Sheepscot River Spring Run, 2012!

Well folks, I don’t want to make anyone green with envy here, but things just fell into place for my honey and I to get on the Sheepscot after the big rains of April 2012. What a blast!! The conditions should be PERFECT for more mellow canoeing/kayaking this weekend. Perhaps even a little fiddleheading? Enjoy the photos.

Here we go, folks! It's time to paddle the Sheepscot River!

Scotty's psyched!

Bethie's psyched!

Some water coming over the dam in Head Tide

Hydro power, for sure

We just love paddling this river!

The Sheepscot River, one of my most favorite paddles in the state of Maine!

Maine pond hockey – a favorite Maine winter activity!

Well, our backyards may be void of snow, but the backyard skating is just PERFECT right now! Enjoy our photos of one the best Maine winter activities: Pond hockey.

Lacing 'em up

Skating takes lots of patience!

Skating lesson

What a great day for some pond hockey!

Pond hockey ROCKS!

Our family loves pond hockey!

Time for a skate break

We took a page out of the Bruins' playbook!

Hockey dog wants to go get warm paws!

A day at the beach – Pemaquid Beach

This Friday, we decided to kick off the holiday weekend with a trip to Pemaquid Beach. Always up for a challenge, I agreed to add and extra 9-year-girl and 10-year-old boy to the posse, my kids’ BFFs..

Summer and Maddie were to the first to brave the chilly waters!

Pemaquid Beach is a great beach for families; there’s no riptide to be concerned with, it’s not too big, hardly ever over-crowded, and they have a really cool little nature center and snack shack for the hungry troops. There’s also room to roam and plenty of salt -water habitat exploring to be had.

Crabbing is a great way for kids to meet other kids!

If the sand and surf aren’t keeping the kiddos’ attention, the lagoon to the left of the beach has some most excellent rock crab and hermit crab hunting adventures.

There's tons of fun crabbing adventures! All crabs were released after a brief visit to the bucket.

Time on the Pemaquid Peninsula is always a great time, it’s everything that summertime in Maine is famous for: a laid back time, happy kids, relaxed adults, salt and sand, and the drone of lobster boats working their gear offshore. Have a great holiday weekend, folks! We hope you get some time to unwind and enjoy beautiful Maine!

Wild beach roses are prominent on Pemaquid Beach.

Whitefield ZUMBA!!

I didn’t know it was possible to have SO MUCH fun at school! Tonight, my daughter and I attended an introductory Zumba class led by Kathy Lamothe, the second-grade teacher at Whitefield Elementary. I’ve got to say, it was a blast! And I also might add, I never knew my kids’ 2nd grade teacher had such moves . . . Saucy!!

What a great turnout for the first Whitefield Zumba class!

The music was fantastic, the instruction was great, and it was a real kick in the pants to be doing spicy salsa moves alongside the staff that has taught my kiddos, moms, and other members of the community. My daughter and I had a fabulous time! There will be two classes per week from January 11 through Februay 10th, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The fee is $5 per drop in class, 6 weeks for $50. For more information, email Kathleen at  KLamothe@svrsu.org. Too much fun!!!

Maine Fun Parks

York Wild Kingdom

York wild ride!

There are many things to do in Maine in the summer time. Like fishing, camping,
hiking and many more. If you have kids amusement parks are so much fun to go to.

There are a few varieties in the southern Maine area like the water parks in Saco such
as Aquaboggan and Fun Town Splash Town.

The best park I think for these types is Fun Town Splash Town they have everything
for the very little kids to the adults. You can bring your own lunch or buy it there
and make a day out of it. They have the best of both worlds a water park and a
regular amusement park as well. They have a near perfect mix of the old favorites
and newer rides as well.

Then there is the little jewel by the name of York’s Wild Animal Kingdom in York
Maine. They have wild animals from all over the world. You can experience animals
that you would have to other wise travel far a way and spend big money to go to see.
They too have an amusement park and have the option of bringing your own lunch or
buying it on site.

In Gray Maine the state runs a little animal park. It consists of the animals that
are wild in the state. A person could live here all there lives and never see all of
them in the wild. It is a great experience for all ages.

These are just a few of the parks in Maine. There is so much to see and do in the
great state of Maine. -Blog  By Darren Corson

Acadia Activities -by Darren Corson

This great state has many opportunities and things to see and enjoy. One of these is Acadia National Park on Mt Desert Island. This is a huge and very massive place. It is on the rocky coast of Maine.

At Acadia there is many things to do and see. You can go to the top of Cadillac
Mountain and get some great views and photos. You can often be the first to see the sunrise in the US from Cadillac. Continue reading “Acadia Activities -by Darren Corson” »

Young’s Lobster Pound Experience – by Darren Corsen

Having grown up in Belfast, Me I have seen this small city go threw many changes
over 35 years. Some for the good and some for the not so good. One thing that has
not changed is the experience one gets at Young’s Lobster Pound. They have been in
business for 81 years. How many companies can boost that record.
Continue reading “Young’s Lobster Pound Experience – by Darren Corsen” »

Maine’s Covered Bridges – by Darren Corsen

A little known secret in Maine is our covered bridges. There is many of
them throughout the state. Last winter a friend and I struck out on a
mission to photograph some of these bridges. These can go from footbridges
to snowmobile and ATV bridges to automobile bridges.

The great thing about shooting covered bridges is you can drive to them.
It takes little effort to get some great shots and does not take much
planning. Western Maine has many of these bridges in a relatively small
area. The best one is on state route 15 in Guilford. This bridge was
rebuilt after being washed out in a flood. It was rebuilt exactly as it
was originally. It is truly a beautiful site to photograph.

I find this subject best shot in winter. This is strictly my personal preference.

So if you are looking for a great time and need to get outside. Taking
photos of covered bridges is a great time. It only takes dependable
transportation, gas money, and a camera. A tripod is optional. Get out and
see the great state of Maine.

Waterfalling in Maine- by Darren Corson

Water falling is an inexpensive adventure for the professional or hobbyist
photographer. It only takes a camera, tripod, gas money, good hiking shoes, back
pack and sometimes a vehicle with a high suspension. Most of the water falls have
good access from which you can drive a car to and hike the rest of the way. This is
a major part of the fun of water falling.

There are many waterfalls to see in Maine some big some not so big. Size is not
always important in water falling. Bigger is not always better. I use a few
different ways to find and plan a day water falling. I start with a book by Greg
Parsons and Kate Watson called New England Waterfalls. This is a very good reference
for the main waterfalls in New England. I then go to the internet and look up GPS
coordinates and I pick out 4 or 5 in one general area and head out for a great time
water falling.

Water falling is an activity for all ages I have done most of it with my great
friend Eric from  Milwaukee who has taught me how to shoot water and has made as
much fun as it is. I also take my 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son. They
really love getting in the out doors and using there cameras anytime they can. When
you are old enough to use a camera you can water go water falling. Both of my
children already take wonderful photographs. It is a very relaxing and rewarding
activity. Water falling is also a way to get some exercise and see this wonderful
state.

Some of my Favorite waterfalls are Step Falls, Frenchmen’s Hole, Moxie Falls, Ellis
Falls, Hay Brook Falls and Heald Stream Falls. These are also very easy access. They
are either road side or easy peaceful hikes.

There is multitudes of information on line and in books on these waterfalls. I would
like to show this as a new sport for photographers. Professional and the hobbyist to
enjoy.