Every year, I pack the car with groceries, Northern Maine guide books, fishing poles, life jackets, bikes…oh, and kids! Then our family of four heads a few hours north to our favorite place on earth to be together—the rustic cabins found at the Last Resort in Jackman, Maine. There is so much to love about being there, but here are a few highlights from this past Memorial Day weekend.
Wildlife We spent five minutes fixing a flat on a dirt road and were rewarded with a view of a mama moose and newborn calf crossing the road right after we got on our way. The mother protectively stood between the baby and us before they both loped off into the woods. We also had close encounters with a rabbit, a hawk, and a family of white-tailed deer.
Hiking We had the trail on remote Number Five Mountain all to ourselves…ourselves and countless animals as was obvious by the moose prints in the mud and coyote scat along the trail. The fiddleheads, trillium, and unusual fungus were out everywhere we looked. The 360-degree view from the top included Attean Mountain, Kibby Mountain, Sally Mountain, Moose River, and more. My eight-year-old thought it was great fun to scare me with his view from atop the rickety fire tower!
Fishing This is a favorite with my family, and we all enjoy fresh brook trout smothered in garlic and butter. This year the fish weren’t biting, but the kids and their Papa had fun trying and the true fisherman of our family did hook a perch.
Paddling The calm waters of Long Pond make for a great paddle. We moored at a rocky island to explore and happened upon a nest of Canada goose eggs. We quickly moved on to leave the incubation uninterrupted by nosy humans.
Cabin-ing The cabin itself affords us the warmth of a lakeside campfire on the lawn, the beauty of early morning fog lifting off the water just out the window, the calming absence of electronics, and the presence of my favorite people playing games on the porch. Our family tradition started just five years ago but visiting Maine sporting camps is a Maine tradition that often goes back for generations. We Mainers and visitors alike enjoy the fishing, paddling, swimming, and peace and quiet they provide.
—by Stacie Haines, NRCM Membership Director
Note: Many Maine sporting camps are offering discounts to NRCM members. Take advantage of this great opportunity to support a local Maine business while exploring Maine’s North Woods and Down East Maine. If you are not yet a member of NRCM, join today and find out so you and your family can find out firsthand why sporting camps are a Maine tradition. Contact us at (207) 430-0106 to get your sporting camp voucher.
Leave a Reply