Conversational Mysteries, in Lieu of the Internet

I would have thought the weather would be cold and rainy by this time of the year in central Maine, but it is not. Instead, we have had perfect autumn weather, with blue skies all day and mild evenings by the campfire - enough to keep off the chill. It is too cold to swim, so we missed out on that, but we have had long walks and hikes to some of the beautiful places around here. It is incredibly peaceful. We have everything we could want, and do not miss the things we left behind (email, for one); though perhaps it would have been nice to have internet, if only to settle the occasional argument or solve a conversational mystery:

• What are the lyrics to the "Underdog" theme song?
• Who was Mighty Mouse's girlfriend?
  

We can wait until we get back to find out. But we'll be back up here soon - a few days is not nearly enough to enjoy this beautiful place.

Jeff Schult
10/21/2008

Black Bear Sighting

What a beautiful place. My family thoroughly enjoyed this escape from overpopulated New Jersey. The hike to the falls was great - the view exceptional. The B-52 site was humbling. Hope to come back soon. Did not see any moose, but we did encounter a black bear on Eliotsville Road, about four miles from camp.

The Frett Family
(Jeff, Heather, Lindsey, Taylor, Brian & Rachel)
Aug. 24-30, 2008

Take Time For Yourself

We have had a magical time this week! This is the first family vacation we have taken since our son was born (he's 14-months old) and we have all loved it! We took our kayaks out on Prong Pond and Lake Onawa - both such beautiful places! We hiked every day - to the lower & upper falls, up Borestone, etc. Grady, happily tucked on my back, would talk to the trees, birds, insects and take naps along the way. My husband and I loved the rope swing. As we dropped in the water, Grady waited to share a smile once we surfaced! We also read stories, books; I knit a dress for a friend who just had a baby; we played dice, sat by the fire, and of course ate delicious s'mores! A perfect place to remember to always take time for yourself! Many thanks.

Erin, David & Grady Hazlett
Rumford, RI
August 17-24, 2008

P.S. - We also picked blueberries twice, because Grady went crazy over them! Yummy!

'It's Paradise'

Blessed are they who build gorgeous mountain retreats like Big Wilson Camp. It's paradise! My stay was so much more than I could have hoped for.

Hiking the waterfalls; rock diving; the swimming hole; the general store; home-made honey; basking at the fire pit - that was just the 1st day! A well-stocked kitchen, complete with quality cookware and utensiles ensured a fine meal. And I was famished!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for thinking of everything.

Note: The 1st sunny day, you've got to hike to the top of Borestone Mtn. You will not be disappointed. The views are incredible!! Be sure to push on to the 2nd peak. It's worth it.

I will surely return next year!

Michael McBride
Sarasota, FL
August 12-17, 2008

'I Felt Like Gumby'

What a blessing this place has been for our family!!

Borestone - what a blast (lots of blueberries). What a view. Happy kids.

Mt Kineo - More berries. More great views. Happy kids.

Playing in the river, catching trout, BBQ on the deck. My wife and I both have very stressful jobs. I became so relaxed, I felt like 'Gumby'. The toughest part will be saying goodbye.

We saw while here (red fox - 3 times, racoon, moose - 2 times, a weasel, and two beautiful king fishers).

Lilly Bay State Park - just outstanding. The lake is so clear, water so nice.

Thank you so very much for the use of your home. May the powers that be bless this place and keep it whole!!

The Bradshaw Clan
July 26-August 2, 2008

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Such serenity here, the moon over the falls is a scene to behold. The cabin-house-home is so very comfortable, you feel as if you've been here and belong.

We bought fresh eggs from Matthew's Farm, and they welcomed the boys to visit with their beautiful farm animals.

The fire pit brought back so many memories for me, having grown up in Nova Scotia. It's so great to see my children and grandchildren having conversations that were time-worthy, not just passing comments made because everyone's so rushed where we live.

We played cards, read, walked, looking for moose, but saw none - not for lack of trying. We drove to Greenville all but one day - my guess is they (the moose) have lots of pictures of us (ha-ha).

I'm one who can't go to sleep without T.V.. Well, I had no problem at all. The air is so clean and the sound from the falls is so soothing, you should record it.

We owe this beautiful vacation to my oldest daughter, who we thought was crazy, because it was so far away. And that it is, but worth the experience, and unleashed feelings in areas of life.

