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This quiet, 1.4 mile loop follows a stream through thick forest with one expansive opening near the power lines. Hunting, mountain bikes and motorized vehicles are prohibited here, so when I say it's quiet, I mean it. This 39-acre property, owned by the Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust (CCLT), protects wetlands, streams and diverse wildlife habitat. For more details and maps of the property, visit CCLT's website here . A trailhead and small parking lot are located on Rock Ri

With all the rain we've had this past week, it's a great time to explore the Waterfall Trail at Rine's Forest. I've hidden another Seek'em for you on this trail, so now you have three reasons to visit: flowing falls, two hidden treasures, and the vivid colors that appear after a rainstorm. Why does nature appear more colorful after the rain? I've often pondered this question and found one explanation on a blog called " A Life Spent Wondering ". The answer is long and involves

This tranquil forest with cascading waterfalls is an ideal spot for soul filling walks, running your dog, or providing kids with a magical play space. Last weekend, I came here with two friends, our kids and our dogs. The kids created an imaginative game near the waterfall and we tired the dogs out with a long walk. The 15 minute drive to this free adventure sent our entire crew home tired and happy. Our mama mission had been accomplished. Photo Credit: Becca Wertheimer If yo

At 212 acres in size, this is the largest undeveloped property in Cumberland (163 acres) and part of North Yarmouth (50 acres). It includes a 46-acre great pond with two smaller ponds, forested uplands, a network of connecting trails, wetlands, streams and views of Casco Bay and Mount Washington. This is a critical wildlife habitat and a great place to kayak, canoe, hike, bike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, and ice skate. This spot includes ample parking and is less than 12 mi

The original plan was a weekend in Baxter State Park with five friends. We would camp two nights, hike Katahdin, maybe see a moose,...

There are so many reasons I'm excited about this trail, but the most thrilling discovery for me is that it connects to Knight's Pond Preserve on one end and Rine's Forest on the other. It's the cream filling in the Oreo cookie, and we're going to tackle it first, just like we did in childhood. All three of these gorgeous properties have been protected by the Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust (CCLT). Farwell Forest is privately owned with a CCLT easement. It's 45-acres in s

If you want to reach not one, but two, 4,000 footers before 11:00am, I'll tell you the secret. It's not rocket science, but it does...

Before today, it had been several months since Romy and I had ventured out, just the two of us, to explore a new trail. Our family had the best intentions for a slow, easy summer, planning just three vacations over some long weekends. But by August, I'd been officially swept up in the whirlwind of all the fun being offered in the summer. Overnight, I'd become a full-time fun juggler, saying "yes" to all of the invitations and "no" to any down time. It happens to the best of u

We just found another spectacular swimming hole and it includes a short hike. Thanks to my friend Sarah M. for sharing the details of this secret beach with me. It was our very last day of OMP Camp today and this was the perfect place to celebrate two years of outdoor adventuring with some incredible kids. The path to this beach is part of the Sebago to Sea Trail, which is a continuous shared-use trail connecting Sebago Lake to Casco Bay. Managed by the Presumpscot Regional L

Chebeague Island (also known as "Great Chebeague") is located in Casco Bay, 10 miles northeast of Portland. It was originally used as fishing grounds for the Abenaki and is the largest island in Casco Bay that's not connected to the mainland by a bridge. The year-round population was 396 in a 2020 census report and this number is said to triple in the summer months. In 2007, Chebeague succeeded from Cumberland, becoming its own town. This town is made up of 17 islands and th

It's August, it's hot, and we have another hidden swimming hole for you to check out! We learned about this one from two women paddle boarding near Babb's Bridge last week, one of whom had grown up in Gorham. I really love learning about new trails from locals. It happens ALL the time and never gets old. Locals know the very best places. The 1-mile lollipop loop at this preserve runs along the Presumpscot River, just south of the Dundee Dam in north Gorham. It follows a hist

On hot summer days, it's good to know about Babb's. This covered bridge spans one of the best swimming holes near Portland. It's also Maine's oldest covered bridge, built in 1840. It crosses the Presumpscot River between Gorham and Windham and is located on Hurricane Road (parking is on the side of the road before arriving at the bridge). The original bridge was burned by vandals in 1973 and an exact replica was built with lumbar milled locally in Gorham. The water is clear a

The jetty has always been a crowd-pleaser, but today, we got to climb a ladder into the lighthouse. Located on the breakwater at Southern Maine Community College, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style light station in the United States that visitors can walk to. Not only can you walk to it - you can also go inside! There are so many thrills to be had in this life. If you were wondering, a caisson lighthouse (also referred to as a sparkplug lighthouse, or bu

An easy hike and a formidable climb up a very tall fire tower. Here's a hike for a range of abilities and anyone wanting to challenge...

I think we can all agree that hiking makes us hungry. But as it so often goes, it can be tough to find quality restaurants in mountain...

Last week I brought a group of seven 4th and 5th graders to Rines Forest as part of OMP Camp (an outdoor after school program). This trip confirmed something that I've known in my heart for years. Something that has been made increasingly clear in the last two years of running this camp. Here it is: If given natural spaces to explore and friends to be with, kids will not only create their own play, they will actually thrive. All on their own, with no adult intervention. I've

This pipe smoking curmudgeon of a boulder was, just maybe, the highlight of this hike for me. When we discovered him at the start of the trail, his left eyebrow had fallen into his eyeball. I carefully placed it back in its proper position, slanting it down a bit to maintain his surly look. I wondered how many hikers had handled his stick eyebrow. A time lapse video would be fun here. My friend Jaime suggested this hike when I told her I needed something short and sweet. At 1

Here it is, a perfect winter hike that you can squeeze into the school day. This quick day hike is filled with mountain streams, woods...

Let me start by stating the obvious - it's icy out there. You may choose to avoid all trails right now, and I wouldn't blame you. For me, I need the woods like a need my morning coffee. It keeps me grounded, gives me energy, and feeds my soul. I also have a dog who only behaves when she's off-leash in the forest. Trying to walk Romy around the neighborhood on a leash is about as easy as pushing a giant boulder up a large hill. I was not meant to tell anyone what to do and she

This trail includes Brunswick's highest point (a.k.a "pinnacle") at 350 feet above sea level. It's no Katahdin, which is 5,269 feet above sea level, but it is much easier to get to. Last week I was home with my kids after Henry had a positive COVID test and Finn had some symptoms. Quarantining with kids can be a mixed bag. It provides some extra quality time, which I usually enjoy because I really like my kids. It can also drive you bananas if you're unable to get outside. Wi