Ice Fishing on Patten Pond, March 2016

When we’re hiking or mountain climbing in Maine, we travel as light as we can possibly get by with to safely make it in the wilderness for two or three days. Yet, a day of ice fishing takes a small village. We traveled to Talmadge, Maine last Saturday to fish Patten Pond. It’s COLD being out on the ice for hours, so being properly geared up and prepared is very important. Robin and Steve brought their handy Eskimo pop-up shelter, stove and a couple of heavy-duty ice augers, which were pulled easily across the ice on sleds. With a few ice chests full of supplies, chairs and lots of coats, blankets, hats and gloves, we set up a nice little camp to enjoy the day!

Ice Fishing Village

The wind was wicked and the ice slick enough for skating, but the temperatures weren’t terrible for a Maine winter day. Several times, chairs, ice chest and the smaller sled started drifting away in the wind blowing harshly across the ice. Dennis and Alexander took off to retrieve them, while the girls and I held on to the remaining gear and Robin and Steve worked to secure the shelter. After two attempts to get the shelter staked down in a safe spot with the wind whipping it around, we were all set and able to get on to the task of setting the ice traps so we could catch some fish.

Holding down the fort!

The ice was so slick that it was very difficult to stay on our feet without creepers on our boots. It was smooth and wet, making for treacherous walking conditions in most places. It’s amazing the difference made by adding “studded snow tires” to your boots. I didn’t dare even try to go without.

I would never have been able to stay on my feet on the slippery ice without creepers on my boots.

Victoria wasn’t thrilled about being out on the cold, creaking, slippery ice. She felt very insecure and uncomfortable, so she hovered in the warmth of the tent most of the day. She loves to fish, but she prefers to fish during the warmer months when she can go out in her shorts and flip flops and settle on the grassy bank of a trout pond or in a canoe. And that’s alright! Find any way you can to enjoy the outdoors and make it your own. Just GET OUT THERE and enjoy it!

Dennis, Steve and Alexander started the task of drilling holes, and we started hauling the traps and bait out. We ended up with a dozen or so traps set, so we spread our odds as far we could across the pond.

In our family, you bait and set your own hooks and traps. You hook it, reel in and even gut your own fish! If you need help, you’re taught and shown how, then you do it yourself. That’s the rule. As a matter of fact, Liv was the first person in our family to learn to clean fish. She was only nine years old at the time!

On Saturday, she was also the first person to catch a fish! That’s my girl!

It was a great day of family fun, sunshine reflecting off glistening ice, eagles soaring overhead and fresh caught food to take home. Robin and Steve always go the extra mile to make sure everyone can safely enjoy our outings. She was the first person to ever ask me, “Do you want to go ice fishing?!” And we were hooked! I’m forever grateful for Robin, this sister and kindred spirit who introduced me to the outdoors lifestyle I now couldn’t possibly live without!

For even more adventures shared by Robin, please visit her site at: RobinFollette.com

My husband, Dennis, landed this great catch!

Alexander’s prize!

A good catch!

It’s hard to beat a day outdoors – any day, any season – when you’re privileged to live in the Maine woods.

Till next time…

 

Alexander’s First Hunt

Alexander is sooooo excited to be out hunting today.  He has been waiting since I can remember for that magic tenth year of life to roll around. He has followed me traipsing through the woods and sitting on stumps on many occasions while I hunted. He always wants to carry my rifle or shotgun, just so he can pretend. How many times I’ve said, “Sorry, son. You can’t do that. You’ll be ten soon and get to hunt with your own gun!” Of course, he felt it would never come soon enough.

Alexander’s 1st Hunt

I heard him telling a friend at school the other day, “Yeah, Saturday I’ll be huntin’ with my mom and dad. I’m gonna get a buck. A BIG buck.” 🙂 I hope he does! Fresh deer meat in the freezer would be awesome.

In Maine, youth hunting begins at 10 years of age, however, legislation was recently passed removing that restriction. Beginning in January 1, 2016, an entire new generation of hunters will begin an exciting year. A family heritage we are so proud to honor and to protect will be continued.

