CVOA 2010 Calendar of Adventures

A new year, a new attitude and lots of new opportunities for outdoor adventures!

The year will flow from 2009 to 2010 without any help from us ---  but we can thank CVOA Secretary Sandy Jamison for a new outlook on our traditional calendar of "events."

"They are so much more," said Sandy. "We really ought to call them adventures!"

And so we will: From a weekend adventure in the Moosehead region to a weekend adventure in coastal Camden  --- from a week-long ski adventure in Jackson Hole in Wyoming to a 3-day ski adventure at the Balsam's in New Hampshire, it's going to be a banner year for the hearty brood of outdoor enthusiasts who call themselves the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association.

When the CVOA Board of Directors met in November to fine-tune the 2010 schedule, the word of the day was "fresh."

Sure, we'll visit some of our favorite haunts --- like Baxter State Park --- but with a different view: This year, we'll be camping at South Branch for a change of pace, moving away from Katahdin to explore hikes on some of the other impressive peaks that call Baxter home.

The 2010 season will kick off with our annual winter social Jan. 9 the with an evening of dinner and dancing and then steam into our annual out-west ski trip, this time to the cowboy town of Jackson Hole. Three dozen-plus CVOAers head west Jan. 30-Feb. 6 for that adventure.

In February, there will be a full moon cross-country trek at the touring center, followed by a 3-day outing at the Balsams March 7-9 for skiing, skating and socializing. March 27 we'll hold our annual meeting --- and celebrate our 10th birthday!

April will feature the popular spring fling. May --- we're open to suggestions!

In June, will be peddling in the 2cd Annual Tour de Gagne, a 25 to 35-mile trek through the coastal towns of Biddeford, Cape Porpoise and Kennebunk. This year the adventure will offer a second day of fun: a kayak or canoe tour of the Saco River. Some of our southern CVOAers will be offering backyard tent space and BBQs --- so we'll make a weekend of it.

In July, we'll travel to Moosehead for the first time, camping out July 9-11, with opportunities for hiking, boating and fishing. One option under consideration is to book the cabins in Maynard's wilderness camps.

August means Baxter, followed by our traditional September coastal adventure. For the past two years, we've taken over the Tanglewood 4 H camps in Tenants Harbor. This year, we'll commandeer the 4 H camp in Lincolnville, with opportunities to hike on Isleboro and Camden State Park.

October brings Homecoming, with the Oct. 8-11 weekend packed with hikes, bike rides, cookouts and trap shoots followed by our popular urban adventure weekend in Bar Harbor Oct.15-17.

There are other ideas still percolating: A hiking trip to the Bold Coast in Lubec, a kayak/fishing trip to East Grand Lake, day-long canoe trips, an overnight hike or boating adventure. We'll also be sponsoring a digital photography class.

The CVOA board is open to ideas for other adventures. If you've got an suggestion for an outing, please contact President Pete, Vice President Nancy or Secretary Sandy and we'll help make it happen.

Meanwhile, remember the buzz word for 2010: ADVENTURE!!!