I visited Maine for the first time last month and spent the morning of my arrival strolling through the Bangor City Forest. I was with a friend who lives on Mount Desert Island, but since I didn't have time to go out to Acadia National Park, he settled on showing me this place.
I guess you Maine folk must be used to Maine scenery, but I was completely astonished by this park. 680 acres of pristine forest, beautiful and majestic. The leaves were starting to turn, and everywhere I looked, I saw lush greenery lighting up with the warm colors of fall.
We did a loop on the incredible Orono Bog Boardwalk then strolled through another network of peaceful, picturesque trails. I'm a reluctant hiker in rather pathetic physical condition, and on this particular morning, I was fresh off a redeye from California. But with the clean autumn air and the flat, easy trails, I never even ran out of breath. I think grandparents and small children could cover a lot of ground here without any trouble.
I know Bangor City Forest has "City" in its name, but it made this city mouse think of how old-timey doctors would prescribe country air as a cure for various illnesses. I was sorry I only had one day in Maine. A week of nature walks would have been quite restorative. read more