For information on obtaining your Maine hunting license, to review all current guidelines and follow as they change, please visit: Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Air Rescue on Mount Katahdin’s Dudley Trail – Sunday, June 22, 2014

Chimney Pond, Baxter State Park

We go for the fun, the experience and to see the things we can only see from 5,000 or so feet in the air.

Views from Mount Katahdin

It’s the toughest physical challenge I’ve ever faced. Mountain climbing is not for the faint of heart but well worth the rewards. It’s also a dangerous sport, not to be taken lightly. Our degree of physical conditioning, difficulty of the terrain and sudden weather changes can’t always be predicted or controlled. Trails prove more difficult and time consuming than you sometimes expect. Flashlights for the “just in case we don’t make it back before dark” are an absolute must. We used ours this weekend. Accidents happen, and people get hurt. Sometimes people die.

Dudley Trail, Mount Katahdin

We climbed up the Dudley Trail, starting very early Sunday morning. Dennis and I are slower than the 20 year olds who bounce past us on trails, hurdling over rocks and boulders like they have springs in their shoes. I sometimes tease and poke fun at them when they speak to us. Fellow expeditioners seem to be quite a friendly and respectful group, so greetings and a few sentiments pass with most people who meet us on a trail. I called one of them a show-off as he was hopping down the rocks past us. He just looked up and grinned. When three older men breezed past us Sunday morning, I just shook my head, put my hand on my hip and thought, ‘Figures. They’re even faster than me! But I’m doing it, damn it. That’s something.”

Working our way up Dudley Trail, not even halfway to the top

I remember his face clearly. I moved over on the rock we shared for a brief moment to let him pass and told him to go ahead so he could catch up with his group. His face showed as much strain as mine did. I felt his pain! An hour or so later, we came upon a scene that turned my stomach.

The gray haired man was laying covered in layer after layer of blankets. There were blood stains on several rocks above him. He was moaning in pain. He didn’t speak English. We learned from his two friends that he is French Canadian. Several other hikers were sitting and standing around, waiting to see what they could do to help until the park ranger arrived from Chimney Pond. Dennis asked if they needed sleeping bags or an air pad. They had done all they could do until further helped arrived. He had fallen from a rock face, the rock face we were getting ready to climb, and landed 20 feet or so below in a crevice. He was bleeding from his head in several places, complaining of head and neck pain and couldn’t feel his legs.

I doubt it happens often in these situations, but there was a doctor standing at his head, working to stabilize him, keeping a check on his waning pulse. The doctor spoke French and kept him communicating as needed. No, I doubt it happens often, but what a relief that this particular doctor was on this particular mountain on this particular day.

The ranger arrived and took charge of the scene, communicating via radio with the rescue teams. Maine Army National Guard’s medical evacuation team was dispatched. Waiting on the side of a mountain with a severely injured man, indications of a probable spine injury, it seemed like the rescue helicopter took forever to arrive. My stomach was so sick, I didn’t think I could go on. I had no choice.

Maine Army National Guard’s Medical Evacuation Team

Another group, then finally Dennis and I were released from the scene, and the Ranger encouraged us to hike out the Helon Taylor Trail due to the late time of day. We decided that was really our only safe option, at that point. Trembling, I started to ascend the cliff the injured hiker had fallen from. Dennis, ordinarily climbing ahead of me to guide me through the tough spots, stood behind me this time. I said, “I don’t think I can. I’m scared.” I had tears in my eyes. I felt his breath in my hair as he whispered, “YES, you can.” As I lifted up over the first level, a pretty tough stretch for me, I felt his hands on my hips supporting me. It was the most comforting touch I’ve ever felt.

We climbed for quite a while, listening for the rescue team to arrive, hoping to get some photos of the actual extraction. When they blazed in, we were at a good vantage point well above the scene and took about an hour to sit, rest and watch them work. Hoping the man was still holding on. Thinking, with heavy heart, about what his future may look like. I’m still thinking of our fellow hiker and wondering how he’s doing. I hope to hear a positive report soon.

