When most people think of Sunday River, they think of the Bethel area's massive downhill ski resort. But there's a quieter cross-country ski experience only half a mile down the road.

Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center has been a fixture of Maine's nordic ski scene since 1972, when owners Steve and Peggy Wight first opened their network of forested trails that stretch to the Artist Covered Bridge, a couple of miles to the west.

Yesterday seven members of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club to Sunday River Cross Country joined me for a fine day of late winter skiing.

Members of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club pose by the Artist Covered Bridge on yesterday's outing to Sunday River Cross Country Center in Newry
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The Artist Covered Bridge was built in 1873 and is said to be the most photographed subject in Newry
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The intricate lattice-work load-bearing structure of the covered bridge is mostly original, including wooden pegs
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I lead the Sunday River XC trip every year for MOAC. Lani York of Arundel and Marty Weiss of Augusta are veterans of my previous trips. Linda Walther of Otisfield was on her first outing with the group.

Phil Poirier of Jay, one of a handful of original MOAC members who are still very active with the club, was making his first visit. Phil's an artist who paints Maine scenes, and has more recently been experimenting with "photopainting." That's digital photography that's been creatively manipulated and electronically enhanced.

New MOAC member Linda Walther of Otisfield enjoys her first outing with the group
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Lani York of Arundel pauses along the American Harrow trail
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On our way back to the inn, we met Christine Goodbody of Falmouth and her 1 1/2-year-old daughter Hannah, obviously enjoying their outing too.

Along the trails we met Christine Goodbody of Falmouth and her 1 1/2-year-old daughter Hannah
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Change is in the air. Weather-wise, we started with outstanding mid-winter conditions, but as the air warmed over the course of the day, a couple of our skiers reported waxing problems and caking issues.

Regarding the bigger picture, Sunday River's trail system was recently cut back a bit by a real estate development project. And indeed, the entire inn and cross-country center are for sale, with no assurance that a future buyer will want to continue the present cozy, comfy skiing arrangement.

With spring in the air, skiers were snapping up end-of-season bargains in the nordic ski shop.

Lani checks out end-of-season bargains in Sunday River's nordic ski shop
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

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