'Best Water Park Around'

Lessons learned in Maine:

• Moose do not follow our schedule (zero sightings).
• Mother Nature does not follow our schedule (rain & wind).
• Most dirt roads quickly turn into ATV trails (oops!).
• Blag Frog is a good place to hang out.
• Northwoods Outfitters is run by good people.
• Lake Onawa & Wilson Pond provide good canoeing.
• Borestone Mountain is a GREAT hike.
• Climbing falls & swimming in the creek is the best water park around.
• Kennebec River Brewery is a fun party hour with good BEER! and food (worth the trip).
• Great week with family & friends.

The Wymans & Kurilovitches
August 9, 2013

17-Hour Drive - 'Perfect Location'

The Grime (pronounced "grim") family arrived late evening on Saturday after a two-day, 17-hour drive from the northwest corner of Ohio. We were ready for outdoor adventures and immediately fell in love with our cabin in the woods. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect location!

On Sunday we headed up the road to hike Borestone. It was a tough hike, but we loved the very rustic trail and the beautiful vistas. We all had the same "Wow!" reaction when we finally broke through the trees and could get our first views of the surrounding hills. It was definitely one of our favorite hikes. Our least favorite was the very next day up Burnt Jacket. We were promised spectacular views of Moosehead Lake, but the view is completely blocked by pine trees. So don't bother. We then went to Lily Bay State Park for a picnic and short swim. Saw a deer; no moose. Tuesday was our rain day. We played games and then went on a drive. We hoped to see moose - no luck. Saw some turkeys and a chipmunk. It did dry up enough that we could enjoy a fire.

Wednesday was our river day. We donned our water shoes and hiked (well, waded) downstream far enough to see around the bend. So pretty. After a picnic lunch by the falls (perfect) we drove to the Lower Wilson Falls and hiked to the Upper. We loved the hike, and met some hikers on the Appalachian Trail who had been hiking since March and started in Georgia! The Upper Falls are beautiful, and totally worth the hike. Be sure to go upstream just a bit - the calm stream is a complete paradox to the raging water just 40 feet away! When we got back we grabbed our tubes to enjoy the swimming hole. It was freezing! (It was also about 65 degrees out ...) We found a great "tube shoot" out of the swimming hole down a rapid - just be sure to stop before the next part of the falls!

Thursday we left earlier and drove to Gulf Hagas. A six-hour hike yielded beautiful views and the deep gorge and thundering waterfalls, a picnic lunch near Buttermilk Falls, sore legs from climbing, and lots of memories. It was both treacherous (don't get too close to the edge!) and breathtaking. Gulf Hagas definitely ranks as one of our favorite hikes!

Sadly, it is Friday morning and we have to leave. We are going to see the coast before heading west. We hoped to see a moose - no luck (even at the DOT) - but we loved our visit and wish we could stay longer. Thanks for the great stay, Big Wilson!

Dave & Linda,
Brett & Jen, & Molly Micah
July 20-27, 2013

New Satellite Internet

May weather is always unpredictable in the north woods, so we shouldn't have been surprised by six straight days of rain. This was a working visit, though, to get the camp ready for summer vacation rentals and get other improvements done, so we made good use of the time anyway.

One new improvement that some of our guests have asked for is high-speed wireless internet. We've resisted bringing civilization with us to our remote hidey-hole in the woods, till now. The satellite dish out on the driveway delivers it for those who can't completely disconnect from the world. Enjoy, but don't let it distract you from the real reason you're here!!

We're also close to adding a second cabin on our 25-acre tract. Not to worry! The cabins will not be visible from each other, so the privacy people so enjoy about this place will not be diminished. A new driveway, just south of the existing cabin, runs 600 feet down to the bend in the river, and the second cabin will be tucked into a grove of white pines down there, with a view of the falls from below. Please don't disturb the flags and stakes marking the building site.

The water is way up. Higher than it was even for Hurricane Irene, but not as high as Superstorm Sandy. I'm relieved my son, Jeremy, wasn't with us this time, because he would've been goading me to get out on the water with our whitewater kayaks, and I'm just not the young, reckless fellow I used to be.

Eric & Tricia Schult
Owners of Big Wilson Camp
May 18-26, 2013

The Colors of Fall

We had a one night stay with our parents/grandparents. Such a beautiful time of year. Colors of fall. Overnight we had a one-inch snowfall and our little girl (three years old) enjoyed making several small snowmen. We enjoyed several short walks to the water and back and discovered one night was too short to enjoy and do all that this area has to offer. We loved the cabin and hope to follow in your steps one day and have cabins of our own to rent out to those who would like to visit our area - Aroostook County.

The Haley Family:
George & Roberta, Anna & Bonnie
Perham, ME
October 14, 2012

We had a beautiful time; the area and place are wonderful. We had our youngest son and his wife and two girls for the weekend and as you see they came themselves for one night. We brought the two small granddaughters and our oldest granddaughter (15, 3 & 1 year olds). We hiked to Wilson Falls. We also had our oldest son who is mentally & physically handicapped. We pushed him in his wheelchair up to eht falls. What a beautiful day Saturday was. We all enjoyed the camp, the outdoors, the games, the eating, the hiking, just being together. After the all left on Sunday, we still enjoyed more of the area and went up to Moosehead Lake and rode around there and visted some other places. What an area! We did see some turkeys and one partridge. No moose - we do see plenty of these where we come from - Aroostook County. We also went down to Dover-Foxcroft area for some sights and things to do.

The camp, the waterfalls, the stream - especially out front here - is so beautiful. We just marveled at how powerful the Lord really is when you look all around you at what He has made and given to us to enjoy. We thank Him daily for all we have and for all we can do. Thank you for opening your cabin to others to enjoy. The children all want to come back and so do we. There is so much more to see and enjoy. We did get some reading and plain-old relaxing in, too. Thank you again.

The Haley Family:
Milton, Pamela, Jamison & Kirsten
Perham, ME
October 12-17, 2012

(Owners' note: We've recently (May, 2014) added a more easy-access gravel trail down to a bonfire area & picnic site on the water's edge. We wouldn't call it handicapped accessible, exactly, but it is a LOT easier for folks with mobility challenges to enjoy the river.)

Perfect 30th Anniversary Trip

Sitting on the deck listening to the roar of Big Wilson one more time as I write this. What an awesome property! Thank you so much for allowing us the time to spend our 30th wedding anniversary in such a perfect setting.

Spent a lot of time moose watching. Best chance to see one is between Greenville and Kokadjo. We saw two bulls and three cows in that stretch. The road back to Casey's camp is prime.

Best place to eat is Black Frog. Try their fish dinner. It was great. They also serve a wicked Bloody Mary.

Make sure to hike back to Little Wilson Falls. Well worth it.

Thanks again,

Gordie & Marilyn Lambert
Brighton, MI
September 26, 2012