It’s been a while since I posted about a personal trip… I’m the classic photographer who spends hours photographing and meticulously editing my client’s photos, while my own pile up on my computer under the “to be sorted and edited someday…” banner.
BUT sometimes you go somewhere so breathtaking, it’s impossible to put the camera down and impossible to NOT share the photos. Moosehead Lake was one of those places for me. We spent a week exploring this massive and unbelievably tranquil lake this summer. It really is a hidden jewel — right in the middle of “Vacationland.” This expansive and under-developed shoreline is dotted with rustic cabins and very few real inns. Despite this being a 40-mile long, 20-mile wide lake, the only real shopping and nearly all the restaurants and bars are centered around Greenville, a small town at the base of this massive body of water. Most of the area is accessible by former logging roads (newly paved, thankfully) which people drive ~50 mph during the day and ~25 mph at night, looking out for moose in the road — and with good reason, my in-laws hit one themselves on the trip up several years ago. It really is one of the most special and unique places to visit in Maine!
We were lucky to enjoy a perfect week on the lake, with comfortable temperatures and sunshine nearly every day. We spent most of our days out on the water or in it — particularly the labs, Dakota and Millie, who enjoyed morning, afternoon, evening and even twilight swims off the dock. We didn’t sight any moose this trip, although our attempts to spot them certainly stuck in our daughter’s head — she now likes to shout out “I see a moose!” or “I see mama moose — she’s big!” (should I take that personally?) from the back seat while we drive around the suburbs. Needless to say, it was a memorable trip and we will definitely be back!
The sunset on the lake was different — and gorgeous! — every night of our trip. Some nights pink and clear, others misty and grey… It was a time I looked forward to each evening. Thankfully my husband supported my absolute NEED to be outside with my camera during these hours and took care of getting the baby to bed.
A hike up Mt. Kineo is a must if you’re visiting this area. It’s a stunning mountain, right in the middle of the lake and only accessible by boat. When you approach from the south, you come straight up to the cliff face or this gorgeous mountain — I wish I had a picture of this, but a crowded boat + toddler + lab = no pictures this time. Just trust me, it’s impressive. The view from the top provided us with stunning views of the lake with hardly a boat in sight, despite this being August — prime vacation time in Maine.
The train tracks that cut through the landscape are still in operation, although you don’t see many trains along them. Passenger service to the area ended more than half a century ago and the logging industry, which used to drive much of the economy in this area, has long since slowed. The result, as you can see below, are these beautiful, well maintained, yet incredibly quiet train tracks — here pictured, crossing over the Kennebec River, which rises from Moosehead Lake. You’re more likely to catch a fly fisherman passing over these tracks, than a train.
We look forward to coming back Moosehead — hopefully before these little munchkins grow up too much!