Woo-hoo... I got my patch from the Adirondack Mountain Club for completing the entire Northville-Lake Placid Trail last October!

Another long distance trail to check off the dream list. And what a terrific hike it was!

The Northville-Placid Trail in upstate New York is an outstanding 11-day backpack trip not too far from home.

But there's so many more hikes to be done...

Where to go and what to do next year?

The West Coast Trail, a challenging backpacking route along the coast and through the thick rain forests of Vancouver Island, British Columbia is under serious consideration for next September.

Maybe, too, a return trip to the Alps and a circumnavigation of Mont Blanc through France, Switzerland and Italy. I sure love those cozy mountain huts and the incredible scenery.

Or a circuit around Jebel Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco? A little mingling with the Berbers in North Africa?

Or maybe another coast to coast trek, this time across the green of Ireland? Maybe a pint of Guinness here and there?

So many trails, so little time...

Kamchatka in the far reaches of Siberia has also been on my mind. A long string of active volcanoes, glaciers and the world's highest concentration of grizzly bears is mighty appealing.

Closer to home I'd like to knock off New Hampshire's tough Cohos Trail, maybe in long weekend chunks.

And of course, there'll be the usual hikes and backpacks and paddles and mountain bike rides around good ol' Maine.

Winter is such a wonderful time for planning. What to do? What to do? Got to save those pennies, that's for certain!

What are your big adventure plans for 2007?

If you are, then perhaps you'll be interested in one of the old trail signs being auctioned off by the AMC.

Amongst the retirees are two favorite Maine trail signs: The Mahoosuc Trail and the Carlo Col Trail. There's also New Hampshire's Castle Trail, Davis Path, Kinsman Ridge and Mt. Jefferson Loop trail signs.

Opening bids for each start at $100.

AMCs trail sign auction began on November 20th and runs through noon on December 8th.

I don't find where the money raised from the old trail signs goes, but I trust it gets put to good use.

So if you're in the market for some funky outdoors decor for the house to go with your 'early American yard sale' motif, then maybe an old AMC trail sign is for you.

What do you bid?

The ski season is officially under way here in Maine. At Sunday River and Sugarloaf thus far at least.

And that brings great happiness to this skier. You too, I trust.

In an effort to assuage my guilt over a long weekend of holiday sloth that included much too much consumption of turkey and anything else food-related within arm's reach, and much too little physical activity of any kind (popping the tops of beer cans doesn't count I guess)...

... I made my way up to Sunday River yesterday to put the first notch in this year's season pass. And was very pleased with the results.

The Barker base lodge was open and with it the Super Quad and Locke Mountain Triple were operating.

A good size crowd was there enjoying the warm and sunny temps (upper 50s), both on the deck and on the slopes.

For top to bottom skiing we linked up either Upper Sunday Punch or Ecstasy to Monday Mourning or Cascades. All runs finished down the lower end of Monday Mourning.

Conditions were great considering the mild weather and rains we've had. And it was just plain good to be out.

Kudos to the snowmaking crew for doing a terrific job of getting a decent amount of skiable terrain opened quickly.

There's plenty of winter ahead of us and we can only hope that Mother Nature will cooperate and add her fair share of natural snow to the man-made stuff.

But given yesterday's offering at Sunday River, I'm pretty hopeful.

Did you get out on your boards this weekend? At Sunday River or Sugarloaf? How was it?

Sunday River's Barker Base was alive and well with skiers and snow yesterday.

It's going to take a bit more snow before we can start bombing down the bumps on Agony (beneath the Super Quad).

Sun and snow from the top of Monday Mourning.

Skiers cruising by on Upper Sunday Punch.

Hmmm... is that the Sunday River Brew Pub I see from here?

Good Thanksgiving Day morning to my Trailhead friends! From down south... in southern New Hampshire.

The family has just returned from participating in the annual 5K Turkey Trot, sponsored by the Greater Derry Track Club.

While most ran the route around pretty Beaver Lake, we walked some and jogged some (my well-used knees don't need any more pounding!). And finished a respectable 400th something out of 400-something.

With the day's outdoor exercise in the bag, and the turkey in the oven, I have to time to bother you.

So what's up?

Not much you say.

Hey, have you heard the big news?

Two Einsteins up in New Sharon decided to make off with a couple cases of beer from a delivery truck.

The good stuff. Old Mill and PBR.

