Blog

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

I heard about this place three different times before deciding to explore it. The first time was from a camp counselor who was in WFA training with me. The second, from a postcard that arrived at my house. The third, from google when I searched "mini golf near me". When something keeps showing up in your life, just take the bait. In my experience, it usually leads to something good, as was the case with this curious desert located in the woods of Freeport. The 20 acres of rol

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

Every year since our boys were toddlers, we've gone camping at least once a summer. And every year, at the 18th hour of packing up for...

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

I was so proud of myself for staying well hydrated during a recent hike in the 90 degree heat. Proud until I told my well informed friend...

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

Before our visit here last week, it had been over two years since we'd walked the trails at Gilsland Farm. That's because we got a dog and dogs are not allowed at most wildlife sanctuaries, including this one. For a solid year when Romy was a puppy, we walked/hiked her for hours a day and looked only for dog friendly trails. Now she's two and our "mountain dog" has become a full grown "couch potato". Now it's hard to motivate the ol' gal to do a short loop through Baxter Wood

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

I recently did a two day Wilderness First Aid (WFA, pronounced woofah) training through Wilderness Medical Associates. The weekend long...

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

Yes it's time. Ignorance may be bliss, but knowledge is power. It's time to learn about these prevalent parasites that we find outdoors....

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...