Kid Tracks column: Try catching on with geocaching

Mighty Beanz – and maybe you also have some hanging around the house – are an example of what to leave in geocaching. Originally It's not very often that having read Nancy Drew books as a kid comes in handy. But when cracking codes of "mystery" geocaches, you never know what random knowledge you'll need to puzzle-out the coordinates to find a hidden treasure.

Geocaching is a game that uses GPS coordinates to find a hidden box filled with inexpensive trinkets and a logbook. Players, called geocachers, download the coordinates to their GPS units -- or in most cases these days, a mobile phone app – and then navigate their way to the box.

There are many variations on the type of geocaches a player can find. A "traditional" box is the most common. These are typically the size of a plastic kitchen-type container (or metal box) hidden in or around trees and rocks, and typically covered with dead branches or bark (boxes are not buried). The coordinates to the geocache are posted on geocaching.com and the easiest way to play the game these days is to find the listing using a geocaching mobile app on your phone. Once found, you follow the compass screen until you arrive at the hiding location.

A variation of the traditional cache – and one that the girls and I have enjoyed – requires solving a puzzle to actually get the coordinates. It's a multi-step process that requires a little brainpower, and sometimes a computer search engine before you head out to the field.

I found the Nancy Drew-themed mystery cache on geocaching.com and put my 16-year-old daughter (also a Drew fan from her younger years) on the job to solve the algebra-like puzzle. She had to identify the coordinates' missing numbers with the book title's order of publication. For instance, the letter "A" stood for "The Secret of the Old Clock," which is the first book in the series. There were six books listed with corresponding letters and she had to give each one a number to translate to the final coordinates.

It might sound complicated, but it really was not all that hard thanks to a website she found with a book order list.

On this listing's page was a feature we took advantage of for the first time – geochecker.com. This allows players working out mystery cache clues to check their coordinates. This "checker" link confirmed my daughter's final coordinates were in fact accurate before heading out to the location to find the box.

We hiked on a new-to-us trail on the Falmouth/Cumberland line to find this particular cache. We have driven past the trailhead many times and never noticed it. But that's another aspect of this game that I enjoy – finding new hiking trails. Even though I'm pretty well plugged into popular trail systems, there are a lot of smaller community trails that are less well-known and it's fun to discover them.
We found several mystery caches the day we went hiking. One included knowing some random Red Sox trivia and another required knowing our Roman numerals (thank you Google for refreshing my memory on those).

Some of these mystery caches were too small to leave a trinket (rules of the game require that if you take something from the geocache, you leave something else in its place). But at others I was able to find a new home for some Mighty Beanz we found kicking around our house.

If you're new to the game, try finding a traditional geocache or two. Then give a mystery cache with a difficulty rating of 2 or 3 a try (5 is the hardest). Trust me that you and the kids will feel kind of smart by the end of the day.

GEOCACHING VARIATIONS
 As geocaching has gained in popularity since its inception in 2001, the game has become more creative with a variety of ways to play. Here are a few examples of game variations.

A MICRO CACHE is the size of an old 35-mm film canister or smaller and can be tucked just about anywhere. This makes them challenging to locate.

A MULTI-CACHE involves more than one set of coordinates to find. Once the initial location is found, the geocacher gets a clue to the next location, and so on, until the final clue reveals the actual hidden "treasure" box. These caches can include both micro and traditional containers, and have varying degrees of difficulty.

A LETTERBOX HYBRID is a cache with a hand-carved stamp, and combines the geocache and letterboxing games. Letterboxing is like geocaching since both hide a box in the woods, but instead of trinkets to trade, there is a hand-carved stamp inside. By combining the artistic flavor of letterboxing stamps with easy-to-follow geocache coordinates (which often have more family-friendly directions than the pace-counting and vague directions typically posted in the letterboxing game), these geocache hybrid boxes can have a lot of appeal to fans of both games.