Implementing their well-thought-out escape plan they sped off, then doubled back past the store where the theft took place. Apparently so folks there could get a good second look at the car and their plate number.

Brilliant.

Within 20 minutes police caught up with the beer perps at a local home, the canned loot right there in the open in the dooryard.

When asked why they did it one of the men replied that he "thought it was a good idea at the time."

Guess you would, when your IQ is roughly equivalent to the alcohol content of the beer you ripped off.

Hmmm, speaking of beer, I do believe that's my brother (and today's turkey chef) coming towards me with the day's first adult beverage. How can I refuse such hospitality?!

Hope you all get lots of good eating and family-ing in. Time to relax. Much to be thankful for, for sure.

Maybe see you on the ski slopes later this weekend.

What's going on where you are today? This weekend?

With all the family-visiting, turkey and stuffing, beer and football going on this long weekend, one can be forgiven for being a little distracted.

Or just downright sleepy, depending on your own own personal tryptophan level.

But when you snap out of your turkey torpor, remember that the Downeast Ski Club Ski Sale Sale is going on Saturday from 8 to 5 at the Portland Expo.

There'll be plenty of poking around and bargain hunting to be done. And you may just come away with a couple of good deals on skis and accessories.

Remember too that both Sunday River and Sugarloaf are open for the holiday weekend. There isn't a great deal of snow or trails open yet, but won't it feel good to get out and take a few turns?

You bet. See you on the lift!

You got ski plans this weekend???

"There are now an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 turkeys living all over the state."

Uh, I'm not a biologist or anything, but I'd estimate there's a lot more than that. If you know what I mean.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

The Maine Huts and Trails System, a proposed recreation corridor stretching from Moosehead Lake to the Bethel area, just got another big fund raising boost.

The folks at New Balance just handed over a cool half mil to bring the total raised to date at $3.9 million.

Not bad a'tall.

I'm so excited to see this visionary project finally taking shape. And with some additional financial help, about $600K or so, the first phase of the hut system can proceed.

As a skier, hiker and paddler I can't wait to take advantage of this new, world class opportunity. I know many other outdoor enthusiasts feel the same.

So keep on rolling. Build it and we will come!

Do you plan to use the new huts and trails system when it's completed? By hiking, mountain biking, XC skiing or paddling?

Program note: If you want to get an up close and personal look at the Maine Huts and Trails system, consider attending the December 6th meeting of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club in Portland. Dave Herring, Executive Director of Maine Huts and Trails will be the featured speaker.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Yep.

And here's the first of more to come:

A proposal to tax our out-of-state visitors who come to Maine to see our natural, historical and cultural attractions.

That's the ticket. Make 'em pay more to eat and drink and sleep. Soak 'em baby.

And oh, by the way, that tax increase will also apply to the rest of us who happen to live here. And through some silly glitch in the human anatomy, must also eat and drink. And pay for lodging on weekends away.

Next item:

The canoe and kayak tax.

Uh huh. It's already been proposed by formerly anti-tax New Hampshire (I saw the article in yesterday's PPH, but I can't find the link. If you find it please forward to me. Thanks!), so a revival of the idea shouldn't be far behind for our own Maine legislature.

Just think, by this time next year, your canoe and/or kayak (I guess you'd be be considered wealthy if you owned both) might well sport a shiny new registration (tax) sticker.

And your tired old wallet will be that much lighter. Hey, why burden yourself with all that extra cash anyway?!

Yippee! Tax Me.!

A week ago Friday--an unexpected bonus day off for Veteran's Day--I shouldered my pack with trail goods for the day and dashed out the door a little before 8:30 AM. I passed by my car, ducked into Baxter Woods and headed for Forest Avenue.

My semi-warped plan: To hike as many Portland area trails as I could using only the METRO bus system.

Why do that and leave my perfectly good car behind in the driveway?

Easy.

Even a road warrior like me gets tired of driving. And since I was staying local why not use the local bus to get around?

A novel concept, eh?

Not really.

You can reach nearly every trail and preserve in the Portland Trails system by public transportation, using either the METRO or South Portland bus.

The bus is inexpensive, efficient, easy to use, saves on gas, is good for the environment, and it's downright entertaining. And you let someone else do the driving and traffic-hassling.

With that in mind, off I went on my bus and trail journey.

What a day it was!

