Tim Priest Reflects on his Maine Paddling Treks Guided by Loon Parsons

This recently identified video was made by Frank Crosby as he interviewed Tim Priest heading for eight days of paddling and tenting on the 92-mile North Maine Woods Allagash Wilderness Waterway in July 2009.  We call this particular trek a Father-Son trip as the expedition of ten was made-up of four Dads and their sons and one friend.

Tim has been on many wilderness paddling trips guided by Master Maine Guide Linwood “The Loon” Parsons and his wife Betty “The Chickadee”.  Tim shares his reflections on Linwood and Betty and his Maine North Woods trips.

The video includes pictures from this Allagash Wilderness Waterway trek.

Thank you to Frank Crosby for sharing this interview.

 

References to Timothy's Maine paddling trips can be found at http://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

http://www.outdoorsteve.com

http://www.loonsnest.biz

The Ballad of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation

"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go outdoors with my family." – S. Priest

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($11.95)

Snowshoeing in Bedford, NH at Benedictine Conservation and Van Loan Preserve

My friend Mark sent an email inviting his fellow outdoor enthusiasts to a moonlight snowshoe in the fields and woods of Benedictine Conservation Land and Van Loan Preserve in Bedford, New Hampshire.  Both areas are next to each other separated by Wallace Road.

These properties are protected by The Bedford Land Trust with conservation easements and allow public access to the trails for passive recreational use that remain in place forever.  They were perfect for our snowshoeing quest.

Snowshoeing Benedictine Conservation Land

On a clear moon lit night in December nine (9) Outdoor Enthusiasts met at the Benedictine Conservation Land parking lot.  The temperature was a mild 18 degrees F.

From the Kiosk leading to the Benedictine field we went clockwise on the Perimeter Trail climbing up the open field hill just inside the tree line.  We completed the loop passing the Kiosk in about 15 minutes.

We then crossed Wallace Road to the woods of the Van Loan Trail

Van Loan Preserve

The Van Loan Trail is initially a narrow trail through the woods before crossing Riddle Brook Bridge.  Thereafter the Van Loan Trail reaches a Junction whence we snowshoe onto the Anna and Pic Loop trail counterclockwise. 

The Anna and Pic Loop shortly returns to the Van Loan Trail from where we turn left back to the Junction of the Anna and Pic Loop.

We re-cross Riddle Brook Bridge following the Van Loan Trail to Wallace Road and the Benedictine Parking area.

The total snowshoe trek was about an hour and forty-five minutes.

The videos you are about to see are generally dark because the only light was that of our headlamps and the light of the moon.  I have left these black videos to give you a sense of hiking in the dark led by shining headlamps and the voices of fellow snowshoeing enthusiasts.

It was a magnificent night.  Wonderful friends.  Beautiful clean country air.  Enjoy this short video of snow shoeing in Bedford, New Hampshire.

"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go outdoors." – S. Priest

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($11.95)

The Rocky Steps

Philadelphia Museum of Art  - The 72 Steps of Victory

The 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia have become known as the "Rocky Steps".  The steps were part of the triple-Oscar-winning film Rocky and four of its sequels, Rocky II, III, V and Rocky Balboa.  The eponymous character, Rocky, runs up the steps to the song "Gonna Fly Now".  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Steps)



"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go outdoors." – S. Priest

Christmas and Holidays are coming.  Give Outdoor Play, “Fun 4 4 Seasons” ($11.95) as a reading gift for a life-time of family outdoor motivation. 

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($9.95)