Finally got out on the mountain bike for a serious mid-week ride last evening.

Bruce Hill in Cumberland is a varied and often technical 9-mile ride that is one of my favorites. There's powerlines, woods, fields, ledges, roads and plenty of muck that's keeps it interesting and fun. And for the first time ever I actually made the initial climb without stopping (hey, you try it!).

We finished off the fun evening with a big BBQ of burgers, dogs and Becky's world famous potato salad. Thanks Beck!

If you're interested, the Bruce Hill ride is listed in Mountain Bike! Maine, a great book of rides by David Gibbs and Sarah Hale.

Taking a leisurely pee along New Hampshire's scenic Kancamangus Highway in the White Mountain National Forest will never be the same.

Not after local police pulled a Gardiner, Maine man--clad in hip waders--out from beneath an outhouse after he was caught spying up at a woman who had sat down on the hopper to do her business.

Just imagine her surprise (and fright)!

Sicko.

The man had to be hosed off and decomtaminated before he could be hauled off to jail.

O-K.

So I've just got to ask: Dude, what were you thinking? And by the way, how the hell did you get in there?

You're lucky it wasn't me above you after a healthy meal of bean burritos, that's all I can say.

Four small planeloads of state legislators got an aerial tour of Maine's North Woods yesterday.

Now, I get a little nervous any time I hear of the good folks in Augusta looking at anything for fear they'll propose yet another law or tax or fee or something. At least the plane trip got them out of the state capital for awhile. Couped up in a Cessna, I guess they couldn't do too much harm, but I'd rather see them at home in their backyards sipping a cold one reading the comics. Anything but comtemplating new legislation.

I'm not sure what conclusions, if any, they arrived at on their trip, but it appears that Pat McGowan, Maine's Conservation Commissioner, got them a pretty good eyeful of everything from the commercial forestlands to the conservation lands to all the beauty and diversity that makes our Maine woods so unique and valuable to all of us.

I do like how Don Marean, R-Hollis, described the tour: "There's nothing like seeing it firsthand."

It's true.

I wish more people could and would take such a tour of Maine's North Woods, whether by air or by vehicle. It would likely reduce the many misconceptions about what's truly happening up that way, and make working together to address the important issues regarding the forest's future a little easier.

"Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in... where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir

I found these words on an interpretive sign on the path to the Acadia National Park visitor center in Hull's Cove. Muir’s words surely ring true here, as Mount Desert Island and Acadia has to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

My day job took me up to Bar Harbor recently for some transportation-related business. I knew I wouldn't have a lot of spare time to do much in the way of hiking, but I wasn’t about to pass up the chance to spend some time here. Besides, I like a good road trip!

I'm not sure why, but it's been several years since my last visit to the island—a most excellent autumn weekend of hiking and carousing. So when I came around the bend in Route 3 at the Trenton Airport, my heart skipped a beat at the view. Before me across the skyline were all of Acadia’s major mountains. I know them by heart: Champlain, Huguenot Head, Dorr, Cadillac, Pemetic, Sargent and Penobscot, Norumbega. Across Somes Sound, Acadia and St. Sauvieur, Beech Mountain, Mansell and Bernard. And even though I've hiked most every one of the trails on them over the years, I will never, ever, tire of this place.

Sandwiched around my business duties, I was able to check out a few of my favorite island haunts. I took an early morning stroll around the nearly deserted streets and waterfront of Bar Harbor (soon to be maxed out with summer visitors).

A quiet June morning in Bar Harbor, before the summer crowds.

I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Jordan’s Restaurant (blueberry pancakes, of course). Resisted the overwhelming urge to spend gobs of money in Cadillac Mountain Sports (I bought only a small tube of bug dope). And poked around in the best little bookstore in the world, Sherman’s, where I came away with a hardcover copy of Left For Dead by Beck Weathers for a cool $3.99.

In the afternoon, I drove out of town and stopped at the trailhead at The Tarn. The Dorr Mountain Trail—one of my favorite hikes—leaves from here and climbs up to the summit of Dorr with magnificent views. I like to make a loop out of it by dropping down the other side and heading south on the pretty Gorge Path beneath Cadillac Mountain, and circling back around to the start. It’s a wonderful walk! Next trip, I hope.

Dorr Mountain rises above The Tarn, Acadia NP.

I continued on to the Park Loop Road, and made my way through Seal Harbor, past the Jordan Pond House, Jordan Pond and the Bubbles. Slowly. Tourist-like. Beautiful!

Cruising the beautiful Park Loop Rd.

Jordan Pond and The Bubbles, Acadia NP.

Finally, sated with natural beauty and semi-satisfied, I headed for home. But not before the tractor beam of the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound drew me in for my first lobster of the summer.

The official start to my summer!

Life is good…

I just discovered that it takes exactly 3 minutes and 34 seconds to hike at a moderate pace from my office to the new location of Bleacher's Sports Bar and Restaurant on Preble St.

