Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 24 : Spring 2015 | Page 74

to experience the melodies of spring. Pressed for time, simply pull into the northern overlook of the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway and check out the raptor nesting site. The overlook there and the southern one across from First Settler’s Lodge, www.firstsettlerslodge. com, offer spectacular photographic vistas including the rolling hills of New Brunswick and Mt. Katahdin in all its majesty. While East Grand Lake and its renowned fishing is an obvious draw, there are numerous other lakes that offer excellent spring trout, bass and white perch action. Deering Lake in Weston, North Lake in Orient, Baskehegan Lake in Brookton and both Upper and Lower Hotbrook Lakes in Danforth are favorites amongst spring fisherman. Many brook trout can be caught in the tributaries of the lakes and the Baskehegan and Mattawamkeag Rivers. Accommodations are available throughout the area with varying degrees of comfort. Lodges and cabins are located on almost all the lakes and even a few on the rivers. Check out www. eastgrandlake.net for all the listings. The East Grand Lake region offers some great opportunities for spring wild turkey hunting. If you’ve never tried it, you’re missing out on an exhilarating experience. Sitting in the darkness of early dawn, camouflaged from head to toe, waiting to hear the sound of the flapping of giant wings as they descend from their tree limb perches and the gobbling of the males. You try to imitate the sound of a hen turkey with a box, slate or mouth call to entice a tom within yards of your position without being seen by another sharp-eyed turkey. Your heart pounding and pulse racing as they close in, you move with the gentlest of motions to get into just the right position for your shot….whether it is with your trusty shotgun 72 SPRING 2015 or a camera. Now is the time to hone your calling skills and plan a visit this spring. If you are seeking a bit more energetic adventure, perhaps you can participate in the East Grand Outdoor Adventure Race in May. It’s just a short 17 mile hiking, biking and paddling jaunt. Oh, did I mention the optional activities that can be undertaken for time off your overall time; such as tomahawk throwing, log rolling and the infamous “MUD CRAWL”. Entrants come from all over the State of Maine and Canada. While it was originally started for high school students it is open to anyone of any age. So grab a partner and come have some good “CLEAN” fun! Contact Dave Conley, [email protected], find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/East-Grand-AdventureRace, or the East Grand School, www. eastgrandschool.org, in Danforth for more information. A little too competitive for you, how about a hike up Peek-a-Boo Mountain to the old fire tower and the 360 degree panoramic view it offers. If you’re not the outdoors type, then maybe sitting in a sunny window overlooking Mt. Katahdin or any of the other breathtaking scenic views reading your favorite book is more to your liking. Knitting you say, contact Spring Valley Gifts & Yarn, [email protected], in Bancroft for a visit to see wool from start to finish or check out the knitting guild. The wool is dyed by hand in the spring at the farm. Southern Aroostook and northern Washington Counties have plenty of recreation opportunities to offer all year round. So plan your next adventure here and…..SPRING to it!!!