PLAY: What we can do to encourage an appreciation for the great Maine outdoors

I hear people say all the time that kids don't know how to enjoy a simple day of fun outside anymore. Here's a well known fact....kids follow by example.

If he was allowed to do so, Jackson would probably sit on the couch with an Ipad and the television on for hours. He loves Cabela's Deer Hunter and Angry Birds. Currently, his favorite show is "Yardens" (better known as North Woods Law) and the movie of the month is Brother Bear. It bothers me to see little kids sitting motionless in front of any device for an extended period of time. And yes, we are all guilty of this. Myself very much included!

Some of my fondest memories as a kid are of family sledding nights. My mom and dad would take old milk jugs, cut a hole in the back, and place votive candles inside. Both sides of our driveway were then lined with homemade luminaries. The weight of the snow and ice made the birch trees bow down, forming a perfect arch that extended the entire length of the driveway. That little bit of light turned a cold dark night into a winter wonderland. We would race each other and often times take a minute at the end to lay down and look up at the stars. Our fun was always followed with hot cocoa or warm tomato soup and grilled cheeses on homemade bread from Helen's Restaurant. Talk about a magical memory!!! My little brother and I were very blessed to grow up with fun parents.

It's so easy to say, "Go outside and play! Why can't you be content with being outside? Where is your imagination?"

Show them!!! Lead by example. A snow angel, a snowman, ice cream making, fort building, sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, snow flake observing, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, hiking...the list could go on! Show them fun things to do outside and use YOUR imagination. Seeing your excitement and your imagination will give them a push to be passionate about the moment, simply because YOU are. Excitement is so contagious, especially to children!

Trust me, I need this reminder just as much as the next person. Winter to me encourages lots of lounging around, eating delicious things, reading on the couch and just not wanting to move. It has been three weeks today since we last visited civilization...so it is VERY necessary to at least leave the house to play and get some fresh air.

Realty Road

 

 

 

Comin' Up Reality Road

 

A dog, a cat, two little boys, a husband, a wife, and lots of groceries.

 

We crammed it all in on the last trip we made back into Clayton Lake. After the rainfall a little over a week ago, the Reality road turned to a smooth glare of ice with a little dirt tossed on top in some places.

 

The MURS radio was probably the most active I have heard it. Most voices that came over the radio were monotone and pretty bland...but there were a few that made me chuckle.

"Mile 41. Heading down Reality. Wide. Loaded."

"Mile 13. Comin' up Reality. Empty."





A few of the truckers made a dramatic production of your typical shout out on the radio. Most were spoken in heavy French Canadian accents and the fun ones had a little sing song added to their voice...the rhythm reminding me a little of the cattle rattle of a southern auctioneer.

The logging trucks were answered with shout outs from other loggers and "four-wheelers". Four-wheeler is the term used on the MURS for any regular passenger vehicle.

"Mile 16. Coming down Reality. Four-wheeler."



I am so thankful for the communication of the radio. It isn't a warm fuzzy feeling that comes over you when you see a wide load logging truck coming towards you at 40 miles an hour on a road of ice sprinkled with a little dirt on top. It's a relief to know when they're coming.

The boys did awesome on the ride back in and I was able to see my first lynx! So exciting. What an elusive, beautiful creature.

Trigger was ready to get back into the woods. We were inside when we looked out to see him waiting patiently.

 

Moose: Who Gives A Shed?

The temperature isn't the only thing that's started dropping in the North Woods! We found our first sheds when the temperatures dipped around 37 below last week. Now that mating season has ended the moose's testosterone levels are evening out and antlers are dropping. It's the time of year that Mainers everywhere strap on their snow shoes and rev up their sleds to alleviate that "horny" feeling.

Moose sheds are a hot commodity, that can be sold for up to $10 a pound. They are used for dog treats and decorative purposes.

I visited a man cave Downeast today.

The picture doesn't really do it justice....there are about 60 sheds here.

These guys look tall and tough when standing still, but oh dear, don't they look foolish when they run! We have been able to follow a few of them running down the road when they jumped out in front of the vehicle and there's nothing pretty about it! There's a little added goofiness when they take on that lopsided look. They are so fun to watch...and beautiful in their own way. :)