Maine has an Abundance of Museums

According to a recent news article in the Portland Press Herald the state of Maine has the second highest rate of museums per capita. This information comes from the federal institute of Museum and Library Services. Vermont ranks number 1 in the nation. Many small historical societies are included in the numbers used for computing the rankings; and Maine has lots of historical societies at the community level. You can read the news article published on September 6, 2014 at this link. A partial listing can be found here at Museums of Maine.

Historic Trails for Bikers in Katahdin Area

The area of north central Maine (Katahdin, Baxter State Park, and Millinocket) has some great potential for the back woods mountain bike riders seeking new trails. Read more in "Historic trails beckon new users to Katahdin area", Portland Press Herald, August 26, 2014.

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/08/26/old-trails-new-users/

Portland Chamber Music Festival - August 14-23, 2014

The 21st Season of the Portland Chamber Music Festival will be held August 14-23, 2014. The summer concerts are held at the Abromson Center at the University of Southern Maine's Portland Campus. Learn more at the PCMF website.

Dog Sled Business - A Lifestyle Choice

A dog sled business that provides tours is based out of Oxford, Maine. The firm is called Ultimate Sledding Dog Experience and the owner provides tours to customers on trails in Bethel and Hebron, Maine. The owner says that owning and racing sled dogs is a life style of its own. Read more in "Love of dogs, outdoors propels dog sled business", Sun Journal, February 1, 2014. Learn more about dog sledding in Maine.

2014 BikeMaine Route Now Known

The route for the 2nd Annual BikeMaine Ride that will take place in early September 2014 has now been revealed by the organizers. The Bike Ride starts in Westbrook, heads to Norway, Winthrop, Gardiner, across to Boothbay Harbor, along the coast to Bath, and then finally ends back in Westbrook. Read a recent news report on this in "2014 BikeMaine route revealed", WCSH Channel 6, February 4, 2014. The dates of the ride are September 6-13, 2014. The ride is a 348 mile loop and is a project of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Visit the BikeMaine website - www.ride.bikemaine.org.

Fog Over Snow in Maine

On a recent cross country ski outing in Maine I came across this picturesque scene just before sunset. The mist (or fog) was forming over the field I was about to ski over.

6th Annual Ski Marathon and Tour

The Maine Huts and Trails will conduct the 6th Annual Ski Marathon and Tour on Sunday, March 16, 2014. The race/tour will go through the hills of Western Maine and feature 3 distances - 60K, 40K, and 20K. Awards and prizes will be presented to the top three male and female participants for each of the three races. Food and refreshments will be provided over the course of the event and a free post-race lunch will be served at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, where each race concludes.

www.mainehuts.org/ski-marathon or call (207) 265-2400.

Dogsledding - Heywood Kennel, Augusta, Maine

A recent news report provides information on the Heywood Kennel in Augusta, Maine. Read "Mushers bring dog sledding to the masses in Maine", Maine Sunday Telegram, January 26, 2014.

Carter's X-C Ski Center in Oxford, Maine

Read a story on Carter's X-C Ski Center located in Oxford, Maine. See "A delightful day on an Oxford trail", Maine Sunday Telegram, January 26, 2014. Carter's X-C Ski Center is located on Route 26 (on the left as you drive north). It has 40 kilometers of ski trails for the beginning and intermediate level. There are five trails for skiing and one for snowshoeing.

Winter Snow Tubing and Zipline Tours

Maine has a lot to offer in winter sports. Some suggested family fun in the snow can include snow tubing and zipline tours. Read more about both in a recent article entitled "Zipline tours and tubing offer fast fun in Maine", Portland Press Herald, January 9, 2014.

Small Ski Areas in Maine Value Added to Local Communities

Maine used to have a large number of small community-based ski areas; however, a many factors have combined to significantly reduce the numbers. Over 70 Maine ski areas - mostly small operations - have gone out of business since 1970. However, there is a sense that the remaining small ski areas will be able to stay open and possibly see more come back into operation.

The small ski areas that shut down were affected by a number of factors to include increased competition (especially from the bigger resort areas), increased insurance costs, warm winters, and community apathy. Those small ski areas that remain open have found that local community involvement is a big help. Currently the Ski Maine Association lists 12 small ski areas still operating in Maine.

Read more about Maine's small ski areas in "A sense of community keeps central Maine's small ski areas afloat", Morning Sentinel, January 12, 2014.

Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby to be Filmed

The Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby, which takes place in February, will be filmed by a film company from New York. Details of the filming are sketchy but it appears that the National Geographic Channel has contracted with the film company for the project.  The derby takes place in mid-February. While ice fishing is a big sport for Maine fishermen I am a little skeptical on the appeal to television watchers. I mean . . . really . .. how exciting can that be? Like watching golf I suppose. Learn more in "Reality TV to film not-so-wild world of Maine ice fishing", Portland Press Herald, January 8, 2014.

A Family Blog about Alpine Skiing in Maine

The link below will take you to a super family-oriented blog about Alpine skiing in Maine. The blog provides tips on how to have fun and make skiing as affordable as possible. See the blog at the link below:
www.maineskifamily.com/

Cold Weather Brings Early Ice Fishing Season to Maine

The cold weather in Maine during December and early January has hastened the ice fishing season in Maine. While not all lakes and ponds are frozen - some are - and the ice fishermen are eager to start their season. The ice fishing season in Maine opens officially on January 1st. Read more in "Ice fishing season weeks early on Sebago Lake", Portland Press Herald, January 4, 2014.