Maine is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. We enjoy four very different seasons to fish, hike, ski, snowmobile, raft and generally revel in the great North Woods. As president of an outdoor company I get to play outdoors all year-long and when I’m not working I can often be found hiking, biking or exploring with my family and friends – it’s all good - summer, fall, winter there’s never a dull moment. There’s just one season I’m not so keen on – bug season, it generally starts around Memorial Day and lasts through until the first week of July. It’s not that you can’t go out in June, it’ just that you’ve got to make extra preparations to cover up, lather on the bugspray and prepare to get chewed.

So when I heard about Insect Shield clothing I had to try it. I ordered a couple of bandannas to start and they seemed to work, my neck didn’t get munched, so I ordered more; some socks, a shirt, a tee-shirt – the works, I bought clothing for my two young sons and it does the job. Insect Shield clothing is treated with a man-made version of a natural repellent found in chrysanthemum flowers. The treatment lasts for up to 70-washes and protects against mosquitoes, ticks, flies and no-see-ums. Now I’m not for a moment suggesting that Insect Shield clothing will save the world (although if you check out their Global Health Efforts you'll see they are doing their bit!), but anything that makes bug season bearable and enables more people to enjoy their outdoor adventures has my support.

Give it a try for yourself, you can find it locally in Maine at LL Bean’s or for a list of national retailers go to www.InsectShield.com, it just might make your next Maine family vacation that little bit more comfortable.
 

A couple of weeks back, I wrote about the launch of the new Maine Beer Trail, an initiative designed to recognize the vibrant craft brewing industry here in Maine.

This week Jim and Mike are preparing to hit the trail themselves - not the Beer Trail, but instead they are making plans to attend three upcoming New England Craft Beer Festivals. This is your chance to sample the Kennebec River Brewery (and up to 300 other craft brews) close to home.

On the weekend of June 19 / 20th, we will be attending the American Craft Beer Fest at the Seaport World Trade Center, in Boston and the Maine Grapes & Grains Festival at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, in Lewiston.

The following weekend, June 27th, we will be attending the Nashua River Brewers Festival  at Riverfront Park, in Fitchburg.

If your a fan of good beer and good times, come support your local craft brewers and join Northern Outdoors and the Kennebec River Brewery at one of these local events.

Last weekend my family and I took advantage of the fantastic spring weather to check out Maine Huts & Trails new Flagstaff Hut.

My two boys, Harry & Cam and their friend Jackson met up with Jamie Corriveau, the Operations Manager for Huts & Trails, (pictured) to explore the beach and the trails leading down to the lake. The boys declared their wish to spend a family vacation at the new Flagstaff Hut  this summer - and I suspect this is one wish that will come true!

Within the next couple of weeks I am looking forward to completing a "shake down" hike of the trail from Caratunk to the Flagstaff hut as a prelude to our new guided Hut-to-hut hiking program we'll be offerring this summer.

Looks like we have about 6" of new from the latest storm (Thursday afternoon). Still snowing off and on. We will groom the entire 70 mile trail system Thursday night, as well as on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. The base is generally flat and hard, and this fresh snow will help touch up the corners and other spots that were getting worn. Should come out nice in time for New Hampshire vacation week.
 
• ITS 86 FROM BERRY'S STORE IN WEST FORKS, HEADING EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE.  Overall this section is in good shape. As mentioned, this fresh snow will help us fix up some of the corners  that were getting choppy on the Brochu Road section, . The snow will also help out on the intown trails that have been seeing very heavy traffic this week. There is a logging operation along a short section of the intown trail. Skidders can be crossing the trail in a couple of places, so be careful through there.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL.  This trail was in great shape before the snow, so it'll only be better! Primo riding all the way through from ITS 86 to ITS 87.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL.  Closed for the season due to heavy logging and plowed roads on the Blanchard end.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM.  Generally in very good condition. Again, the snow will help with the couple of short wooded sections near Pleasant Pond and Moores Bog that were getting bumpy. This trail winds around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles, with spectacular views of the rocky summit. There is also fine off trail riding in the basin on the west side of the mountain, with expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL.  Excellent shape all the way through from ITS 87 to the Bald Mountain Trail. This trail and ITS 87 make a great mountain loop, with outstanding scenery of Bald Mountain, Pleasant Pond Mountain and Moxie Mountain.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL.  Good shape all the way through from Northern Outdoors to Berry's Store in West Forks. Very scenic riding along the Kennebec River.
Theres plenty of enjoyable riding and outstanding scenery to be had in the area!  With the increased traffic due to school vacation weeks, we ask that you RIDE WITH EXTRA CARE.
 
