Viewpoints Revisited

A year ago I wrote about Viewpoints and Points of View, and the timing is now right for a trip back to Little Lyford Pond Camp. Seven of us set out on this journey—Ted Bradley, Bob Donahue, Bobbie Donahue, Bob Kirk, Bruce Lyman, Jim Nowak and myself—to the 100 Mile Wilderness of Maine. Driving up from Woodstock takes about six hours…but the trip is worth the travel.

We arrived at the Lodge at Little Lyford Pond in time to still have family style supper with the other adventurers at the camp. Following the meal we were all invited to stay and listen to Shannon LeRoy, a Registered Maine Guide and fly-fishing instructor, give an introductory lesson about fly-fishing and some knot tying.

Bob D. and Bobbie D. were signed up for the full lesson, and Ted already has fly-fishing experience, but we all learned something from Shannon.

After the fishing  lesson we settled into the two cabins we had reserved and then got together for a little bit of story telling, cribbage (more of a lesson than playing…I’m just saying), and a libation. We could tell that the group was beginning to gel when Ted reached (and we are talking about his whole hand into the glass) into Bob D’s gin-and-tonic thinking it was the ice container for everyone. Since we were all going to be out and about the next day, we made it a fairly early evening. Bob D., Bobbie D. and I headed back to our cabin for a little three handed cribbage—won by Bobbie D., the rookie—and then it was off to bed.

Being in a backwoods setting, I was up with the daylight and headed down to Pond 1 for a little kayaking and picture taking. It was nice to paddle around for awhile, and after about 40 minutes I was joined by Bob and Bobbie D. We did a little more exploring on the water before heading back for breakfast at the Lodge.

Pancakes, maple syrup, and sausage was an option, or you could have some oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar…

…or you could have it all…

The Rim Trail follows the along the Pleasant River where it has carved in a 400 foot gorge over thousands of years.  What started out as  a rivulet like this…   It was a wonderful 8 mile hike with many waterfalls, pools and cliff edges. There were many opportunities for great pictures.

After breakfast we went our separate ways with the Donahue Boys and Ted going fishing and the rest of us heading out to hike the Gulf Hagas. …now looks like this.

Near the Buttermilk Falls we stopped for our pack lunch and then worked our way over to the Pleasant River Trail for the hike back. It was an outstanding trek. Back at the Camp we joined up with our fishing buddies to share stories and enjoy a cold beer…which tasted especially good after the bit of walking-about we had done. Then it was off to the Lodge for another great family style dinner with plenty of vegetables—for those inclined to focus on those—and some great beef with a gorgonzola sauce—for those of us who focus on that.

The meal was finished off with some cheesecake made that afternoon by the staff.

 

It was still very light after dinner, so we headed down to Pond 1 for some fishing from the dock, some boating and a few more pictures…it’s always gorgeous around sunset.





 

 

Our cabin became the center for stories and cribbage this evening, and we invited some of the Camp Staff—Chuck, the Camp Manager and Casey, a Registered Guide—to join us.

They were fortunate to witness Bob D. beating me for the first time in cribbage…by pegging the final point…and winning by one point…but a win is still a win.

Regardless of how late I stayed up, I still arose with daylight the next morning. I decided to take a slightly longer walk over to Pond 2 for some photos before breakfast and caught someone else out fishing from a canoe in the early morning mist.

A part of the loop took us past the original site of the camp where the fireplace is the only reminder remaining.

Following breakfast we split up again with Bruce and Bob K. heading up Indian Mountain, Bob D. packing up our cabin, and the rest of us heading out to hike the Pond 2 Loop.

We finished up packing when we returned to the Camp and were on our way out…driving along the logging roads by 10:45 am. The six hour return trip—after a quick stop in Northern Outfitters for some much needed gear—was fairly uneventful. Along the way we exchanged some messages with our wives and arranged for a final event of the weekend…brats and salads at the Donahue’s.

The brats event simply topped off the weekend and made for a nice close to the Adventure…