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!!!