Knife Edge Trail to Baxter Peak at Northern Terminus of Appalachian Trail
Six friends planned a long day of hiking, only to find a day and evening of climbing. The plan seemed relatively simple:
- Hike to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the 2,162 mile Appalachian Trail (AT).
- Cross the fabled 1.1 mile Knife Edge Trail.
- Hike five miles on the AT starting at its northern beginning at Baxter Peak.
Our ultimate achievement through endurance and teamwork brought more satisfaction because of the challenges and time on the mountain. Below are comments, maps, pictures, and videos of our climb. Our Mt. Katahdin accomplishment was both physically demanding, and mentally tough. I am extremely proud of my fellow adventurers and how we worked together for this team triumph.
Ocean Kayaking in the Deer Isle Region of the Maine Coast – Stonington to Isle au Haut
The Deer Island Region of the Maine Island Trail
The Maine Island Trail (MIT) is a 375-mile chain of over 180 wild islands along the coast of Maine. In mid-July friends Dundee, Cully, David and I did a three day paddle on the MIT in the Deer Island Region. The Deer Isle Region extends from Stonington south to Isle au Haut and east into Blue Hill Bay. We tented two days on the two acre Steves Island (name by coincidence.)
We put-in at Stonington, Maine at the Old Quarry Ocean Adventure campground. Click the video below for exciting footage of our trip, including a Google Earth map of our MIT route.
Remembering Trips to Maine’s Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Maine’s Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) is often described as the prime jewel of Maine’s wilderness paradises. I have had the privilege of spending three different weeks, paddling and camping in this unique wilderness area. Each of the three trips generally covered the same 100 or so-miles of the AWW watershed.
Each trip was planned and guided by Master Maine Guide, Linwood ”The Loon”. Of special significance to me, is that each trip included my son, Timothy. Good friends, John K, Joe R, and Harry, went on two of the trips. Dundee, Paul, Eric, Lennie C, Pat, Rick, Lennie #2, and Jim did one trip.
Paddling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Section 2: Long Lake to Village of Saranac Lake
Welcome to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. The NFCT is a living reminder of when rivers were both highways and routes of communications. The Trail is 740 miles of historic waterway traveled by Native Americans. Its west to east direction begins in Old Forge, New York, and travels through Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire and ends in Fort Kent Maine. The non-profit that established the Trail divides the trail into 13 sections and offers detailed maps for each of these sections.
Vermont Wilderness camping and paddling with family and friends
“Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends”
In early July I did two days of paddling and one night of tenting in the Green River Reservoir of northern Vermont. My companions were my adult son Tim; my two teenage grandchildren; my friend Dundee and his adult son Paul; and Paul’s two teenage boys and his ten year old daughter. Our transportation was three kayaks and three canoes.
ROWING through the eyes of a Beginner
Rowing Lessons with the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC)
“Never say I wish I had …” is an expression that has always motivated me. All summer I passed a road sign announcing, “Rowing Lessons Lake Sunapee Rowing Club. Next class starts August 3.” I had watched snippets of racing shells on the Merrimack River, TV, and in summer Olympics. I decided this was my time to say, “Never say I wish I had rowed a shell”.
The Locks of the Trent Severn Waterway
The Trent Severn Waterway is one of Canada’s most spectacular waterways. The Waterway stretches 240 miles from Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte to Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay. My wife and I readily accepted an invitation to join our friends Linda and Dundee for a week on a houseboat on the Trent Severn Waterway.