2010 U.S. National Toboggan Championships

February 5-7^th brought us the U.S National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl.  What an exciting weekend!  It has grown to be the Mid-Coast area’s most popular winter event! Despite the chilly temperatures the event was a huge success!   

Nope, it’s not a parking lot!  That is Hosmer Pond!  With ice 18 inches thick it was safe for everyone to park and camp out here for the day.

A little friend sneaking into the picture!  Another shot on the pond of the parked cars and trucks.  From ice shacks to tents to even an igloo…..everyone was enjoying the opportunity to fuel up and get warm in between runs.

This was by far the warmest spot around!  With a heater, grill, refreshments, chairs and even a carpet on the icy floor……we welcomed this retreat built by the teams from The Bog Tavern on Rt. 1 in Warren.

Inside the igloo some young girls get warmed up and catch a chance to meet one the candidates for governor Patrick McGowan.

The 400 foot ice covered chute sends teams down at speeds the approach 50 mph with times averaging 9 seconds.

Off the chute teams then fly across the pond.

Some are able to step off gracefully!

Most teams had an original theme with costumes to match!  People came from all over the country to compete in the event!

The Sled Ex Boys even carried boxes under their arms down the chute!

A Banana Split!

The toboggans must have a maximum width of 18 inches and a minimum of 15 ¼.

More toboggans waxed and buffed ready to go!

There were some interesting camps set up all around, one being the Ancient-Ones of Maine.  This group specializes in pre 1840 reenactments. 

Pack Rat.

And Nit Wit showing us how they took a bath way back then!

Winterfest!  A neat ride around the lake!

Kids enjoying the slippery ice around the camps!  Overall such a cool experience!  I think my fingers and toes are finally started to unthaw!  Can’t wait for next year….I may have to get a group together and compete myself!  Congrats to all the winning teams!

Love Maine!

www.MeanderingMaine.com

www.MeanderingMaine.blogspot.com

A Perfect Winter Day on Sears Island

Submitted by Marietta Ramsdell, Searsport

Sat., Jan. 23, a perfect winter day -- cloudless sky, temperatures in the low 20s, light or no wind. The Loop Trail is a former tote road, grown over in some areas, but trimmed last fall by Friends of Sears Island. Go left off the paved road onto the gravel road and down to pole 60. As its name suggests this trail loops around and back out onto the gravel road at pole 65. From the barriers at end of causeway to the Loop Trail it’s about 1 mile, with the trail adding under a half mile (both guestimates). From the barriers we were in or out of tracks left by whatever snow vehicle the power people use to get down to the tower in winter, then broke trail on the Loop – peaceful and still, no others in sight until we were almost back out. Round trip our little trek lasted approximately 2½ hours, snowshoeing at a comfortable rate with numerous photo stops.

We are a couple in our 70’s.

Submitted by Marietta Ramsdell, Searsport

If you found us by our blog, please check out our website www.meanderingmaine.com.  We are on a mission to find the coolest places in Maine.  We also love to receive blog posts from people from Maine and people visiting Maine like the one above from Marietta Ramsdell.  Send your Maine photos or blog post to info@MeanderingMaine.com.   Love Maine!

Portland Head Lighthouse and Fort Williams

On Friday, February 5, 2010

Historian Edward Rowe Snow wrote, "Portland Head and its light seem to symbolize the state of Maine -- rocky coast, breaking waves, sparkling water and clear, pure salt air."

The hundreds of thousands of people who visit Portland Head each year would agree; this is one of the most strikingly beautiful lighthouse locations in New England.

Portland, which was known as Falmouth until 1786, was America's sixth busiest port by the 1790s. Even so, Maine had no lighthouses when 74 merchants petitioned the Massachusetts government (Maine was part of Massachusetts at the time) in 1784 for a light to mark the entrance to Portland Harbor. The deaths of two people in a 1787 shipwreck at Bangs (now Cushing) Island near Portland Head finally led to the appropriation of $750 for a lighthouse.

The project was delayed by insufficient funds, and construction didn't progress until 1790 when Congress appropriated an additional $1,500, after the nation's lighthouses had been ceded to the federal government.

The stone lighthouse was built by local masons Jonathan Bryant and John Nichols. The original plan was for a 58-foot tower, but when it was realized that the light would be blocked from the south it was decided to make the tower 72 feet in height instead. Bryant resigned over the change, and Nichols finished the lighthouse in January 1791.

President George Washington appointed Capt. Joseph Greenleaf, a Revolutionary War veteran, to be the first keeper. At first, Greenleaf received no salary as keeper; his payment was the right to fish and farm and to live in the keeper's house. In 1793, officials decided to pay Greenleaf an annual salary of $160. The keeper died of a stroke in his boat on the Fore River two years later.

By 1810, the lighthouse and keeper's house were in poor condition; the woodwork was damp and rotting. Part of the problem was that the keeper was storing a year's supply of oil in one room, putting great stress on the floor. Repairs were made, and an outdoor oil shed was added. In 1813, a new lantern and a system of lamps and reflectors designed by Winslow Lewis were installed at a cost of $2,100. A new keeper's house was built in 1816. Quoted from -http://lighthouse.cc/portlandhead/history.html

 

The old Fort Williams

Fort Williams Park is only a few minutes drive from downtown Portland.  A very accessible park with a quintessential Maine view.