For day trippers, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors Resort on Route 201. Gas, trail maps, food, restrooms and trail info are available right at the Lodge. Call 888-770-SLED for details.
 
Jim Yearwood, Trailmaster
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

Last Thursdays warm temperatures and rain knocked our snowpack down a little, but there is still plenty to work with. We were able to groom out the entire trail system while it was still soft, and it hardened up nice and flat in most places. There are thin and icy spots, especially on corners, so be careful. We still have 24" to 30" of snow on the ground. Looks like a decent storm coming through on Wednesday night.
 
Generally speaking the trails are in good to very good shape. Because of the thaw then hard freeze up, the base is hard and fast. We have had an inch or so of snow showers the past 2 days, so lubrication is not a problem. Again, because of icing, RIDE WITH CAUTION AT ALL TIMES.  For the remainder of this week, all 70 miles of The Forks Trail System will be groomed on each of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 
• ITS 86 FROM BERRY'S STORE IN WEST FORKS, HEADING EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE.  Overall, this section is in good shape. Little bit of ice on the trail around Mosquito Mountain. Corners on the Brochu Road section are choppy, and need some fresh snow to fix. The short Power Line section near Moxie Lake is still flat, but the tops of some rocks are poking through in a few spots. Intown trails are a little bumpy because of heavy traffic . . . need some fresh snow there. There is a logging operation along a short section of the intown trail. Skidders can be crossing the trail in a couple places, so be careful through there.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL.  This trail is in A+ condition and provides outstanding riding. Flat and fast all the way through from ITS 86 to ITS 87.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL.  Closed for the season due to heavy logging and plowed roads on the Blanchard end.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM.  Generally in very good shape. A little bumped up in the 1 mile wooded section near Pleasant Pond, and again in the short wooded section near Moores Bog. This trail winds around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles, with spectacular views of the rocky summit. There is also fine off trail riding in the basin on the west side of the mountain, with expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL.  Excellent shape all the way through from ITS 87 to the Bald Mountain Trail. This trail and ITS 87 make a great mountain loop, with outstanding scenery of Moxie Mountain, Pleasant Pond Mountain and Bald Mountain.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL.   Good shape all the way through from Northern Outdoors to Berry's Store in West Forks. Very scenic riding along the Kennebec River. The big hill off the Flood Road is icy in the middle. Stay off to the sides and you'll be fine.
All in all, things look pretty good out there with enjoyable riding and outstanding scenery to be had!  With the extra traffic this week due to school vacation, and the occassional icy patch, we ask that you ride extra carefully.
 
For day trippers, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors Resort on Route 201. Gas, trail maps, food, restrooms and trail info are available right at the Lodge. Call 888-770-SLED for details.
 
Jim Yearwood, Trailmaster
Northern Outdooors Snowmobile Club

With school vacation week coming up, this weeks Recommened Ride, is a short 20-mile circuit up to The Forks and back along The new Kennebec River Trail:

THE KENNEBEC RIVER LOOP (20 miles)
Ride the rear trail out of Northern Outdoors to the junction of ITS 87. Take ITS 87 north to the ITS 86 junction on the Boise Road (Trail Junction ST 9). Follow ITS 86 west/ITS 87 north back toward The Forks. Just before town, take the Kennebec River Trail back to Northern Outdoors.