Here's the details if you'd like to join me on this highly recommended trek in the future:

Trail: Marginal Way & Preble St.
Town: Portland
Length: 0.5 miles round-trip
Time required: About 7 minutes round-trip (not including lunch and a beverage)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: Slightly uphill
Directions: From my office, negotiate way across Marginal Way, bear left, then go right up Preble St.
Highlights: Excellent refreshments for the weary traveler. A fine diversion from the busy work-a-day world.

Your reviews on this hike are welcome!

Sometimes the only place to be is "on the river" in beautiful downtown The Forks, Maine (pop. 35). For me, here's why...

1. Tradition. Summer just wouldn't be summer without Dr. Duct Tape's "Dead River Dunk."

2. Kayaking the Dead and Kennebec Rivers.

3. Rafting the Dead and Kennebec Rivers.

4. The Marshall's fabulous green chili chicken burritos on Saturday night.

5. Relaxing with good friends around the campfire at Webb's Campground.

6. Getting to dry your wet underwear over the campfire.

7. The beauty and power of 90' Moxie Falls.

8. Getting to help a friend move his outhouse at Lake Moxie.

9. Getting to wear your clown nose whenever you want.

10. Chowing down on "Mom's" world famous deviled eggs at Thompson's Restaurant in Bingham.

Hmmm.

Last week my digital camera dies for no good reason.

Two days ago I drive over my fiberglas kayak paddle and crush it.

Last night I discover that 170 precious photos from my tour of the AMCs Katahdin Iron Works property have mysterously disppeared from my laptop.

This is getting a bit unnerving.

A friend remarked that it could all be because of the snowboard I picked out of the trash several weeks ago.

Have I been cursed?

Is somebody trying to tell me that I wasn't meant to be a shredder?

Should I just toss the thing in a dumpster and forget I ever even considered snowboarding?

Will that end the hex?

Help me, please!

Do-do, do-do, do-do...

Regina Erskine, a Portland schoolteacher and friend of mine, completed her coast to coast bike ride for Celiac disease yesterday at Savannah, Georgia.

It wasn't quite the finish Regina was hoping for, after being hit by a pick-up truck several weeks ago and suffering some pretty nasty injuries. But after resting up, she carried on and made it to the Atlantic Ocean. Not quite Maine, but it'll do. The trek was a success nonetheless and a testament to Regina's perserverance.

Regina will return home to Portland (via RV) and make a final ride into Payson Park on Saturday, July 2nd.

Congratulations!

The "Big Question" in this month's Backpacker magazine is: Should the Maine Woods be designated a national park?

Not surprisingly, Backpacker readers polled 84% yes, 16% no. I'll venture a guess that most poll respondents are from away. Bet?

Again, no surprise here, Jym St. Pierre of RESTORE: The North Woods argued for the "pro" side, while John Simko, Greenville Town Manager, reasoned for the "no" camp.

Well, hold on to your hat... Count me in (again) on the "no" team. No, no. no.

With all due respect to the "yes" folks, the northern Maine woods isn't a Bambi-like wilderness to be locked up and turned into some big elitist outdoor playground.

Have you been to the "Maine Woods"?

Real Maine people live and work there, in the forest products industry and related businesses to tourism and recreation and many others. And the region supports a broad mix of traditional Maine sporting uses, from hunting, fishing and snowmobiling to hiking, boating, rafting, and nordic skiing.

I continue to take offense with some outside group from (RESTORE) drawing a line around 3.2 million acres of mostly private property, then printing and distributing a phony Maine Woods National Park brochure to the public as if it were a done deal.

St. Pierre writes: "While some conservation work is being done, creating a national park is the only [my emphasis added] way to guarantee stewardship of the last big, undeveloped tract east of the Mississippi."

Bull.

Some conservation work? Some?

What do you call all the lands that The Nature Conservancy has protected on the St. John River and in the Katahdin Forest not too long ago, that are being managed for multiple use (i.e. conservation, recreation and timber harvesting)?

What do you call the purchases by the State of Maine, the 40,000 acre Namahkanta parcel for one, that are being managed successfully by the Bureau of Parks and Lands for multiple uses?

And what do you call the late 2003 purchase of 37,000 acres in the Gulf Hagas-Katahdin Iron Works-Little Lyford Ponds area by the Appalachian Mountain Club that is being managed for multiple uses?

Never mind the many private landowners in the region, large and small, who have managed and continue to manage thier lands for multiple use, all the while allowing public access for Maine's prized traditional uses.

Is the federal government the only entity capable of properly managing our forestlands?

Hardly.

St. Pierre goes on: "Like many rural places, northern Maine is overly dependent on one industry--forestry."

I see.

Please tell me how turning the whole shooting match up there into a national park does anything at all to diversify the region's economy. Except where a NP will replace reasonably well paying forest products industry jobs with low-paying park concessioners jobs.

Simko gets it right on the money: "If we protect some areas, maintain productive timberland, and expand opportunities for recreation, we diversify our local industry instead of homogenize it, thus creating a more stable economic community."

