Say it ain't so!

Ahh, but it is.

At little out-of-the-way Baker Mountain, which rises up out of the Kennebec River Valley just north of sleepy Bingham.

I've passed by the mountain countless times in summer on the way to The Forks for rafting and kayaking. It's right off a curve in the highway--the grassy slopes, the T-bar line and the old shed that must serve as the base lodge.

Honestly, I didn't know it operated anymore. I figured it was simply a relic of the past. But no... "Baker Mountain has been the place to be during winter vacations and weekends since 1937."

Yep, little Baker is alive and well and apparently quite happy selling lift tickets for the pint-size price of $6 for all the family skiing fun you could want.

Maybe without the flashy amenities and variety and vertical of the big slopes, but with a ton of charm and neighborliness I'll bet.

And that right there is enough to warrant a look-see.

Wish now that I hadn't thrown out my old straight Rossi boards and that classic pile of ski duds. Figure they'd probably fit right in at Baker...

Have any of you ol' time schussers ever graced the slopes of Baker Mountain?

Away a week ago in the milder climes of Texas I missed the initial skiing bonanza provided us by the Valentine's Day blizzard. I knew you all would be out there and I was some jealous.

But I finally made up the lost ground...

Saturday my good buddy Pete and I faced down a day of brutal winds to carve up the slopes of Sunday River but good.

Sunday River's Spruce Peak was looking good with the big snow.
All photos by Carey Kish

Most all of the double steeps, bereft of snow due to the wind, were a sheet of ice and thus closed. So, much to Pete's relief (he's getting a bit on in age) we were not able to make the double fault line of Shock Wave our first run.

Instead we cranked it up on Jibe, upper Obsession and Monday Mourning--a fine start to the day.

T-2 (still my favorite trail on the mountain) on the right side was fun as always. And next, Right Stuff provided the best snow and overall best run of the day.

I heard folks complaining about the ice, but it was really only the first few turns of the steeper runs. And even at that, you just had to dig the edge in a little more and you were fine.

Risky Business at Sunday River was in fine shape last Saturday.

American Express and Risky Business were in terrific shape and easily worth a number of runs each.

We finished off the day over on Aurora and Jordan with Northern Lights and Airglow (I made a detour down Black Hole which thrashed me good but was fun anyway) and a long sunny cruiser down Lollapalooza.

All good. Damn cold, but all good.

Apres ski thirst led us to the Sunday River Brew Pub, where we joined up with my friend EW and her Puzzle Mountain hiking crew and enjoyed a couple of pints and bowls of chili.

And, bonus! The very lovely Bailey Girls paid us a visit! Now that's my kind of apres ski, I tells ya.

The Bailey Girls entertained us at the Sunday River Brew Pub. And yes, you're right, I don't remember their names!

Sunday: Slept in. Made coffee. Jumped in the car (ski gear was still in there from the day before. Guess I could've made it even easier by sleeping in my ski clothes... Hmmm.) and dashed off to Attitash.

Well, technically I skipped Attitash and went straight to its sister mountain, Bear Peak.

And there, with the help of the Flying Bear Express Super Quad, I logged some 15,000 feet of vertical in just a couple of hours. Under beautiful blue skies and NO WIND. And killer views of the Presidential Range.

Mount Washington and the Presidential Range from the top of Bear Peak at Attitash.

Avenger is the best trail on Bear Peak, and you get a good look at it from the lift on the way up. Double black, varied and relentless, it was a hoot. The right edge, then the ridge between the edge and the bumps, then under the lift through crud and ice and rocks. Three straight blasts down Avenger and I thought I might be through for the day.

Looking at the double black Avenger from the Flying Bear quad, Bear Peak, Attitash.

But I couldn't leave without hitting Illusion, the long westerly cruise of Wandering Skis (including a brief dip in Broken Arrow Glade) and the challenging chute of Kachina Falls. Just below, Kachina's right edge was a treat, but demanded tight turns to avoid launching into the trees.

And so it went, and I nearly lost track of time. Now that's a good day on the skis.

Best snow of the day: Skier's left on Trillium, where I found untouched, glorious corduroy at 2 in the afternoon ( I went back for a second helping!).