Scenic views: Mosquito Mountain, Kennebec River.
 

When I pulled out my snowmobile gear in December, I found a receipt in my snow pants for gas that shocked me for a couple of reasons. First, the date on the receipt said April 5th, 2008.

In all the excitement of  getting ready for winter it had escaped me that it was only 8 months since I was last riding. And the riding at the end of the season was really good.

The second point that took me aback, was that the receipt was for over $30 and my sled only holds 7 1/2 gallons! If you're like me I'm sure you will recall how last summer's spike in gas prices made you rethink road trips, vacations, and days off from work which normally would be no-brainers. That's why I am looking at today's $2 bucks a gallon at the pumps as a personal invitation to take as many trips north to snowmobile this winter as I can.

For those of you who know me, you're aware I'm prone to dishing out advice on how to have fun, but it isn't very often I can do that AND save you money at the same time…..So, here's my advice for winter 2009.

Compared to other winter activities, I've found snowmobiling to be an affordable and exciting weekend adventure.  Sure, you could stay home next weekend, go out for dinner and a movie Friday, shopping on Saturday, bar-hopping Saturday night and spend Sunday running errands. I can almost guarantee by the time you've factored in, dinner, drinks that new pair of shoes that were a steal at $200 and other incidentals, you'll be spending just as much in one weekend at home as I'll be spending enjoying myself exploring Maine's magnificent snowmobile trail system. If you look at it my way, how can you afford not to head north and experience a weekend of riding The Forks Area Snowmobile Trails.

See you on the trails

Mark Schaub (yep that's me above, riding the powdah on Feb 7th, 2009.)

Warm temperatures and rain on Thursday knocked down the snowpack some, but we still have plenty on the ground (24" to 30" in most places). We were able to groom all 70 miles of The Forks Snowmobile Trail System on Thursday night before the big freeze up. Our groomer operators report that they were able to get the trail nice and flat, and they have hardened up that way. Generally speaking the trails are still in very good to excellent shape. Because of the rain then hard freeze, the base is very hard and very fast. There are a few corners where ice is a problem on the inside of the corner. RIDE WITH CAUTION AT ALL TIMES. For the next few days, the entire trail system will be groomed on each of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.
 
• ITS 86 FROM BERRY'S STORE HEADING EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE.  Very good shape all the way. Little bit of ice on the trail around Mosquito Mountain. The short Power Line section near Moxie Lake is still flat, but there are a few spots where the tops of rocks are poking through. There is a logging operation along a short section of the intown trail. Skidders can be crossing the trail in a couple spots, so be careful through there.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL.  This is the former ITS 87 on the east side of Moxie Lake. Flat and fast all the way through from ITS 86 to ITS 87.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL.  Closed for the season due to heavy logging and plowed roads on the Blanchard end.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM.  Great shape all the way. This trail winds around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles, with spectacular views of the rocky summit. There is also fine off trail riding in the basin on the west side of the mountain, with expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL.  Excellent shape all the way through from ITS 87 to the Bald Mountain Trail. This trail and ITS 87 make a great mountain loop, with outstanding scenery of Moxie Mountain, Pleasant Pond Mountain and Bald Mountain.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL.  Great shape all the way through from Northern Outdoors to Berry's Store in West Forks. Very scenic riding along the Kennebec River. The big hill off the Flood Road is icy in the middle. Just stay off to the sides.
All in all, things look pretty good out there!  Again, the warm temperatures and rain didn't impact us badly. Trails have hardened up very flat and very fast. With the extra traffic out there for school vacation week, as well as the occassional ice patch, we ask that you ride cautiously.
 
For day trippers, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors Resort on Route 201. Gas, trail maps, food, restrooms and trail info are available right at the Lodge. Call 888-770-SLED for details.
 
