Tag: Summer

Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Maine is a four season state with so much to see and do! No matter what time of year, you are sure to find something going on and something to appeal to every age. Summer brings the warm weather and along with that an opportunity to enjoy great beaches, great picnic spots, hiking, biking and boating. Whether you go to the Western Mountains or the southern coast, Maine has earned the title, Vacationland for good reason. The Fall brings the change of season and Maine’s landscape turns the trees into a blaze of reds, orange and yellows. Maine is known as a haven for leaf peepers and one trip out during the fall is easy to see why. The fall is also the time of year when recreational hunting begins. Many of the summer cabins available for rent during the summer months turn into hunting cabins for fall hunters. Winter brings the snow and big mountain skiing. With ski resorts like Sugarloaf and Sunday River, skiers don’t have far to travel for some of the best skiing in the northeast. In addition to skiing Maine has one of the most extensive snowmobile trails systems in New England. Spring brings warmer temperatures and melting snow. Melting snow leads to water run- off into the rivers resulting in perfect rafting conditions. White water rafters flock to the Forks to ride Magic Falls down through the upper Kennebec River. For thrill seekers, the Penobscot River provides Class V rapids which will take your breath away! Spring is also a great time of year for fishermen, who enjoy the benefits of open water fishing and reap big fish rewards from our lakes, rivers and oceans. Maine is your four season destination for natives and visitors so come out and discover all Maine has to offer!

Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: For all you sports and outdoor enthusiast, if you don’t already know, there is a new sheriff in town! LL Bean loyalist will be tested with the new Cabela’s store which opened earlier this spring in Scarborough. The store is huge with over 130,000 square feet of retail space that includes a café, indoor archery range, aquarium, general store, gun library and even a horse corral! With museum like displays you will find a huge variety of stuffed animals displayed in scenes that have been recreated to resemble their natural habitats. There is something for everyone at the store from hunting supplies to camping and fishing equipment. From clothing items for men, women and children, to kayaks to grills, you will pretty much find whatever you are looking for and then some at this store. Cabela’s offers lots of outdoor seminars as well as vendor demos throughout the year. Just visiting the store itself is an outing because it’s so large and there is so much to see. Scarborough is a quick 10 minute ride from Portland, south. After spending some time at Cabelas stop in at one of the local sandwich shops, grab some subs and head to Scarborough Beach where you can kick back and spend some time or head to Portland and have fun exploring the city, there is lots to see and do!

Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer: Home brewing took off in the 90’s with people buying their own beer making kits and trying all sorts of variations from fresh berries to imported hops. There is a new trend in Portland, wine making and at Vintner Cellars, it’s easy for novices to get in on the fun. Now is the time to get in on the fun because any wine made before mid October will be ready for Christmas which can either be given as gifts or drank of course! A fun way to enjoy some time with friends is to host a wine making party at Vintners Cellars. During your party guest can enjoy complimentary tasting and then decide which wine they would like to make. Part of making your own wine is being able to design your own label which can be a great idea for weddings or any other special event you may have coming up. With over thirty different wines to choose from there is definitely something for everyone. Whether you want 50 bottles or just one, Vintner Cellars can accommodate your request. Why not book a party with a bunch of your favorite couples and enjoy the experience of creating your own custom wine. Parties can be catered so it’s an easy way to throw a get together without all the work. Instead, you can sit back enjoy your guest and the “fruit” of your labors!

Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer: Portland has a fantastic network of thirty walking trails that lead you in and around the whole city. Now that the weather is cooler, taking a hike on the trail system is a fun thing to do on a brisk fall afternoon. You can choose your walking path whether you decide to take a run around the trail the circles Back Cove or one that goes deep into the forest like Baxter Woods, there are plenty of places to discover right here in Portland. One of my favorite places to go is the Eastern Promenade trail that follows the waterfront along Portland’s working harbor. This is a scenic trail that runs along the railroad tracks and offers great views of some of Portland’s famous landmarks such as Fort Gorges and the Ocean Gateway Terminal. Another great place to check out is Stroudwater Trail where it is not unheard of to stumble across deer grazing along the Stroudwater River. This 2.75 mile loop provides scenic lookout points and tucked away benches where you can sit and enjoy the view and the quiet sounds of nature. The trail system provides visitors with an opportunity to see a different side of Portland. The entire network of trails totals over 50 miles and stretches over the entire city to its borders. The trails are all maintained and well marked making it easy to find your way around. There are trail maps at many local businesses so you can plan your trip making sure you put this on your “things to do” list this fall. Grab your walking shoes and head out and discover why the folks in Portland love this well developed urban trail system right here in their own backyard.