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Jul 23, 2022: Moxie Pond

We had a beautiful sunny day for a traverse of Moxie Pond on the first day of the Summer Picnic weekend.  Unsure of where to begin and end, Nancy and I drove up and down Moxie Pond Road in advance.  We found a spot next to the water at the southern end adjacent to a CMP Corridor worksite where we could park vehicles.  Since the forecast called for a west southwest wind, we decided to begin at the southern end and paddle northeast to the Moxie Pond Boat Landing.  We met Gail & Devon Carter and Jonathan Ludlow at the landing and transported boats south.  The Carter’s were navigating a tandem canoe, Jonathan a solo canoe, and Nancy and I were in solo lake kayaks.  The paddling was superb.  When publicizing the trip, I stated the pond resembled an inland fjord.  That was an unintentional embellishment.  However, while traveling between Moxie Bald and Mosquito Mountains, if you let your imagination soar, it looks something like an inland fjord.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  Everything went swimmingly until we started looking for a location to stop for lunch.  After exploring several possibilities, we finally found a small partially cleared island where landing was doable but challenging.  Easy paddling continued until we were about a mile from the landing.  Then the wind gods betrayed us.  Nasty broadsides were encountered while navigating an open stretch.  A powerful headwind followed when turning towards the boat landing.  By the time we arrived, everyone had experienced an aerobic workout.  Overall, it was a very scenic trip with a great group.

Participants:  Gail Carter, Devon Carter, Jonathan Ludlow, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase

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Jul 24, 2021: Moxie Pond

It was great to be able to have a PPCS summer picnic at the Forks, with so many unmasked faces, familiar and new. Even though the releases on the Dead river were cancelled, we found plenty of ways to get in boats on the water together throughout the weekend. Check out the trip reports for the various ways to enjoy the Kennebec river! On Saturday three of us enjoyed a windless, sunny day on Moxie Pond, which offered spectacular views, lots of loons, and plenty of time to share conversations and laughter. Lunch on the rocks of a tiny island was preceded and followed by a swim, which all lunches should be if at all possible.

Helen Hess (TC) and Cathi Reed OC-2, Kenny DeCoster in a sea kayak

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Sept 8-9, 2019: Donnell Pond Surf & Turf

Participants:  John Brower & TC Ron Chase

The weather was too good to stay home and John answered my urgent call for a Donnell Pond Surf & Turf Trip.  The Donnell Pond Public lands are one of the best kept recreational secrets in Maine. Consisting of 14,000 acres of forested lands that include several rugged mountains enveloping remote ponds and lakes, they offer an extensive trail system and scenic campsites accessible only by water; perfect for a surf & turf.  John & I met at the Donnell Pond boat landing in Franklin on a sunny calm day. Completing a 3 mile crossing, we set up camp on sandy Schoodic Beach. The turf portion of our excursion began by hiking the Black Cliffs Loop Trail that starts and ends at the beach. Leaving the loop trail at a junction above the cliffs, we followed a hilly path to spectacular East Peak where we experienced expansive views of Tunk Lake and Mount Desert Island.  Returning to the beach, we spent an idyllic night camping while enjoying a brilliant sunset during the evening. The following morning we were first on Schoodic Mountain to enjoy one of Maine’s premiere views; Frenchman Bay and the majestic peaks of Mount Desert Island from the summit. Light winds facilitated an easy paddle back to Franklin. We both agreed it didn’t get any better. Stay tuned for the newspaper column and blog which tell the rest of the story: http://rchase.bangordailynews.com/