A recent report compiled by the Northern Forest Land Council 10th Anniversary Forum, a coalition of conservationists, local community officials and timber managers backs up Simko's (and my) view. The report recommends "that state, federal and private agencies continue working to conserve land that becomes available and to support sustainable forestry practices and recreational access to the forests."

That sounds like a reasonable, balanced approach to me. And that's the key: balance.

It's the word I heard most during my tour of the AMC's K-I property last week. The AMC is taking a balanced approach to the management of this spectacular piece of land smack in the heart of Maine's 100-mile wilderness. But don't take their word for it, I was advised. Talk to the local folks and ask them. And I did.

The business people, county and municipal officials and residents I spoke with all shared their concern for the future of the Maine Woods. But they have a practical, balanced plan for approaching the challenges that face the region. And a national park isn't part of that plan. Rather, they see a diverse economic base that preserves traditional industries and outdoor uses as the key to a healthier, more prosperous future.

I agree and wholeheartedly support their efforts.

What do you think?

A week ago my digital camera died for no particularly good reason. The little green light lit up when I turned it on, but that was all the action I was able to get out of it.

Ever hopeful, I took it into a camera shop. The guy behind the counter grinned as I handed it over. He looked it over pretty good, played around with it, and muttered a couple of "hmmm's" and "now let's see's." Then handed it back to me.

"So what do you think?"

"It's toast."

Now, I could send the thing back to Nikon to be repaired (and I probably will at some point), but then I'd be without a camera for a lengthy period. No can do.

I bought another camera.

Cha-ching. $$$$$. Ouch!

But I was OK with it. It just died and that happens. I least I didn't do anything stupid to cause it's demise.

Unlike last night.

I unloaded the car from last weekend, sorted through gear, did laundry, and started to re-pack with gear for the upcoming multi-sport weekend (hiking in Acadia, kayaking and mountain biking in and around Branch Pond near Ellsworth).

It's a near-continuous process week after week throughout the year that leaves my car, my house and my body in a constant state of semi-disrepair, but I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. "Sleep when you die" a good friend continues to tell me. She's right.

But I digress...

I loaded up the bike gear. Threw in the camping gear. Came back out with the kayaking gear. And for some odd reason, set the duffle bag and paddle down at the back of the car. And left it there.

Blame it on a senior moment several decades earlier than normal. Blame it on the mild post-Jimmy Buffett concert fog still coursing through my head. Blame it on the fact that sometimes I just don't think.

Whatever.

I came out awhile later, jumped in the car to go out and see some friends, and started to back out. Yes, I did.

Right over my $249 Werner Camano fiberglass kayaking paddle.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it turn up in front of the car as I rolled down the driveway.

I couldn't help but laugh, though, as I got out to retrieve it and my gear duffle.

Yep, crushed real good. A very nice job if I do say so. "Toast" as they say.

As you might imagine, I didn't waste any time. I put a paddle on 'hold' at the L.L. Bean retail store.

Hey, what's another $249 for a new paddle on the heels of $350 for a new camera?

Cha-ching. $$$$$. Ouch!

I joined up with friends for two wonderful day hikes last weekend: Bald Mountain and Blueberry Mountain, both in the Weld area near Mount Blue State Park and Tumbledown.

The heat and humidity was atrocious, and the bugs, well, there were plenty of them. But the hiking was fantastic. We were even treated to a little thunder and lightning excitement on top of Blueberry.

I'd never climbed either mountain, so it was great, as always, to be out exploring new hiking terrain.

The Bald Mountain Trail crosses Wilson Stream, a great spot to cool off "post-hike."

Hiking up through the the heavily logged lower slopes of Bald Mountain.

Moss emphasizing the wavy patterns in the glacier-scoured rock on Bald Mtn.

Beautiful white dikes of quartzite in the granite of Bald Mtn.

Hiking through ferns and birches high on Blueberry Mountain.

Late afternoon sun on birches along the Blueberry Mtn. Trail.

Hmmm. Where to this weekend? So much to do, so little time...

What will you be doing?

I was hiking up in the Weld area last weekend and figured I'd drive up toward Byron Notch and Tumbledown Mountain to check out the trouble at the trailhead on Morgan Road.

You'll recall that the landowner recently decided to plow up a berm to prevent vehicle access and ban camping in Tumbledown Field. This was apparently in response to a recent town vote to deny a gate across the road.

Well, it's true.

You can still drive the eight-tenths of a mile up Morgan Road from the Byron Notch Road, but you won't get any further. The birms are there, blocking access to the field at every point. And the "no camping" signs are up too.

The place was deserted on what would normally have been a Saturday afternoon busy with campers and hikers and general mayhem. It was eerie even.

I tried to locate the site of the old log shelter that was burned down recently. It was the landmark I traditionally used to find the trailheads for the Little Jackson and Parker Ridge Trails. But no luck, and no luck finding the blue and white signs for either trailhead, although I admit I didn't spend too much time searching as the mosquitoes were ravenous.

