The Baxter State Park Trip: Part Two August 2013.

                                                                                    The Hike:

We went for a five mile hike, and the scenery was beautiful.  Colleen got many pictures of the wildlife, the ponds, and the mountains.  The first pond we came to had a cow moose grazing in the water.  It just ignored all the tourists and hikers and just ate.  Colleen and I got about a dozen good pictures, and moved on.  Later on in the hike another moose crossed our path just ten yards in front of Sean. I have never seen Sean's eyes ever looked so shocked in my life.  Colleen and I went off the trail, and got some really good pictures of the moose.  We took pictures of the moose until the wind changed direction, and it noticed us.  The moose's head came up from feeding, and looked at us.  A voice in my head said, "Time to go".  I whispered to Colleen, "Lets go".  Colleen initially wanted to stay and take more pictures, but I was insistent.  We backed away slowly and quietly.  Standing less than 25 yards from an animal like that is something I will remember for the rest of my life. 

Time To Go.

Me Getting Started Down the Rapids

The Rapids:

Later in the day we went swimming in the rapids.  The rocks in the stream were worn smooth by the flowing water.   Going down the rapids was like riding a natural water slide.   Sean and I both loved it.  The water still freezing cold in August.  Sean and the other boy wanted to get out of the water while in the strong current, so we had to make a human chain to get them out.  No one was in danger
they just wanted out of the water without going further down stream where the water was calmer.

Human Chain

Time To Go Home:

Sean was torn between going home and going brook trout fishing, but could not decide which he wanted to do. As a result we did not spend another night at Baxter.  It was a wonderful trip and I want to repeat it.  Sean regretted going home early and would like to go back.  We are all in better shape now, and would like to go back and hike to the top of Mount Katadin the next time we stay.  If you have a chance to visit Baxter State Park please go and see it.  You will not regret the trip.  Until next time keep your knives sharp and your powder dry.

Me In The Rapids

New Place to Hike: Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust

Approaching Dead River

The Dead River Picnic Area

Last year Colleen and I found a new place to hike.  It was Colleen's first real hike and she did well.  The Kenduskeag Steam hike was all flat.   Collen found the place for us and it is an easy hike until you start up the mountain, and even then it is not too bad.  Colleen and I are in better shape now so it would be even easier now for us.  The trail lakes a long winding route around the mountain until the last 1.1 mile when you really just head straight up it.  The first part of the winding trail takes you by Dead River if you go left down the hill you can walk right down to Dead River.   If you go down the hill you will find a picnic table and a small barbeque grill where you can have a small fire.   The picture below shows the view from the picnic area.  The picnic table and barbeque are behind me to my left.  It is very peaceful and totally worth the steep climb up and down the trail on this little side trip.

Start of The Hike Up Mountain

The part of the trail before you start up the hill is almost like logging road and easy to walking.  The real trail at least in my minds looks like the first picture on left.  That seems like the real start up the mountain.  If you notice the steep incline going up you will see that Colleen is going to have some problems with her choice of footwear.  She did not have hiking boots, so she wore a pair of her running shoes.  She has a bare foot style of Brooks running shoes that offered minimal support.  Her feet and ankles were going get beat up on the walk down the hill.  I had on a pair of Asics stability shoes that offered a lot of support.  We decided to get her a pair of hiking boots before the next hike like this.  The view from the top was amazing.  This was the hike that got Colleen is hooked on hiking.  If you are in Maine this is a nice place to check out.  There also great swimming, and other hikes.  Until next time keep you knives sharp and you powder dry.

Me at the Top

A Very Self Satisfied Colleen

Penobscot Narrows Bride in Upper Right of Picture

Kenduskeag Stream Hike

Yesterday I went for a hike with the lovely Colleen. We started out behind my house on the snowmobile trail and followed it for a mile till it merged with the Kenduskeag Stream trail.  We covered 8 miles there and back.  It was a beautiful day to be alive, outdoors, and in good company.  I was able to try out the panorama feature of my iPhone and it is awesome.