Jim Yearwood, Trailmaster
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

Working as a whitewater raft guide on Maine's Kennebec, Penobscot and Dead rivers, I take great pride in guiding adventures from around the world down the best whitewater the northeast has to offer. Over the course of a day the questions can range from routine to bizarre. A question I hear as often as "how deep is the river?" is "what do you do for vacation?" and my standard answer is "Visit other rivers of course!"

Since my first year working in the adventure tourism industry I've heard rumors of a river comparable in volume to the Grand Canyon with the color of the Caribbean Ocean, framed by the snow capped Andes mountains. I've finally made the trip to visit this magnificent river the locals know as Futaleufu and it is everything I'd heard and more. 

I'm here for a relatively short period of time - just over a month to train with Earth River Expeditions as a safety cataraft guide accompanying commercial trips to pick up any rafters who should fall overboard in the big rapids and would otherwise be swept away down stream. My multiple week training although never truly over was formally just finished after running Inferno Canyon, a two mile stretch of river with five class-five rapids, several of which need to be run back-to-back without scouting. I was especially on edge knowing our group would be the first to run the canyon this season and that like all the rapids on the Futaleufu the winter flooding has a tendency to change the rapids from year to year, sometimes for the better ...sometimes for the worse. All this was running through my mind as the head trainer explained last years lines to multiple class-five rapids I wouldn't see until I was dropping into them. I ran second, behind the guide with the most experience among us, trying to focus on his angle, position and speed as we rowed steadily into the misty entrance of the rapids. Being positioned on a metal frame between two large tubes allows the massive waves to crash through the frame and threatened to rip me from the cat, pulling hard on the oars to keep from being tossed into the water, huge boulders slide past our small cats and waves seem to crash everywhere as I tried not to stare too long at some of the biggest holes I'd ever seen. As we emerged from the dark canyon into welcome sunlight I smiled as I looked ahead to the coming trips on this amazing river - a trip that has already been one of the best vacations I've ever had and I'll surely never forget the mighty Futaleufu.  

Submitted by Nick Atwood 
Northern Outdoors Adventure Program Director

I'm often reminded of how fortunate we are to live, work and help guests enjoy a memorable Maine Family Vacation as they explore the regions magnificent rivers, lakes and trails.

Just recently I received a nice email (below) from Bill and Gregor Roach of Sunningdale, Berkshire, England. Coincidently, I grew up in Windsor, Berkshire not far from Sunningdale and even as a young kid, I dreamed of exploring the U.S.A. - if Gregor keeps on dreaming he will live a fun, exciting and rewarding life too.

 

Russell,

President, Northern Outdoors.

 

"Dear Northern Outdoors-

 

My son and I took a trip with you in July (29-31) and had an exhilerating but EXHAUSTING time.  My 8 year old son still is talking about his WONDERFUL WHITE WATER RAFTING EXPERIENCE in Maine.  He dreams of coming back and rafting the Upper Kennebec when he turns 10.  He loved our Guide and dreams of becoming one someday!!!  The pictures paint a story...

Thanks so much!  Great time had by us all!

Sincerely-

Bill and GREGOR Roach
Sunningdale, Berks, England"

 

We found another great resource for those of us who want to know what kind of leaves are out there in the beautiful New England fall foliage shows. Check out this Guide to Northern New England Fall Leaves, it covers 18 tree species with pictures of their individual leaves. Alder, ash, aspen, beech, oak, maple, and birch are just of few of the leaves you'll see identified. 

We'll keep you posted on the colors here at Northern Outdoors. The color guard march from the Canadian border to the southern Maine seacoast typically treats us to brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange, and hues in-between.  If you can't get away for a weekend color tour in person, maybe at least you'll be able to see the colors from your laptop. 

Our October fall foliage special is 35% off all lodging (Oct 6th-31st) at our adventure resort. Classic Maine cabins, are still available if you can get away.