It may be cold, but winter days are always perfect for a crystal clear view.

The Museum at Portland Head Light opened in the former keeper's house in 1992. The museum focuses on the history of the lighthouse and nearby Fort Williams.

The Portland Lighthouse is believed to be Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s inspiration for his poem The Lighthouse.

Sail on; Sail on ye stately ships;                                                                     

And with your floating bridge the ocean span;

Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse

Be yours to bring man near unto man.

On Christmas Eve, 1886, the British bark Annie C. Maguire ran ashore on the rocks at Portland Head.  Everyone made it to shore.

A family from Pittsburg visiting a couple who moved to Maine recently.

Rockland an American Distinctive Destination

Washington, D.C. National Trust for Historic Preservation named Rockland, Maine, one of its 2010 Distinctive Destinations.

Make sure you help Rockland win – see details below.

The Rockland Main Street crew readies for a night to remember at the Farnsworth.  Check out the new Rockland Main Street website http://www.rocklandmainstreet.com/.

Networking before the awards and big announcements in the Library at the Farnsworth.  

Gordon Page and Senator Chris Rector

Representative Ed Mazurek networking with fellow guests.

Guests from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Maine Welcome Center.

 

Lorain Francis, Executive Director of Rockland Main Street, kicks off the night’s program.

Jeff Charland, Director of Operations for the Farnsworth and President of the Rockland Main Street Board, honors Lorain Francis, Executive Director of Rockland Main Street, for her dedication and hard work on the project.

 

Lorain was humbled by the recognition and said she never dreamed she would have this job.

Frank Isganitis, Co-Owner of the Limerock Inn and Vice President of the Board of Rockland Main Street, said he found the life he never knew he was missing when he moved to Rockland.

 

Rhonda of Rheal Day Spa and Jim and Pam Watson were three of the few to receive Rocky Awards for their impact on Rockland Main Street.

  

For 10 years the National Trust for Historic Preservation has annually selected communities across America that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from those found at the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and a commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization, the selected destinations boast a richness of character and exude an authentic sense of place. 

It was also said from Robera Lane, the representative from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, that Rockland has the fun factor.

 

 

The unveiling of the big announcement - Rockland, Maine one of twelve Distinctive Destinations in 2010.  For the first time, the public will determine which of the 12 destinations will be the 2010 favorite. 

From February 3 to February 28, people can vote as often as they like for a city or town on this year’s list.  The winner of the popular vote will be announced March 1, 2010 and declared the Fan Favorite Destination.  Visit www.preservationnation.org/ddd to vote for Rockland!

Congratulations Rockland, Rockland Main Street and Lorain Francis and crew!

Love Maine!

Two Fat Cats Bakery – Uncovering Portland

For Food as Good as it Looks -

We dropped by Two Fat Cats during a wintery day a few weeks ago.    Their delicious, Maine Whoopie Pies are the perfect treat on a blustery day.

The Namesakes – Lily and Jack

Two Fat Cats makes pies the old fashioned way – FROM Scratch!

One of the Mrs. Meandering Maines Jessica with my son Henry. 

Two Fat Cats increases the number of wedding cakes each year.

 

Two Fat Cats is an American style bakery that is enjoying its fifth year of providing Portland, Maine with top quality, home baked classic treats. And yes, there are two actual fat cats, named Jack and Lily and if you’re lucky you can catch them sitting in front of the bakery basking in their fame and enjoying attention. Two Fat Cats is part of the Street dining family, along with Street and Company, Fore Street, and Standard Baking Company. All of their products are baked from scratch everyday with fresh ingredients, such as real butter, whole milk, and eggs from a local Maine dairy. They even make their own brown sugar to assure that it is moist and soft when mixing. They are well known for their fresh seasonal pies, such as the wild Maine blueberry, peach, strawberry rhubarb, tangy key lime, as well as many more. But they are most famous for their version of a traditional whoopee pie, consisting of house made marshmallow cream between two fluffy chocolate minicakes! Other offered treats are chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, brownies, the classic Red Velvet cake, as well as many others. Two Fat Cats also does beautiful and delicious wedding cakes by order, suited to each individual bride’s vision.

 

Happy Groundhog Day

Some thing to look forward to on Groundhog Day.

Love Maine!

Where am I?

Saturday 1/30/2010   8:00 AM

Temperature is 3 degrees above zero

Wind is10-15 MPH   Wind chill is -12 degrees

My son Jaime and his dog Sugar pose near a popular destination spot in Acadia National Park on MDI.

Where am I?

Bill Weir

Bar Harbor Savings and Loan

Where in Maine? The “Ovens”.

I am next to the "Ovens", a series of caves and cliffs near Sandy Point on the northeast shore of MDI.

I head a kayak club, the MDI paddlers. We paddle every weekend all year.

We don't go if it's too stormy or below 10 F because our gear freezes.

Our club received the 2007 volunteer group of the year award from Maine Island Trail Association for our work in cleaning trash from 5 outlying islands and maintaining 3 camp grounds. We also do safety seminars and teach boating courses.

Our web page is www.mdipaddlers.com

See you on the water!

Bill Weir/President & CEO Bar Harbor Savings and Loan