Moosehead Magic
CVOA Relishes Adventure in the North Woods
A somber stroll through the site of the B52 bomber crash, a jaw-dropping hike up Mt. Kineo, a rugged bike ride down the Greenville to Shirley rail trail, a gentle paddle down the Moose River to Moosehead Lake … CVOA crammed it all into its “Inland Adventure” outing to Moosehead Lake July 9 -11.
Some 50 members of the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association set their GPS’son “north” and headed up to the great north woods for a weekend of hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, sightseeing, nature-watching, feasting and socializing.
The group literally took over Maynard’s, a charming, sprawling, old-time, 4th generation sporting camp where a clanging bell still summons you to dinner, porch rockers are de rigueur and a gaggle of geese join you riverside for social hour.
“Can we come back?” said CVOA member Jan Doherty, echoing the sentiments of many members of the group.
Absolutely! Although this marked CVOA’s first trip to the Moosehead area, it won’t the last. The area offers so many outdoor recreational opportunities that it was difficult to sample them all during three packed days.
The local outdoor club sponsors an annual trip to an inland lake, a coastal retreat and a western ski area as well as weekend’s in two of Maine’s most cherished spots: Baxter State Park and Acadia National Park. The group heads to Baxter July 31, the Camden/Isleboro area in September and Bar Harbor in October.
CVOA members started rolling into Maynard’s Friday, their cars geared up with bikes, kayaks, canoes, fishing rods and hiking gear.
Gail Maynard cheerfully and capably handled the crowd, serving dinner in shifts since there were more CVOAers than dining room chairs. Four-course dinners featuring hefty portions and home-baked desserts and full breakfasts with Maynard’s own eggs and maple syrup were served each day and Gail packed everyone a brown bag lunch for the outdoor adventures.
Evenings, there were social hours by the river and, after dinner, on the front porch. During the day, there were hikes up Kineo, bike rides to the Brassau Dam and the Birches, paddles on the Moose River, boat excursions on Moosehead Lake, fly casting lessons and fishing in many of the local streams, side trips to the historic Pittston Farm, the B-52 crash site, Moxie Falls and downtown Greenville.
CVOA members came home with some first-rate shots of waterfalls, dams, wildflowers and the 360 degree views from atop Kineo … and some up-close photo s of local wildlife, including moose, eagles, geese, ducks, rabbits, loons and fish.
All the photos will be featured in an online photo album and some are sure to be included in CVOA’s 2011 photo calendar.
“A great weekend,” said Anne Worthley. “It was wonderful.”
To find out more about CVOA and its upcoming adventures, visit the club’s website at: www.cvoutdoors.com. Annual dues are just $10 a year for individuals and $15 for families. The club is also involved in numerous civic projects and operates a shooting range in Carrabassett.