I left the building at 10:04am on Friday and headed north to Baxter State Park in Millinocket Maine. I had never been and heard great things about how beautiful it was, and how much wildlife is there.
And......to be honest, I needed a couple days to just go someplace and wander. It's something that really helps me re-energize and clear my head.. So.... weather forecast be damned (it said the ENTIRE weekend was going to be pouring rain)
I went anyway.....
And as soon as I pulled in the gate, it started pouring. Haha- perfect.
This is the "lean to" site I had booked. The lean to keeps you out of the elements, obviously. Some put their tent right inside it. I chose to sleep in the car (the new Honda Passport is just the right size to lay down in the back!! haha). Nice spot though, in the Abol Campground inside the park.
I checked in and headed for Sandy Brook Pond - a spot that is well known for moose sightings. I figured, "why not?" - maybe the moose love rain!!
Well, they didn't on this day. So I got nothing to show for my standing in the rain with an umbrella. (see the video at the bottom of the post below)
But the next morning? Even though the forecast called for CONSTANT RAIN - look what I got!!!
It was BEAUTIFUL! That's Mt Katahdin in the background! What a beautiful spot!
This is a shot of the "bowl" just to the right of Katahdin, shot from the other end of Sandy Brook Pond.
And after hiking around the pond and shooting everything - all while walking on these kind of trails.
God Bless the trailmakers who make land like this passable for folks like me. That's some back breaking work to get these things out there. I truly give thanks to them everytime I'm on a trail.
After the failed shoot in the rain, it was getting dark - so I got out of the woods and went to this place- the Sawmill Bar and Grille. GREAT spot with an incredibly friendly staff and good food! The taco salad was excellent! haha
Then - when I went to leave, I arrived at THIS - about a minute or so after it happened!
This giant tree had fallen about a minute or so before I got there!!!! There is only one road in or out to where I was - so if I couldn't get under that tree, I wasnt going anywhere for a few hours! Luckily- the car in front of me and I could fit under it and we got to proceed. The road was closed for a good chunk of the rest of the morning and afternoon!
Later that day I met up with my buddy Scott and we moved to a different campground in the park on the North side- and grilled up a couple of steaks.
I don't think there is anything better that a couple steaks (and corn on the cob) over an open fire....
Next morning - more rain....
But, I had hot coffee and some fresh blueberries - so I had no complaints.
Weather be damned- It was a great weekend. Got some great shots I'll share later-
But in the meantime - here's a little video of the weekend I did (I do these more for me than anyone else, so please excuse the production value...haha)
I got home just in time to see the last quarter of the Pats game. And that was most miserable part of my weekend! haha -
But it was a good one. If you are looking for a road trip to take you away from everyday life- I recommend Baxter State Park.
I can tell you this, in the words of pretty famous robot in a pretty famous movie....
"I'll be back..."