It's officially proclaimed - Maine's official government fall foliage report website is saying that this 2008 season is expected to have brilliant foliage colors.  Every year Maine has a weekly report on foliage colors that starts in early September and runs through October.  Maine's season is one of the earliest in the US, thanks to its northern climate. We are watching the colors begin to change here at Northern Outdoors - we are in the "thick of the great North Woods" of course!
Read the full report on the mainefoliage.com site

We still have Maine cabin rentals available for quick fall getaways and Maine family vacations, including lakeside and trailside cabins, and riverside campsites. Our peak fall foliage October lodging special is 35% off all accommodations from October 6th-31st, at our Adventure Resort.  Adventure vacations are still available with classic New England whitewater rafting offered through October 6 and ATV trails & tours, fishing, and hiking available all through October.

This is the last entry in our interview series with Jim Lane, President of A.T.V. Maine, the statewide non-profit organization representing all affiliated ATV clubs in Maine. According to Jim, you can ride 8½ months of the year in Maine, depending on the trail location. Riding season typically starts in later May (after mud season) and goes into December (winter snowfall permitting). Clubs can choose to close trails to protect the landowners’ land during inclement weather.

1. Ride with your headlights on at all times. This helps other riders see you easily, is important in inclement weather, and can even warn animals of upcoming  riders.
2. As you approach machines coming from the opposite direction, give them the hand signal of how many machines are behind you (just like in snowmobiling). For example, a closed fist means there are zero riders behind you.
3. Only a marked trail is a legal trail. It is imperative that ATV vacationers in Maine stay exclusively on marked trails.

Visit Northern Outdoors for more information about Maine ATV Trails, Tours, and Resort.

Insights into Maine’s ATV Trails. Part 4 of our interview series with Jim Lane, President of A.T.V. Maine.

If you are from Maine, or are already a Maine snowmobiler, then you likely already understand the very different circumstances of trail systems in the state of Maine, compared to most other states. If you aren’t from Maine, then these Maine ATV Trail Insights are REALLY IMPORTANT. Jim explained why landowner issues are so important to Maine’s ATV industry.

1. Most of Maine lands, forests, and trails are privately owned, (by large paper companies actually). There are very few public lands, Forest Service lands, etc. in Maine.
2. This means that most ATV trails (and snowmobile trails) are located on private land, and good relations with landowners is of paramount importance.
3. This is why A.T.V.Maine exists -  to facilitate trail access and good relations between landowners, the state of Maine, and the ATV-riding  community.
4. There are over 6,000 miles of active legal trails in the state of Maine. Trails change frequently, and very few maps are available online.
5. Only a marked trail is a legal trail. It is imperative that ATV vacationers in Maine stay exclusively on marked trails.

In Maine a trail is only legal if meets certain standards:

1. The trail has to be signed and maintained by a registered ATV Club:
2. The ATV Club must file specific club paperwork with Maine’s Department of Conservation and Off Road Vehicle Department,
3. The club must have 3 officer positions: a President, a Secretary/Treasurer, and a Trailmaster. Of these 3 roles, the Trailmaster is the most important.
4. To be a legal Club, the club must maintain a minimum of 5 miles of trail.
5. All trails are maintained by private ATV Clubs, not by the state of Maine, Forest Service, or other government entities.
6. The definition of a trail is: something you have to maintain that is through the woods. As a result, all types of old logging roads, dirt roads, etc. are not considered trails.

A.T.V.Maine offers critical credibility to Clubs and accountability to Landowners about responsible ATV riding and trail use.

For more information about Maine ATV Trails and Tours, or Maine's newest ATV resort, visit Northern Outdoors.

Rain rain don't go away -
till the rivers are as full
as possible TODAY!

It's High Water Rafting right now in Maine. Rainy weather the last 3 days has the water levels rising to awesome spring rafting levels! 8400CFS on the Kennebec and 3400CFS on the Penobscot, as we write this. Good weather is on the way all of next week, add high water and sunshine with Northern Outdoors and you've got the best of summer and spring rafting. This is a rare event in August - come on out for a fantastic Maine adventure vacation!

