Is your cubicle at work starting to feel a little small? Inching closer in on you, causing a twinge of claustrophobia maybe?

We all go through it. Sometimes you look around at the same four walls, the same pile of papers on the desk, the same annoying person in the cubie next to you... and you think, what the heck am I doing?

You love the outdoors. Spend gobs of time out there.

What if you could work in the outdoors, with the outdoors, for the outdoors?

You know, like for money and all.

Want to get away (thanks Southwest Airlines)? Well, maybe you can.

What if you could work in the great outdoors? Could you? Would you?
Carey Kish photo

I was surfing around the other day and happened upon a host of cool jobs in the outdoors, three right here in Maine, another next door in NH, and one based in Boston. Very good jobs, doing some very good things. Right there on the Maine Land Trust Network website.

Now mind you, I love my day job, and I've got no plans for moving on, but even I had to stand up and take notice. And I hope you will, too. Because if you've got the resume to match up for one of these, you are in some kind of luck.

We're talking dream jobs here. Not riches, but serious fulfillment. And fun. In the outdoors, need I remind you.

Want to be the director of the Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area in Phippsburg? Working cooperatively to support research, teaching and experiential education opportunities at and related to these sites? In charge of the 600-acre conservation area and the Coastal Center, a Bates College-owned instructional and retreat facility?

Could happen if you have the right program and/or facilities management, relationship-building, educational partnership, and environmental engagement background.

Heard of the Maine Huts and Trails project? Sure you have. A big dream--and now a reality in process--of building a series of backcountry huts along a trail system from Moosehead Lake to the Mahoosucs. How cool is that?

Very.

Want to be the Maine Huts and Trails Operations Manager, "responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of the hut and trail operations"?

You can be if you've got the communication, problem-solving and strong leadership skills they're looking for.

Perhaps you're heavy into maps and technically savvy with GIS, or geographic information systems technology. Then you'd probably be interested in the New Hampshire Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the GIS & Conservation Information Manager position.

There you'd manage "the compilation, assembly, storage, maintenance, retrieval, and use of digital data, reports, maps, and other conservation information," or in laymen's terms, you'd get to play with cool maps all day, and probably have to spend a good deal of time out in the field, too. Tough duty, eh?

You might want to look into becoming the Conservation Resources Advisor for the Maine Association of Conservation Commissions. There you will work on the municipal level, performing research and educating the public on local land conservation in southern Maine.

Then there's the Executive Director for the Northeast Wilderness Trust, a "regional land trust working to preserve and restore forever-wild landscapes for wildlife and people." Good organizational leadership, fundraising experience, and financial management skills may just land you an interview and more.

Finally, there's the Georges River Land Trust and a job as Executive Director of that fine organization up the coast in Rockland. I just love these folks and what they've done, where "over 1500 acres of lands are now under conservation and the developing Georges Highland Path system provides over 37 miles of hiking trails connecting people with the land." If you've been on their trails you know the story.

The GRLT seeks an "experienced and seasoned leader with vision, passion and a background of accomplishment in land conservation."

Are they describing you?

So now, how's that resume update coming? Good, good, I see. That's right, send it along now. You never know until you try. What price your dreams???

Think of that slogan of the Maine State Lottery... "you can't win if you don't entah!"

Life is short. Do it.

C'mon skiers! Snap out of that turkey-induced slumber, click off the tube, get off the couch and get to the slopes. Ski season is here!

Sugarloaf is open top to bottom!
Carey Kish photo

Last weekend Sugarloaf, with the aid of Mother Nature's own white stuff and some heavy duty snowmaking, offered up nearly top to bottom skiing on Tote Road, Sluice and Lower Winter's Way, off the Super Quad, Double Runner and Spillway West chair lifts.

It was cold and windy but the early season skiers were out in force and it was a blast! Conditions were variable, of course, and I was glad I had my older skis with me so I could just bomb over everything without nary a care. Ahhh, November skiing!