Maine Army National Guard’s Medical Evacuation Team at work

Maine Army National Guard’s Medical Evacuation Team at work

Maine Army National Guard’s Medical Evacuation Team at work

Injured hiker being lifted into the Blackhawk helicopter

We were still quite a long way from Pamola Peak and had to hike out from there, down the Helon Taylor Trail and out to Roaring Brook Campground where the Jeep was waiting for us. We had no idea how long our day would turn out to be.

To be continued…

2014 Presque Isle Fish & Game Club Sportsman Show

There are many sportsman shows held throughout Maine each year, and this is one of the best I’ve attended. It’s nice that it is so close to home, too! I’m always pleased to see organizations bringing “the way life should be” to every county and corner in Maine. The community spirit in our state can’t be beat.

L.L. Bean Bootmobile

This year’s show in Presque Isle seems to have had more vendors than last year, and we found they have added a number of booths geared toward kids’ outdoor sports. That was a really nice surprise.

Trout fishing in the stocked “pond”

Alexander and Collin both caught small trout

Our son, Alexander and his friend, Collin had a blast! We enjoyed watching them. I was a bit disappointed that the archery booth was for youth only. I wanted to play!

Alexander got the balloon on his second shot!

The Gentile Building, University of Maine at Presque Isle, was filled with crafters, educators and numerous outdoor organization reps from various areas of the state.

Male Pheasant

The hand carved items were gorgeous!

Talented crafters displayed their unique creations.

A favorite activity for the boys was climbing the rock wall. I was glad to see our son and his friend gear up to climb. Hiking and mountain climbing are important parts of our lifestyle, and I hope to have my kids climbing Mount Katahdin with us one of these days!

Gearing up for rock wall climbing

Going up!

Alexander made it about half-way up the wall. Great effort for his first time climbing!

Collin’s turn climbing the wall!

He did great!

The wildlife displays were fantastic! Animal pelts to see, touch and identify were laid across several tables throughout the room. Educational and entertaining booklets were given out to the kids. I took one for me, too! I didn’t do as well as I should have identifying pelts from Muskrats and Fishers.

Animal Pelts

Caribou rack, black bear and fish mounts

Non-typical Trophy Mounts were quite impressive!

It was a great day with family, friends and community!

 

{this moment} Dennis and the Goshawk in the First Snow 2013

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Dennis and Goshawk in the snow

Outdoors Woman, Meet Outdoors Man: A Walk in the Clouds, Part I

The day I told my best friend, Robin Follette, that I was going to climb that mountain one of these days, the idea sat in the bottom of my belly just like most “one of these days” statements that we all make. I knew it was never likely to happen. I was overweight. I was sorely out of shape. I was getting older by the minute. I have a bad knee. I’m *extremely* afraid of heights. Extremely! Any excuse I could think of would hold me back. I was certain of that, but it was a nice dream! We stood at Sandy Stream Pond that morning, took our photos of deer and landscape, then hiked the four-tenths of a mile back to the parking lot where warm vehicles were waiting for us. We drove the scenic roads in and around Baxter State Park and took some great photos of Mount Katahdin from a good safe ground level. Yep, one of these days!

From the time we met, Dennis and I started talking about climbing the mountain. I told him it was on “my list.” He has climbed it many times since the first trip up with his family when he was 12 years old. At 56, he was game to do it again! Nothing stops this outdoorsman of mine, and I was determined to not let (insert my long list of inexcusable excuses) stop me. So I announced on Facebook to all my friends and family, 2013 would be the year I climb. I was going to do it. Really! I am! Really???

Dennis called in April to reserve a couple of nights in a lean-to at Chimney Pond, and our official plan was hatched. I think that’s about when my knees first started shaking, but I was still excited about the prospect of overcoming Mount Katahdin. I had to do it – no excuses, as my life has taught me well. You push through the fears, push through the pain, push, push, push. It’s ALWAYS worth it in the end when your goals are accomplished and dreams realized. I had grave doubts that I’d be able to make it all the way to the peak, but I had to give it my best shot.

