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The Maine Outsider

The Maine Outsider is a free newsletter curating outdoor events across the state. Our mission is simple — help you find the fun and help great organizations find you.

Maine Outsider: Invite 140 // Sep 30

Invite 140 // Sep 30 The sun set behind Borestone Mountain, reflecting pink off the cloud edge of an approaching nor'easter. My wife sat in her kayak, paddle across her lap, as I took a photo, then another, then another, in disbelief. I’d like to say I planned for this moment, but of course I didn’t. Just an hour before, as the sky started to cloud over and the wind picked up, we debated whether strapping kayaks to the roof and driving down the bumpy road would be worth it at all. Maybe it...

Maine Outsider: Invite 139 // Sep 23

Invite 139 // Sep 23 Is there a better blue than a clear autumn sky? I could argue for the flickering blue of Casco Bay in July or the crystal blue of Rattlesnake Pool in the Western Mountains. But when I look out the window by my desk today, every competitor in the best blue bracket looks amateur. At a time of year when the world winds down and prepares for the big dark, the daytime sky seems to do the opposite. It's electric. Deep, limitless, perfectly blue. With a potential nor'easter...

Maine Outsider: Invite 138 // Sep 16

Invite 138 // Sep 16 Hey Outsiders, this week's roundup has a good mix: water-based trips, seasonal celebrations, and a few bigger adventures worth planning for. If you're chasing fall colors, now's a good time to subscribe to foliage reports from the state's website. My strategy for maximizing autumn has always been to hit Northern Maine in late September, then drift south over a few weeks, following the color down to the coast by mid-October. Staying put works too. Observing the transition...

Maine Outsider: Invite 137 // Sep 2

Invite 137 // Sep 2 I'm headed Downeast for four days of canoe camping and couldn't be more excited. In a busy season of life, I'm grateful to live somewhere that still offers quiet, solitude, and places without digital connectivity. I'm looking forward to the single-mindedness and presence of being on a river. I hope you have plans for Labor Day weekend too. If not, pick up something from the list below, or go find your own quiet corner of the state to enjoy. ✌️ Max Reach 1,000+ Maine...

Maine Outsider: Invite 135 // Aug 19

Invite 136 // Aug 26 I ended my mountain bike ride in the dark last night. I've noticed it happening, but refuse to accept it. Those late summer sunsets aren't so late anymore. The switch can happen quickly. One day, you're sweating through sticky 90-degree days, tempting yourself with the thought of crisp fall air, and then suddenly it's fall. We're not there yet. Which means there's still time. Time for one more canoe trip, sailing day, summit hike, or beach day. This week's events are your...

Maine Outsider: Invite 135 // Aug 19

Invite 135 // Aug 19 This week, I thought it would be fun to start with a roundup of good news in the outdoor world. Here are some exciting developments that happened this summer, while you were hopefully out on the water, in the woods, or atop a mountain. The gap is gone — A new 1.6-mile segment of the Eastern Trail opened in South Portland/Scarborough, creating 16 continuous off-road miles from Bug Light Park to downtown Saco. 78,000 acres permanently protected in western Maine — A...

Maine Outsider: Invite 134 // Aug 12

Invite 134 // Aug 12 The Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight, coinciding with mostly clear skies and a new moon. In short, conditions look great for seeing 50–100 meteors per hour. Find a dark, open space (fairly easy in Maine) and get out there! One option: check with your local land trust — places like Hacker's Hill in Casco have extended hours tonight for better viewing. Enjoy the spectacle. Now, on to this week's events. ✌️ Max This issue of the Maine Outsider is sponsored by Siberia...

Maine Outsider: Invite 133 // Aug 5

Invite 133 // Aug 5 I've been anxious lately. Heart racing, rumination, poor sleep. The whole gnarly deal. This past Sunday, as a new wave of anxious energy started to build, I grabbed my keys and headed for a place that's become a getaway for me—East Windham Conservation Area. I packed a camelback, a hat, and, on a whim, a pair of swim goggles. The 20-minute drive to the trailhead slowed my internal tempo a few beats. The hike up to Little Duck Pond did the opposite, but in a welcome way. By...

Maine Outsider: Invite 132 // Jul 29

Invite 132 // Jul 29 For a second week in a row, I'm going to skip the intro and jump right into the events. August is on the doorstep with a variety of opportunities from paddling to clamming. Don't fret the turning of the calendar—there are still a lot of great summer days to come. Now, on to this week's featured activities. ✌️ Max Reach 1,000+ Maine outdoor enthusiasts while supporting a community resource. View sponsorship opportunities. Paddle with a Ranger Thu, Jul 30 | Jefferson | Free...

Maine Outsider: Invite 131 // Jul 22

Invite 131 // Jul 22 We've got a full slate of activities this week, so I'll keep the intro short and let the events do the talking. It's shaping up to be a perfect weekend with mild July temps and sunny skies. Get out there and enjoy it. I know I will. ✌️ Max Reach 1,000+ Maine outdoor enthusiasts while supporting a community resource. View sponsorship opportunities. Sunset Concert Wed, Jul 22 | Casco | Free Listen to North River Music perform Americana rock and bluegrass at Hacker's Hill...

The Maine Outsider is a free newsletter curating outdoor events across the state. Our mission is simple — help you find the fun and help great organizations find you.