Snow guns pumping out the snow on Boardwalk.
Carey Kish photo

Sun and skiing off the Super Quad on Tote Road
Carey Kish photo

The view from Sluice.
Carey Kish photo

Today, skiers and riders can take it to 9 trails serviced by 4 lifts. Upper Narrow Gauge is open and the Spillway East chair is cranking, too. By the weekend the Loaf plans to open more terrain, including two of my personal favorites, King's Landing and Hayburner.

"A new pumphouse has boosted water pumping capacity for our snowmaking system, said Bill Swain, Sugarloaf's Communications Manager. "And we've added 70 new low-energy snow guns to help us make a greater quantity of snow in less time."

But that's just part of the $4 million in improvements at Sugarloaf that are in the works since the mountain transitioned ownership from ASC to Boyne last August.

Two new state-of-the-art groomers will add extra grooming capacity. Bullwinkle's, that venerable on-mountain watering hole, is more than doubling in size to add seating capacity. The Sugarloaf Hotel is getting a new covered entrance as well as some indoor improvements for guests. The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center is being renovated and expanded, doubling is size and including a skating rink. Finally, it be easier than ever to get around the mountain and its local environs on the Sugarloaf Explorer, a brand spanking new transit system that began operation today.

The move to Boyne ownership has been a very positive one, and going forward things look terrific, says Swain. "We're moving to make Sugarloaf as good as it can be."

Roger that, Bill. That all sounds mighty good to this die-hard Sugarloaf lover.

The only disappointment I can register from my recent visit was that The Bag did not yet have any Pick Pole Pale Ale ready. I was forced to slake my apres ski thirst with a Bag Brown Ale (good). Then I wandered way off trail, amusing myself with a cheap green longneck of Ballantine and the picto-puzzle in the bottle cap (I solved it). Hey, what can I say?! Growing up was never high on my to-do list, sorry. (Bag big-wigs promised me that the Pick Pole will be flowing very soon. Bless you.).

Have you hit the slopes yet this ski season? Where?

On this cold and dreary November day here's a story that is sure to warm your heart...

Fed up with the "daily media drumbeat... too focused on war, crime, poverty and assorted social ills," Oregon rancher Bill Inman "decided to show there's more to America than the doom-and-gloom on the nightly news."

So Inman set out on his horse and started riding east to see what he could see and discover the "hardworking, honest everyday people in America."

God love you Bill Inman!

Amid the din of bad news piercing our consciousness 24/7/365 it's all too easy to lose sight of the good in our country; to be swept up into the stream of negativity, and forget how lucky we are to be Americans.

Ride on Bill, into the heart and soul of America. Defy the naysayers and newsmongers who tell us America is no good. Reinforce what we already know, that which rarely gets focused on anymore: that we are a good people, a gentle people, a benevolent nation.

Get out there as Inman has, off the beaten track if you will, on horseback or foot or bike or whatever. And as soon as you slow down and look around and talk to people you begin to discover, or rather re-discover, how wonderful a place we live in and how good a people we are.

Let the nightly news blather on. Out where Inman rides, that's the real America.

Keep us posted Bill. We want to hear more of your journeys. Safe traveling my good man!

PFDs. Personal floatation devices. Life jackets.

Call them what you will.

If you're not wearing one when out recreating on the water, you take a huge risk. Should you have an accident and end up in the water, your chances of survival are greatly reduced if you're not wearing a PFD.

It's Survival in the Water 101.

Sadly, we experienced yet another tragedy this weekend, when a Waterville man boating on Great Pond in Belgrade drowned after his craft capsized.

"Their boat became overloaded and a wave came up and literally flipped the boat over."

Thomas Kopp did not survive.

"Neither Thomas nor Michael Kopp was wearing a life jacket."

How very sad. And unfortunate. And needless.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Mr. Kopp. We are so sorry for your loss.

A tragic mistake. One that is all too often repeated.

Boating season is fast coming to an end. But snowmobile and ice fishing seasons are fast approaching. When will we read of the first death(s) of people venturing out onto the ice in unsafe conditions?