Completely satisfied, I knocked off at 3PM, ostensibly the exact hour that the Red Parka Pub opens up down valley in Glen. Karma perhaps? One must wonder.

A couple of Long Trails served up in a mason jar, and an embarrassing amount of peanuts and popcorn later and the day was done. I put the car on auto-pilot and slept most of the drive home (hey, the Honda knows it's way).

How's the big snow been treating you?

You'll remember that last month we learned that the Cohos Trail, the magnificent 162-mile hiking route next door in New Hampshire, was being closed.

The reason: The lack of sufficient financial support necessary to keep the trail properly maintained and open, and to build the needed trail facilities such as shelters and the like.

Well, thankfully it was a short-lived closing!

Late last week I received the following uplifting message from Kim Nielsen, president and founder of the Cohos Trail Association:

"The Cohos Trail lives. We have reorganized the association and have some new blood--all volunteer blood... In fact, the notice of closure brought a storm of support from people who are in a position to make sure it doesn't close down again. So we will reopen the trail in 2007 and we will actually be expanding it another six or so miles and adding at least one cleared summit with a jaw-dropping view. Tell everyone, my good man!"

No problem there, Kim. I think I just did.

It's good news for all of us who love trails, whether they be here in Maine, New England or beyond.

Five bucks is five bucks!

Think $5 isn't much? It is when you gets hundreds and hundreds of caring trail enthusiasts to pull together and give a little.

The Cohos Trail Association is looking for as many trail supporters as possible to help with their $5 Fund Drive in the hopes of raising $5,000 to keep the Cohos Trail, "this big remote natural wonder of a trail moving forward."

Your $5 can be sent to: The Cohos Trail Association. 252 Westmoreland Rd., Spofford, NH 03462

I just sent mine. You?

Trails! They're good for you...
All photos by Carey Kish

Do you mountain bike or ride a road bike?

Then trails are important to you.

Do you hike, walk, run, jog?

Then trails are important to you.

Do you snowmobile or ride an ATV?

Then trails are important to you.

Do you enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing?

Then trails are important to you.

Are you an equestrian?

Then trails are important to you.

Are you a differently-abled person who likes to get outdoors?

Then trails are important to you.

Trails! They're good for me!

Where am I going with this?

I suspect that you already know.

Trails... They connect us to the past, carry us through the present, and represent a hopeful part of our future.

Regardless of how, when and where we recreate, we love them, we use them, we need them! And we might not even realize just how much, how important trails are to our lives, how good they are for us in so many ways.

But did you know that with current funding levels here in Maine it could take 75 to 100 years to build just the shared-use trails that have already been approved?

That's much too long.

And that's why the folks from the Trails for a Healthy Maine Coalition, together with hundreds of supporting organizations and concerned citizens are working hard to gain legislative support for a $10 million bond to fund these important shared-use trail projects sooner rather than later.

Trails! They're good for Maine's future!

Consider these facts from THM:

• Trails make for healthier Maine people because they combat physical inactivity by encouraging walking, bicycling, skating and running.
• Trails promote economic development and a higher quality of life in our communities. A trails bond is estimated to create more than 400 jobs.
• Trails encourage visitors to spend more time and money in Maine. MaineDOT figures show that bicycle tourism alone generates more than $66 million annually to the Maine economy.
• Trails connect our communities, homes and schools, and provide Maine people and visitors with safe and healthy transportation options.
• Trails that connect schools and neighborhoods encourage students to bike and walk more. It’s a fact that healthy, active kids grow up to become healthy, active adults.

It's time to make this most excellent and important investment that will pay big, big returns, don't you think?

I thought you'd agree.

So, what's the next step?

Trail enthusiasts of all stripes will be gathering for a press conference at the Maine State House next Tuesday, February 27 at 11:30am to support a $10 million Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond and to "highlight the importance of more funding for trails because more trails for Maine means a healthier people, economy, environment, transportation, and future."

Let's hope the good word gets heard by our decision makers! Just to be sure, if you think more shared-use trails are a good idea, maybe you'll want to contact your legislator and let he or she know.

Cabela's, the mega outdoor retailer, is set to plop down a huge store here in Maine at some point in the near future.