Check out our forecast on our Northern Outdoors website and grab your friends. It's time for whitewater rafting New England style!

Our first trips were very different from today’s Kennebec rafting trip. We put in at the East Outlet of Moosehead Lake, paddled and motored across Indian Pond, took off the motor, and carried around Harris Station dam (stopping for a traditional Maine guide lunch of grilled steak, boiled potatoes and onions over a campfire). We then re-launched just below the dam and began to float downstream without having ever seen the rest of the river.

Back then, we didn’t know how to paddle backwards. The command “About Face” was used to get all paddlers to stand up, turn around, and then sit down so we could paddle the opposite direction.  That first season in 1976, we had to call the Chase Paper Company every time we were going to raft on the Kennebec, to make sure they didn’t release logs through the log sluice at Harris Station. One day we forgot to call and the dam operator just happened to see a raft disappear downstream in the corner of his eye before he was about to flip the switch. We were lucky indeed!
 
Wayne and the bear hunters made it down the river that first run of 1976, exhilarated and terrified all at once. We fell in love with the river, the rafting, the excitement, and the beauty. Folks thought we were crazy at the time. We borrowed $15,000 from Wayne’s mother, bought more equipment, and Kennebec Whitewater Expeditions was born. We changed our name from to Northern Outdoors in 1983 to reflect the company's new year-round direction with winter snowmobiling, and built our Adventure Resort lodge in The Forks, becoming a destination for New England whitewater rafting, snowmobiling, and Maine family adventure vacations.

Harris Station dam provides consistent whitewater all summer long for Maine adventure vacationers rafting the Kennebec River. Daily summertime water releases actually get longer from Harris Station, thanks to the higher power needs of peak summer. This means guaranteed whitewater rafting excitement and vacation value for the thousands of guests annually who make Kennebec rafting part of their New England vacations.

Built in 1952-1954, Harris Station is the largest hydroelectric dam in the state of Maine. Harris Station is in the upper section of the Kennebec River basin, high in the watershed near Maine’s Moosehead Lake. Immediately above it is Indian Pond, which drains Moosehead Lake via East Outlet and West Outlet.

Indian Pond and Kennebec Gorge area is well known for its fishing and whitewater opportunities. Harris is an integral part of Maine's hydroelectric generation. As environmental pressures with respect to fossil fuel power escalate, hydropower generation from stations like Harris will likely become even more important as a clean energy resource.  Harris Station is unique for its “black-start” capability. The station can begin generating power and come on-line without the input of electricity. Black-start generating locations help start up other generators in the event of a large outage. Electricity from Harris is fed into the New England grid and moves throughout the state and the surrounding areas.

Northern Outdoors really did have to dodge logs on the Kennebec for those first 6 weeks of rafting in the spring of 1976. The last log drive in the continental United States occurred on the Kennebec in 1976, beginning in Moosehead Lake and continuing to Winslow. (Read about those early days in our next blog from Northern Outdoors co-founder Suzie Hockmeyer.)

In the 1950s, over 84,500 cords of wood per year floated through the large log sluice built on the western end of the dam that allowed logs to continue floating to the logging mills downstream. Only softwood was driven downstream because it floats more effectively than hardwoods. The log drive was stopped in 1976 based on environmental considerations with water quality issues from pulp clogging the lakes and rivers as the logs made their way downstream to the logging mills.

Students from Colby College in Waterville, Maine did a terrific research project on Maine's dams. To learn more about Harris Station and other dams in Maine, visit their research project information.

 
“We were either going to discover one of the best rivers to raft in the country, or we were going to die.”
This was the encouraging phone call to the Hockmeyers from West Virginia rafting friend Jon Dragan (founder of Wildwater Ltd. on the Gauley River in 1968), the night before the pioneer 1st run ever of the Kennebec River.  It was the spring of 1976, says Northern Outdoors Co-founder Suzie Hockmeyer.  They’d never paddled whitewater, had one huge raft (32” tubes), heavy wooden paddles, no helmets, no bailing buckets, and wore jeans, wool shirts, and wimpy life jackets. They put on at Harris Station and had no idea what was around the corner.