Parking is another issue. With the camping area closed off, there's no more parking. It appears the only way to go now is to pull as far off Morgan Road as possible and call it good.

So the trailhead that was always a bit confusing to locate has become even more so now.

I'll have to check with some of the local folks to see what's up and get back to you. If any of you have better info on the Tumbledown Field trailhead and parking situation, please do share.

Yesterday I was lamenting the fact that I missed out on the World Naked Bike Ride last weekend.

But not to worry thanks to BB, who happily reminded me that next Tuesday, June 21st, the summer solstice, is Hike Naked Day.

It's "a celebration of the commencement of summer, an expression of the freedom of being in the midst of nature, and basically an excuse to get naked" with "hikers wearing only a pack and boots frolicking down the trail."

So there's still a chance to get outdoors and get naked, if not on a bike, then on the trail.

Whew!

Tragic, needless.

A Limestone man drowned Saturday while canoeing on the St. John River.

He didn't know how to swim, and wasn't wearing a life jacket. Poor judgment, a simple mistake, but very costly one.

I just feel awful for the man and his family. It didn't need to happen.

If you're out on the water--anywhere, anytime--you've just got to have a PFD (Personal Floatation Device) on. Period.

A few years back, while guiding on the Dead River, my raft flipped in a big hole and dumped everybody in the river. My paddlers all got picked up quickly by other boats in our party, but I ended up taking a very long, very cold swim through the rapids. I was finally fished out of the water about a mile down river, and I can tell you, I wouldn't have made it without a life jacket. No way.

I'll bet many of you can tell a similar tale.

Don't take chances. Wear your PFD. Always!

Demetri "Coup" Coupounas, the founder of GoLITE, is going to be in Portland next Monday evening at Maine Mountain Works to give a slide show and seminar on lightweight hiking.

Coup has hiked the John Muir Trail in California, Vermont's Long Trail and the Colorado Trail--all without resupply! Having hiked the John Muir and Long Trail myself (with multiple resupply stops), I can attest that that's quite a feat. It just goes to show what hikers can do when they pack really light and are thus able to cover more ground each day, and do it comfortably.

This will be a great show so don't miss out. The fun starts at 7PM, but you'd better get there early to get a seat.

Thanks for the tip Todd!

Hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, climbing...

Okay, now that adventurous outdoor activities have at least been mentioned, let's get on with the serious stuff.

Just as the wild animals of the East African savannah flock to the precious watering holes in the heat of summer, so must thirsty Portland area adventurers gather at Bleacher's for post-activity liquid sustenance when it re-opens later this week, very likely on Friday, according to owners Gladys and Chuck.

It won't be a moment too soon. It's the heat I tell you. Making me wicked parched...

Figured that would grab you...

But, sad to say, the info came a little too late. I missed the World Naked Bike Ride that was held last Saturday. You probably did too.

If you've never heard of it, join the club. It certainly sounds intriguing, though, doesn't it? Organizers call the ride "the craziest, wildest, most insane event of the year."

I can believe it.

The purpose of the ride is to "experience the naked joy of the worlds largest naked protest against oil dependency and car culture in the history of humanity..."

Okay. Good idea.

But I suspect it's also a hoot just to ride your bike around naked for the day!

Maybe next year...

In the meantime, provided you ride fully clothed, you might want to participate in Commute Another Way Day, Maine's statewide alternative transportation event this Wednesday. Ride your bike to work and mix a little exercise with your commute!

And, of course, this weekend is the Trek Across Maine, the 180-mile ride from Bethel to Rockland to raise funds for the American Lung Association of Maine. If you haven't already sponsored a rider, please do!

Okay, here we go again...

Aron Ralston, trapped in a slot canyon, cut off his arm to save his life. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

And when his story aired on NBC last fall I taped it. Apparently I may have been one of the only people in the world to do so, because I have been beseiged with requests from all over the U.S. and beyond for a copy. More than a hundred queries anyway--and they're still coming--many with rather hefty offers of cash (but no beer).

Now, I could be one heckuva wealthy blogger over this if I wanted to run off some bootleg copies of the Aron special. But, as I've explained to you all and the kind tape-seekers before, that would be illegal. And since I'm not a big fan of jail food and confined spaces...

IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! NO TAPE FOR YOU!

Sorry.

If you're a hiker with some time and energy to spare this summer, I have a suggestion for you:

Volunteer for the MATC Maine Trail Crew!

Apparently the MATC has succeeded in filling only 30 of the 80 available volunteer positions this season, so bodies are sorely needed and will be greatly appreciated.

According to J.T. Horn, New England Regional Director of the Appalachian Trail
Conference:

"For this 2005 field season we are vastly undersubscribed for volunteers and are in danger of canceling numerous projects that the Maine Appalachian Trail Club has been planning for some time. These projects include treadway rehabilitation projects that are important to prevent erosion and ensure that generations of hikers will get to experience the Appalachian Trail in a safe and enjoyable manner."

