On Thursday I met a good friend to have lunch in the village of Orono and then go on a hike in the woods. The Orono Country Cafe provides a simple but really good lunch. It was run by a lovely, hardworking couple who seemed to know all the guests. After our meal we stopped at the famous Village Bakery to check it out. It's a great place to fill your sweet tooth needs. The homemade fudge looked delicious. The town itself is fascinating. There is everything from antiques to Zen candles. It wasn't busy at all and really had that small village feel. Orono isn't always that way apparently. A look at their village website reveals a ton of locally run activities throughout the year. Check it out at: http://www.visitorono.com
Off to the Woods!
The Orono Crown lands are an awesome collection of trails. I followed my friend through cedar groves, hardwood forests, beside creek banks and along an old railway track. I totally trusted my guide even when he said several times, "Oh, I thought we should have come out somewhere else!" There were several great spots for a picnic but we only stopped for a brief water break. The creek and sound it made were incredibly soothing. We didn't see any fish spawning but I'm told it's a regular sight. The trails are not marked as they are in other places but you can check out the map at their website: http://www.oronocrownlands.com
Stay tuned for my next adventure!
Friday, 11 May 2012
Monday, 7 May 2012
Outing #1 Ganaraska
May 6th
For years I took groups of student to the Ganaraska Forest for outdoor education experiences. In the winter I would cross country ski with my family and friends there. Lorie (my wife, whom I hope will accompany me on many of my excursions) and I decided on a "Ganny" hike and picnic yesterday.
It was a fabulous day - plenty of sunshine, no bugs, few people and a forest just starting to bloom. We took the yellow trail (3.7km) and noticed some changes right away. The park was much cleaner, better marked and there were some awesome new buildings. Treetop Trekking.com has even built a canopy tour for the public to enjoy for a price.
We stopped about 2/3 of the way to have a trail-side picnic. Very nice and relaxing.
On the way home we took a new route passing through two villages I didn't know were there - Starkville and Crooked Creek. I may have to revisit these places. Lorie spotted a kestrel on a fence post with a mouse it had just caught. It was a perfect day!!
For years I took groups of student to the Ganaraska Forest for outdoor education experiences. In the winter I would cross country ski with my family and friends there. Lorie (my wife, whom I hope will accompany me on many of my excursions) and I decided on a "Ganny" hike and picnic yesterday.
It was a fabulous day - plenty of sunshine, no bugs, few people and a forest just starting to bloom. We took the yellow trail (3.7km) and noticed some changes right away. The park was much cleaner, better marked and there were some awesome new buildings. Treetop Trekking.com has even built a canopy tour for the public to enjoy for a price.
We stopped about 2/3 of the way to have a trail-side picnic. Very nice and relaxing.
On the way home we took a new route passing through two villages I didn't know were there - Starkville and Crooked Creek. I may have to revisit these places. Lorie spotted a kestrel on a fence post with a mouse it had just caught. It was a perfect day!!
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