AN EVENT CACHE is a specific time and place where geocachers meet to play the game together. A big event is coming up for geocachers -- Dec. 12. It will be a celebration of numbers because this is the last time this century the calendar will align. There is an active geocaching community in Maine at geocachingmaine.org so check there for local event cache details.

My family likes to use old metal ammo boxes for our geocaches. They require a little extra coaxing to open in the winter but are more durable than the plastic variety that many geocachers use for their hides.

Mighty Beanz – and maybe you also have some hanging around the house – are an example of what to leave in geocaching. 
 
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram December 9, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: Disc golf is outdoor fun no matter the season

ThThis is This The game of disc golf is a nice way to spend a few hours outdoors with teenagers. It offers some competitive fun by throwing a plastic disc into a metal basket on a golf-like course in the woods. My family considers the game to be a hike with permission to throw stuff around. It's also a nice way to chat and reconnect after a busy week while also getting exercise.

We played our latest round at Enmen Field in Brunswick. The Beauty, an 18-hole course for novice players, only takes a couple hours, so it's something we can squeeze into a busy day (there's also a more advanced course called The Beast, but we leave that to the more serious players).

We've played this course many times over the years, and despite a map on the back of the scorecard, I still lose track of baskets and tee pads. The tee pad for each hole is concrete and identified by number, which is usually on a nearby tree and/or trash barrel. Sometimes you can see the basket from the tee pad, sometimes you can't. That makes throwing the disc in the correct direction a bit of a guessing game. But that's not really a big deal. No one on the course seems to mind if we stay a little longer at a hole to make up for a misdirected disc, or if we play the course a bit out of order. The game attracts friendly, easy-going players, and I've never seen anything but friendly waves and chatter between players.

During this game I had a few stitches in my disc throwing hand (a story of stupidity involving a pair of hoof trimmers and my daughter's sheep) and I had to let it fly with the other arm. Let's just say I was off my usual game and never came close to meeting par scores on any hole.

There are a few different ways to throw a disc in this game, and each player develops their own preference. The girls and I generally throw the disc like a Frisbee with our hand curled toward our wrist, using a hard flick away from the body.

In the disc golf world this is known as the backhand throw, and it's the most popular type in the game. The girls and I have tried the forehand throw (bending the wrist back before snapping the disc forward to propel it away) but it's not a favorite. We switch things up a bit when we're close to the metal basket by using the hammer or "tomahawk" throw.

That's like an overhand baseball toss. The hammer throw also happened to be my preferred option after some frustration with my disc hitting tree after tree thanks to my less accurate throwing arm. And as teenagers are known to do, there may have been a few snarky comments just out of my hearing regarding my prowess (or lack thereof) on the course.

The kids and I own our own discs, which are midrange drivers. There are all kinds of discs, and it's not unusual to see a player carrying a bag filled with a variety of them. There are preferences about the style, weight and size, and some players really get into those fine details.

I have not bothered to learn the nuances. I go out and throw my all-purpose driver and I'm good with that. If you're new to the sport or don't have your own disc, Enmen Field rents and sells discs at its clubhouse. If you're interested in the more technical aspects about how each one works, the clubhouse staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

According to my smartphone's mileage tracker, we walked more than 2 miles on the 18-hole course. We play this game in all seasons and find that snow offers a lot of "smiles" (a smile-like mark is made in the snow when it lands).

Disc golf is a nice way to get outdoors for friendly competition. And when your 16-year-old wins, the gloating is bearable as long as a rematch is scheduled.

 Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Nov. 11, 2012. 

 
This is a messy map of our day playing disc golf but it gives a sense of mileage (2.1 miles, which I didn't start until after the first couple of holes) you walk while playing the game. It's great exercise and I never had any idea until I tracked our game that we covered so much mileage!

Enman Field Disc Golf

Kid Tracks Column: Outside beckons even as nights grow longer

This is the time of the year when my family has no time for our usual outdoor adventures. It's all about the kids' school schedule and their 4-H livestock activities. But a month of primarily indoor activities gives us a new motivation to find time in our busy schedule to get back outside.
Here's a peek at what we've been talking about doing in the next few months.