A 130,000 square foot store plus a variety of other retail and office space will complete the complex to be sited on Payne Road in Scarborough, not far from the Maine Turnpike.

I checked Cabela's online site, but couldn't find any new information on the proposed Maine location, but as far as I know, they're still coming.

I suspect that L.L. Bean and Kittery Trading Post might be a bit nervous, but hey, it's a free market economy. And I hope it proves strong enough to accomodate all comers, because competition helps keep everybody on the up-and-up, and prices down.

While I was visiting my Mom in Texas over the recent President's Day weekend I learned that a big Cabela's had opened a year or so ago on the outskirts of Fort Worth. So given Cabela's pending arrival on Maine soil, I thought we'd take a drive to the other side of Cowtown to check it out and give it a good look-see.

Well dee-yah, I've got to tell you, it was quite an impressive scene. Not just your ordinary retail sporting goods store. More of a shopping experience. Something along the lines of a mini-theme park.

Outside the Cabela's store in Fort Worth TX.
All photos by Carey Kish

I know that everything's bigger in Texas (or so Texans will tell you every time) but apparently the size of this store is Cabela's M-O. Sprawling indeed from the outside, cavernous on the inside.

Looking toward "Conservation Mountain" inside the cavernous Cabela's, Fort Worth TX.

We were immediately greeted by a smiley-happy employee (shades of Wal Mart?) who gave us a quick overview of the store, a map (yes, a map!), a full catalog, and a camping/backpacking specialty catalog (at my request). Then she sent us on our merry way to revel amongst the aisles.

The store is clearly geared to the sportsman (sportsperson?) with an abundance and assortment of hunting and fishing equipment that would make your head spin. Never mind the accessories and clothing, much of it blaze orange and camo.

Now mind you, I'm not hunter (nor do I play one on TV) and I don't fish anymore (although I would dearly love for someone to teach me fly fishing), But even I couldn't help poking deliciously through stuff I didn't need nor would I likely ever buy.

I did, however find a bargain (baaa-gan?) with a Cabela's brand leatherman, 2 for $9.99. Score! And 100' of much needed parachute cord. And Mom and I had a good measure of fun and a couple of belly laughs with the pop guns and big stuffed fish.

Mom takes aim at a deer with her pop gun.

Mom hooks the big one!

Conservation Mountain dominates the center of the store, with outdoor scenes and plenty of wildlife festooned on all sides of the mini-peak.

Upstairs I visited the camping department, a bit more to my liking, and found plenty of good quality, servicable equipment for the trail and campsite.

A swing through the food court (free samples of hot sausage), the footwear section and the museum and we were spent. So I paid for my goods and we breathlessly headed for the exit as if we'd been at an amusement park.

And happily hit the highway for home and a taste of Mom's pot roast...

Old time camping scene in Cabela's "museum."

So there you have it, a little something of what to expect when Cabela's comes to Maine...

For the last three seasons we skiers have had a pretty damn good deal going with the American Skiing Company and their All-For-One Pass.

I've had the Bronze Pass, and for a very affordable something under $400, and the option to ski not only Sugarloaf and Sunday River here in Maine, but Attitash in NH, and Killington, Pico and Mount Snow in Vermont, it's been unbeatable.

Killington and Pico have become an annual adventure. Killington, the sprawling mega-resort with almost (but not quite!) more black and blue trails than you can ski in a weekend. And Pico, the quaint, unassuming mountain next door, with surprisingly big vertical and adorable narrow, wooded trails.

And Attitash, my new favorite. As close to Portland as Sunday River for me. Parking at Bear Peak is a snap and with the great quad and awesome steeps you can get 10-12,000 feet of vertical in before lunch no problem. I like that.

But now there's a slight wrinkle in all this good skiing.

If you're a season pass holder you probably already got your "Dear Valued Pass Holder" letter from ASC.

Kinda gave me that "Dear John" feeling right off the bat, if you know what I mean. You too, eh?

Anyway, the scoop is this:

ASC is selling (or already has sold) Attitash and Mount Snow to a concern named Peak Resorts. And now Killington and Pico are on the block and going to SP Land Company LLC.

Great.

Now what?

Alas, ASC wants to "reassure you [and me] that during this transition period our resorts will remain focused on providing you with the terrific experience you have come to expect."

