We all know it’s been cold in these parts lately. Real cold. Cold enough that a short walk outside makes you wonder if your nose is going to snap off and blow across the parking lot. But we’re Mainers. We’re tough! We can take it … right? If you’re looking to feel even tougher than normal, here’s an interesting fact I gleaned from the Internet: The daytime low at McMurdo Station in Antarctica was 2 below a couple of days ago. I think northern Maine was even colder than that. On the bright side, reports of penguins wandering the streets of Fort Kent could not be confirmed.
Stay warm. Be safe. And if you’re heading out onto the ice, don’t assume it’s safe. Check early and often … and stay away from inlets and outlets.
— John Holyoke
Deer caught on St. John River ice floe
Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes.
Over the weekend I began seeing a Facebook post that included a video taken by Sue Underhill Kelly of Allagash.
Sue and her husband, Maine guide Wade Kelly, live on the St. John River, near the confluence with the Allagash River. When ice starts moving on those waters, the scene can get pretty dramatic.
And the video she shot was all of that.
A lesson learned: No shame in settling for a spikehorn
Admittedly, the hunting gods have smiled on me during eight seasons chasing the elusive whitetail. And taking two nine-pointers in three years can mess with one’s “standards” when it comes to evaluating what deer to harvest.
After last fall, I am beginning to gain an appreciation for the, “if it’s brown, it’s down” theory, although I don’t yet espouse it.
I have strived to harvest bucks that appear to be mature, but that philosophy creates constraints that can assure that a hunter doesn’t put any venison in the freezer.
Blog log
Act Out with Aislinn: 1-minute hike: Ridge to River Trail in Searsmont
The Ridge to River Trail in Searsmont is a 4-mile footpath that travels along the banks of the St. George River before climbing to the fields atop Appleton Ridge and views of the river valley. The trail is just a small section of the Georges Highland Path, a 50-mile network of footpaths in the midcoast region that is maintained by the Georges River Land Trust.
Act Out with Aislinn: Top 10 ‘1-minute hikes’ of 2014
This year, I completed about 50 different hikes throughout Maine for my “1-minute hike” column and blog video series, and I never drove away from a trailhead disappointed. From the rocky coast to the high peaks of Baxter State Park, I explored small pockets of the state’s vast wilderness, and at the end of the year, I believe those adventures have done me a great deal of good.
I’m not one for choosing favorites. Each mountain, preserve and park has its own character and beauty. However, some of the outdoor experiences I had in the past year shine just a bit brighter in my memory. Those hikes stand out for a number of reasons.
On the horizon
Back in December, we told you about a cool raffle being conducted by the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association. The group sold chances on a camp, valued at about $50,000, for $100 apiece. Sales were lagging, and the guides asked for help in letting people know about the opportunity. The BDN responded, and the response was immediate. On New Year’s Eve, the guides drew the name of the lucky winner. In the near future we’ll tell you about the winner, and find out more about him. Stay tuned!
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