Chasing Waterfalls in Andover

I have a theory that there's something evolutionary about what humans typically find beautiful. Flowers, sunsets, each other's faces; I can think of reasons humans in the evolutionary environment would benefit from attention to these things. Bodies of water, too. Waterfalls mean fast-running water, which is more likely to be clean than still water. Maybe that's why we are drawn to them. 

There's no better place in Maine to chase waterfalls than the Cataracts Trail in Andover. It's a short hike, but a steep one that gets a bit rooty, and there are some hazardous areas where it would be easy, trying to get a photo or a better view, to take a great fall onto rocks. Still it's hard to describe the magic of the place; around each corner is a vista more beautiful than the last. When we were there the forest floor was carpeted in moss. We saw a newly-hatched dragonfly, thousands of tiger swallowtail butterflies, lots of woodland flowers, and a big pile of moose poo. 

Loon Family, Jamie's Pond, Hallowell

 

Alewife Run, China Lake Stream, Vassalboro

 

For more than 200 years, alewives were prevented by dams from reaching China Lake. No more! Thanks to the efforts of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife - especially biologist Nate Gray - this historic run has been restored. 
It's an amazing phenomenon, an unbelievable abundance. Check it out! 

Sprague Pond Trail, Phippsburg

 Directions here. I'd use Google maps; the iphone navigation was wrong by about a quarter mile. This trail starts as a quiet walk through the woods but opens onto a surprise gorge & waterfall! Fiddleheads were up - although we left them undisturbed - and polliwogs were swimming. This was a fabulous spring hike. 

First Crocus!

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I’ve been watching for the green types of the first crocus every year since 2006. This is the earliest one yet!

Snowshoeing: Jamie's Pond, Hallowell

 

Christmas Cookies 2021

 A tradition was born last year! One of my pandemic self-soothing activities is watching cookie decorating videos. You can only watch so many cookie decorating videos before you want to try it yourself! Last Christmas I finally did, and really enjoyed it.  There are only 2 of us, tho, and Doug isn't much for sweets, so I decorate way more cookies than we want or need. Solution? Well, I gift some of them, but many will go to the Bread of Life, the soup kitchen near my house. I get the joy of decorating & they get some holiday cheer; I love a win-win.