This review is related to the Monitor Run excursion that is offered by the Maine Island Trail…read moreAssociation. While planning our first trip to Maine together with plans to kayak and camp on the islands off of the coast of Maine, my wife and I found out that we could camp for free on any one of over 200 islands if we joined the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA). Then on the MITA web site, we read about the "Monitor Run" they offered, but we were surprised that we could not find any reviews of this activity anywhere on the internet. So now, after having been on a Monitor Run and also having kayaked and camped on the islands, we thought we would write a review so that others can learn about this great opportunity. When I first visited the MITA web site, I looked for activities on the MITA Calendar at http://mita.org/calendar. The organization posts the schedule for all of their Monitor Runs, which include Penobscot Bay, Western Rivers, Deer Isle, Casco Bay, and Muscongus Bay, among others. We e-mailed to inquire about joining a MITA monitor skipper on a trip to check on islands around Muscongus Bay. It was a great opportunity to get out on the Trail and learn about some of MITA's core stewardship activities. We met our volunteer skipper, Ben, at Broad Cove Marine and launched from there at around 9am. Ben educated us about the history of the area, the conservation and environmental goals of the organization and ferried us between about half a dozen different islands. We stopped on three or four of them, picked up litter that had washed ashore or been left behind accidentally by campers, and even enjoyed fresh raspberries that grow wild on islands with names like "Strawberry ." Although we did get some delicious fresh berries on the islands, we recommend you take some water and a snack, because the trip can take 5-6 hours. We returned at about 2pm, just short of five hours long. You are expected to wear water-friendly attire/shoes, because you do a lot of jumping in and out of the boat when you arrive at each island. We had bathing suits/shorts, but if you have water-friendly pants, that is even better (but not necessary) for walking through the brush on the islands. Don't forget your sunscreen or hat. And keep in mind you will have to use the bathroom in the wilderness if you have to go. We had a great time with Ben and we think others would really enjoy this activity.

From the owner: The Maine Island Trail is a 375-mile chain of 200 coastal island and mainland sites along the coast…read moreof Maine. One third of trail sites are public, and two thirds are owned by private organizations and individuals who trust us to care for their lands and teach our members to Leave No Trace. The Maine Island Trail Association is a membership organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the wild islands of coastal Maine. We have built a community of educated island lovers and volunteer caretakers who believe that Maine's thousands of coastal islands are a national treasure and are dedicated to caring for them. Our members include paddlers, sailors, motorboaters, and land-lubbers alike.

Portland Trails is a nonprofit land trust that preserves green space for public access. They…read moreconnect people with places by creating and maintaining a 70-mile (and growing) network of trails in Greater Portland. They encourage the participation of actively using the trails along with land stewardship. And they are trying to make our great region a model for people-powdered recreation and transportation. And nearly every day I am thankful for their existence. I go running on Back Cove - a 3.6 loop that is constantly in excellent condition. And when there's a problem (trash, broken fences, erosion in the trail) it takes maybe only a week before that's fixed. I feel safe there - the trail is compact and clean of debris, so I don't have any fears I'm going to trip over something and hurt myself (even when it's raining); the path is mostly well lit, so (as a smaller female) I don't feel physically uncomfortable or nervous being alone. I love my run, because I get outstanding views of the Portland skyline; and, I get an intimate look at nature (last autumn there were literally hundreds upon hundreds of Canadian geese that ate and slept in the marsh near mile marker 2... they were there for days). Portland Trails is great about community education and involvement, too. I've worked with a teen-centric non-profit before, and Portland Trails is great about allowing them to come volunteer on a trail. They get information on why the trail is being built, what important ecosystems need to be kept in place, and what this is going to mean for the immediate community. Love that they have all that knowledge about each and every one of their trails. Which, by the way, there are currently 30+ of. So if you like being outside (running, hiking, walking, looking at nature, etc.), there are so many options in so many different parts of Greater Portland that you'll never not have something to explore or be inspired by!

Portland has set aside a bunch of walking "trails" around the city for both the enjoyment of…read moreresidents and visitors. I love this idea and commend Portland for setting it up. They have a website were you can check out all the trails (which are almost entirely sidewalks) and download maps and descriptions. I chose to check out the two most appealing: the Back Cove Loop and the Portland Harbor trail. The Back Cove boasts that it gives great views of Portland. Harbors aside Portland isn't an attractive city from a distance by any means and I wouldn't go on any trails that boast a "view" of Portland. The Cove water level was way down and it was very swamp like when I went. It was a great paved loop (with a good sized parking lot) to go on to get exercise, some fresh air or to relax but there was nothing really to see. The Portland Harbor trail is quite a long trail you'd have to devote the majority of the day to completing (and walking back if you don't plan a water taxi ride in advance) the Trail brings your through the main stretch of Portland, over the bridge and runs through the neighborhoods of South Portland. It ends in getting to see the Bug Light. Unfortunately I didn't complete the trail but would love to go back and finish it. It's a really nice walk and a great addition to Portland.

