Twenty-six years ago, my late friend Bill Kaiser recruited me to represent the Appalachian Mountain Club in dam relicensing tests on the Rapid and Magalloway Rivers in western Maine. I was one of perhaps a dozen participants from several regional paddling organizations. The purpose was to navigate the two rivers in canoes or kayaks for […]
kayaking
Posted inTimes Record
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A surf-and-turf on the Penobscot River Trails
The Penobscot River Trails in Grindstone consist of 25 kilometers of exceptional mountain bike and cross-country ski trails that parallel the East Branch of the Penobscot River. The superb multipurpose recreational complex offers hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and paddling. There is a visitor center and two arguably palatial warming huts. A well-designed hand-carry canoe-kayak […]
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Posted inTimes Record
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Unpredictable weather is normal sea kayaking Downeast
Our original plan to complete a four-day sea kayak excursion along the Bold Coast in Eastern Maine was aborted after the first day due to foggy weather and turbulent seas. Six Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society Chowderheads regrouped and resolved to take advantage of other exceptional sea kayak opportunities the Downeast coastline has to offer. […]
Posted inTimes Record
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Foggy misadventures on the Bold Coast
The Bold Coast in eastern Maine meets my definition of bold. For about 20 miles between Lubec and Cutler, it is an almost continuous succession of tall, dramatic cliffs and a rugged landscape completely exposed to the vicissitudes of the open sea. The nearby Bay of Fundy has some of the most extreme tidal ranges […]
Posted inTimes Record
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Exciting Class III whitewater on the Kennebec River
On the second day of the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society weekend of paddling near West Forks, the schedule was exclusively whitewater. While a handful of Chowderheads planned to navigate the Dead River, most chose outings on the Kennebec. The Kennebec Gorge below Harris Dam was the starting point for two trips. Releases from the […]
Posted inTimes Record
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A gusty surprise traversing Moxie Pond
Each year, the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society celebrates summer with a weekend of paddling adventures collectively called the Summer Picnic. For many years, the event has been held at West Forks in western Maine. The base camp for club activities is Webb’s Campground located on the Dead River at West Forks just before it […]
Posted inTimes Record
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Little Whaleboat by land and sea
This was my first experience departing from Mitchell Field. I found it to be an exceptional facility. The complex offers opportunities to walk, bike, swim and picnic.
Posted inLocal & State, Outdoors
With Little Whaleboat, a wild island preserve is forming in Casco Bay
Maine Coast Heritage Trust has launched a campaign to buy and protect the Harspwell island for public access, part of an evolving network of preserves it is assembling in upper Casco Bay.
Posted inOutdoors, Sports
Orchestrating the traffic in Portland Harbor is a 24-hour juggling act
Still, after three years on the job, Portland Harbor Master Kevin Battle says he’s ‘having a blast.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Coast Guard reminds Mainers to label canoes, kayaks with contact information
The identifying labels can help Coast Guard crew members, game wardens and marine patrol officers quickly determine whether a boat is merely adrift or if a paddler could be missing.