• Disc golf. The game involves throwing a hard plastic disc into a metal basket on a golf-like course. It is a year-round sport, offering a different type of fun in the snow. It's a great way to spend some family time together playing a low-key game.

Enmen Field in Brunswick is a family favorite that has two 18-hole courses. My daughters were 5 and 6 years old the first time they hit the course and loved it. www.mainediscgolf.com

• Zipline. This has been on the kids' to-do list since our visit to Sunday River two years ago. The zipline course at Sunday River includes a series of seven lines strewn between large trees (and poles) in the woods. It's a unique thrill to be suspended from a galvanized cable and fly through the woods. My kids love it (me, too!).

Our first, and only, zipline course experience was in the snow but I've been told it's a great way to see the mountain colors in the fall.

There is another zipline course with three lines in Windham at SeaCoast Fun Park. Sunday River's zipline course is open year-round, while SeaCoast Fun Park is open on weekends through Nov. 18 and then reopens during the snow tubing season (weather permitting).
www.sundayriver.com/EventsActivities; www.seacoast funparks.com

• Geocaching. We go in spurts with playing this game and it's been a while since we've been on the lookout for geocaches.

For those unfamiliar, geocaching is a game that uses GPS coordinates to find a hidden box filled with inexpensive trinkets and a logbook. There are many more players, or geocachers, these days, thanks to a very user-friendly mobile phone app.

The girls said it's time to do another "mystery" type cache that requires some problem solving to find the final coordinates.

We also have some traditional geocaches we've hidden ourselves that are in desperate need of maintenance, so we'll be doing some of that before the snow flies, too. www.geocaching.com

• Full moon hike. A winter full moon is bright and we have enjoyed seeing a local trail in the moonlight. We hope to have a new full-moon adventure in the next couple of months on our own, or with one of the outdoor groups that organize them. maineaudubon.org; www.outdoors.org

• Stargazing. With the nights getting longer, fall can be a great time to stargaze (winter is even better). Now my teens have their own smartphones and the stargazing apps they have ensure an accurate identification of celestial objects.

This is something we can do anytime at home on a clear night but we still look forward to our annual trip to the Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine's Portland campus, too. usm.maine.edu/planet

• Cross-country skiing. The kids and I were really disappointed with the lack of snow activities last year. We hardly had time to do anything before the snow melted. You can bet that we'll be dropping everything to get out on the cross-country trails behind our house during the first snowfall.
We also hope to visit the community-supported groomed trails of Twin Brooks in Cumberland and Riverside in Portland. Talk of a little snow dance tribute has been discussed to ensure we get a weekend of local cross-country skiing this year. mainecoastnordic.blogspot.com/p/twin-brook.html; www.portlandmaine.gov/winterfunspots/default.asp

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Oct. 7, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: New Hampshire's peaks are worth the planning

The girls and I have been hiking mountains all spring and summer to get ready for our highest (to date) mountain hiking adventure in Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire. All our "training" paid off because we had a wonderful 9-mile hike that included three mountain summits -- Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette -- and an overnight stay at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Greenleaf Hut. We left the mountains ready for more, which is the sign of a well-planned adventure with kids.

This mountain loop in the notch was my first mountain-hiking trip as a teen. I went with a high school friend and her dad, and brought back many memories from the trip. After hearing my stories, the girls decided that this would be a great end-of-summer adventure for us.

After surfing the web, reviewing our AMC Guidebook and talking to a ranger in Franconia Notch, the girls and I set out to climb the Falling Waters Trail on Little Haystack Mountain. The ranger said it was a tough climb up but a bit more difficult going down so that sealed the deal on where to start.
We could hear many of the hikers who we shared the trail with long before we saw them because it seemed everyone had trekking poles. I never realized how much noise these things make and I have to say, I didn't like it. Chirping birds and rustling leaves are much more appealing. I prefer to choose less popular trails, particularly on a holiday weekend, but I couldn't adjust our schedule to visit this area another time. We were stuck with a clattering (but friendly) crowd up the mountain.