Saw deer, beaver, foxes, turkey. I so wanted the children to see a moose in the wild. Gifford's Ice Cream (yum!), Indian Plaza (a blessing and a nice ride, and the view. Wow!)

Thanks for a trip down memory lane, peace of mind, and a chance to remember how nice people really are. Guess what? Saw a moose!

Pauleen, Carol, Frankie, Danny, Steve & Tracy
July 19-27, 2008

The Road Less Travelled

We were very excited to arrive here after our two-day (12 hours total) trip. We opened the doors and the three boys (8, 7 and 2 1/2) spilled out towards the stream, whooping and hollering!

On Sunday, we went into Greenville to set our week with Northwoods Outfitters and do food shopping. We came back and my husband and the two older boys hightailed it to the falls, out back. We ended that day with s'mores. Monday, we hiked up Borestone Mt. The 2 1/2-year-old was a trooper! Whatever the other two were doing, he was going to do! We had lunch at Sunset Pond and watched as Patrick (2 1/2) fell in. That ended the hike up. We took the nature trail down. I thought it was never going to end. Carrying a 43 lb. bundle of love (Patrick) kind of takes the fun out of it. Needless to say, Patrick had a fantastic nap while the others swam. Tuesday, my husband and two oldest went fishing on Lake Hebron. We had more s'mores. Wednesday was our big day! We visited the B-52 crash site and then drove over to Moxie Falls, which is gorgeous! However, the drive was not! Driving 19 miles over logging roads with little gas, not knowing where we were going was a little daunting! We asked at the local gas station if there was an alternate route back to Greenville. If we stayed on the 'tar', it was 75 miles. We took it! We got into Greenville in time for our moose safari by Northwoods Outfitters. We had a great time paddling up to a bull moose. The boys loved it. We beat the storm approaching and quickly got off the pond. Thursday was a down day, but my husband and the boys rented a canoe and went fishing at dusk and Friday morning, Patrick even caught two fish, but wasn't keen on touching them! We ended Friday watching a wooden boat parade on Moosehead Lake.

We had a fantastic time all week! We had good food from the BBQ Shack in Monson; we ate on the barge at the Black Frog; we munched at Graves; and feasted at the Rod 'n Reel. Everywhere, people were wonderful. The couple at the BBQ Shack loaded me with info on where to eat and go in Monson and Greenville. The people at the general store were great.

I read six books and knitted;
My son read three;
My middle read two;
My husband read two (ties a record);

We were so relaxed! We loved your place, everyone and everywhere ... and the bugs loved me! Thank you for a wonderful time. We hope to make a return trip soon. Now we prepare for our one-day, 12-hour trip home!

Jennifer, Michael, Ryan, Zachary and Patrick Bowker
Pottstown, PA
July 5-12, 2008

P.S. - Just walking down the surrounding dirt roads with the light dappling through the trees, put me in mind of Robert Frost and 'The Road Less Travelled'.

B-52 Bomber Crash Site

Everyone loved the cabin!!! We had such fun jumping off the ledge and the nearby rope swing. Some of us hiked up to the waterfall (Upper Little Wilson Falls). Beautiful! We enjoyed a day at Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We also enjoyed just hanging out in Greenville (especially the ice cream).

We visited the (B-52) Bomber crash site (on Elephant Mountain) and have never seen anything like it. It was very sobering, yet peaceful.

Had a lot of fun exploring swimming areas up and down the creek. There are so many things we didn't have time to do! Hopefully, we'll be back soon to do them. Even the bugs couldn't keep us from enjoying our stay here.

All the information at the cabin came in handy. We used the directions and got ideas and tips on other things to do. We got to enjoy a mama fox and three babies just up the road. We also saw quite a few moose near Greenville. Thanks for sharing this beautiful place!

Bill and Julie and kids
Leetonia, OH
Larry and Gloria
Salem, OH
June 7-14, 2008

Repeat Visit

The overflow from Honeymoon Maple Works (2 miles west) enjoyed a lavish buffet and overnite. Thanks so much, Tricia and Eric, for letting us stay here. One of these years, I hope it will be for [a longer stay]. I'd love to just sit and read. See you in August, hopefully.

The Russells, Farnhams, Spragues
Elliotsville, ME
April 12, 2008