My daughter celebrated her 6th birthday at the Maine Warrior Gym - imagine 13 little girls in…read moredresses climbing and jumping to Disney music. The staff were phenomenal and helped the kids with whatever obstacle they wanted to try. they even set up a Floor is Lava obstacle course that was the highlight of the party!!

They offer a 6 week challenge program that really helps people make positive lifestyle changes by…read moregetting into a great fitness routine while eating healthy. There are several studio and ninja classes every week to accommodate busy schedules. The instructors are all very nice and so are the people you get to work out with.

Paved paths, natural beauty, easy access, plenty of parking, port-a-potty. Boat rentals in the…read moresummer. So much to do - walk, bike, horseback ride or maybe even roller blade. Canoe, kayak, paddle board on the Presumscot on a hot summer's day. Something for everyone!

This park is a dog-walkers dream…read more There is a 2-mile loop that includes part of the mountain division trail that goes all the way around the park. There is water for your dog to jump into, and fields for him to run in. During the summer they have boat rentals. Along the walk is the Gambo Dam. There are a few bridges to cross as well. Trash is carry-in, carry-out but they do have a dog-potty bag station and a few port-a-potties. The park is very clean and well maintained. A nice swing set and picnic tables too!

This trail is about 3.5 miles around Back Cove and is beautiful to experience! Today was gorgeous -…read morenormally a nice breeze, plenty of people walking dogs, riding bikes, etc. Trail is kept clean and continues to draw people in!

Back Cove - it's DEFINITELY NOT CALLED "Back Bay", and when you say that we know you're not a local…read more- is a 100+ year old 3.5 mile multi-use, tree-lined, accessible/mostly flat path around a tidal estuary basin that offers skyline views and birdwatching. There's also a recently renovated athletic field and very new/in exceptional shape/varied fitness course area! So fun to see people playing here again; over all, this trail is great for ambling, dog walking, running, and biking. Some things that are great: - The art (both city installed and citizen "installed"). Some of the old informational placards now house paintings, you might find handmade birdhouses, and other various structures! - The half of the trail that's *after* Tukey's Bridge, passing Payson Park, around the Boulevard (which is closed to vehicles on Sundays in the summer), all the way to maybe Vannah Ave is spectacular! Some things that are not great: - there's a *large* trash problem here from the parking lot across the Hannaford, near the 295 off ramp after the athletic fields, going up the include to the bridge, segue... - crossing Tukey's Bridge is never a pleasant experience; it's *so* loud because of the highway traffic speeding by, segue... - there's not a ton of lights, and this area doesn't feel particularly safe at night

Just adding a note that Stephen and his staff are very generous and their support for the Rowe…read moreSchool in Portland is greatly appreciated.

Great place to learn tennis, racquetball, squash and golf. Top notch teaching staffread more

GREAT Level open camp sites friendly professional staff. Plenty of trees if desired. Beautiful…read morelarge pond for swimming or boating. Super clean facilities.which include Laundromat, Game room, Convenience Store & Entertainment Friday & Saturday nights. I would highly recommend this campground & give 6 stars if I could

Way strict on check in time. Even though they let us check in early eventually, we had to hear…read moreseveral times how that really put them out, not sure why. Our site was about a 20x20ft patch of sand that was ready for us to park but for Some reason we needed schooled on check in times. Be ready to show ID, dog vaccinations, sign paperwork, and be read a list of rules. Then sacrifice your first born (kidding, but seriously the strictest campground ever) The campground is packed tight and a lot of sites without shade. Lots of seasonal live in trailers/campers with tons of junk laying around. I feel like for $80/night you might get more than a tiny patch of dusty ground. Anyway.. probably wouldn't go again but it was the closest to Portland with availability. There are about 200+ signs posted around the camp with rules, it's so excessive. Oh yeah, this is not their fault but it's in the direct line of the airports takeoff runway so hundreds of loud very low planes all day and night. "Sign, sign Everywhere a sign Blockin' out the scenery Breakin' my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign?"