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, […]
seniors
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 […]
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Cruising the Eastern Trails
Cycling is one of my favorite activities and a primary source of aerobic exercise. The older I get the more I enjoy it. A runner for almost 40 years, a knee replacement compelled me to quit. The knee guy said, “If you keep running, you’ll be back for another one.” A certified sissy, I’m not […]
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 […]
BoomerTECH Adventures: A new conversation around the dinner table — technology
Have you ever stopped to think about how much time you devote to technology — your smartphone, tablet, watch, computer, printer, smart speaker and more? How much time you spend making each of these devices actually work, fixing them or figuring out how they work together — not just using technology but learning how it […]
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 […]
BoomerTECH Adventures: Cycling for seniors and boomers
Over 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day, and many of us understand the importance of regular exercise for staying healthy. Regular jogging or brisk walking are popular activities recommended by health and fitness professionals. Studies show that folks who walk, run or exercise between five and 30 minutes daily measurably improve their heart, lung, […]
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 […]
Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Continuing adventures on Sebeois River, Part II — Snowshoe Lodge to Hay Brook Landing
On the second day of a three-day Seboeis and East Branch of the Penobscot River canoe/kayak trip, three of us awoke at Snowshoe Lodge on the Seboeis River. Built by Butler Conservation Trust in conjunction with the Seboeis Riverside Trail, the exceptional cabin provides unusually elaborate accommodations in a remote river setting. Riverside Trail begins […]
BoomerTECH Adventures: Tips for using Google Maps effectively
Willie Nelson sings, “On the road again … “, and many of us will be on the road again this summer. Along the way, we will navigate using a maps app instead of the Maine Gazetteer or other paper maps. We type in our destination, tap “directions” and off we go! Our focus in this […]