At one time, the Maine Farmer’s Almanac labeled a Blue Moon as an extra full moon that occurred in a season, but in modern days the term has also come to mean a second full moon in a single month.
However you define one, Blue Moons are rare and when combined with the unique early spring flora and birds, insects and animals observed along the Eastern Trail, Full Moon Walk participants are in line for a special show this weekend.
Those wanting to join the walk are asked to gather at 7 p.m. Saturday behind the back of the Southern Maine Health Care facility at 1 Medical Center Drive in Biddeford.
No flashlights or pets are allowed and participants are asked to leave electronics behind in the car. Sturdy footwear is recommended and participants may want to dress warmly as temperatures outside can drop quickly in the evening.
Best of all, the walk is free and open to the public.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for a while,” said Lonnie Kent of Arundel. “Walking in the moonlight along the Eastern Trail at this time of the year is really something.”
Kent said he was introduced to the Full Moon Walk by his son Thad several years ago and finds it to be a unique experience.
“The sunsets are spectacular and now with this Blue Moon to take in, I expect to see Mother Nature at its finest,” he said.
Organizers say that the Full Moon Walk is great for families who enjoy being outdoors and is a wonderful conversation starter about birds, insects, trees and nature in general.
The walk can be a perfect way to meet neighbors and make new friends, enjoy a stroll and observe seldom-viewed sights along the Eastern Trail under moonlight, they say.
Participants will be able to observe a variety of unusual Maine flora and creatures in their natural settings and the walk will be led by Biologist/Eastern Trail Trustee Joe Yuhas.
The Eastern Trail is a 30 percent complete vision of a 65-mile recreation/transportation greenway connecting Casco Bay at Bug Light in South Portland with Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The world-class, 10-foot wide trail is enjoyed daily by thousands of users for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, walking, biking, birding, nature study and many other healthy activities.
In Biddeford, the trail passes over the Maine Turnpike as part of a 6.2-mile greenway section connecting the city with Arundel and Kennebunk.
The walk is expected to take between 60 to 90 minutes Saturday and all ages are welcome.
For more information, call 283-4487 or send an email to folk44@aol.com.
— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 326, or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less