Quill Hill is one of western Maine’s best enjoyed assets. It’s a mountaintop that’s easily accessible to just about anyone. You can drive a regular car, a truck, ATV, side-by-side – whatever you’d like – even an RV, up the well maintained (smooth) dirt road. The land is private, so it’s important to respect it, and if you can, donate to it to keep the road and lookout area in top shape. The peak of the mountain boasts an elevation of 2848′ and it offers 360° views. If you’re in the area, it’s a definite must visit. As far as Cascade Stream Gorge Trail goes, it’s a bit less majestic and grandiose when compared to Quill Hill, but it’s a fun group of waterfalls to explore nonetheless. The entire trail is less than a mile long and during the process of hiking to its end, you’ll pass a series of waterfalls and chutes. At one point, you’ll walk beside a 90 foot deep gorge with the stream at its base. It great for those who don’t mind trails that are full of large stones and tree roots. I’d say it’s on the medium side of difficulty. In this post, you’ll find photos of both of these adventurous areas as well as commentary that details our thought process before we made it to our destinations, what we thought of them once we arrived, and everything else that was related to the day. Click through to check it out!
Apples & Bread
With September coming to a close, the season is changing fast. Activities are changing and moods are changing. While Laura and I are continuing on with our daily walks in the cool autumn air, we find ourselves noticing different things in our area. These days, it’s the colorful leaves falling to the ground as well as how the landscape is differing with the quick loss of foliage. I’ve also begun my yearly cooking regimen. In this post, you’ll find a few, what I consider, somewhat nostalgic reflections as well as two of my favorite fall recipes; apple crisp and fluffy homemade dinner rolls. Both will fill your home with the scents of the season and you’ll be better off for it. Give both a try and enjoy.
Mushrooms & Moss
With all the rain the summer season of 2021 brought us, a wide variety of mushrooms sprang to life in the woods behind our home. On top of that, wonderfully beautiful green moss has begun to carpet our trail system. In this post, I share many photos of both. Beyond these things, I include my usual bit of humor and introspection. Give it a read. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it.
Memories of Brewster
I grew up in the town called Brewster, New York. I lived there for 22 years and have many memories of the area; some fond and some I’d rather forget. Nevertheless, the memories are there and my life today has been shaped by them. In this post, I look back (mostly in a nostalgic sense) on a few short slices of what I experienced on a few specific occasions. I had a great childhood and I often think of those days gone by. What’s inside is merely one such example of a time I thought out loud.
Beautiful Quotes
If you’re interested in fine writing, I think you’ll enjoy this post. To me, quotes and literature and writing that make you take a step back and think are a big part of what makes life so worth living. I’m not sure where I’d be without them. In this post, I share some thoughts on what makes a beautiful quote and then I share a healthy handful of my own personal preferences. Please read what’s inside and then share some of your own favorites in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
Houston Brook Falls
Houston Brook Falls is located in Bingham, Maine and is a must visit New England waterfall. Depending on the time of year you visit (which generally dictates the amount of water going over the falls), you may experience either a trickle or a roaring beast. When we hiked the trail to these falls, we were met with heavy mist about 100 yards away. Needless to say, the river was alive that day! Check in to view some photos and video I took of this natural wonder.
Bonney Woods
If you’re looking for a quick hike and you’re in the Farmington, Maine area, consider Bonney Woods. It’s a 10 acre nature trail system that’s close to the heart of town. As a matter of fact, if you park your car near the action on Broadway or Main Street, the walk to Bonney Woods is a short one; just one third of a mile. Once there, you’ll be greeted by trails that are just over a half mile long and hemlock trees that tower over everything. Be sure to bring your camera because there’s a nearby historic cemetery as well as abundant wildlife.
My Live-In Servant & His Little Peculiarities
In this somewhat uniquely styled post, I discuss various types of writing by various authors. I include J.K. Rowling, James Baldwin, Patrick Rothfuss, Stephen King, and even Edgar Allan Poe in the discussion. It was this last author the post was actually structured around. After reading a book of short stories, I decided to try my hand at one of the assignments found at the end of each section (the collection of stories was contained in a textbook of sorts). The assignment asked the student to change the point of view of a part of one of the stories. Or to put it more simply, to flesh out a character’s position that wasn’t already fleshed out. I chose to see things through the eyes of the old man in Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart. What an outcome. Enjoy.
BJJ Black Belt Promotion
After a decade and a few years, I was promoted to black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by an incredible group of people at The Foundry in Farmington, Maine. It was a long, yet remarkably rewarding road and I’m more than proud of myself for making the trek. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn’t like other martial arts. Belt promotions come few and far between, so it takes an enormous amount of commitment and dedication to make it to the level we all strive for. In this post, I discuss the event and show off a few photos.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the world’s most beautiful wonders. It’s a popular tourist attraction located in the state of Maine – and it’s popular for good reason. It’s host to a handful of quaint towns as well as gardens, lighthouses, rocky coasts, and so much more. The hiking in this park is outstanding; the trails are swamped with picturesque viewpoints. So if you’re a photographer, either amateur or pro, you’ll be pleased with what’s on offer. If visiting, be sure to give yourself at least a few days to cover most of Mt. Desert Island. There’s a lot to see. Lodging is available at a nice selection of campgrounds and inns. In this post, you’ll see photos and read commentary pertaining to three distinct attractions; the white bridge in Somesville, the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and the Ship Harbor Trail. Enjoy.