Autumnal Retreat
Autumn, my favorite time of year; you see with new eyes that which you previously took for granted. Your routine commute, which you snooze through suddenly, captures your attention and has your head on a swivel. I try to get out every weekend to hike somewhere especially spots I enjoyed during the spring & summer and plan a long weekend or a vacation somewhere where the leaves are at or near peak color. This year it was Plymouth Vermont and Millinocket Maine and it was a wonderful display of color, despite the storms that rolled through just days before our arrival. Vermont seemed a bit past peak which had me concerned as our destination in Maine was some 7 hours north and west of Plymouth VT.
We started in Plymouth, Vermont at Head North LLC, the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge. Todd Parkins has a fantastic house on a picturesque 10 acres for rent and they can tailor a week, weekend or more to make your stay memorable and relaxing. The house sleeps between 12&16 including the cabin by the pond. Close by are Okemo and Killington ski areas, Woodstock is just minutes away. I began photographing the property for their marketing materials last winter and we were there for the fall shoot. The weather was not cooperative however Thursday cleared just long enough to get in a few shots. The house is comfortable, warm and inviting with first class accouterments. The fireplace well lets just say it is THE place to sit and have a glass of wine post activities and then there is the front porch looking out over Okemo and Killington mountains. Did I mention the fishing pond in back, no well just outside the cabin is the fishing pond – stocked mind you, and in summer there is a swing to launch you into the refreshing waters. Check them out at http://www.HeadNorthllc.com
On Friday we set off to Maine headed for Millinocket home of the Pelletier Bros. from the Discovery show American Loggers. I do not know what they pay the logging truckers but they earn every cent! We saw moose, fox, eagles, grouse and deer what a trip and what fun! We hiked nearly every day the weather, fantastic and the company perfection. It was nice to unplug and just be with that special someone for 9 days uninterrupted. The views were not too shabby either. I did notice this year more oranges, yellows and gold’s than in previous years, very few reds and when they were there they were either very sparse, de-saturated or in small bunches spread out. I was disappointed in the fact that I saw so many animals and was never in position or had enough light to capture a good crisp image, however, I will be back next year that is for sure.
I cannot comment enough about how friendly everyone is there and the food! Good ole New England comfort food, standard fare as my mom would say nothing fancy however fancily done. We ate at Ruthie’s in Millinocket and my friends; she fed us like kings and queens for a very reasonable sum. So much so that we pretty much ate there every night and a few mornings too. Ruth and her daughter run the place and I mean run it. So Ruth THANK YOU and we will see you next year. So if you are passing through or going to Millinocket ME stop in to Ruthie’s on Medway Rd and ask for the corn chowda! Tell ’em Jersey Dan recommended them.
AS for our accommodations, Katahdin Cabins on Medway road was where we called home for a few days. Our cabin was clean and comfortable with heat, running water and reasonable as well around $50.00 a night. Skip and his wife were wonderful and the cookies were delicious!
We started our outdoor adventures at Gulf Hagas it was a wonderful hike, all 8.7 miles of it; the falls spectacular and best of all the company was grand. There were so many things to see and do that it will take another trip or two to get around to them. We visited Jo Mary Lakes area to hike and explore, drove the Golden Road and cruised Telos road where we saw an enormous bull moose.We had no schedule no “plan of attack” we were there to unwind, reconnect and soak in the beauty that is nature and Maine. Worth a Trip, Worth a lifetime is what was on the sign welcoming you to Maine and all I can say is how true how true. Here are a few images from this trip, these are for sale through www.danielpstudios.net and sizes range from 5×7 to 36×24. Enjoy and be well!
