Fall: The Second Annual Pumpkinhead Festival is being held in Bethel at the end of the month and it’s a great way to spend some time outside hiking up a beautiful mountain for a great cause. Shipyard Brewing Company is sponsoring this event in a way to support the Maine Cancer Foundation. The hike is a two mile trek which leaves from the Shipyard Brew Haus. In addition to the hiking the river for a cure, you can enjoy some great music both nights of the event. On Saturday, there is family activities scheduled through the Mahoosuc Kids Association which will include an all day kids movie event, a rock climbing wall, games, crafts, face painting and a monster truckshow. Bethel is in full color during this time of year so it’s a great place to go and for a great cause. While your there you should kick back and enjoy a seasonal pumpkinhead, it’s like drinking fall in a bottle.
Tag: Fall
Poland Springs: It’s More Than Just Pure Water
Fall,Winter,Spring & Summer: Water and history, two things that can take a small town in Maine and make it a household name. Poland Springs is home to the legendary Poland Spring Hotel, and the world-renown Poland Spring Water, which transformed a scenic western Maine town into a state and national landmark. Unlike what most think, Poland Springs is only 35 mile north of Maine’s largest city and it is worth a visit to explore. Famous for it’s natural spring, the first documented sale of Poland Spring water happened in the mid 1800’s and has continued through present day. Poland Springs is also home to the Maine State Building and the All Souls Chapel which have become a part of our national heritage. The All Souls Chapel, erected on the very top of the hill at the Poland Spring estate, has a fabulous view and has been the setting for many weddings. The beauty and history of the town of Poland Springs is a great reason to make it a “to do” on your list.
Winter Getaways: Bethel’s Winter Haven
Fall & Winter: Up here in Maine it is time to begin preparing for the winter and that includes making plans for winter travel. Maine offers many diverse winter activities, the traditional and the not so traditional. One place to consider on your list of places to stay is the Telemark Inn, in Bethel. At the foothills of Maine’s Appalachian Mountains this gorgeous Inn was built at the turn of the century. Once used as the private residence of a wealthy family. The Inn is a beautiful example of rustic elegance common to turn of the century Maine retreats. With it’s huge stone fireplace and seven-foot round wood dining table where you will find guests share home-cooked meals, the inn offers true Maine hospitality. During the winter months, the Telemark Inn offers cross country skiers beautiful groomed Nordic trails all which are on privately owned land. This means you don’t have to battle the crowds! There are also specially marked snowshoe trails, horse drawn sleigh rides, and a private pond for ice-skating. This is a great place to spend a long weekend and really get away from it all and back to mother nature.
Guided Tours: Exploring Maine With True Experts
Fall & Winter: One of the most informative and individualized ways of touring the Maine wilderness is alongside a trained Maine Guide. These professionals are known for their many outdoor skills and abilitly to navigate their way through some of the deepest parts of the wilderness. Maine Guides have been used by travelers for over one hundred years. There are Maine Guides available for winter trips throughout Maine and, if you prefer backwoods travel in an area that you have not explored before, that would be the way to go. Mahoosuc Guide Service is just the place to start. They offer guided day and overnight dog sled trips. They use authetic Yukon huskies for these dog sled trips and attending one requires no prior experience just an open mind and a willingness to have fun. Another guide business, Omniventures offers guided snow shoeing, cross country ski tours as well as ice climbing adventures. So why not start planning now a real Maine adventure with real outdoor experts, Maine Guides.
Chester Greenwood: Covering The Essentials
Fall: Have you ever heard of Chester Greenwood? Well the next time your ears get cold and you slip on a pair of warm earmuffs, make sure you thank him. Chester actually invented them and believe it or not in this state, it was a big deal! Big enough, that in the town of Farmington where Chester lived there is a whole day’s celebration just for him! What would a celebration be without a parade with floats and of course, the Chester Greenwood Flag Raising at the Franklin County Courthouse following that parade. Farmington’s Historical Society display vintage Greenwood items at the Titcomb House, as well as selling holiday wreaths. Adding to the festival’s fun, the chamber sponsors gingerbread house building contest. After the parade and special events like the chili cook-off stop by the Farmington Rotary Club’s Annual Festival of Trees held at the Granary Restaurant or stick around for the auction of the trees taking place that evening. The Polar Bear Club members annual dip into frigid Clearwater Lake will take place that afternoon and as you can imagine is always a crowd pleaser!