A new corner of the North Woods

New corners of the woods are exciting. What’s around the bend? What’s on the other side of that hill? How deep is this water, anyways?

We’ve been spending time in a new-to-us corner of the woods since June, when Daniel was assigned to a new unit. This has provided ample opportunities to explore new places, and to be reminded of the vastness of Maine. (Friendly tip, a little jaunt over to Map 47 of the Delorme is all you need if you’re feeling cabin feverish.)

This corner I’m speaking of is up northwest of Moosehead Lake, in the Seboomook area. It’s a geologically fascinating part of Maine. “Our” lake (Seboomook) is part of the Penobscot watershed, eventually flowing all the way down past our island in Old Town. But right below (south of) our camp is Moosehead, which flows into the Kennebec watershed. There’s something like only 8 feet of elevation difference between the two waterbodies, a small difference left by the earth rebounding after the retreating glaciers. It’s odd to sit at such a space, sort of like being on a very small continental divide.
This is a land of no cell service, no electricity (at least fed by poles), no pavement, no radio stations (except “awesome” Québec ones), and no incorporated towns. There are, however, lots of lakes and logging roads. There are also lots of trees, though not many big ones (reference the logging roads). In the right seasons there are also lots of hunters (fall), foliage (fall), and bugs (spring and summer). Stay tuned for what I’ll see in winter. (My money is on snowmobiles.)

View from Kineo on Moosehead Lake, towards the dock in Rockwood.
That boat is the little "ferry" that shuttles people over to Kineo for hiking or golf.

Colors and the 100 Mile Wilderness in the distance.

Scenes from a long, foliage-filled run.

The lakes get a little low this time of year. This is Canada Falls Lake, above the dam.

Scoping out some potential "gnar" for my paddling friends. 

Way, way up in the headwaters of the Penobscot River.

 There were snowflakes out the window this morning, so perhaps our winter adventures in the north aren't too far around the corner. The forecast is calling for 4'' of snow at camp this week!

Sadie was pretty psyched about this find.