Weekend Trip Ideas (Bangor, Scarborough, Waterville: transfer, dangerous, beach)

[zedzul]

Hello everyone

I need some help on some week end trip ideas, most pressing concern is this week end but also some ideas for latter in the summer.

I have a 3 day weekend this coming weekend and wanted to do something with it

My first though was hiking but its a little early in the season for that as the mountains still have snow. my second thought then was skiing but I'm out of passes for the year so thats out.

and so I am turning to you guys (and gals) for Ideas, what would you do with a three day weekend? whats your favorite place to visit? I would kidda like to make this like a mini road trip type vacation but need ideas.

Thanks


PS: Things I have thought of but have done alot and just dount sound interesting at this time. these make great day/weekend trips If you have not been or simply like these area's

Popam
Reid State park
Old Orcherd beach
freeport
oldport

[shadowfax1997]

Get yourself one of the Delorme maps of maine. In the front is listing of hiking trails, museums, forts, points of interest, etc. We have found many interesting destinations by looking in the delorme map.

[Bydand]

DeLorme is the way to go. I bought one right after I moved here and have wore out several of them over the years. After many years n the state and having been to every corner and area several times, I still find myself gong back to the Gazetteer and looking for a spot I marked years ago. (remember to transfer important notes written on the pages when you need to replace an old battered one for a new updated version.)

[zedzul]

LOL I agree the DeLorme is great. unfortunately it is getting harder and harder to find something interesting that i have not done in my DeLorme. I have done 90% of the hikes (wold love to get to the last few but they are mountains which I assume still have snow on them) been to all the forts and most of the points of interest.

Hmm maybe another trip to fort Knox is in order have not done that in a couple of years and is IMO the best fort in Maine

[GregW]

Try the Waterville, Wiscasett and Farmingtom Railroad in Alma. Fascinating museum.

[Bydand]

Ah, but you mis-understand young Padawan. The DeLorme Atlas is just a rough draft for your adventures, the best part is looking at areas you haven't been to, and that are not marked as having items of interest, but taken in context of the surrounding areas and marked sites, you know there just HAS to be something interesting to discover there. I have found some of my best finds, hikes, climbs, quiet sites by getting away from the front of the atlas and digging into the meat of the atlas.

Bar Harbor and MDI is a prime example of this. Sure there are a lot of things shown for the East side of MDI, but the West side has some neat areas as well without the tourists en-masse.

Sure there is some about the Greenville area toward Rockwood, but the real nice areas are to the east of Mooshead Lake in my opinion.

I know it is short notice to do so for this coming week-end, but spend some time looking at the areas you have been to already and enjoyed, then look at a broader area around the same spot. find a promising target or four, then have an adventure finding your own special spot to mark on your map that no-one else has. Nice way to spend a day. Notice I didn't say "waste a day" because I feel anytime spent with no specific objective and timetable to follow is never wasted time, just time spent decompressing from everyday life and pressure.

Good Luck on your search!

[mollysmiles]

If you do come this way to Fort Knox, come a little further east too. A great hike that I did on Tuesday is Peaked Mtn just off Rt 9 in Amherst (? I think!). I had intended on driving up in the Jeep with my friend Elaine, but although there is very little snow there is enough for it to be too wet, and too dangerous without a winch. The hike was rugged for me, but I had knee surgery last January and I'm not *supposed* to be doing that....but, it was to get coords for a memorial cache for my friend, so well worth it! The view is outstanding!! I'll try to post some pics in the photos thread later. On a clear day you can see the mountains of Acadia and turn around and see Katahdin.....I'll put my "thinking cap" on.

[Maineah]

This is the time of year to go to the beach in my opinion. Just stay within driving distance and the rates are low. Lots of stuff washes up during the winter storms and it's fun to see what's there. There are very few people on the beach this time of year so solitude can be a reality if that is what you seek. You've listed some good beaches. I would suggest Ferry Beach on Prout's Neck in Scarborough. It faces south and is warm in the spring. There are lots of sand dollars there and surf clams. Nice time to fly a kite and relax listening to the waves splash on the sand.

[mollysmiles]

ohhhh Bates Morse Mountain would be a nice walk and a beach at the end

[umograd83]

The Kenduskeag Stream canoe race is on Saturday in Bangor. Great entertainment for spectators.