That's not good news for the AT or the hiking community.

Maine Trail Crew activities run throughout the summer, so there's plenty of opportunity to help out. To volunteer, please contact the MATC at matc@localnet.com or

Margaret Snell
Crew Coordinator
Maine Trail Crew
PO Box 149
Dexter ME 04930
phone 924-0133

I did a couple of nice hikes in the Weld area yesterday: Bald and Blueberry Mountains. And during the course of those hikes, I shot dozens of digital photos.

I took the big leap into the digital world last fall when my rather well-used and abused 35mm camera finally gave up the ghost. And there's been no turning back. It's been great fun.

In fact, I use my Nikon digital camera just about every day and have gotten pretty good at annoying most everybody around me with my mildly obnoxious obsession with the damn thing.

So this morning I get up, well rested and happy, and go to download yesterday's hike photos.

Houston, we have a problem.

The camera refused to work. Happiness quickly evaporated.

And since I'm about as handy with cameras as I am with fixing cars (put the key in, turn and go), there seemed little I was going to be able to do about it.

And I was right.

I popped the batteries out and back in again. The little green light came on but there was no movement of the lens, no clicking of the shutter. No happy little "bloop" noises like usual.

So ended my repair attempt. There was nothing more to do. My camera was dead.

I guess I could take a rubber mallet to it, but maybe I'll just take it back to Best Buy and see what they can do. I've only had it 8 months. They better give me good news...

Now many of you hardcores will tell me that golf is only marginally an outdoor sport.

OK, I can live with that.

But what about golf AND beer, together? Figured that would get your attention. Makes it a little easier to swallow, doesn't it? (Geez, I crack me up!).

Beer and golf will be on the docket for a vote at next week's Cumberland town council meeting.

It'll be 'yeah' or 'nay' on beer carts on the golf course hawking beer to thirsty golfers like me.

I say it's harmless. Hey, my game is bad enough. A couple of pops could only improve it I think. So I hope they and other towns vote for it.

Now there's a surprise opinion for you...

An Arizona laboratory is "is seeking 50 to 100 grams of dead and dried black flies from Maine" and has contacted the Maine Black Fly Breeders Association for help.

Now that's a project worthy of our attention! Can we send more? I mean, we sure have them to spare and we won't miss a few million more.

Take them. Please.

There's a few of us with plenty of experience and expertise in the black fly killing department who can be of great assistance. I'm in. Where do I sign up?

I stopped in at Cadillac Mountain Sports in Bar Harbor late yesterday afternoon and picked up some of the new generation DEET bug juice I mentioned the other day. I suspect you can pretty much pick it up an any outdoor store now.

The little 2 oz. tube of Ultrathon lotion was a hefty $10, so they're sure not giving the stuff away. I guess the fact that it won't rot your brain and other important internal organs as quickly as the standard DEET allows them to charge more.

Oh well.

Anyway, I was able to put the stuff to the test right off.

Driving north on Route 1A in heavy summer traffic, I decided to veer off and take a look-see at Bald Mountain in Dedham, a peak I hadn't been up since the 9th grade.

I pulled up to where I thought the trailhead was (I didn't have the guidebook with me) and dashed into the woods to throw on shorts and T-shirt and sneakers. I was immediately swarmed by blood thirsty mosquitoes. I did quite the interesting dance as I shed one set of clothes and donned another trying not to lose a pint of blood. Once back out at the car, with the mosquitoes in hot pursuit, I reached for my new tube of DEET and slathered it all over me.

Voila! No more blood-letting. The stuff works.

As a semblance of sanity returned, I flagged down a passing car and queried the driver as to the trailhead.

"Bald Mountain?," he said, "I own it!"

That's what I love about Maine. Here I am, standing along side a country road in the middle of East Overshoe. I flag down the one car that passes by and come up with not only the info I needed, but the very landowner himself.

Jackpot.

Turns out Gerry Ouellette of Dedham has purchased some 230 acres in the area, including all of Bald Mountain. We had a nice chat and he pointed up the road a 100 yards to the parking area for the trail.

Score.

I threw my bug juice in my pocket, grabbed my notebook and pen and a bottle of water and headed up.

The trail followed a road carved out of ledge pretty much the entire way up--about a half mile or so. The views of the surrounding farmland and hills were terrific, despite the afternoon haze. And watch out! Come July this place is going to be loaded with blueberries.

On top are nine telecom towers and an old Maine Forest Service lookout tower. The bottom rung of the tower ladder is missing, but someone has piled up rocks to help you get up if you want to. I didn't bother, even though it looked in reasonably safe condition.

It took another application of Ultrathon to ward off the summit crowd of black flies, but it bought me some more time to look around a bit.

I explored for evidence of the old ski area that ceased operating in the 1970s, but couldn't find much. I did, though, come upon an awesome viewpoint overlooking Lucerne and Phillips Lake, so I sat for awhile and relaxed.