Northern Outdoors ran the very first rafting trip on the Kennebec River, and the first rafting trip in the state of Maine. We went on to do first descents of Maine’s Penobscot and Dead Rivers as well, leading the way in whitewater rafting in New England. It all started when Wayne Hockmeyer hiked into the Kennebec Gorge in 1975 in search of the next “ great, undiscovered fishing spot”. He realized he couldn’t get past the big rapids and decided that rafting was the thing to pursue on the Kennebec instead. 

Wayne and Suzie hired Allan Haley, the first Maine Registered Guide, to join their first descent on the Kennebec. Allan was the only one in the group with any whitewater experience at all, from canoeing. The plan was to have their friend and experienced whitewater rafting friend from West Virginia, Jon Dragan, join them for the first descent. As luck would have it, Jon and his guides had to cancel right before the launch day, and he actually talked Wayne through how to steer a raft on the phone the night before.  Since they didn’t have their WV crew coming, Wayne and team picked up some bear hunters who were hanging out in camp during the day, to round out their crew. Suzie was 8 months pregnant and was to meet the group at the takeout. Suzie went on to become the first woman to be a Registered Maine Whitewater Guide in the state of Maine. (Wayne and Suzie’s son and daughter Kyle and Avery went on to become expert kayakers and raft guides, developing strength and confidence that guides them today in their careers as film producer and ER nurse, respectively.)
Find out more in Part 2 - Kennebec Rafting History, coming up next.

When was the last time YOU went camping?

Camping in the wilderness is the universal best “back-to-nature” antidote to our harried modern lives. You can’t help but rest in the “present” while camping. You can’t avoid slowing down, at least a little bit, and thus realize the riches of nature unfolding before your eyes, ears, and senses.

Summer time in Maine is perfect for camping. Maine enjoys a rich diversity of campgrounds and campsites throughout the state. DIY Camping or Camping Vacation Packages: It’s Your Choice. Northern Outdoors has two beautiful campgrounds for guests starting at $10pp per night. The weather is absolutely perfect in Maine now, with an extended multi-week forecast promising more of the same.

The rewards of the summer camping trip are still the same, while the amenities have certainly come a long way!
The Rewards: (that we've discovered so far)

1. Heightened senses: sight, sounds, smell, touch, and taste.
2. You hear so much more wildlife and nature sounds; birds, leaves rustling in the trees, animals talking, crickets chirping, bullfrogs bellowing, waves lapping the shore of a lake, water bubbling down a stream.
3. Seeing an infinite number of stars at night (when was the last time you REALLY looked at the night sky? Can you even see it thru all your street/city lights?)
4. The chance to SLOW DOWN, for real, for a precious moment in time. Peacefulness shows up as you match nature’s pace.
5. Food always tastes better in the outdoors, after a day of refreshing activity, like hiking, rafting, swimming, fishing, and more.
6. S’mores, campfires, smiles, and laughter
7. The aroma of morning coffee in the wilderness simply can’t be beat (and hot cocoa for the kids)

(To add your favorite “rewards” to this list, just click on the “comment” link at the bottom of this post.)