All told, over the course of 8 hours:
* I took 6 METRO bus rides, utilizing the #2, #7, #5, and #4 buses.
* Hiked 12 on-trail miles while visiting 7 different trails and preserves: Gilsland Farm in Falmouth; Stroudwater Trail, Fore River Sanctuary, Capisic Pond Trail, Eastern Prom Trail, Back Cove Trail and Baxter Woods in Portland.
* And I walked 3 on-street miles through the city.

By the time I got home in early evening I was pretty tuckered. But happily so, having visited many of the most quiet and scenic natural places in Greater Portland.

Here's a quick photo tour of my METRO-Portland Trails hiking adventure...

METRO signs indicates stopping points and route numbers.

Fellow travelers getting on board at the Downtown [Portland] Transportation Center or "Pulse."

On the trip to Maine Audubon in Falmouth.

The Presumpscot River estuary from North Meadow, Gilsland Farm.

Buffalo grass swaying in the stiff November wind.

Portland Trails sign at the Stroudwater Trailhead, Outer Congress St.

Along the banks of the placid Stroudwater River.

Tumbling Jewell Falls in the Fore River Sanctuary.

Cattails bordering Capisic Pond.

The golden needles of a tamarack, Capisic Pond.

Along the Eastern Prom Trail on the edge of the Old Port.

A colorful old boxcar.

Gulls at East End Beach.

A favorite spot for alternative artists.

Sunset over I-295 and Back Cove.

The last bus pulls away at the close of a long fun day...

Do you spend much time hiking the urban trails of the Portland Trails system? Ever use public transportation to get around?

Just in case you've been out on the trail for awhile and haven't heard, friend and fellow blogger Colleen Stone of From Away fame is headed off to new environs, leaving the great state of Maine for...

...New Jersey.

More on that in a moment.

But first, some kudos and thanks to Colleen.

We, your friends and loyal readers, have truly enjoyed your observations of the ordinary around Portland and across Maine. How you've made the often mundane interesting and humorous and fun. You've been an eye and an ear to a slice of Maine life that we might otherwise have overlooked or ignored. And you've done it in exceptional style nearly every day for three entertaining and enjoyable years.

It's the 'little things' in life as you know, Colleen. And you have been reminding of us all of what a cool and special place we live in, and how important every day is, or should be.

Thanks! Big thanks!

For me and countless others, we'll miss that. From Away every day. And you.

But rather than blather embarrassingly on, let's get to the New Jersey thing.

Surely you've already been asked, "Jersey, eh? What exit?"

Ha ha.

Don't let 'em get to you Col.

It may not be Maine, but New Jersey is cool. You'll like it there.

I know. I was born there in Passaic. (That explains a lot you say, eh? Wise guys, all of you). And spent some quality time in Rutherford, in view of the New York City skyline.

It ain't all bad.

So when the going gets tough and people get on you, you send 'em to me. I'll help you stick up for Jersey. Or else I'll sic the Jersey Devil on them!

In order to properly acclimate and enjoy your new home there's a few things you need to know. And I'm here to help.

In no particular order:

* Mazur's Bakery in Lyndhurst has the best crumb buns and hard rolls on Earth.

* Taylor Pork Roll is pure New Jersey. Try it fried on a hard roll with ketchup. Yum!

* NJ has plenty of good beer. In a lot of locations. You'll be OK.

* The best delis anywhere are in NJ. German bologna, shredded lettuce and mayo on a hard roll. Oh!

* Ditto for NJ thin crust pizza. It's the first thing I must have when I visit. Two slices plain cheese. Oh yeah. Look for The Dayton in Garfield, if it's still there.

* There's miles of trails for hiking and biking and camping... Even a 50-mile section of the Appalachian Trail along the stunning Kittatinny Ridge. Imagine, long distance hiking in NJ!

* There are beaches in NJ. Plenty of them. You'll like Island Beach State Park, my favorite.

* Yes, you can even ski in NJ. What used to be called Great Gorge/Vernon Valley is now Mountain Creek. It gets crowded, but hey, you'll be skiing in the Garden State.

* Jersey City isn't too far from Newark Airport, so we'll be expecting you to visit "home" regularly. Dammit.

* And then there's the small matter of professional sports... Baseball. And football. A couple years in NJ and you too may end up on the Dark Side.

* But there's much more to know. Like this. And this.

Heck Colleen, you might like New Jersey so much you'll wanna get a tattoo!

