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MONHEGAN: PICTURE PERFECT!

CVOA returns to Monhegan

This time without a hurricane

By John McCatherin



The Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association made it back to Monhegan Island this fall, unencumbered by the likes of Hurricane Hanna, which dampened a similar experience a year ago.

            In contrast to the 2008 trip, overcast skies and moderate temperatures were the worst the 19 members of the CVOA crew experienced as they criss-crossed and circumvented the remote island 12 miles off of Port Clyde.

            Meanwhile another eight CVOA-ers biked and paddled canoes and kayaks in the Tenants Harbor area as part of the organization's second consecutive annual visit to mid-coast Maine.

            It all started on a Friday night as the group of 27 gathered at the Blueberry Cove Camp, part of the University of Maine Extension Service's Tanglewood camping program.  Blueberry Cove is located on inner Tenant's Harbor and provides tenting and cabin accommodations plus a large dining facility.

            Organized by CVOA's John McCatherin and Barbara Kovach, the weekend kicked off with a lobster, steak and chicken feed.  Then it was early to bed for a 5:30 a.m. Saturday breakfast so the island explorers could make the 7 a.m. trip to Monhegan aboard the mail boat Laura B.

            After a day on the island, plus lots of paddling and pedaling by the others who didn't go to the island, the group settled down for one of CVOA's famous pot luck dinners, always a dining delight as members share their favorite recipes.

            After a Sunday morning pancake breakfast, the group broke camp and spread out across the coast for more sightseeing, biking and kayaking before heading back to their respective homes.

            Taking part in the trip were CVOA members Pete and Judy Weston, John and J.J. Clements, Paul and Linda Trueworthy, John and Charlotte Pease, Bob and Barbara Luke, Joe Loughran, Gail Miller, Jean Pernice, Cynthia Pernice, Nancy Perry, Dianne Sturzenberger, Priscilla Nelson, Jan Doherty, Diane Carter, Bruce Hanke, Elaine Fitzpatrick, Tom and Helen Poulin Spring, Glen and Peggy Bickford and McCatherin and Kovach.