Gearing up to hike up Chimney Pond Trail, Baxter State Park

After a long spring in the woods, hiking miles on end on snowshoes then through wet terrain searching for Goshawk nests, my feet and legs had gotten much more adept at traipsing through the wilderness. I’m more sure-footed now than I was even six months ago. I found myself very glad for that when we started the 3.2 mile hike to Chimney Pond. Climbing up and over rocks and large boulders…NOT a walk in the woods! This 11 mile, 3,778 foot elevation gain, three day hike was the longest – and highest – I’ve ever made. I was in for the challenge of a lifetime, more so than I even realized.

 

Dennis decked out in Frogg Toggs rain gear and his pack

It was wet, wet, wet when we started up the long trail. We knew our first day of this adventure was going to be a washout according to the weather forecast, but this was the last weekend of the year that we were able to get reservations. Rain or shine, we were going! Dennis has a great deal of experience planning for a wide variety of outdoor conditions, so while I was shopping Saturday morning for a pair of pants to wear to a wedding I was photographing that evening, he was in sporting goods picking us up a couple of rain suits and a cover for my pack. He takes such good care of me!

Dennis is brutally honest and never sugar coats things for me, even when I wish he would! He had already warned me that this was the longest 3.3 miles he’s ever hiked. Knowing how many times he’s made this hike, I knew he was serious about that. In just this stretch of our journey, we would gain an elevation of 1425 feet. I learned that’s enough to get the heart pumping very quickly and requires a number of breather stops along the way.

Gorgeous Views Along the Chimney Pond Trail

No matter where you choose to sit and rest along the trails, there are unlimited views you will find absolutely enchanting!

Fall colors were spectacular in the park this weekend!

 

Bridges along the Chimney Pond Trail are a welcome sight after climbing boulders for long stretches!

Resting a minute, taking in the views not far from Chimney Pond Campground

We arrived at Chimney Pond to some of the most jaw-dropping views I’ve ever seen in my life. Dennis has told me for months, “I can’t wait to see your face when you first walk out onto Chimney Pond. You’re going to love it!” Now I knew why he was so eager to get me up there. Wow!

The Walk into Chimney Pond, Baxter State Park

The fall colors in the trees were really nice, but I was amazed at the variegated colors in the rocks. It was stunning!

 

Chimney Pond, Baxter State Park

In the backwoods of Maine, if you want or need it, you take it in your pack. Don’t take, do without! No bathrooms most places, no clean water source, no food, no heat, no shelter, no light after dark  – you get the picture. The caveat…if  you put it in your pack, you have to carry it all the way in and all the way out. The further you hike, the higher you climb, the heavier that freaking pack gets on your back and shoulders. Pack smart!

We took just enough for each meal we’d need for three days, including freeze dried soup, instant oatmeal, granola bars and Crystal Lite. We took a couple of empty drink bottles to fill at streams and ponds. Water would be boiled in a light aluminum pot on a single burner white gas stove (White gas is much lighter to carry than propane.) to kill the micro-organisms and to prepare our food. We found ourselves wishing we’d brought hot chocolate packets when our temps dropped to freezing the second night. Hindsight!

Filling water bottles at Chimney Pond

We packed one change of clothes, several pairs of socks in anticipation of wet feet off and on, down sleeping bags in compression sacks, sleeping pads, coats, flashlights and a few choice personal care items. Dennis has a saying. If you pay attention to the ounces, the pounds will take care of themselves. When you’re carrying a full backpack seven miles round trip, every single pound counts. Our bags were 14 pounds and 20 pounds. That was quite enough on the 1425 foot climb to Chimney Pond. I swore my bag gained ten pounds every mile we hiked. I was sure of it!

Checking in at the Chimney Pond Ranger’s Cabin – a cardinal rule of hiking. Safety is our responsibility when we venture into the wilderness. Always leave a paper trail. Look what happened to Hansel and Gretel!