Thanks folks, I feel so reassured.

Not.

Since I know something about "marketing speak" let me take a stab at interpreting: "Get your cheap skiing in at our six resorts while you can 'cause next year you're gonna be s--t out of luck."

About right, you say?

Thought so.

Well, it was good while it lasted. Maybe ASC will cobble together some kind of pass deal with their former resorts for next season, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I am going to hold onto my wallet, however.

You've gotta give the Wilburs of Clinton an "A" for effort. For their love of skiing and their creativity in bringing the slopes closer to home.

The Wilburs "have turned their backyard into a ski terrain park complete with ski and snowboard jumps, a rope tow powered by a motorcycle, and a homemade groomer."

Okay, so it's not a black diamond trail. Or even a blue square. But it sure looks like good fun!

And besides, who else among us can claim a backyard ski park? Where you can step out your back door and take a few turns with your kids. And have free hot chocolate waiting for you in the kitchen when it's time to warm up.

And no lift lines!

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!

Wonder if Rob and Liz would mind if we stopped by for a couple of runs? And maybe a little aprés ski to boot...

In “Beauty of trail rightly protected,” (Maine Sunday Telegram, February 11, 2007) conservationist Bob Cummings applauds LURC for their recent decision to reject the wind power project proposed for the Redington Mountains near the Appalachian Trail.

Ditto that, Bob.

It was the right idea in the wrong location. Tall towers, whirring turbines, lights, access roads and transmission lines have no place in the fragile alpine environment of our high western mountains.

Wind power has a place in our energy future on a small scale, but locating it in acceptable areas has plagued many efforts. Mars Hill in Aroostook County is one example of a wind project judged acceptable to the local people, and is now a reality. Other acceptable areas might include our blueberry barrens, farmlands, mountains and ridges with existing development, and offshore along the coast.

I am curious, however, as to why the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (of which I am a member) so strongly opposed the Redington wind project, but has apparently voted NOT to oppose a similar project slated for Kibby Mountain, a peak off to the northwest in Kibby Township.

“Members recognized, rightly, that there is a difference between an in-your-face industrial development on ridges abutting the trail corridor, and proposals involving distant ridges,” writes Cummings.

Whoa.

So, just because Kibby Mountain is not located near the Appalachian Trail corridor, is a wind project there any less damaging to the alpine environment--that precious area generally above 2,700'--of that mountain?

I have not yet hiked Kibby Mountain, but I hope to. The AMC Maine Mountain Guide describes the mountain this way: “This remote mountain is in the heart of the wilderness area north of Flagstaff Lake, east of the Chain of Ponds, and south of the Canadian Atlantic RR.” On the 3,638 foot summit of Kibby “there is an old MFS fire tower stand with outstanding and extensive views of the surrounding wilderness.”

Hmmm. Sounds pretty appealing to me. And not exactly where I’d like to see an intrusive wind power project.

So, I’m curious: Why would the well-intentioned folks at the MATC think that wind power is not okay at Redington, but that Kibby can be sacrificed? With all due respect, that smacks disappointingly of its own sort of NIMBYism, don’t you think?

We don’t want wind power ruining our view from the AT, but just up the way we don’t mind if somebody else’s view, somebody else’s favorite mountain, gets marred by development.

It doesn’t jibe. We need to be more consistent.

Further, I wonder what the folks at the Friends of the Boundary Mountains, a local group fighting to keep wind projects off the border region’s peaks, including Kibby, think of such an endorsement by the MATC?

After an unfortunate jab at “our wasteful ways” and the NIMBYs that will use any excuse to “maintain their effortless comfort” in the face of “global warming,” Cummings closes with this: “Please remember that it is still not necessary to destroy the last wild places in order to save the planet.”

Heady charges, for sure. Paradoxically, if global warming were indeed the apocalyptic threat that many seem to believe it is, then why would any wind project meet opposition?

But I digress...

Regarding the issue of conserving our high elevation wildlands: Does not the alpine environment and wilderness character of Kibby Mountain deserve equal consideration by those of us who would protect similar “wild places” nearer to the AT?

Just yesterday I was whining (imagine!) to a friend that I was getting pretty sick and tired of the cold and wind and yet another winter with so little snow.

