Monthly Archives: January 2014
February packed with Maine outdoor events – here’s a handy list
The month of February is crowded with Maine outdoor events, from ski competitions and winter carnivals to tree pruning workshops and guided hikes. There’s something for everyone. So, to help readers plan a fun-packed February, I’ve decided to pull together a list, however incomplete, of outdoor events. I’ve organized the events by date and then […]
1-minute hike: Lake Loop Trail, Branch Lake Public Forest, Ellsworth
Difficulty: Easy-moderate. The hike of Lake Loop Trail (including Pine Trail) is about 3 miles, round trip. The route travels over gentle hills. Exposed roots crossing the trail and a few bog bridges require careful footing. The route is great for hiking, dog walking, snowshoeing and given the right conditions, cross country skiing. How to get […]
Where in the woods am I? Branch Lake Public Forest
Scott Bennett won the “Where in the Woods Am I?” game for Pine Trail of Branch Lake Public Forest in January 2014 given these verbal clues and the following gallery of photos: Clumps of snow stuck to the windshield as I drove to a hiking destination Saturday, with Derek in the passenger seat and our dog Oreo lounging in […]
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Maine
The 2013 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, a show of award-winning films on mountain sports and culture, is showing at four locations throughout Maine from Jan. 31 to Feb. 10, and it’s not too late to buy tickets (I hope … depending on when you read this). I’ve attended this event in Bangor for […]
Why lick my nose? Questions I ask my dog
1-minute hike: Woodlawn trail network in Ellsworth
Difficulty: Easy. The trail network consists of less than 2.5 miles of trails that form three loops or “tracks,” as they are called on the map at the trailhead. The wide trails travel over relatively even terrain. The most challenging aspect of the trail network is a number of narrow wooden bridges that help walkers […]
Where in the woods am I? Woodlawn
Unity College bear study releases one-year report
Upon reaching its one year mark, the ground-breaking black bear study being conducted at Unity College has released a report that offers some new insights into the lives of central Maine bears. The multi-year study features analyses of blood samples, DNA analyses and tracking of Maine black bears in the Unity area. As members of […]
One dog toy to rule them all
Eureka! The word stems from an ancient Greek word meaning “I have found it!” While the exclamation is typically attributed to mad scientists and detectives, if my dog Oreo could speak, I think that’s what he’d say — “Eureka!” Oreo has long searched for the perfect toy. Every time we bring home a new Nylabone […]