The trail description in the AMC guide includes several references to "climbs steeply" as well as "ledgy scramble" and "continues steeply." I told the girls we were taking this trail slowly and making plenty of stops. The ranger said it would likely take us about 31/2 hours to hike the 3.2-mile trail (about a 2,900-foot elevation gain). We did it in 41/2 hours and that suited us just fine.

There are not many open views on the way to the summit of Little Haystack but there are some very nice waterfalls. Once we got above the tree line it is truly a breathtaking view.

Franconia Ridge Trail is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque segments of the Appalachian Trail. We can attest that the ridge really is amazing in the sunshine.

We hiked along the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mount Lincoln and then worked our way over to Mt. Lafayette, the highest mountain in our loop at 5,260 feet.

We hiked down the Greenleaf Trail on Mount Lafayette to get to the Greenleaf Hut for our overnight stay. We had a five-course meal and slept in a bunkroom overnight. We met some really nice people who shared our interest in hiking and spending time outdoors. My teens really enjoyed the experience. But if you stay at the Greenleaf Hut you should be ready for a lot of together time -- bumping elbows at dinner and a 24-person mixed gender open bunkroom. The girls and I agreed that the food, prepared in a very rustic kitchen with no electricity, was one of the highlights of our hut experience. But I think watching the amazing sunset over the mountains was the crowning glory of our day.

Our second day included a multi-course breakfast and an easy hike down the Old Bridle Path. There were quite a few vista points along this trail and even with our stops to take in the view, it still only took us about two hours to hike the three miles back to our car.

My teens and I had a great experience on these trails but I do offer a note of caution to parents. The trail loop to these mountain summits is rated as difficult. We saw many young children happily hiking these trails so it is a doable adventure for families. But the caution signs at the trailhead (and noted in local guides) to wear appropriate gear and be prepared for any kind of weather at the summits should not be taken lightly. Wear hiking boots, bring plenty of water and snacks, and take these trails at your own pace to ensure everyone in your family has an enjoyable experience. It truly is worth the effort.

WHAT: Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette
WHERE: Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
ELEVATION GAIN: approximately 3,500 feet (highest peak is 5,260)
BATHROOM: At the trailhead and the AMC Greenleaf Hut
TERRAIN: Rocky and steep with open ledges
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
TRAILHEAD: There is a trailhead for Mount Lafayette on the northbound side of I-93. We parked on the southbound side at Lafayette Place Campground and took a tunnel under the highway to get to the trailhead.
OTHER: The AMC Greenleaf Hut offers soup, coffee and snacks to all hikers for a small donation. Water bottle refills (and chatting with the friendly staff) are free.
14- and 16-YEAR-OLD REVIEW: When I asked the girls for a review of this adventure they both offer a single word sentiment – “Awesome!”

Little Haystack, Lincoln, Lafayette loop

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Sept. 9, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: Finally making it to the top, but about that bug spray ...

The kids and I have hiked Burnt Meadow Mountain in Brownfield more than a handful of times. There have been a variety of reasons why we haven't reached the summit -- stomach flu, a canine injury and a lack of interest have all been factors -- but recently we decided it was time to commit to getting to the top.

There are some wonderful vistas on this Brownfield mountain trail that don't require too much effort. When the girls were small, a short hike to a vista point for a picnic was just right. The area is particularly beautiful in the fall because the valley and surrounding mountains are a beautiful panorama of colors during that season.

A couple years ago I suggested to the girls we try to get to the summit. It's just under a 1,200-foot elevation gain, which is something we've accomplished on other mountains. But that first real try didn't work out because my husband came down with stomach flu. For obvious reasons, we had to head back to the trailhead early.

Last fall the girls and I tried to summit again. This time we took along a dog we were fostering. Unfortunately, the dog cut his foot going up the mountain. I was concerned about the bloody paw, so we headed back to the trailhead to ensure the injury didn't turn more serious.