It's much the same thing. Why do people do it? It's not like we don't know these things that can help us avoid tragedy and keep us safe. But we choose to ignore them with horrible consequences.

I don't get it.

Please take heed. Don't be a statistic. THINK, and LIVE.

Do you wear your life jacket when boating or paddling? If you snowmobile or ice fish what safety precautions do you take?

It's a question I've pondered for awhile now. An idea that has percolated in my brain ski season after ski season.

Hmmm...

Would it actually be possible to criss-cross the state and get in at least one run at every ski area, all 17 of them (who knew?), from Sunday River in Bethel to Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley; from Lonesome Pines in Fort Kent to the Camden Snow Bowl?

Dunno.

It sounds like an exciting challenge, wouldn't you say? Bordering on the insane, perhaps, but exciting nonetheless. It's certainly worth a try. And it's finally going to happen this winter. Which, by the way, appears to be officially open for downhill skiing as of this coming weekend.

You see, earlier this year I pitched the idea to Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association, Maine's ski industry umbrella organization that does the heavy lifting of promoting skiing throughout the state. Such a big project was going to need a sponsor, and Ski Maine was the logical place to turn.

Sweetser, eyes wide and internal gears turning hard, bought right into the concept--a grand tour of Maine's ski mountains--and has since been working hard to assemble all the pieces to make it happen.

At least one run at all 17 downhill ski areas, big, medium and small. Nearly 1,000 miles of driving (there's going to be a team of us crazy skiers, so we'll be carpooling to keep it "green"), seeing the sights of Maine in winter time. All in one mid-January weekend (guaranteed frigid, you just know it).

There's still plenty of work to do to connect the dots and pull it all together. I'll keep you posted on the details as they get finalized.

It's going to be one heckuva fun time, and I can't wait to get cranking and carve some turns...

What do you think? Can we do it?

Settle into a comfy chair, kick your shoes off, and soak up the warmth of the woodstove while you listen to author John Neff share some tales about our beloved mountain, Katahdin.

Mount Katahdin from Grassy Pond, Baxter State Park.
Carey Kish photo

That's right, Wednesday night at the monthly meeting of MOAC, the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, in Portland starting at 7 PM.

John'll be there with copies of his new book Katahdin: An Historic Journey and a pocket full of tales and tidbits, anecdotes and asides on Maine's iconic mountain.

Image courtesy Appalachian Mountain Club

The comfy chair and the woods stove may be just my imagination, but it sort of sets the right stage for what will no doubt be a fun evening. You get the idea.

Neff, a retired Methodist minister, past president of the MATC and founding member of the Friends of Baxter State Park, will engage us with some "storytelling and readings - some from the book, some little known surprises - all revealing the extraordinary richness of the history of the Katahdin region."

Says the AMC about Neff's book: "Superbly researched and written, this new book takes readers on a journey through this renowned mountain's history, legend, and legacy. From Native American legends to the first colonial surveys, Thoreau's journeys to logging and trail development, Neff's narrative bridges the mountain's past and today's continuing opportunities for conservation and recreation in Maine's spectacular North Woods."

'Nuff said. See you there.

What do you love about Maine's Mount Katahdin?

Yes, it's pouring down cats and dogs out there. No matter. That's why you own all that expensive Gore-Tex rainwear and fleece.

So button up and take a hike on over to your local polling place and cast your vote. Exercise your body and then exercise your citizen conscience. A healthy combo.

I did just that earlier. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

My ballot on this elect-shun day included more write-in votes than normal. One for Mickey Mouse, another for Superman, one for Dumbo.

Given the increasingly embarrassing state of affairs in this urban political circus under which I am governed (otherwise known as Portland) I figured that my cartoon character choices might do just as well in office as real people in this era of non-decisions and bad decisions.

That said, I hear tell that this storm might well bring some real snow up in the mountains. Skiing can't be very far off. Now that's something to get cheery about!

Toodles.

Sunset last evening was amazing here on the edge of Baxter Woods. To the west streaks of pink across a deepening blue sky. To the east the tree tops ablaze with a brilliant golden light. A fine Friday happy hour show if ever there was one.