The New/Better Amenities: (say goodbye to scratchy wool, wimpy sleeping bags, leaky tents, and burnt meals)

1. Sleeping pads that are actually thick enough to call a real “Pad” and offer a great night’s sleep (hello Paco Pads!!)
2. Affordable, lightweight, easy to put up tents that don’t leak. They come with handy pockets, secret flaps, convenient vestibules, and even hooks for an internal clothesline from the tent roof.
3. Sleeping bags come in every flavor of warmth now: for summer, fall, winter, and spring conditions so you don’t have to worry about getting too cold or too hot.
4. Not only that, but bags now come in short, long, wide, narrow, women’s and kids sizes, really! (And, they can zip together with your mate’s bag.)
5. Stoves are lightweight, easy to light, non-temperamental and come in the 2- burner-plus-grill variety which is great for river trips and basecamp-style trips.
6. Outdoor apparel these days really is lightweight, bug and UV resistant, warm, quick-drying, and incredibly versatile. (You’ll have fun in jeans and cotton, but only till it rains….)
7. You can make a great latte in camp! The portable expresso machines do indeed work, and a portable battery-powered milk frother (the size of a fat pencil) makes it all worthwhile.
8. If you HAVE to bring electronics along on your camping trip, you can recharge them with a discreet solar pocket charger. Works for small portables like cell phones, PDAs, ipods, gameboys, etc. (It really works - shh, don’t tell your kids!)
9. Last one, you don’t really have to backpack miles with 50+ lbs on your back to get to a campsite. You can drive up to amazing campsites and areas for hiking, playing, river trips, and more, and do day-trips from camp. This is our favorite version of basecamp-style trips: Park and Play.

Best of Both Worlds: Wilderness Camping Next to a Classic Adventure Lodge

• At our main resort campus, The Forks Resort Center, our Kennebec River campground has hot showers, quiet riverside campsites and cabin tents complete with wooden floors, cots and electric lighting - just drive up and unroll your sleeping bag. 
• The campground is a short walk from our Kennebec River Pub and Brewery, swimming pool, hot tub, game room, classic New England main lodge with fireplace, restaurant, and wireless internet.
• Enjoy Maine’s brilliant nightly star show, the sound of the river lulling you to sleep, hearty meals and fresh microbrews at our main lodge. What could be easier?
• Our Penobscot Outdoor Center has a restaurant, campsites and cabin tents along spectacular Pockwockamus Pond near the Class IV+ thrilling Penobscot River. Listen to our May Outdoor Journal Radio Reports for camping info and things to do in the Penobscot region.

Don’t have the time, experience, or gear to pull off a family or friends camping trip on your own? Try our Summer Wilderness Overnights for convenient, hassle-free, and affordable camping vacations in Western Maine. Our overnight adventures are separated into families-only and adults-only, so you'll be with others of similar interests. These 2 day/1 night wilderness camps offer lakeside camping in style: with pre-set tents on wooden platforms, a lobster bake, kayaks for paddling, tubing, a campfire and our memorable wilderness sauna and, of course, famous Kennebec River whitewater rafting for ages 8 and up.

Fun, active, classic New England Vacation – Check.
Affordable Maine Family Vacation – Check.

We look forward to seeing you in the North Woods soon.

We got great news early this summer at Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort in the Forks. A new ATV spur trail directly to Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort was officially approved earlier this spring, opening up access to hundreds of miles of exceptional ATV trails to our Northern Outdoors guests. The new trail connects to Western Maine’s great riding up to Jackman to the north, Greenville to the northeast, Bingham to the south, and of course, to beautiful Moxie Lake and on past to Moosehead Lake. What guests are saying about our area riding so far is that it offers fantastic loop rides, instead of out and back rides, which makes for better touring.

Though we have years of experience as a premier snowmobiling resort in Maine, we are still learning about ATVs. We now have fuel available for sale to ATV riders, just as we do in the winter to snowmobile riders.  We are working on maps for our area and offering GPS coordinates of the great touring options. Our resort makes a perfect basecamp for extended touring, with many lodging options from camping to luxury cabins, a microbrewery and brewpub, swimming pool, game room, and more. Coming up we’ll be blogging about our recent interview with Jim Lane, the President of A.T.V.Maine, who offers tips, resources, and insights about Maine ATVing. We will also hear from one of our guests who is big on ATVing in Maine as a great Family Vacation.  Check back often.
Ride safe, be respectful of landowners, and have fun!