We'd been in Bethel two weeks and hadn't yet set out for a float on the river. One canoe, two kayaks, and four new friends was the perfect set up for a couple hours of Androscoggin exploration. We loaded into a van pulling our watercraft behind and, a few minutes later, our fun began.  We expected to be heavily bothered by insects but were pleasantly surprised. Although that was the case, it is not a good idea to go out unarmed. We did use our spray just in case we encountered an occasional fun-busting swarm.   The views were fantastic. This river is perfect for anyone who enjoys tubing, canoeing, and the like without a great amount of  turbulence. The few rocky areas are just enough to make the journey pleasant and beautiful without getting hung up or beached. If the route is handled carefully with much attention to instructions before setting out, a perfect day on the water could be had.  The only ones who ended up completely drenched were two brave boy...

  The Mahoosuc Range, home to this Maine state park, can be found at the border separating the wild and gorgeous states of New Hampshire and Maine.  It boasts Maine's fourth highest peak. This 4,170-foot elevation is found on Old Speck Mountain. But a visitor does not necessarily have to climb to this elevation to be immersed in the beauty the area offers. A walk through some of Grafton Notch State Park's 3,000 acres leads to many eye-catching views.  We began our walk on a level, gravel path which is always quite nice. But one thing that was not nice about this endeavor was the presence of bugs. We're no strangers, of course, to these, especially the mosquitoes, but it would most definitely be deceiving if we didn't mention the existence of these pests. Thankfully, our bug spray did a great job of almost doing away with the issue.  We walked on absorbing the sights and sounds around us and veering off of the path a few times to get a closer look at th...

Would you venture to guess that most people, if asked "What comes to mind when the US state of Maine is mentioned?", would have lighthouses and lobster on the list?  We recently drove about an hour and a half to Portland with the intention of seeing lighthouses. It was cold (high of about 47), windy, and rainy on this Sunday in June, and that only helped to make it feel all the more authentic.  We decided to check off our list of five of these illuminating marvels. Four of the five afforded an up-close view, while one, Ram Island Ledge Light, considering it is sitting on a small island, is included in the picture above, but with Portland Head Light in the  forefront.  Here are a few interesting facts about those first two. Portland Head Light is Maine's oldest lighthouse. It was constructed in 1791 of rubble stone with brick lining and is the tallest we saw coming in at 80 feet high. Ram Island Ledge Light comes in second in the height category at...

  Although lots of people come to Bethel during winter in search of the many snowy adventures, it is a great place to spend a summer. We are excited to call this town our temporary home along the gorgeous Androscoggin River. Outdoor activities available here include  kayaking, tubing, canoeing, and paddle boarding. If a place to just sit and take in beauty is desired, the river definitely offers plenty of that too.  Upon arrival we were thrilled to find out that a family with two young boys would be coming in giving Cannon the chance to get to know a couple new friends. The sandbox is a great place to get acquainted.  We're looking forward to more play time throughout the next few months. Bethel Pathway This path winds through a little more than a mile and a half one way and takes us by a skate park, a playground, and a pretty covered bridge. A large area of the road incorporates a fun learning opportunity by way of colorful art painted right on. Lots of exercis...