Maine’s richly diverse habitat is a magnet for hundreds of wild bird species. By Lynn Ascrizzi IT’S ALWAYS A GREAT TIME TO celebrate birding in Maine—especially right now. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which passed in the U.S. in 1918. To honor the…
Exploring the wild, scenic Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument By Carey Kish CRAGGY MOUNTAIN PEAKS, deep woods, free-flowing rivers and streams and a bounty of wildlife characterize the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which preserves an 87,500-acre area long recognized for its ecological, recreational and cultural significance. Located immediately east of Baxter…
Here, there and everywhere: explore Maine’s tourism trails By Amy Paradysz THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF WAYS TO EXPLORE MAINE’S LANDSCAPE, wildlife, food and drink, history, culture and art. With so many paths— so many trails—to choose from, it helps to have a menu of options. A growing number of tourism trails complement the conventional notion…
By Carey Kish There’s nothing like getting outside for a good hike to get some exercise, enjoy the fresh air and unwind a little amid the natural beauty of the Maine coast. Thanks to the thoughtful conservation efforts of many public and private agencies and dedicated individuals, there are many protected lands along the coast.…
If you’ve yet to discover the Portland Gear Hub, you’re in for a treat. From being one of the region’s best sources for finding gently used and affordable outdoor gear, to providing all of the tools and coaching you need to fix your own bike under the guidance of experienced bike mechanics, the Gear Hub…
By Carey Kish THE GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSE of Maine’s coastline ranges some 230 miles from Kittery to Lubec as the crow flies, but an incredible 3,500 miles when every nook and cranny and more than 3,000 islands are accounted for on the undulating margin along the Gulf of Maine between New Hampshire and New Brunswick,…
By Carey Kish JUST AS WE are drawn to the alpine heights of Maine’s windswept mountaintops or the seemingly endless expanses of sandy beach at the ocean’s edge, so, too, are we captivated by the thundering roar of waterfalls, the rainbows amid the glitter of the misty spray, the raw power of water rushing through…
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…
Looking for a good read? We turned to our friends at Royal River Books in Yarmouth and Longfellow Books in Portland for their top picks on books about living with compassion for the planet—and they delivered. Here’s a list of recommendations to keep you pondering deeply, laughing frequently, eating superbly, and above all reading—and living…
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…