The Royal River Land Trust has a page about this part of the river, found here.   I found the in formation on this page helpful, especially the map.  My experience on this stretch of the river did not match the description on the page, but as is the case with any river, conditions and water levels change the experience of the river.  Body of Water: Royal River From Old Town House Park towards Wescustogo Park This is the map of the route, from the Royal River Land Trust.  We paddled upstream and could not quite get to Wescustogo Park due to downed trees, but we ..read more

Body of Water:   Old Saco River to Kezar Pond, Fryeburg, Maine [Map 4 A2, to Ma- 10 E2 and E1]    Directions:  See this blog post for directions...   Notes: As I am working on the blog this week, I am looking at some of the drafts that never got published!  Sadly these photos didn't get published... this was a great trip in the fall a few years ago. This truly is a beautiful spot and these fall photos are worth sharing.  While we are just about to enter the start of the paddling season... it is never too early to plan for fall colors and this paddle is a ..read more

Not Sure why this never got posted... but this was a fall paddle on the Brownfield Bog... I can't wait to get there this spring - Gate is not yet open, but soon!!  Here are a few pics - I linked another blog entry above with more info.  Enjoy   ..read more

 Body of Water: Heald Pond, Lovell, Maine  (Maine Gazeteer Map 10 D2) Directions: From Fryeburg, Maine.  From the intersection of 302 and Rt 5, Head North on Rt 5 towards the fairgrounds.  Drive about 15.4 miles and turn right onto Slab City Rd.  Drive about 0.5 miles and the parking area/launch will be on the left, just after a bridge with guardrails.    Just before the bridge/guardrails there is a sign for the GLLT (Greater Lovell Land Trust) Trails.  GLLT is a great organization that has done amazing work to preserve a lot of lands in this are ..read more

    Body of Water: Bear Pond, Waterford, Maine  (Gazetteer Map 10 E4) Directions:  from Portland, Maine, Head out of Portland on Rt. 302, through Windham and Raymond, Casco and into Naples.   As you come into Naples, at the traffic light near the grocery store there, you will be turning Right onto Rt. 35.  Drive for about 14 miles and you will come to a funky intersection and the pond will be visible.  To head to the picnic area (where I launched, take a sharp left turn and the picnic area will be on the right.  If you want to launch from the boat ..read more

 Gladys and Kayaking This post is about kayaking with my best girl, Miss Gladys. She shows up here a lot and in our other social media.  While it is more and more common for people to take their dogs paddling, like Blizzard and Lulu , it is something that people seem to find unique and entertaining.   Yes, that is a Saint Bernard in a kayak! I want to share a little more about Gladys's story.  (I know this is not my usual blog content with locations etc., but Gladys is a big part of my life and joins me often in the kayak.  And, as we should tell everyone on ..read more

 Forgot to Post this last fall!!!  I hope you use this as inspiration to get here this season!!   Body of Water:  Shirley Bog (West Shirley Bog) Maine Gazeteer [   ]   Directions:This was a tricky drive - because I listened to my GPS!!  I literally drove down what was marked as a rod, but was actually someone's driveway!  Ha! Always have your maps handy!  What I would suggest is finding your way to the Shirley Town Hall.  Once there head towards the Shirley Mills Cemetery... (Map below from google!) Stay on that road and just keep d ..read more

 Another New Kayaking Season!! 2023!  Hello!!!  Are you as excited as I am for another kayaking season? I am always ready for kayaking season, but this year, for some reason, I felt like I needed it more than ever.  The winter was strange - I should have paddled longer into the fall and early winter with some of the warm days we had, but didn’t.  Then once winter hit, I felt like it hit hard.  Remember that one weekend where is was crazy cold? The one where we were all reminding each other to make sure our furnaces were working and reminding each other to stay w ..read more

  Body of Water:  Prong Pond, Greenville, Maine - Maine Gazetteer Map 41 C3 Important Note: On the map, next to Moosehead Lake, Prong Pond looked like a small place.  It covers 427 acres according to maine.gov  It took me more time than I anticipated to explore all of the nooks and crannies!  (Totally worth it by the way!) Directions: From the center of Greenville (Intersection of Lily Bay Road, Rt 6, and Pritham Avenue)  Drive North on Lily Bay Rd (towards Lily Bay state Park) for just under 7 miles.   Turn Right onto Prong Pond Rd.  Take fir ..read more

  Body of Water:  In order to learn about this pond, Turner Pond in Polermo, and get directions, you need to email me, mainekayakgirl@gmail.com I don't keep too many places top secret, but this place... hush hush!   Directions: Gotta ask me!   Parking:  Side of the road   Launch: gradual, gravel/sand after a short driveway.   Fees:  none   Bathroom: none   Wildlife: Loons, beavers, snake, hummingbird, deer, and likely so much more! Notes: I got a chance to paddle an AMAZING place last summer.  It was so amazing... felt so untouched ..read more