Here’s a way to enjoy a scenic bike ride, without the bike: the newly re-opened RailCyclers provides foot-pedaled, open-air “railcycle” tours along the historic Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad. Riding railcycles is a low-impact, quiet, non-polluting activity, and a great way to get in shape. They are basically a tandem single speed pedal bike built…
by Carey Kish A wealth of Maine mountaintops not too far from home offer panoramic vistas with minimal trail mileage and physical effort, perfect for hikers looking to get outdoors for just a few hours. Here’s a sampler of ten summit hikes, fun and rewarding walk-ups that each require an hour or less to reach…
There is no shortage of winter activities in Maine, and cross-country skiing is one that the whole family can enjoy. Gliding across fresh snow is peaceful, energizing, and easy on the planet. Plus, there are hundreds of trails to explore across the state. From groomed trails at one of the many ski centers to hidden…
By Christine Fisher MAINE’S FARMERS don’t just grow vegetables or raise livestock. In Midcoast Maine companies like Avena Botanicals and Maine Medicinals are growing herbs and medicinal plants, in hopes of raising healthier humans. In Rockport, the Avena Botanicals team hand harvests more than 1,000 pounds of fresh herbs from their 3-acre certified organic and…
By Christine Fisher MIDCOAST MAINE DRAWS people from around the world who want to explore the beautiful coastline where the mountains meet the ocean. It draws another kind of explorer too— the wellness explorer. “There’s something about being here in Maine, and being on the coast especially, that’s restorative,” said Jesse Simko, president of Destination…
By Bob Keyes AS A CHILD, Nisa Smiley traveled once a year from her home in Vermont to Deer Isle for a family vacation. The weeks and days leading up to packing the car and driving over the mountains to the Maine coast were filled with anticipation and excitement. “‘The Little Mermaid’ was my favorite…
By Tim King WHEN IT COMES to the great outdoors, to paraphrase writer Aldous Huxley, there is the known, there is the unknown…and in between, there are Maine Guides. Since the days of Squanto and the Pilgrims, Sacajawea and Lewis and Clark, those wishing to find safe passage in and out of the wild places…
By Carey Kish ACADIA NATIONAL PARK marks the centennial of its founding this year with a big celebration highlighting a century of conservation and stewardship, and this summer and fall is prime time for actively exploring the beauty, history and culture of the park and its surroundings on foot, by bike, canoe, kayak or boat.…
By Caitlin Gilmet Photos by John Finch THE WORD “CULTURE” is rooted in the idea of cultivation and growth. It can refer to the achievements that help make our society better, more interesting, and more successful, and it can also refer to the bacteria, molds, and acids that help give cheese its unique character. Culture…
By Carey Kish Maine’s microbrewers have been at the forefront of the craft beer movement in the U.S. ever since pioneer David Geary opened his brewery in Portland in 1986, the first microbrewery east of the Mississippi River. Today, the number of licensed breweries in Maine hovers around 80 and includes some of the best breweries…