So it was with some self-deprecating humor that we set out again to summit the mountain. When we passed our usual vista/picnic spot, we cheered that we were "finally" moving into new territory. And as is the case with this mountain, whenever we try to get to the top, we encounter some new challenges.

We had problems with the plentiful mosquitoes because I forgot the DEET bug spray. I clearly wasn't paying attention when packing and threw in an all-natural version. As much as I try to use chemical-free products, when in the backwoods I have found we need the strongest bug juice we can get.

The lack of adequate protection from the mosquitoes was very annoying and I kicked myself up -- and down -- the mountain that I didn't pack the right spray.

The last quarter-mile to the summit was steep and included open ledges. My kids really enjoyed the challenge of finding foot and handholds to make the ascent up the last couple hundred feet to the summit. We made a loud declaration once at the top that "we finally made it!" This might have been heard for miles.

But after looking around we decided the summit was anticlimactic. Yes, it had a beautiful view, but there are also nice vistas of the surrounding area at lower elevations that didn't require as much effort. As I have said in previous columns about this mountain (and others), hiking doesn't always need to be about getting to the top. Sometimes it's about finding a nice spot for a relaxing picnic.

Within minutes of hitting the summit, my 16-year-old developed a bloody nose. It was a full geyser and she was a bloody mess by the time her sister and I dug out napkins and tissues from our packs. She handled the situation like a trooper and later commented she didn't have much choice since we were at the top of a mountain.

"I think we should call this 'bloody' mountain for Shadow's paw (the foster dog), my nose and all the mosquitoes!"

The bloody nose was quickly controlled, and truth be told, my daughter found the mosquitoes more problematic than the nose. We reapplied the all-natural bug spray at least a half-dozen times on the trail, but it just didn't do the job. The mosquitoes were so thick in some areas that a lot of our pictures turned out blurry due to so many bugs flying in front of the lens.

Our experiences on this mountain have turned into our family folklore. It happens that some places were just made for quirky storytelling. And sometimes stopping to enjoy the sights (and people you're with) without any goals in mind are all that really matters on a family hiking adventure, anyway. It's nice to be reminded of that, particularly as the kids get older. But a lesson I hope not to relearn: Don't ever forget the "good" bug spray.

BURNT MEADOW MOUNTAIN

WHERE: Brownfield
LENGTH: 1.2 miles to northern peak
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,194 feet (peak is at 1,575 feet)
BATHROOM: None
TERRAIN: Packed dirt with some open ledges
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
TRAILHEAD: The trailhead is unmarked and easy to miss. The trailhead is on Route 160, about three miles from the junction of routes 113 and 5 in Brownfield. GPS Coordinates: 43.9177, -70.8830
14-YEAR-OLD: It was a pretty hike and climbing on the rocks to the very top was fun. It was interesting to climb up open face rocks and it was really pretty when you got to look out from the rocks. When we went into the woodsy part of the trail there were bugs everywhere and they were biting us a lot.
16-YEAR-OLD: This hike was a harder one for me but it was OK. The view was very nice. The jagged rocks just before the summit were really fun to climb on. This is the first hike ever that I actually saw a snake on the trail. It was cool. I would hike this mountain again but I don't need to get to the top next time.

Burnt Meadow Mountain

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Aug. 12, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: Trails in Turner a terrific scenic trek

The kids and I were planning a trip to visit friends north of Lewiston and wanted to find a hiking trail in that area. That's how I ran across a listing for Androscoggin Riverlands State Park. It's only been an official state park since 2009, but the kids and I wished we had found it sooner. Well-marked trails, beautiful river vistas and some nice picnic table amenities had us giving the park a thumbs-up.

According to Maine.gov, Androscoggin Riverlands includes 2,675 acres, with 12 miles of multiuse trails and 10 miles of hiking trails along the river. The Old River Road Trail is the main trail through the park and it's multiuse. I assumed it would be busy with ATVs. The hiking trails off the main trail offered a great alternative for foot traffic to avoid the motorized folks, and we thought those trails were prettier, too.

