The leaves are turning and the weather is clear. It’s sunny and the temperatures are in the 70’s. It’s October in Maine, and starting this weekend, we have our first vacation of the year.
Joining the annual rush of leaf-peepers might seem a little kitschy, this is the most beautiful season in vacationland, so why not get out and enjoy it? From Oktoberfests and county fairs to rolling rivers and autumn scenery, take a break from classes and schedules this weekend, get outside, and try to remember the way life should be.
Go climb a mountain
If foliage is what you’re looking for, the views from Mt. Washington on a clear day are unbeatable-the White Mountains National Forest and the Presidential range will be ablaze, your view limited only by the curvature of the earth. Just under two hours from Portland, try the Crawford Path for moderate-level hike with amazing vistas of the mountain range.
If hiking isn’t your thing and you have some extra cash, take the Cog Railway-$31 for an adult ticket (family deals are available) will take you round-trip on the second -steepest railroad in the world. The train runs hourly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Oct. 22, when it drops to two runs a day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
If you’re up for a slightly longer drive, Mt. Katahdin is equally hard to beat. Oct. 15 is the cut-off date for climbing the mountain, so get your hike in soon. Camp in the park for $9 per person per night.
For a shorter drive and a much easier hike, head up to Freeport’s Bradbury Mountain. Better yet, go at night: the new moon is Oct. 10, so on a clear night you’ll have a spectacular view of the autumn sky. Find a constellation chart online and know what to look for: Orion, both Dippers, Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Gemini, Sagittarius and many others are easy to find this time of year. (Or visit the USM Planetarium beforehand, free for students, 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays)
Check out the fair
Famous in its own right, the Fryeburg Fair is back, running Sept. 30 through Oct. 7. From flowers to cows, comedians to musicians and all the fair food and beer you can ask for, the 157th annual fair shouldn’t be missed, if only to say you were there.
For something completely different, head up to Sunday River for their Fall Festival weekend, the highlight of which is the eighth annual North American National Wife Carrying Contest. Sound strange? Men carry their wives (or vice versa, if you want) across a 278-yard course that includes a waist-deep pit of muddy water. Try piggyback if you dare, but the “Estonian carry”-the woman upside-down on her husband’s back, legs wrapped around his neck-is the preferred and more successful method. If you don’t want to race, check it out-you’ll leave wanting to find a spouse before next year.
Hit the water
For an easy-going, relaxed weekend trip, drive 1.5 hours west on Highway 302 and make a stop at one of the canoe outfitters just past Fryeburg (try Saco Bound)-rent a canoe or kayak for $25 a day, and hit up the easy rolling Saco River, where the foliage is approaching its peak and the shallow water is still warm.
If you want to camp on the river, Saco Bound has a handful of campsites along the banks, costing $7 per person per night. Don’t forget to bring marshmallows, and be on the lookout for rope swings over deep water. For more information on rentals, call Saco Bound at (603) 447-2177, or find another outfitter in the phonebook.
If you don’t want to paddle, and don’t have the time or energy to leave Portland, stick around town and take a cruise of Casco Bay. Casco Bay Lines-in the ferry terminal at the end of Commercial St.-offers a handful of cruises that take you around the bay and to several of the islands.
Get off on Peaks for a bike ride or wander, or stay onboard for scenic views of Portland and the islands. On a warm evening, try their Sunset Cruise, $13 per person to see seals, seagulls and sunset from the water, and then watch the peaceful lights from island houses and the city itself in the distance.
For a better date, or if your paycheck treated you well last week, take the schooner Bagheera (a beautiful vintage wooden sailboat) for a classic and romantic sail around the bay. The cost is $30 for a two hour day trip (12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.) or $35 for the sunset cruise (5 p.m.). Bring a bottle of wine or a thermos of hot chocolate and be ready to cuddle.