Gimme spring, I says. I mean, if we're not gonna have snow, let's get on with it, shorts and Tevas like.

Well, that was yesterday...

Now, with the forecast for the "big one" about to strike Maine hard tomorrow (shades of the '93 Storm of the Century perhaps?) I'm all excited for winter all over again.

You too, eh?

If all goes well it's predicted to be 8-12 inches on the coast, 18 inland, two feet in the mountains. Maybe more.

Woo-hoo!

I just love winter! Have I told you that?

Are you ready to go play in the snow?

For as many years as I can remember the Irving truck stop on Route 201 off I-95 in Fairfield has been a regular and friendly pitstop on the way the "the river."

Boaters--rafters, kayakers, canoeists; hikers, and recreation-seekers of all kinds could fuel up, get a decent meal, go to the john, and get a cup of coffee 24/7 before tackling the final 60 miles to The Forks and the Kennebec and Dead Rivers, the AT and whatnot.

But in the middle of the day yesterday the complex went up in flames in spectacular fashion and there doesn't appear to be much left.

Fortunately no one was hurt in the fire, but the landmark store is no more.

I'm going to miss the familiar place with the huge American flag fluttering about outside. The road trip up to the river now won't be quite the same. I hope the owners can and will rebuild.

You gonna miss the place, too?

More unintended consequences from where else? Augusta!

I know that shocks you, too, but...

Get this: Feed wild turkeys and deer with cracked corn from the local feed store and you may be fined. Do it again and you'll pay big, according to a proposed law.

Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, "submitted the bill on the behalf of a vegetable farmer in Greene whose crops suffered from deer that were attracted to the area by feed left for wild turkeys."

One legislator submits one bill to serve the complaint of one person. Nice going.

Uh, hello. That's not what you're there for! You're in Augusta to serve the greater public good, not individual special interests, even if it is a well-meaning vegetable farmer.

Another dumb piece of legislation on the books that can't be enforced. Even DIFW "questioned how easily such a law could be enforced."

How many hundreds more laws similar to this are concocted every session? More than you or I would really care to know about, I'll wager!

I was just last evening having a conversation with a friend where we both asked, "what if the Maine Legislature, never mind the U.S. Congress, took a couple of years off. No sessions, no meetings, no hearings, no new laws, no BS.

Would anybody notice? Would anybody care?

But I digress...

Back at the feedbag, complaints surrounding the bill are pouring in... "Farmers, gardeners and people who fear that their expensive shrubs will become meals for deer if their neighbors stop putting out feed."

The unintended consequeces of a poorly conceived idea.

People have been feeding deer and turkeys around their homes for a long time for the pure enjoyment of it, to make a simple connection with nature. Has the practice really been that harmful? So much so that we need another law?

Let this one go. Please.

Can't we all just get along, you and me and the deer and the antelope, er, turkey?

When I left Portland last Friday afternoon bound for some Vermont skiing, not a flake was to be seen. Despite the steel gray skies and damp chill in the air, the predicted storm lingered offshore somewhere.

Up Route 26 to Bethel. Still nothing. Across Route 2 to Gorham NH. Nada.

Hmmm.

The day's last light cast a glow over the lower flanks of the Prezzies, their peaks shrouded in clouds, as the Honda--loaded to the gills with skis, snowshoes, clothes, food and beer--chugged up the big hill to Jefferson.

Down the other side, past Santa's Village and Six Gun City, and on into Lancaster and...

SNOW!

A flake here, another there. Woo-hoo! The storm had followed me!

By the time I cruised the length of the main drag and made the familiar turn onto Railroad St. and into the yard of my pals' house, the snow was falling steadily.

Over the next hour, as my friends from afar trickled into the yard, the gentle snow wafted down.

And continue it did, throughout our night of revelry--our Nth "Big Chill" reunion of UMaine college friends--until six glorious inches lay atop the cars in the morning light.

Six inches of powder snow on the car--finally!
All photos by Carey Kish

Pots of coffee disappeared, stacks of sandwiches got made, warm clothes were donned and ski racks geared up. Off into the morning sun and cold we went, across the state line to Vermont and New England's best kept skiing secret--Burke Mountain.

