Outdoors

Published
July 17, 2011

Deirdre Fleming: Portland Trails celebrates its four-legged friends

Dogs are an issue at many parks around Maine. Most swimming beaches don’t permit them on summer days. South Portland’s Willard Beach doesn’t seem to want them. And Baxter State Park doesn’t allow our canine friends. But around much of Portland this summer, the city’s going to the dogs. That’s because the 20-year-old trail organization, […]
Published
July 17, 2011

Taking a stand

Stand-up paddle boarding is exploding in popularity, and the sport already has plenty of fans in Maine.
Published
July 10, 2011

Allen Afield: Musings during a bike trip on the Kennebec River Rail Trail

One recent Saturday morning, Katelyn, my youngest daughter, and I bicycled the Kennebec River Rail Trail (KRRT), which runs along the river from Augusta’s Waterfront Park through Hallowell and Farmingdale to downtown Gardiner — 6½ miles one way or 13 miles roundtrip. This paved trail slices through a wooded, fertile floodplain, a wonderful amenity where […]
Published
July 10, 2011

Birding: Richer egg color may mean more food for hatchlings

Bird eggs vary widely in shape, size and color. Often, the species can be identified using characteristics of an egg. Egg coloration remains a topic of great interest in the ornithological community. The eggs of many birds are speckled with dark colors against a white background. It’s not hard to understand the function of such […]
Published
July 10, 2011

Boating: Boat parts: Good for projects, entertainment, and sometimes angst

My husband and I have always thought that a fun little game for a raft-up, happy hour, or after dinner cocktails would be “Name That Part.” Each participant brings some obscure object from their boat, preferably from the spare parts locker, and others at the gathering take turns trying to figure out what it is. […]

Published
July 10, 2011

Outdoors Calendar

23rd annual Maine Bike Rally, concludes today at Brunswick High School. This event features road rides, mountain bike rides and an accredited time trial. Food, rides, entertainment. The Maine Bike Rally is a combined effort of local enthusiasts, Casco Bay Bicycle Club, Merrymeeting Wheelers Bicycle Club and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Go to www.mainebikerally.org […]
Published
July 10, 2011

It’s Worth the Trip: Plenty to please day hikers near Damariscotta River

To the uninitiated, the Damariscotta River region might seem like a bust for hikers. It’s a pretty area, for sure, but the rolling coastal hills don’t scream “hike here.” It would be a shame to skip the region based on this first impression, however, as there’s plenty of spots for day hikers to explore. On […]
Published
July 10, 2011

Kid Tracks: Paddleboarding’s a stand-up pastime for almost everyone

My daughters and I decided to learn how to stand-up paddleboard. My girls are young teens now and this sport scored high on their hipster gauge. Paddleboarding is part surfing and part kayaking. The basic idea is that you stand up on a large surfboardlike board in calm water and use a long paddle to […]
Published
July 10, 2011

Thor’s dream boat

Usually dreams come before boats. In Thor Emory’s case, the boat came first. Emory wanted a unique charter business within the competitive and storied landscape of Maine sailing. For years, he looked for a business that would be different from others, something like his work at Outward Bound, where he taught for seven years. In […]
Published
July 3, 2011

Outdoors Calendar

Something for Everyone about Kayaking, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland. Maine Outdoor Adventure Club monthly program. Scott Shea, an outfitter and guide, will cover such topics as choosing a kayak and related gear, including paddles and safety equipment. Paddling techniques will be demonstrated and ideas will be shared on trip planning, […]

Sign In:

Outdoors