Then I scooted back down the mountain, plunked my sweaty, bug-juice smelly body into the seat, and headed for the highway with thoughts of a cold beer running through my DEET-brain.

For all you mountain bike enthusiasts, here's some fun ride info from my friend Pete at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine:

"Well, it must be summer because the BCM Tour de Trails off-road bike riding series starts tomorrow on Mt. Desert Island! We're planning to meet at the Acadia National Park Visitors Center in Hulls Cove (just off Route 3 a few miles north of Bar Harbor) at 10:00 AM. There will be two rides of 6 and 15 mile to choose from, and if anyone wants to stick around for more riding and/or a hike in the afternoon, that would be great!"

So get on up to Acadia before the summer visitor crunch and get some beautiful riding in with the good folks at BCM.

You may recall last fall I told you about my friend Regina from Portland and her plans to ride her bicycle across the U.S. from San Diego to Maine to raise money and awareness of Celiac Disease.

Well, she and her friend Alex started out on their big adventure last April 25th and biked their way through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma. And by last week they were into Arkansas.

Unfortunately, that's when trouble struck.

Regina was hit by a pick-up truck while riding through Marvel, Arkansas last Wednesday. Besides a good case of road rash, it turns out she's got a broken vertebrae in her back. And that has not only left her in a lot of pain, it has derailed her dream of finishing the bike trek as planned.

Maybe.

She's a tough cookie, and is resting up right now and considering her options with that never-say-die spirit. Getting all the way to Maine doesn't look good for this year. But she thinks she might, as soon as she's well enough, be able bike to the Atlantic Coast and call it good there.

Whatever you do Regina, you've already succeeded! We wish you a quick recovery and best of luck completing your dream.

DEET. Every hiker's best friend in the Maine woods at this time of year, right?

Maybe not.

According to the Extension Toxicology Network:

"Deet is the common name for N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, a multipurpose insect repellent registered for direct application to human skin, clothing, household pets, tents and bedrolls and screens. Deet is a unique pesticide, because it is applied directly to the human body for purposes of repelling insects. It was developed and patented by the U. S. Army in 1946 for use by military personnel in insect-infested areas. Because Deet was recognized as one of the few products effective against mosquitoes and biting flies, it was registered for use by the general public in the U. S. in 1957."

Emphasis on for use by military personnel in insect-infested areas. Brought to you by the makers of napalm and other fun war stuff. Better living through chemistry and all that.

Check out the possible side effects of DEET use by humans, as reported by the Extension Toxicology Network:

"skin irritation, large painful blisters and permanent scarring of skin"

"rashes, irritation of skin and mucous membranes, and numb or burning sensations of the lips"

"generalized seizures"

"insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function"

But here's the real kicker...

"Deet is absorbed promptly from the skin and distributed to all organs including the brain."

Oh goody.

Hmmm. Now that I think of it, that may explain a lot!

I've used various brand names of DEET bug repellants over the years, like Ben's 100 and Deep Woods Off. But I never liked using them. You just knew they couldn't be good for you. But there's nothing else available on the market that's anywhere near as effective.

Not a good trade off. Fewer bug bites vs. a slow poisoning by toxic chemicals.

Occasional use may be okay, but it still can't be healthy. And prolonged use is asking for trouble.

Years ago when I worked up north as a forester for the Maine Forest Service, we used to apply the stuff like cheap aftershave to combat the clouds of killer bugs. So it was no wonder that after a couple of months of heavy use I was nauseous and weak by the end of every work day. And I thought it was just all the beer we drank in Rangeley every night at Mike's Pub and Grub! Not so I guess.

But I continued to use it. Sparingly. And I know many of you use it too. I tried a citronella-based product--Natrapel--over the last few years. But other than smell nice, it doesn't work for squat.

So what to do?

Enter "micro-encapsulated DEET," a new twist on the bug repellent scene.

According to information from the Nim Distribution Center AB, "Many people feel a kind of hesitation in applicating chemical substances directly on the skin due to the risk of absorption into the body."

Now there's an understatement.

But, the news gets better.

"With the help of modern microtechnology, we can now offer a new generation of repellents quite safer for humans... microencapsulated DEET. The microcapsules which measure only some microns in diameter, are invisible to the naked eye, and consist of a core with the active substance and an outer shell surrounding the core. The shell being porous, it permits a constant and controlled release of the insecticide which guarantees a long repellency period at the same time it hinders the insecticide to be absorbed by the skin. Our microencapsulated DEET reduces dermal absorption by at least 90% compared to conventional "liquid on skin" application methods."

Sounds equally effective as the old DEET, but since it isn't readily absorbed into the skin, considerably less toxic. Good deal. I'm going to try and find some locally and give it a test drive, er, hike. I'll let you know how well it works.

This new generation of bug juice is marketed as Ultrathon by 3M and Sawyer Controlled Release DEET Lotion. Maybe you've already found it and tried it out. What's your opinion on it?

