Miss Kelly

Acadia National Park

We spent a few days in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine, and it was quite beautiful.  Well worth the long car trip north.  While smaller than the incredible parks out west, it's a lot of land for New England.  The air was delicious, damp and balsamy.  I don't think the backpackers ever really get away from it all, but I'm sure the kayakers can.  There are lots of great outdoor activities to be had: biking, hiking, kayaking, bird watching, swimming in ponds and in the ocean.   

We ate at Guiness & Porcelli's in Bar Harbor, which served sumptuous Italian food, super friendly wait staff.  One of the better dining experiences we've had anywhere.  We took a sunset kayak trip around Bar Harbor with AquaTerra Adventures.  Our guide was David Legere, and he was a great instructor, knowledgeable and he connected with everybody.  That short trip really whet the appetite for longer kayak trips and maybe camping on the islands.  Next time!

Gallivanting in Washington State

Off for about 2 weeks, gallivanting in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (or Northwet, as the natives say).

Quite lovely here, in Sequim today, heading up to Deer Park this afternoon for a glorious mountain ridge hike.  Back to Massachusetts and blogging in a few more days.

Become Outdoors Woman in MA?

Who knew that the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife offers courses in how to become an "Outdoors Woman"?  According to this newspaper article, the DFW offers courses for women only in using a shotgun, hunting wild turkey, fishing, kayaking, and tracking animals.  The fiscal conservative in me asks why my tax dollars are being used this way.  Surely there are many needy and deserving programs (for say, homeless people, foster children, elderly, etc.) who need my tax dollars a lot more.  Numerous private organizations already offer similar courses (Trustees of Reservations. Appalachian Mountain Club, outfitters, rod and gun clubs, canoe rental companies).  But the nature girl/opportunist is me asks "Where do I sign up?!?!"   Course info and sign-up info here.