We took the trail marked Old Farmstead Trail near the trailhead. I had a trail map from the state's website and I tried to match the sign to the map. It's a minor thing, but while the Homestead Trail is listed on the map, there's no notation for the Old Farmstead Trail. The trail itself was well-marked with trail blazes, and it was clear it headed toward the river, so the name confusion wasn't an issue.
We found a pleasant surprise about a mile into the trail -- a nicely maintained outhouse and picnic area. It's a little thing, but there just aren't many places that have an outhouse that far into the trail system.

We found another surprise upon opening the door to the outhouse. A bird's nest sat on a metal bar next to the toilet. It was brimming (the nest, not the toilet) with new chicks. I have seen bird nests in the eaves of an outhouse, but not at hip level and right next to a toilet. We took care not to disturb the little ones, which was a bit tricky when using the facilities.

A few yards away from the outhouse were some picnic tables. The trail map indicated this was an "overlook" and it was a lovely shaded spot with a wonderful river view.
 
We continued along the Old Farmstead Trail for another mile before deciding to loop back to the trailhead via the Fox Run Trail. On the map there was a notation that this trail was a little more challenging. Or at least that's how I interpreted the "... please allow ample time to hike or bike this section." Up to that point the trail system had been easy, so I was optimistic it wasn't all that hard.
This trail was narrower, overgrown and hilly, but overall it required only a bit more effort than the other trails.

In order to make our way back to the trailhead we had to find a sharp right turn to loop back to the Old River Road Trail from Fox Run. We missed the turn the first time because we were too busy admiring the footbridge. That's how trail intersections go sometimes. I've missed many of them in favor of admiring a special feature rather than paying attention to the markers. We didn't walk far before I realized our mistake and backtracked to make the correction, which was obvious had we been looking for it at the bridge.

The Fox Run Trail had a lot of signs of wildlife, from droppings and prints to singing birds and plenty of fast moving frogs. And although more challenging than the other trails, this one was the kids' favorite. Our trek through the park only took us on a fraction of the trails, about 5 miles according to my GPS.

The kids and I left the park feeling like another visit would be in our near future. We wanted to hike the Ledges and Ridge trails, which offer a bit of an elevation gain, to see the river from a higher vantage point. The map also indicated more "outlook" spots with picnic tables in the middle of the park. On our next visit we'll be sure to budget more time to hike further into the trail system.

Initially we weren't sure what to expect from Riverlands because of the ATV activity at the trailhead. But what we found was a wonderful hiking trail system with plenty of natural beauty not far from Lewiston.

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVERLANDS STATE PARK
WHERE: Turner
LENGTH: 10 miles of hiking trails (6.6 miles shared with mountain bikes)
ELEVATION GAIN: Minimal for most trails
BATHROOM: Outhouse at trailhead, another about 1 mile into trail system
TERRAIN: Packed gravel or dirt
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate, depending on what trail you choose
TRAILHEAD: From Lewiston take Route 4 north to Route 117. Then take Center Bridge Road to the park entrance.
14-YEAR-OLD'S REVIEW: "It was an easy hike and had nice scenery. It was kind of weird that a bird would have a nest next to the toilet in the bathroom but it was pretty cool to see the baby chicks. The water was really nice to look at while eating lunch."
16-YEAR-OLD'S REVIEW: "I liked the easy trails. Walking along the river was really pretty and there were a lot of spots to sit down on picnic tables to eat lunch and that was really nice. We saw a lot of birds there. It was just a really nice, easy hike."

Androscoggin Riverlands State Park

 Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram July 8, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: Eyebrow and Old Speck trails both reward, challenge hikers

The Eyebrow at Grafton Notch State Park is a trail on Old Speck Mountain that offers a lot of variety for hikers -- from the cable handrails to the iron rungs and metal ladder to aid hikers across a small open rock face. Although it's a steep climb, it's only 1.2 miles long and rewards hikers with a nice view of the notch.

