A paddling trip to Islesboro begins with a 3-mile open-water crossing of West Penobscot Bay. During a prior outing, I was part of a group that encountered gusty winds and rough seas when we returned from the island. So, planning a cruise there entails careful analysis of the weather in advance, particularly winds. After watching […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Two Bush or bust
Two Bush Island is the most distant island in the Muscle Ridge archipelago. Located about 4 miles from Spruce Head, it’s home to historic Two Bush Island Light. Situated near the heavily trafficked southwestern entrance to Penobscot Bay, the lighthouse was built in 1897. Typical of Maine lighthouses, it has a rich history of hazardous […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A traverse of Megunticook Lake
In my opinion, Megunticook Lake is one of the most picturesque lakes or ponds in Maine. The lofty cliffs of Mount Megunticook rise abruptly from the eastern shore. A multitude of islands and small peninsulas populate the 1,300-acre lake providing myriad opportunities for exploration by kayak or canoe. The largest body of water in Knox […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Exploring Branch Pond
Exploring Maine’s many small lakes and ponds can be very stimulating outdoor adventures. In recent years, my wife, Nancy, and I have endeavored to add that activity to our paddling agenda. Small narrow bodies of water with numerous islands, coves and inlets that are habitats for a variety of birds and wildlife are particularly appealing […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Austin Stream rocks
Every cloud has a silver lining. Given the rainy, foggy, humid weather we’ve experienced over the past month, that’s likely an adage many find difficult to embrace. However, there has indeed been a silver lining for one group: whitewater boaters. For several weeks, the rivers and streams have been raging. For many paddlers, choosing from […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Sea kayak adventures continue on Muscongus Bay
Four of us were sea kayaking back from remote Eastern Egg Rock in outer Muscongus Bay. A modest tailwind helped propel us north while traversing the 3-mile exposed crossing to the relative security of a trio of islands. Franklin Island Light dominated the view in the east. Members of the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society, […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Return of the puffins
A tiny, seemingly nondescript, barren atoll located in outer Muscongus Bay, Eastern Egg Rock, is one of a handful of locations along the Maine coast where Atlantic puffins come to nest. It hasn’t always been that way. The colorful seabirds stopped returning to the rock around 1890. A variety of circumstances had driven them from […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Surprises abound on Sebasticook River
A paddling trip on Sebasticook River between Clinton and Winslow offers boaters a variety of stimulating adventures. The 5-mile sector between Clinton and Benton Falls Dam is almost continuous quick water and includes three distinct whitewater rapids. Below the dam, there are easy rapids followed by a steady current to Winslow. Predominantly undeveloped along the […]
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Seniors Not Actig Their Age: The Dead River never gets old
My initial descent of the Dead River was in June 1986. It was love at first paddle. In the intervening years, I’ve returned with friends and family over 200 times. For me and many others, the excitement and allure of the Dead never gets old. Beginning in small lakes and ponds in western Maine, the […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Hazardous paddling on Cathance River
The Cathance River is my river. Not really, but I like to think so. Located in my hometown of Topsham, the Cathance travels through a picturesque wilderness area, most of which cannot be accessed without hiking or paddling. Judging from the placid waters at the put-in and takeout, one would never guess a tumultuous whitewater […]