Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall: Since 1988 Ray and Nancy Reitze have operated Earthways Guided Canoe Trips and School of Wilderness Living. Their mission is “To teach people the ancient ways of living with the earth so they may hold a renewed perspective of love for all things and move forward with knowledge of both the past and present to freely choose their life’s purpose”. The school has an extensive schuedule including, study of wild medicinal plants and edibles, basket making, snowshoe lacing, and flint knapping and vision quests. Guided wilderness journeys on foot, snowshoes or by canoe through some of the most remote destinations in the Skowhegan area. Ray learned woods lore as a child from a Native American elder and is very passionate about all things wild. Primitive camp sites are also available on their property in Canaan. This is an exceptional way to get back to nature and learn as much about it as you will about yourself.
Tag: Summer
The Forks: Tubing The Kennebec; It’s Fun For Everyone
Spring, Summer, Fall: What could be more fun on a hot summer day than innertubing on a lazy river with friends and family. The town of The Forks is great place to plan a tubing adventure. Named after the confluence of the Dead and Kennebec Rivers, the town of The Forks has long been a destination for adventure. From the old days of river run log drives, this town has evolved into Maine’s epicenter for whitewater rafting and kayaking. And while the section of the Kennebec River from Harris Dam to the Route 201 bridge can be crowded with rafters. Tubers will find nearly eight miles of easy floating, crowd free river from the Route 201 bridge to the town of Caratunk. This section of river is swift moving and easy going water rated only class I, and is perfect for first time floaters. There are plenty of local outfitters you can rent tubes, duckies, or canoes from. They can also arrange to leave your vehicle down river for you if you have your own tubes, so all you have to worry about is not getting sunburned.
Maine Maple Syrup: Taste The Sweet Side Of Maine
Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall: There’s nothing quite like a warm stack of pancakes covered in butter and hot Maple Syrup on a Sunday Morning. I’m not talking about the kind of “stuff” sold in stores that is labeled as Maple Syrup, but the real deal boiled down from the sap of Sugar Maples. Here in Maine; and New England in general, peoples spirits begin to lift when sunny days in March signal the coming change of season. These sunny days also get the Maple sap moving in the roots of trees and mark the start of Maple Syrup season. All across Maine there are families whose livelyhood depends on this sweet sticky stuff. And it is a good time of the year to get out and shake off the winter blues and enjoy the taste of tradition here in Maine. There are many Maple Syrup “Sugar Shacks” or Farms across the state, and visiting one during production is sure to be remembered. The process involves tapping the trees once the spring thaw begins, and can last for up to six weeks. It takes about 10 gallons of sap to make one quart of syrup, and the process varies from farm to farm. Generally the last weekend of March is the time these operations are in full swing, and is why folks call it Maine Maple Sunday. Good news is you can enjoy the rich taste of Maine Maple Syrup any time from anywhere, but there is nothing quite like enjoying it at one of these Traditional Maine Sugar Shacks.
Richmond: Swan Island
Spring, Summer, Fall:This 4-mile long state owned island sits at the northern most end of Merrymeeting Bay. While exploring the bay keep an eye out for bald eagles the area has the largest concentrations of nesting eagles in the state. During the spring and fall the migration of waterfowl along the Atlantic flyway stop here to rest their wings. This is a great time to visit Swan Island. Species such as Canadian geese, goldeneye and pintail can be seen frolicing in Merrymeeting Bay. The Bay encompases roughly 4500 square acres, however most of the shoreline is privately owned making access an issue. The state’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offer a motorboat shuttle from Richmond to the island between May 1 and Labor Day. The day use fee is 5.00 per adult and 3.50 per child.
Old Hallowell Days: Celebrating A Town’s Cultural Heritage
Summer: Set on the banks of the Kennebec River you will find Hallowell. This antique town is filled with unique shops, great antiques, restaurants and art galleries. This town has a rich historic past that lifelong members of the community celebrate with pride.Benjamin Hallowell settled here in 1620 straight from Boston. The historical mansions that line the street are a testament to the way life was in the early days of Hallowell’s beginnings.Each July, the town celebrates their hertiage with an ecletic blend of musicians, artisians and entertainment known as Old Hallowell Days. The celebration is kicked off with a cribbage tournamnet at one of the town’s longest standing businesses, The Wharf. Attendees can enjoy live music and entertainment at this well known establishment as well as a cold beer and interesting company.There is a road race, a parade for the kids and a great fireworks on the last night of the celebration. Hallowell has an “Old World” village feel and Old Hallowell Days is a sure bet if you are looking for a great way to spend some time getting to know one of the Kennebec River’s gem of a town.