A HUGE initiative underway in central Maine over the last several years has been to turn old railroad beds into multipurpose trails for biking, hiking, running, and snow activities.....
There are many around, not all of them simply old railroad beds, and hardly any of them are connected. The huge push, lately, has BEEN to connect these trails, by procuring the land and means by which to do so. Reading about the process on line is very interesting, and I think it is one of the coolest ideas around, since it encourages people to get outside and move around. No membership cost. Healthy air. Sunshine. Beautiful scenery. How can you beat it?
Last Sunday after church, we took a walk on a new section of trail that just recently opened; it connects an already popular Fairfield section of trail to the wilderness (and cross country running!) trails on the campus of Winslow High. The trail leaves from a HydroPower station right on the Kennebec and meanders along the river, through some gorgeous meadows resplendent with duck-populated ponds, and then sneaks back into the woods where a few primitive bridge crossings connect you to the flatter 'rail trail' we often walk in Fairfield.....
It was cold!!! In fact, it has been cold. In fact, it is only 60 in hear right now and, although I am fine, I am sure I will get Amanda begging for a fire soon....haha
Rarely do you see Maira outside without this pink LL Bean hat on. And, furthermore, she ALWAYS has to have it 'tight,' which means she wants the velcro fastened under her chin. Oh, and how can you tell it is an LL Bean hat?? Because she has had it for two weeks and the stitching is coming apart already. LL Bean continues to suck.....
BTW: Notice the pretty sweet running gloves Amanda got me?? Sauconies, even....
Truly best friends.
From the start of the trail, right by the HydroPower station....if you blow the photo up, you can see the dam on the Kennebec. "In back of me" we are about a half mile from my school....across the river is the city of Waterville, and you are looking at Front St, possibly making out Joseph's Market, the opera house, etc......
We just love getting into the woods!! With or without the kids is fine with us!! However, I am trying to get Callum into the woods more to show him they are 'safe.' The kid ALWAYS loved the woods, and he loved bushwacking through the forest behind MeeMee or Baba's houses. BUT....recently I read him LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE, which is a true story told by Donn Fendler, this kid who, in 1938, didnt listen to his dad when climbing Kathadin. Subsequently, he ran way far ahead, got lost in a storm, and ended up alone in the wilderness for 14 days. Obviously, now Callum is scared of getting lost in the woods and having to eat wild strawberries and sleep on moss. So yeah.
But it was a lovely hyque.
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