My watch reads 3:12 AM as I crawl out of bed to check the wood stove—the cabin air is brisk, likely around 45-50ºF, and I worry that our fire has died. A quick peek inside reveals a few coals glowing red hot—‘Phew!’ I think to myself, an hour longer and I might be trying to get a cold stove going again. I grab two logs—the last two logs in the cabin—and with a few breaths bring the fire back to life.

It’s the time of year where the days start with a bundle of layers and by noon, even your base layer is too warm. It’s called late summer, and we’ve waited all year for it. While, for many, September means back to school and the end of summer, but for us, this month feels like our little secret. The tourists have made their way home and Maine is ours to enjoy. 

Step 1: Pick a trail.

It’s summertime and it has been hot. When thinking about peaks to summit for an overnight getaway, we wanted a trail with great access to water. We hiked to Speck Pond last summer with friends, which was a blast, but for this trip, we wanted to wake up on a peak we never had before. Although we’ve hiked Tumbledown many times, we’ve never spent the night on top.

There are many great things about being based in Portland, but the access to Maine’s natural beauty is likely our favorite perk. We met the 10AM mail boat at the Casco Bay Lines Ferry terminal and made our way to the front deck of the boat. Many people ride the mail boat for an enjoyable lap around Casco Bay, but, after offloading cargo — everything from postcards to new golf carts — at the islands along the route, we were planning on hopping off on the last stop of the line for our picnic adventure.

There is something about living in a place with four seasons that offers both perpetual excitement and longing. As we leave winter, I find myself craving one last snowfall, while at the same time itching a summer sail with a warm breeze. It’s easy to dismiss the merits of mud season, but I find that the change of seasons always bring new life and a new way of enjoying this state we love. Enjoy!

Smelting on the Kennebec River with Big Tree Hospitality and Allagash Brewing Company.

Maine the Way editors, Cam and Christine, take a trek up to Maine Huts and Trails.

Hola. We are Affuera Vida and this is our 1978 Mercedes 508D Fire Truck. We are in the process of renovating it into a home for our young family of four and intending to embark on a journey from the beautiful state of Maine before the snow falls. Before we leave, we wanted to go on a proper test drive and explore our favorite state donned in it’s finest colors. Stay tuned as we takeover Maine the Way and share our story. 

When Allagash invited us on the 2018 iteration of their A Week in Maine, we were ecstatic.  One quarter press-trip for their beer, three quarters celebration of all things Maine, A Week in Maine was right up our alley.

With a passion for finding (and fishing) the wildest places, two New Englanders set off see what Labrador has to offer.

While Saddleback remains in limbo, there's still life on the mountain: it's called skinning.

Four adventurers created this film, Monumental, from their time in Katahdin Woods & Water National Monument, to share with us the vast beauty this land has to offer.  We talk with photographer Jamie Walter about the expedition, the monument, and the film.