Burke Mountain has a surprising 2,000 feet of vertical.

The upper mountain was a winter wonderland after the storm.

My Burke ski pals: Petey, Ralfy, Dave and Patty.

Fresh, fluffy powder blanketed the ungroomed slopes as we licked our lips and clicked into our skis. The new Sherburne Express quad chair whisked us up the lower beginner slopes, and after a short ski to the mid-Burke base we were again headed to the summit on the old familiar quad.

The mountain was a winter wonderland, the trees coated with white. Skiers hushed down beneath us, no scraping on any ice to be heard.

And from the top, again and again and again, we skied the narrow, wooded and winding trails that characterize Burke: Powderhorn and Wilderness, Big Dipper and Deer Run, Willoughby and Bears Den.

No trip to Burke would be complete without a swoop down the steeps and bumps of Doug's Drop, so we did (well, Ralfy and I did anyway--the others pooped out!). Fabulous.

And the crowds on this Saturday? Well, there weren't any. Never are. I don't know why and I don't care. I only know the place continues to draw enough people to operate every year and that's what matters.

The new owners have sunk some bucks into lodge renovations and the new quad, and have cut some fine new glades. Things look good. Bravo and thanks.

Ralfy showing off in the terrain park.

Looking out over fields and forests toward the impressive notch of Lake Willoughby.

One of the best kept secrets in New England skiing (shhh!!!)

A fine, full day's skiing under our belts, we retired to The Pub in the Sherburne Lodge for a couple pints while lounging on leather couches and chairs.

A big family-style dinner of lasagna, salad and garlic bread awaited us at Big Chill Central back in Lancaster, so we hit the road to rejoin our non-skiing friends.

Yet another fun evening followed, with a Maine-UNH hockey game on the tube, a wide variety of cocktails poured and consumed, and multiple trips to and from the hot tub made.

Sleep came easy. And after a big breakfast Sunday morning and more lazing about with these--some of my very best friends in the world--we were road-bound, already with plans for next summer ("Big Deck" and something about a wedding) and next winter's get-together.

Plenty o' lasagna for the hungry Big Chill crowd.

Dinnah with the Big Chill gang.

Big Chill R&Ring in the hot tub. Ahhh!

I hope that your weekend was just as much fun. How was the skiing over this way? Good snow?

Have you ever checked out Burke Mountain and its fun downhill and x-c skiing? If not, give it a try. It's a nice change from our home mountains and the scenery is awesome.

We talked a week or so ago about the tough job facing LURC in the coming months.

That maybe these folks are going to need a stiff drink or two and some time on a tropical beach somewhere when they're all through. Who could blame them?

They are, after all, responsible for zoning regulation of more than 10 million acres of "unorganized" townships in Maine. It's a hefty burden to shoulder, but that's their job.

In the current climate of fractionalization and turnover of land ownership, the pressure for short term returns by investors new to the land game, globalization of the timber industry and its decline here in Maine, increased pressure on the natural resource base by development concerns and recreational users of all stripes, it's a job I wouldn't relish.

Take a look at what's on LURCs plate in the near term alone:

* The Plum Creek plan for 1,000 house lots, 2 resorts and some 450,000 acres of conservation land
* Matt Poulstein's plan for a smaller scale resort near Millinocket Lake
* A wind power project in the Boundary Bald Mountains (Note: the Redington wind project near the AT went down by a 6-1 margin last week after LURCs staff had given it the green light).
* Review and revisions to LURCs 10-year comp plan
* Never mind the permitting review of a multitude of other smaller projects

How do you think LURCs land use decisions will affect the future of Maine's North Woods?
Photo by Carey Kish

Do the LURC folks have the resources they need to meet the demands placed on them?

Hard telling. And it depends on who you ask.

There isn't a state agency worth its salt that wouldn't take more money and manpower if offered. But this state is in no position to dole out any extras at this point.

Director Catherine Carroll seems to indicate that LURC can-do and will make-do just fine with the resources at hand.

Others, like RESTORE, question whether the agency is "understaffed and overworked" and don't seem to like the agency's perceived rubber-stamp approach to some development projects.

Who's right? What to do?

Development--where, when and how it is allowed--will largely determine what Maine's North Woods will look like in the future. And those decisions are the purview of LURC, its staff and directors.