Best of luck to you in your new job and home. Best to Paul. Stay in touch.

And we'll see you tomorrow night at Rosie's for a couple of send-off pints...

I want to believe that Mainers going to the polls the other day didn't have higher taxes in mind when they cast their ballots.

But that's very likely to be the result.

I mean, come on, there's a pretty clear track record that doesn't take a rocket scientist to properly analyse.

Did anyone bother to ask themselves why Maine's economy is perennially moribund? Why our state took an economic nosedive along with Louisiana last year, excepting the small fact that we didn't suffer a hurricane?

I don't get it.

But we sure did.

The likeable but ineffective fellow with the splotch of spaghetti sauce on his sleeve in the Blaine House gets to stay for another four years.

That's what a meager 38% decided anyway. Governor by default.

And the other fun and games people at the State House get to keep their keys to the tax-and-spend closet, as well as hand out a few more sets to their like-minded pals.

Oh, and that awful TABOR thing? Bah! Why mess up a good thing, right?

Big changes in Maine?

Not a chance.

Can you say "status quo"? I knew you could.

So what does this all have to do with us outdoorsfolks here at the Trailhead?

Nothing maybe. Or everything.

Besides the fact that it remains difficult for too, too many hard working people (uh, that would be you and me) to make a living in this state? And to keep hold of a smidgen of what they earn? So that they and their families might maybe enjoy some leisure time, quite possibly in the outdoors?

Nah, what does that trivial crap matter.

So bring it on, Augusta. And please make it hurt.

Here's a few ways to do it (new legislators please take note):

* Gimme higher fishing and hunting license fees (hint: "fees" is a code word for "taxes").
* Higher snowmobile and boat registration fees.
* Make me pay more for my guide licenses.
* Up the gas tax so it costs more to get to the mountains on the weekend.
* Hike the state park entrance and camping fees.
* Enact the canoe and kayak tax that you kicked around last year.
* Hell, put a tax on hiking boots like I asked.
* Increase the meals and lodging tax.
* Tax me on my taxes
* Take my wallet and beat me senseless

Blah, blah, blah, ad nausem...

Excuse me a minute, my doctor just called and has recommended a stiff increase in my medication. But I've politely declined. Instead I'm just going to go for a hike. The news can't reach me in the woods.

And you all? Well, enjoy your day!

I got outside early yesterday, into the fresh morning air, and hiked over to my polling place to do my civic duty.

But I see today's results and nowhere can I find where my candidates named "write-in" won any of the races.

{big, big sigh}

I'm glad it's over.

But then, is it really?

Think I'll start getting prepared...

A must-have for the ever-thirsty hiker: The hiking beer stein!

Maybe one will end up in my wool-poly blend X-mas stocking if I'm a good boy.

Please Santa, please.

Hmmm, now. Wonder if they have a Nalgene plastic version. You know, lightweight and all, for fastpacking?

Of course, they'll need to perfect freeze-dried beer for it to be truly useful...

Hey all, I just heard that local author Clint Willis will be speaking and signing books at Longfellow Books at Monument Square in downtown Portland tomorrow night, November 9th at 7PM.

Willis is the author of The Boys of Everest, a gripping account of Chris Bonington and his cronies and their three epic decades of daring climbing in the Himalayas and across the world.

A not-to-miss program for us mountain adventure lovers!

Forget the dank weather out there today... think snow and winter fun!

The ever outdoor-minded folks at L.L. Bean sure are.

They've got their annual Winter Sports Expo going on all this coming weekend, November 11-12, at the L.L. Bean retail store in Freeport.

From 9am to 5pm each day there'll be a host of demonstrations and exhibits, from ice sculptures and winter warmth and safety to clothing and ice fishing demos. And you can test out the lastest in snowshoes, too.

A variety of activities, clinics and presentations will also be going on. Learn about GPS technology, nordic ski waxing and winter overnight trips and more.

Climb Mount Everest with Beaner Bill Yeo, who'll present images and stories from his expedition to the world's highest peak last spring. That's Saturday evening at 7:30pm.

A potpourri of outdoors vendors and organizations will also be on hand plying their wares. And there will be seasonal demonstrations, activities for kids and books signings by local authors.

And don't miss the lighting of the holiday tree Saturday at 6pm complete with music by Randy Judkins, as well as hot cocoa and cider.

It's all good fun. It's all free. And it's a great way to get into the wintertime spirit.