This will be an exciting long weekend on the spectacular and untrammeled Downeast Coast of Maine. Many consider the scenic coastal hiking on this area to be Acadia National Park without the crowds. Our two full days, Sat. (July 15) and Sun. (July 16), will be centered on some of the most incredible hikes on this part of the coast. On Sat. (7/15), we'll being doing two hikes along the scenic Bold Coast, including breathtaking Western Head in Cutler (3.5 miles) and West Quoddy Head in Lubec (3 miles), with lunch at an Irish pub in Lubec in between. The hike in Quoddy Head State Park is famed for its lighthouse and pristine spruce forest on the jagged, rocky coastline overlooking Grand Manan Island. And if we're just a bit lucky, we'll spot a whales, seals and bald eagles! On Sun. (7/16), we'll hike on remote Great Wass Island, a preserve of the Nature Conservancy that extends out into the Atlantic. This 5 mile hike will take us across spectacular rocky headland shores with open ocean views and through an unusual maritime forest with rare coastal jackpines and heaths with carvnivorous plants such as sundews and pitcher plants. This will definitely be a fun and memorable long weekend. I can recommend reasonably-priced accommodations for your stay in Machiasport/Machias for the three nights (7/14, 7/15, 7/16). The first night, we'll all meet at my house in Machiasport (see directions) for dinner and schmoozing. Please be in touch with me about any and all details.

We will all meet at my house in Machiasport, which is located on Machias Bay. The goal is to meet there around 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14th. The house is located at 264 Port Rd. (Rt. 92), Machiasport, ME. Here are the directions: Take I-95 North through Maine to Bangor. In Bangor, take Exit 182A to merge onto I-395E toward US 1A/Bangor/ME-9/Brewer. Take Exit 6A for Rt. 1A East, toward Coastal Route/Rt. 1/Ellsworth/Bar Harbor. Take Rt. 1A approx. 25 miles to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take a left onto Rt. 1 North. Take Rt. 1 North for 58 miles to Machias. In Machias, take a right at the bottom of College Hill (before crossing the bridge over the Machias River) onto Rt. 92 (Elm St.). Take Rt. 92 for 2.9 miles to my house, on the left at #264 Port Rd. (Rt. 92) in Machiasport.