Outdoors

Published
June 16, 2012

Pedal On: The way to get children started on the right path for bicycling

A co-worker recently shared with me the story of a bicycle outing with her young daughter that turned painful — for Mom. In an effort to avoid a collision when her child slowed significantly while chatting away, Mom hit the soft sand at the edge of the street where they were riding, didn’t get out […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Boating: Ocean races as regular as the tides

In the early 1970s, after a decade racing his 22-foot day sailer, local sailor Merle Hallett decided it was time to kick it up a notch and bought a 33-foot cruising boat. But something was missing. “I looked around, and there wasn’t much going on for racing that kind of boat,” he said. So in […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Mark Latti: Deluge hurts birds nesting near water more than fish

I was ready to go shad fishing for the first time in years. As you may have heard, American shad have made quite a comeback in Maine. Now when the shadbush blooms along the riverbanks, there actually is a very good chance that shad are running in Maine rivers. Unfortunately, by the time I returned […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Allen Afield: Living off the land soothes the spirit, pleases the palate

Bill Woodward, a retired fisheries biologist from Monmouth, lives off the land like a 21st-century pioneer — hunting, fishing, gardening and gathering wild foods. While talking with me recently, Woodward emphasized that central Maine offers myriad blessings for ambitious souls intent on harvesting a good chunk of their annual food off the land, beginning with […]
Published
June 16, 2012

John Christie: It’s a little-known delight, that fort from Colonial times

At about the point where Penobscot Bay begins to narrow into the Penobscot River flowing down from the Katahdin region through Bangor and along both sides of Verona Island, Cape Jellison, a 1,600-acre peninsula, juts out into the bay. In colonial times it was known as Wasaumkeag Point, and the remains of Fort Pownall, built […]

Published
June 16, 2012

Carey Kish: Books explore hiking AT in Maine, Pacific Crest

The busy summer hiking season is here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a few good books when we’re not out tramping along the trail, whether it’s around the campfire, up to camp or relaxing at home. Here are three of my current hiking favorites. Enjoy! “Along Maine’s Appalachian Trail,” by David B. Field […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Best Bets

TODAY Free park admission All day, statewide The outdoors in Maine will be celebrated statewide at all state parks and historic sites with free admission on Fathers Day. All vehicles with a Maine license plate will be granted a free pass. For more information, go to www.parkslandlands.com. TUESDAY Pemaquid Paddlers 9 a.m. in Pemaquid This […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Diamonds in the rough

Volunteers are journeying into the backwoods to help the state discover uncharted brook trout ponds.
Published
June 9, 2012

Deirdre Fleming: Disease taking toll on bats

The summer bat survey that has begun in Maine to gauge the health of the state’s bat population shows signs of a depleted population. The survey aims to find and count bats, because state biologists discovered this winter the fungus that causes white-nose bat syndrome has taken hold. Biologists found as few as five bats […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Birding: Choir of early morning songbirds music to his ears

The overworn expression that there is no accounting for taste certainly applies to music. At this time of year, I thrill to the music of the birds whose concerts start well before the crack of dawn. As a reader of this column, I’m sure you share my joy of the morning chorus. On the other […]

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Outdoors