website concentrating on things to do, places to visit, places to stay and eat for Freeport, Maine.

Hiking Grafton Loop Trail in Maine

The Grafton Loop Trail near Newry, Maine has been the beneficiary of organizations that promote outdoor activities such as hiking and protect wilderness tracts for use in the future.  Read more in "Worth the hike, and so worth protecting", Maine Sunday Telegram, July 4, 2010.

Portland, Maine: A Tourist Destination With Architectural Treaures

History can be found in Portland, Maine. And so can't some Victorian architectural treasures. Read more in "Portland is more than gateway to elsewhere", The Montreal Gazette, July 3, 2010.

Maine International Film Festival - July 9-18, 2010

The Maine International Film Festival will take place on July 9-18, 2010.  Read more at http://www.miff.org/.

Maine Bike Rally, Brunswick, Maine - July 9-11, 2010

The Maine Bike Rally will take place in Brunswick, Maine on July 9-11, 2010.  Come enjoy a weekend of getaway biking and fun in Southern Midcoast Maine.  There are all sorts of activities related to biking, eating, travel, stargazing, bike expo, breakfast buffets, evening entertainment, and more.  Visit http://www.mainebikerally.org/.  Click on biking in Maine for more information on bike clubs, events, and trails in Maine.

County Bluegrass Performance - Fort Fairfield, ME - July 23-25, 2010

The County Bluegrass music festival will take place in Fort Fairfield, Maine on July 23-25, 2010.  Some of the performers include Aroostook County Bluegrass, Blistered Fingers, The Douthwrights, and the Misty Mountaineers.

Yarmouth, Maine Clam Festival - July 16-18, 2010

The Yarmouth, Maine Clam Festival will take place July 16-18, 2010.  Food booths, road race, artists, music, crafts, parade, canoe race, kayak race, bike race, diaper derby, clam shucking contest, firefighter's muster, and more.

http://www.clamfestival.com/home.php

How to Choose a Summer Camp in Maine

Are you exploring the idea of a Maine summer camp for your child?  A recent online article tells you how to do that - taking into consideration things such as program emphasis, camp director's background, camper-to-counselor ratios, camp activities, discipline issues, camps references, and the camp staff.  Also, check out the funny video at the bottom of the article by the comedian John Pinette - he does a sketch about camping in Maine!  Read the article and view the video at "How to Choose a Summer Camp", Show Me Now, July 7, 2010.

North Atlantic Blues Festival, Rockland, Maine July 10-11, 2010

The 17th Annual North Atlantic Blues Festival will take place in Rockland, Maine on July 10-11, 2010 in Harbor Park.  Music, food, pub crawl, and more.

http://www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com/

Hiking Mount Agamenticus, Maine

Mount Agamenticus is located near the coast of Maine south of Portland.  It is an easily climbed mountain that offers tremendous views.  A recent news article provides lots of information about the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region. 

"The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region encompasses more than 10,000 acres of coastal woods and hills in southern York County, representing the largest intact parcel of coastal forest between Acadia National Park and the Pine Barrens in New Jersey.

Because of its location, the mountain's environment "is a unique mixing ground for a number of southern and northern species of plant and animal life that are at the limits of their ranges," said Robin Kerr, conservation coordinator for the region, which is a cooperative of eight public and private landowners.  The location, large area of undeveloped land and abundant wetlands combine to provide habitat for dozens of rare, threatened and endangered species. Nine rare natural communities exist here, including vernal pools, oak-hickory forests and floating kettle-hole bogs."

Read the rest of the article in "Hiking: A day well worth the climb", Maine Sunday Telegram, July 4, 2010.  Click here to learn more about hiking in Maine.

Roque Bluffs, Maine Vacation - Day Eight

Our vacation to the Roque Bluffs, Maine area has ended.  The seaside cottage was great, the weather excellent, and we had a wonderful time.  Learn more about our one-week vacation to Roque Bluffs, Maine.

Roque Bluffs, Maine Vacation - Day Seven

This was the last full day (Friday) of our Roque Bluffs, Maine vacation.  We have spent a week here and it has been great.  Today we stuck close to the area.  In the morning we did a little kayaking in Little Kennebec Bay - definitely some good exercise for the arms and shoulders.  Then some lunch.  In the afternoon my wife started with the packing process and some laundry. I went on a bike ride on the multi-use trail that runs through Machias.  It is an old railway bed (Maine and Central?) that has been converted to a pathway for use by bikes, walkers, ATVs, snowmobiles, skiers, etc.  I went to the website (Down East Sunrise Trail) and saw that the trail, when completed, will cover about 130 miles from Bangor to Calais.  I rode about twenty miles yesterday and was very pleased with what has been done so far.  The picture at right was taking on the trail traveling from Machias to East Machias along the Machias River.  The evening was spent grilling hot dogs and cheeseburgers on the deck grill and relaxing.

Roque Bluffs, Maine Vacation - Day Six

Our Roque Bluffs, Maine vacation continues.  Today was a "stay in the area day".  We did some kayaking in the morning on Little Kennebec Bay.  Then a late breakfast followed by some reading on the deck overlooking the bay and watching the lobster boats.  In the afternoon we toured Bucks Harbor / Machiasport visiting the little coves found on that peninsular (picture to left is of Bucks Harbor - loaded with fishing boats, no yachts here).  Later in the evening we walked along the Machias River on the multi-use trail.  We closed the day with grilled chicken on our deck, some wine, and some reading.  Only one full day left tomorrow and it is pack up and home we go.  :-(