What's with this work week thing. All these years and I can't seem to get used to it. You, too, you say? Yeah, let's work on that, eh?! Every day should be the weekend.

Speaking of, spring is here and it's time to get on the river. Any river will do, yes. But when it's big spring water, you want to be on the Dead River in a big honking raft.

The Dead is sixteen, count 'em, sixteen wild and woolly miles of rapids and waves and hootin's and hollerin'. That is, of course, provided you stay in the raft and aren't out there bobbing along amid the chaos of the rapids, screaming for your life. Get over it.

Paddle hard, stay in raft, have fun. Trust me. Been there, done that.

Paddling big springtime water on Maine's Dead River.
Photo courtesy Magic Falls Rafting Co.

WHO: You and your crazy paddling and party pals!

WHAT: Going for a wet and wild 16-mile raft trip on the Dead River up they-uh in The Forks.

WHEN: This Saturday, May 17 get ready for a 7,000 CFS dam release on the Dead River. With all the rain we've had plus the snowpack melting big up that way, translate those numbers to mean BIG WATER! Paddle hard or swim, I tells ya!

WHERE: From Portland, head north on I-295 to Augusta. Continue on I-95 to Exit 133 at Fairfield. Follow scenic Route 201 through Skowhegan, Solon, Bingham to The Forks. You be there then. Check in at your choice of lodging. Find a pub and have a beer. Try not to think of going overboard the next day.

HOW: You're gonna need an experienced outfitter to get you safely down the Dead with a maximum of fun. Choose one here.

WHY: Because there's no river in Maine like the Dead River when the water is big. It's 16-miles of near continuous whitewater. From Spencer Rips to Hayden's to Elephant Rock to Little and Big Poplar Falls. You're gonna get wet, but you ain't gonna have time to be scared. Well, maybe a little.

Have mondo fun, and be sure to let me know how your big river trip went! Provided you make it back in one piece, of course...

Raft the Dead this weekend and have a blast!
Photo courtesy The Forks Area Chamber of Commerce

May 5th. Cinco de Mayo and all. A cause for celebration, for sure, but then again, what isn't?

Excuse me for a moment while I hike over to the fridge for another Corona and a wedge of lime...

Ahhh. Much better now. Where was I?

Oh yes, May 5th. Oh ho, the memories of this day!

One year ago today...

... I was in Key West with my bro going a little nutty. How can you not in Key West? I mean, c'mon. It's the land of Jimmy Buffett. Margaritaville. Party Central. Hot sun. Beaches. Palm trees. Lazy days.

For four glorious days and three nights we reveled in the sights and sounds of this island paradise. By day, exploring on foot and by old bicycle. Duval Street. The Truman Annex. Hemingway's House. Mallory Square. Caroline Street. Captain Tony's. Sloppy Joe's. The Chart Room.

By afternoon (there was no missing the free happy hour by the pool each afternoon at 4 PM) and night, holed up at the most excellent and comfy and hospitable Eden House. If there is a heaven on Earth it may well be the Eden House. Mike, you guys rock!

Key West is an adventure unto itself. Nirvana, pure and simple. A mis-adventure perhaps. You go and you never want to come back. Or work. Or do anything much useful ever again. You just want to have fun 24/7/365. Become an official citizen of the Conch Republic and tell the rest of the world to go... well, you know.

I like that. A lot. Too much, dammit.

A contingent of Maine and NH crazies were supposed to go back again this year, be there right now, in fact, but we couldn't pull it off. Next year, for damn certain. You can count on it Parrot Heads.

"I went down to Captain Tony's to get out of the heat..." Duval Street, Key West.
Carey Kish photo

Hanging out with a Key West icon: Captain Tony Taracino.
Carey Kish photo

The Eden House. Heaven on Earth!
Carey Kish photo

The pool and palms at happy hour. Oh!
Carey Kish photo

Hail to the Conch Republic!
Carey Kish photo

Toughing out the day at the beach.
Carey Kish photo

Getting around the Keys is easy when you have an old bike and lots of time.
Carey Kish photo

Hmmm...
Carey Kish photo

The other end of Route 1. Is that cool or what?
Carey Kish photo

Sunset from Mallory Square.
Carey Kish photo

"...strolling down the avenue that's known as A1A..."
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Only 90 miles to Havana.
Carey Kish photo

Parrot Head Central! Jimmy, we love you man! That's my bro and me, and Tim (middle), our Jimmy Buffett tour guide.
Carey Kish photo

You been to Key West? Stories to tell??

Thirty-one years ago today...

A scared and lonely boy from Bangor, Maine hiked from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain, and made his first camp 0.2 miles further on. It was the first day and night on a 5 1/2 month journey along the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail to Mount Katahdin. My, oh, my!

Btw, what song was popular at this very time? "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett! Ironic, eh?

You-know-who at the start of the AT atop Springer Mountain, Georgia, May 5, 1977.
Carey Kish photo

All these many years and trail miles later...

Hey my Trail Head weekend-warrior friends, Friday's a coming... What to do, what to do?

Well, crack a cold one, of course. Relax and ponder awhile. Check the forecast (mostly cloudy but dry, temps in the 60s). Then get your rucksack out of the closet and start stuffing it with goods for the day. 'Cause you're going hiking!

Views to Kearsarge North and Mt. Washington from south summit of Peary Mountain in Brownfield, a fun and easy 2-mile hike, perfect for a spring weekend.
Carey Kish photo

WHO: You and your hiking pals (too early for the company of bugs we hope!).

WHAT: Day hike to Peary Mountain in Brownfield. Added bonus of a quick jaunt up Jockey Cap in Fryeburg. For the full scoop on hiking Peary Mountain and Jockey Cap, read the account of my hike there last spring.

WHEN: This weekend, Saturday or Sunday, you pick! Both days look reasonable weather-wise.

WHERE: From Portland, head west on Route 25 to Limington. Maybe stop for breakfast at Two Trails Diner. Just beyond the dinah, turn right onto Route 113 and cruise to Brownfield.

HOW: You'll need the proper tools of the road and the trail fer navigatin'... The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer and the AMC Maine Mountain Guide.

WHY: It's an easy 2-mile round trip hike to the south summit of Peary and fab views of the snow-capped White Mountains. Take the extra time and bag the north summit as well for a striking vista of Pleasant Mountain.

For extra credit continue north to Fryeburg and scoot up Jockey Cap. Thanks to the monument there it's possible to identify all the mountains around in a 360-degree arc. Outstanding!
Carey Kish photo

Have fun, and be sure to let me know how your trip went!