But remember, LURC doesn't work in a vacuum. It's work is more in the public eye than ever. And the process allows for plenty of public input along the way, something Mainers are pretty darn good at.

That's why I have faith in their competence and professionalism and with that, trust that they can and will make the right decisions.

What do you think?

Try a weekend at a yurt in the 11,000 acre backcountry of The Birches Resort at Moosehead Lake.

I spent last weekend up there camped out in the sub-zero cold, but was plenty warm and cozy in my simple yurt.

The Overlook Yurt, my home-away-from-home last weekend, The Birches, Moosehead Lake.
Photo by Carey Kish

I packed in a sled full of goods on Friday night and enjoyed a most excellent solo evening--just me and the cranking woodstove, a delicious meal of beans and hot dogs, an awesome book (I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven) and one sweet rocking chair.

Saturday I strapped on the x-c skis and cruised a nice long loop of the extensive trail network while waiting for my pals Stryder and EW to arrive.

Ostensibly, they pulled in precisely at happy hour! And together we enjoyed a fun evening of socializing and chowing down at the main lodge, which we reached via snowshoes.

Then we closed out the weekend with a lazy Sunday of big breakfasting, followed by an afternoon of good skiing.

The Birches, located between Moosehead and Brassua Lakes, is a wonderful spot, and holing up in a yurt is quite the wilderness experience. Owner John Willard runs a fine operation--many thanks!

More pics and stories on yurtin' to come next week...

It's Thursday. Might as well be the weekend. I mean come on, let's get on with it already...

Given my half-unpacked from last weekend, half-packed for this weekend state of disarray, I don't have much today, but here's a few tidbits you may be interested in:

Traveling in Newfoundland and Labrador
If you missed the great Portland Trails annual meeting last week and Dick Anderson's program on the IAT, well, you've got another shot. Tonight at 7 PM at the monthly Traveler's Club at the Maine Audubon Gilsand Farm Center in Falmouth. It's a terrific show!

17th Annual National Toboggan Championships
The Camden Snow Bowl is hosting this wild event this coming weekend. Register your own toboggan team and join in the competition or just come to watch. It's a hoot! And maybe get in a little skiing on the quaint trails of the Snow Bowl.

"After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer"
Yup, beer for dogs. Who woulda thunk it? A 'Kwispelbier' made with beef extract and malt. Yummers! I'd prefer a pale ale myself. But then I'm not a dog. Not that kind anyway.

Studying climate change
It's good to know somebody is looking into why we don't seem to get much snow these days.

Extreme snowboarding anyone?
Cool. Looks pretty doable, eh?

Rubbing antlers with the high-brow deer
Now that's a ski shack, wouldn't you say! I think I could make do there...

Snow reports A-OK at Maine's ski areas
Despite the dearth of snowfall this winter Maine's ski areas are making do pretty well. Conditions for this weekend are promising, so pick your favorite slopes and get on out there! And we might even pick up some of the natural stuff out of this Friday storm. Wouldn't that be a bonus!

Shawnee Peak happenings
Friday night up in Bridgton Shawnee Peak is holding its Moolight Charity Challenge, while Saturday is the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a great day of racing for the whole family. It's all good fun for good causes.

The Big Chill & skiing at Burke Mountain, Vermont
That's the weekend's plan for this boy. A weekend luau of sorts with college friends (our 20-somethingth "Big Chill" event in a row) in Lancaster NH, complete with limitless amounts of food, music, laughs and a hot tub. And a day's fine skiing at one of my favorite areas, Burke Mountain in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I might even pop into Wildcat on the ride home Sunday afternoon for a few runs down the steeps.

Finally, an aside...
I was sadly reminded this week of how precious every day of this life is. A dear friend and former colleague of mine in California lost his 26 year old son, a tragedy no parent should have to face. My heart goes out to him and his family. Folks, just a reminder: Every day is a gift, for there is no guarantee of a tomorrow. For ourselves and those we love and care about. Get up each day and live it, fully, consciously, with spirit. Know that life is the best game in town. Be happy. Be loving. And make sure those close to you know how you feel.

What's going on this weekend with you, my Trail Head friends?