Carey Kish photo

Carey Kish photo

This morning dawned classic gray November, cold on the nose as I walked, hands in pockets, through Evergreen Cemetery to the duck pond in the far corner, a favorite spot.

Carey Kish photo

My mallard friends were there, glad to see me apparently, their plump figures bobbing and weaving across the water. I had nothing to offer but a smile and a hello but they didn't seem disappointed.

Carey Kish photo

It was calm as I circled the pond and headed back through the tombstones. The calm before the storm, a nor-easter of sorts predicted for the afternoon.

It's dark now and the storm has arrived in earnest. Pelting rain and swirling gusts. By morning the tree branches will be bare, our fall colors in shifting piles along the street, to be picked up by the winds and carried off.

The march toward winter moves inexorably on.

So it goes.

Carey Kish photo

Bad idea.

But not so, according to officials at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Yep, sitting there at breakfast the other morning, quite relaxed, reading the paper, cup of coffee and bagel half stuffed into my maw, I read the latest take on saving people from themselves in Maine's out-of-doors:

"We are now telling people who plan to be involved in outdoor activities to take their cell phone, especially if they will be in remote areas," said Mark Michaud of the Maine DIF&W.

{Coffee spilled, and bagel chunk spit out onto the floor here}

Jeez, you've just gotta continue to wonder what the heck is in the water up there in Augusta! (Note to self: When in Augusta drink bottled water only. Or beer.)

Where do I start?

First of all, what good is a cell phone in remote areas? For chrissake it only works half the time out on our heavily-traveled highway corridors.

Claims are that a cell phone with advanced technology has a GPS chip embedded in it, and that when turned on, can help locate a lost outdoorsperson.

If a signal can be picked up. And exactly how likely is that in the back-of-beyond?

Not very.

I was out hiking last weekend in a remote region along the Maine-NH border. At one point during the day I happened to reach back and feel my cell phone still in my back pocket.

Did I have it along to rely on in case of an emergency? Not hardly, bub.

I'd forgotten to empty my pockets and hence it made the trip with me. And just for yucks I flipped it open to see if I had a signal. Nothing.

Good thing I wasn't in trouble, eh?!

Let me tell you a little something about cell phone use in the backcountry: Crap!

There's nothing I loathe more than some shmuck atop a 4000-foot peak on his cell phone yakking at high volume: "Hey honey, you'll never guess where I am?!"

Cell phones in the woods? Nada.
Image courtesy StickerGiant.com

But that's not the real problem.

It's giving Joe and Jane Hiker the idea that he/she can blast off into the woods willy-nilly and no matter what happens, one quick call on the cell phone and voila! Salvation will arrive and rescue them from their own stupidity.

Do you really believe this is the way to go? Something that our outdoor officials should be promoting?

I think not.

The alternative?

Hold on to your hats here, folks.

The most important piece of equipment a person can take into the backcountry with them is...

A brain.

It must be turned on, of course. And while out hiking, paddling, x-c skiing or whatever it must be used to observe one's surroundings, consider the weather and its variability and compensate appropriately, monitor the physical functioning of the individual and other group members, and formulate and carry out a continually changing plan that ultimately ensures one's own safety and survival.

Emphasis on "one's own." Who in their right mind would enter the backcountry thinking frivilously--and dangerously I might add--that, hey, if anything happens somebody will come and fish me out. That's exactly how countless numbers of people and their hoped-for rescuers have perished.

No piece of technology is more important in the outdoors than the brain. Bring it with you every time you go out and use it. It will save your life.

Gadgets fail. Batteries die. But a well-prepared, well-fed, well-clothed, well-hydrated outdoorsperson will always have the advantage in a tough situation.

Don't fall into this innocuous trap. Rely on yourself and your know-how, otherwise referred to as common sense. Yes, technology is cool. Except when it doesn't work.

Feed you brain and it will work every time. And there's a high probability it will keep you out of trouble, too.

What do you think of cell phones in the backcountry? Had an occasion to use one in an emergency?