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 the time I reached the water, I was sweating and forgetting. I strapped on the goggles and swam out into the warm, clear pond. I drifted over pond grasses, watched curious immature bass, and admired the way sunlight shifted on the bottom. I was aware of my breath, in an essential way.

When I climbed out after fifteen minutes onto a shoreside rock, I felt normal. I felt okay again.

I took the slow, winding trail back to the parking lot, grazing on the first ripe blackberries of the season. I wasn't anxious to be anywhere. I wasn't anxious.

✌️ Max

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Close the Gap Welcome Walk

Fri, Aug 7 | South Portland | Free

Walk the trail's newly finished missing link, a 1.6-mile stretch that finally connects two long-separated sections of the Eastern Trail.

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Osprey Watch

Sun, Aug 9 | Freeport | Free

Watch nesting ospreys from the accessible White Pines Trail at Wolfe's Neck Woods, with park admission included.

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Concert in the Park

Tue, Aug 11 | Portland | Free

Catch live music from Jeezum Crow at Payson Park for a free, family-friendly evening of summer sounds in Portland.

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Secrets of the Salt Marsh Walk

Tue, Aug 11 | Wells | Free

Walk past meadows and forests to a floating dock on the Little River to learn how salt marshes function as ecosystems between forest and seashore.

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Volunteer Workday: Biddeford Forest

Wed, Aug 12 | Biddeford | Free

Clear trails and cut brush at Biddeford Forest while helping maintain a local preserve. No experience needed and all tools provided by Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

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Firebird Trail Races

Sat, Aug 22 | Windham | Donation Based

Sign up now for a rugged 50K, marathon, or 13-mile trail race through technical single-track terrain, with proceeds supporting local land trusts.

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Harvest at the Huts

Sat, Sep 26 | Carrabassett Valley | Paid

Reserve your spot to hike or bike three miles to Stratton Brook Hut for live music, a multi-course dinner, and an overnight stay in the backcountry.

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Pleasant Mountain Race

Sun, Sep 27 | Bridgton | Paid

Sign up now for a 21-kilometer race across Pleasant Mountain's ridge, with over 3,600 feet of climbing and an afterparty with food and live music.

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Better with friends. Some of life's best outdoor experiences are shared with others. Share this newsletter with a friend to inspire your next group adventure by forwarding this email or sharing a link to subscribe.

Coming Up (Previously Featured)

​Maine Summer Hiking Series | Wed, May 13 - Sat, Sep 26 | Donation-Based​

​Teens to Trails: Choose Outside Challenge | Mon, Jun 15 - Fri, Aug 14 | Free​

​SEEK: Coastal Science & Kayaking Program | Mon, Aug 3 - Fri, Aug 7 | Free​

​Stewardship & Sauna | Thu, Aug 6 | Donation Based​

​Clam Day at Reid State Park | Fri, Aug 7 | Free​

​Warren Island Dock & Dine | Sat, Aug 8 | Paid​

​Down East Sunrise Gravel Ride | Sun, Aug 9 | Paid​

​Maine Gravity Race Series | Sugarloaf | Sat, Aug 15 - Sun, Aug 16 | Paid​

​Accessibility Summit | Sun, Aug 16 | Paid​

​Women at Sea: Expedition on Casco Bay | Tue, Aug 18 - Thu, Aug 20 | Paid​

​Pemaquid Beach Triathlon | Sun, Aug 23 | Paid​

​Fireweed: Women's Mountain Bike Retreat | Fri, Aug 28 - Sun, Aug 30 | Paid​

​Maine Lighthouse Ride | Sat, Sep 19 | Paid​

​Maine Woods Rambler | Sat, Sep 26 | Paid​

​Farm to Farm Ultra | Sun, Sep 27 | Paid​

👋 I'm Max. I created the Maine Outsider to help people connect with organizations offering outdoor events and experiences around the state.

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Thanks for reading. Now, get out there!