We settled into Lean-to #4, got a fresh supply of water and ate some nice, warm soup for supper. As soon as darkness fell, we snuggled in to get a good night’s sleep. We’d need an early start the next morning for the next leg of our journey. Katahdin was looming over us all night…waiting…

 

 

 

Outdoors Woman, Meet Outdoors Man: Gone To The Dogs!

After a few weeks of working like crazy, family obligations and trips to make, Dennis and I finally had the chance to get away for a Saturday adventure. We loaded up around 6am with my three kids and his grandson, and took off for a fun-filled day outdoors.

I have a list. On my list are a number of things I’ve always wished to see and do, and most are specific to our outdoors life in Maine. My list includes learning to hunt with rifle and bow, learning to fly fish, visiting the Western Mountains and exploring the area on horseback, back country camping with just a sleeping bag – no tent or other shelter, hiking all over Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, climbing to the peak of Mount Katahdin, paddling the Allagash River start to finish and camping on the river banks for several days along the way, developing and managing an active homestead in the woods, complete with my own fruit orchard…the list goes on and on. Somewhere very near the top of my list is taking off one weekend to stay in a cabin in the snowy mountains to enjoy some dog sledding.

Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

I’ve seen pictures of these hidden areas of Maine that are only accessible during the winter by sled or snowmobile. I’ve always wished to be tucked away in the peace and quiet reserves of a remote area where civilization isn’t breathing down my neck. I love to walk outside a cozy cabin in the woods and hear nothing but nature surrounding me…see nothing but the walls of the forest…smell nothing but “green.”

Trail to Sandy Stream Pond, Baxter State Park

I’m slowly but surely whittling away at my list, and on the schedule this weekend was the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races in Fort Kent, Maine. The entire event is made up of 30 mile, 60 mile and 250 mile races. I wouldn’t be able to actually ride the sleds, but watching them in action was going to be a blast! It also proved to whet my appetite even more to strike out on this adventure for myself.

I knew Dennis would enjoy taking off for the day to see the sledding event, and he would be able to tell us all we needed to know about the sport. In his early thirties, he purchased his first Alaskan Husky, McKenzie (Kenzie), and started his own team for mushing. With a little time, experience and a bit of trial and error, he finally put together a great team of dogs from excellent stock including puppies from a dog he procured from Susan Butcher, the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1986. And the “Topgun Team” was formed.

Dennis ran the Can-Am 30 mile and 60 mile races during his sledding years. He enjoyed the sport immensely, but it wasn’t about the competition for him as much as being outdoors, enjoying sledding through the woods.

Dennis and Hunter watching the race

Dennis’s daughter, Ashley, ran a one dog race when she was eleven. They were in Lincoln, Maine and found there was a race for kids. At that time, Ashley had never even stood on the runners, but he gave her the chance to participate. She says, “Well, I didn’t fall off. So there’s that!” She did well, finished 9th out of 16 and most importantly, she had a great experience that day and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment.

As life started taking a different path for the family, Dennis’s team of dogs was eventually sold to Steve Crone, owner of Telemark Inn Wilderness Lodge, and he began offering dog sledding adventures for families. It was exciting to Dennis when we were standing on the sidelines watching the last team of dogs take off in the 250 mile race that his friend, Steve, was on the runners. He yelled and waved as the team went breezing by.

The kids had a blast!

One of the teams we had the pleasure of seeing at Can-Am was driven by 15 year old Bailey Vitello, a musher from Massachusetts. In 2010, Bailey was the youngest musher to compete in the Can-Am 30 mile race at age twelve. Quite impressive!

Sled dog team run by the youngest participant in the race – age 15

We had a blast watching all the dogs and mushers take off on the trails. It was cold and snowing the entire day, but we were all bundled up well and were never phased by the weather.

Up and onto the long trail

We enjoyed a great snowball fight and some excellent Chinese food before leaving the downtown area to do more sightseeing for the afternoon. It was a great day! Who knows…maybe one of these days a trip to see the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska will be on the agenda for me and this fun loving outdoorsman of mine!

Till next time…