Inn the mEantime, i wAnt to assur yu taht I am suffFering No ill efffeCtTs of DeeT UsE ovvErr the yeers. Reellie!! I'm FiiiiNe...

Bitten, swollen and tick-infested (I pulled three of the disgusting little buggers off), I couldn't face another day on the trail with the heat and the bugs. Saturday's hike was enough.

So Sunday I elected for a different plan. That rarest of rare occurrences: A planless day.

I slept in. Late. Made two pots of coffee and drank it all. Leisurely like. I took a lazy walk in the woods behind my house. Then hopped on my newly refurbished 12-speed Bianchi (thanks Craig!) and rode through the neighborhood streets for awhile.

And just when I thought I'd exhausted myself with all this heavy duty activity, I went downtown for a cruise through the Old Port Festival.

After some great music of a wide variety, a full compliment of unhealthy foods in my belly, and a cold beer later, I was wiped.

A day off from the trail sure can be tough...

You knew it would happen this way.

A week ago cool, cloudy and rainy. This past weekend hot, humid and buggy. No time to ease into it.

Summer's here allright. And so are the bugs. As with the hot weather, though, you knew they were coming along with the deal too.

Saturday, up on Black and Bear Mountains in the Oxford Hills, the black flies and mosquitoes were there, hungry for flesh and blood.

They got plenty.

But despite the near-continuous swatting and occasional cursing, and temps into the 90s, it was still good to be out on the trail.

Both mountains were new additions to my hiking list, and they combined for a fun day with a just-right amount of early season exercise. And the road trip up Route 26, across Route 219 (where both trailheads are located) and back south on Route 4 was a very scenic and enjoyable drive.

Bear Pond from the outlook on Bear Mountain, Hartford.

Dalydog cools himself off in a puddle on the Bear Mountain Trail.

You never know what you'll find when you go exploring in the Maine woods: An old Socony gas station on Black Mountain Rd. in Hartford.

We were a little disappointed to discover that the new Gritty's in downtown Auburn wasn't yet open for post-hike refreshments, but we made do at Pat's Pizza and then went overboard with a frozen custard at Hodgman's in New Gloucester.

Life is sooooo hard.

My friend Phil, a wealth of local hiking information since moving from the big city to Livermore Falls, also told me over the weekend that Bald Mountain, off Route 156 in Washington Township (south of Weld), has been re-opened to the hiking public.

Bald Mountain is a spectacular little peak from all accounts, but it's another one I've never hiked and want to badly. It's been closed since 2002.

I can't verify whether or not it's really true. I hope so.

Can any of my fellow hikers tell me yeah or nay?

Update: According to loyal reader Brian, Bald Mountain was re-opened to the public for hiking last fall. Yeah! DeLorme Map No. 19. Got to go there...

I hadn't heard a word about it until my friend Phil from Livermore Falls told me over the weekend.

Apparently the landowner who owns 2,200 acres and controls access to Tumbledown Field, a traditional camping area and trailhead for Tumbledown and Little Jackson Mountain trails, didn't much care for Weld residents recent vote to deny a proposal to erect a gate across Morgan Road.

So the landowner, Linda Bean Folkers, "blocked the road with several 3-foot mounds of dirt fronting 6-foot-deep ditches", "removed the three-walled lean-to", and erected "several signs prohibiting camping, fires and motorized vehicles."

OK. Now that's some slick public relations if I've ever seen it.

There's no question that the area had been heavily used and abused by campers and others over the years. So something had to be done eventually to clean up the place.

But that's pretty harsh, and unexpected, action. And I don't see any reason to poke a stick in the eye of local residents like that.

Tumbledown hikers will still have access as I understand it. Where they'll park, though, I don't know at this moment.

And how this will ultimately play out remains to be seen. Should be interesting. And unfortunately, ugly.

I promised myself I wouldn't take up any more outdoor pursuits for awhile. Really, I did. For a number of good reasons.

I don't have the time to do all the outdoor sports I want to and use all the gear that I own as it is. I surely don't have the space in my little abode for any more toys. I'm spread out to every corner of every room right now (and to the barn of some friends). And I don't have the money to burn for more stuff. Well, I do actually, but geez, I've got to draw the line somewhere.

So that's my story, and I thought I was sticking to it.

Until the City of Portland's Heavy Item Pick-up hit my neighborhood. Yep, piles of junk started to accumulate slowly at curbside over the weekend. Mostly just plain crap that was easily passed by. But then I saw it.

A snowboard.

I've resisted snowboarding for years now for the reasons stated above, but I digress...

I was a few yards off when I spied the board. But already the good guy and bad guy in my head were arguing.

"You don't need it, no matter how good the condition of it is."

"It looks good from here. And you know you want it."

I picked it up. Pretty good shape. About the right size. Purple color. And it already had a Sugarloaf sticker on it.

The bad guy never had a prayer. I took it.

My new snowboard now rests comfortably in another corner of my living room.

Of course, now I need snowboard boots, wrist guards, a helmet. And lessons.

What the hell. I'm in. Hey, the price was right anyway.

Apparently I wasn't the only one picking through trash lately either, eh Colleen?

Hiking...

According to Dictionary.com it means "To go on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise."

Exactly.

Just what the doctor ordered.

Without any rain, of course.

Well, have a good one. I'm outta here. My boots are home waiting patiently for my arrival...

If you're not up for a National Trails Day event tomorrow, maybe you can try one of these:

I just stopped into Eastern Mountain Sports on my lunch hour and learned that they're having a Kayak Demo Day at Ferry Beach in Scarborough from 8-2. Test drive a few boats and get tips from their staff of kayaking experts.

Or you can enter the Bradbury Mountain Challenge, a 12-mile mountain bike race for all ages on the great trails of Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. Races start at 9:30 AM.

It's gonna be nice this weekend, so if you're bored, better check your pulse!

A couple of things to scribble onto your outdoor calendar before we launch into this awesome weekend and forget stuff...

On Monday night, June 6th there's going to be a benefit party for the Bicycle Coaition of Maine at O'Naturals on Exchange St. in Portland from 5-9 PM. Lots of food and fun to be had, all for a great cause.

Wednesday, June 8th is Land Bond Lobby Day at the State House in Augusta starting at 8:30 AM. Lots of bodies are needed to show support for the Maine Land Bond, which, if passed, will provide critically needed funding for more land conservation projects throughout the state.

OK now, let's get on with the weekend!

It may have verged on sacrilege to spend last evening--the first really nice one we've had in ages--indoors, but I did.

And it was worth it.

I spent a entertaining hour and a half at the Audubon Center in Falmouth at a slide program on trekking in the Tyrolean Alps in Austria and the Dolomites in Italy.

Speaker Richard Scala of Brunswick showed us some wonderful photos and related many a fun and interesting tale of his two weeks of hiking and touring there several years ago. Rugged mountains, glaciers, lush green valleys, wildly steep and exposed trails (some with iron ladders and cables that tunnel through the rock), ancient villages and towns. It was spectacular.

I've hiked and done the hut-to-hut thing in Europe a number of times, but haven't been to either place. They've sure been on my radar screen, though. And last night's show only added to my urgency to get there and check it out for myself.

If you haven't experienced hut hiking in Europe yet, well, you just have to. The trails and the scenery are magnificent, the people--the locals and fellow trekkers--are friendly and helpful, the huts are cozy and warm, and the food (and beer and wine) is delightful. You can do and see a lot in a two week period, so it's a perfect knapsacker's vacation.

Just think of the movies "Sound of Music" or "Heidi" and you'll get a real good picture in your mind's eye of this area of the Alps. It's that idyllic.

Where is my travel agent anyway?!

Sun! Blue skies! Warm temps!

Hiking weather!

YES! Finally.

Time to pack up the gear for the weekend. A long awaited hiking weekend. Going to get the Gazetteer, maps and guidebook out and pick out a few good ones. Then throw everything in the car and just go.

I might even leave my rain gear behind. Just for yucks.

Saturday is National Trails Day so I hope that many of you trail enthusiasts will choose to spend the day outdoors giving a little something back to a receational resource we use and love so much.

There's a lot going on here in Maine on National Trails Day--32 events in fact. From hikes and walks and paddles to trail construction, clean-ups, workshops and demonstrations. And plenty of food, fun and good people to boot.

Hikers, mountain bikers, bicyclists, paddlers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and many other trail users will all be out there working on and enjoying our trails. The more the merrier, so why not be one of them!

What are your plans for National Trails Day?

How nice.

The offices of Plum Creek Timber Company in Fairfield were vandalized yesterday. I'm not sure of the extent of the damage done, but the company's sign was torn down and "Leave Our Land" and "Maine Is Not For Sale" was spray painted on the building.

Plum Creek, you'll recall, is planning to develop a portion of the 400,000+ acres it owns in and around Moosehead Lake. But the vast majority of their lands will remain as commercial forestland and open to traditional recreational uses, such as hiking and camping and snowmobiling.

I have an extremely low tolerance for vandals. And this kind of thing just puts me over the edge.

Clearly these cretins don't understand the rather simple concept of private property. And they have demonstrated their ignorance and lack of respect by wantonly destroying the property of others.

I look at it a little more seriously than mere vandalism, however. This is an act of eco-terrorism and there's just no supporting such acts in this day and age. And this type of action continues to give the legitimate environmental movement, which has accomplished a lot by legal and peaceful means over the years, a big black eye.

Note to you destructive morons: If you have something to say about this development project, then go through the proper channels. After all, that's what Plum Creek is doing with LURC. But I wouldn't expect you to get this concept either.

And I've got a few catchy slogans for you: "Vandals Leave Our Land and Property Alone" and "Maine is Not for Vandals."