My family first tackled the Eyebrow five years ago in hopes of getting a new perspective of Grafton Notch State Park. We had previously hiked to Table Rock, an outcropping on the Bald Pate Mountain side of the notch, and wanted a view from the Old Speck Mountain side.
The girls were young, 9 and 11 years old at the time, and it was a tough climb for them. It was also their first foray into crossing an open rock face. They were hesitant about this, so we took a snack break on the trail to talk before we hiked across it.

After the uneventful crossing, the girls felt like they'd graduated into the hiking big leagues. My then 9-year-old referred to Appalachian Trail thru-hikers (the AT crosses through Grafton Notch) as "professional hikers," so she was pleased to have traversed some challenging terrain (although I should note the Eyebrow Trail is not on the AT, but does intersect with it).

Now at 14 and 16 years old, the girls have a different perspective of the Eyebrow's 1,200-foot elevation gain because they've hiked steeper mountain trails. This climb is short mileage-wise for the elevation gain, so it's not easy. But I had to laugh at my now 16-year-old's reaction when we arrived at the open rock face this time.

"That's what we were so worried about last time? It's not even that steep."

And she's right. The open rock really isn't all that scary to a more experienced hiker. But I'd caution parents to talk to their young hikers ahead of time to explain the terrain and their child's comfort level in crossing it.

The Eyebrow Trail intersects with the Old Speck Trail (part of the AT), and we took that trail to loop back down to the trailhead for a total of 2.4 miles hiked. We enjoyed the Old Speck Trail because it features some pretty waterfalls, and it's an easy descent.

My family has yet to hike all the way to the summit of Old Speck. The top of the Eyebrow offers nice views, so we feel like we've accomplished our goal -- to see the notch from a different perspective. We can see the Table Rock outcropping from the Eyebrow, and that's what I really enjoy about Grafton Notch State Park. It offers multiple observation points to give kids an opportunity to view a vista point they've hiked to previously.

I think it's quite an accomplishment to hike the mountain trails at Grafton Notch when you're a kid. And it's a nice confidence boost for the whole family, no matter which side of the hiking experience (child or parent) you're on.

TRAIL REVIEW

WHAT: The Eyebrow and Old Speck trails
WHERE: Old Speck Mountain at Grafton Notch State Park
LENGTH: Loop of about 2.4 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: About 1,200 feet
BATHROOM: Outhouse at trailhead
TERRAIN: Dirt with an open rock-face crossing that has iron rungs and a small ladder; there is also a cable handrail in one particularly steep area as well.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to advanced (depending on your fitness level). Parents of kids under 12 should use caution due to open rock face.
TRAILHEAD: On Route 26 just north of Newry. For those with a GPS, the trailhead is located at: 44.59; -70.9471
14-YEAR-OLD'S REVIEW: "The Eyebrow Trail was a steep, challenging hike but the views were really pretty. The iron steps to cross the cliff face were a little scary but OK. The cable handrail was helpful when we were going up the very steep trail. This trail was different than most I've hiked, and that made it interesting."
16-YEAR-OLD'S REVIEW: "I thought the steep hills were fun because you had a handrail to help you. The cables helped so I didn't feel like I was going to fall down. When we got to the top the view was nice. The waterfalls on the way down were really nice, too."

The Eyebrow at Grafton Notch

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 10, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: A view worth the effort

After a couple of easy elevation climbs this spring, my family decided to tackle a mountain we've considered hiking for a couple of years -- Caribou Mountain in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness of the White Mountains National Forest.

My daughters and I take an exercise class together, as well as walk and hike regularly, so we felt like we were finally ready to tackle this 2,850-foot mountain with its 2,000-foot elevation gain from trailhead to summit. But as I posted on my Twitter account after this hike, it really tested my family's fitness level. The key to making it doable included pacing ourselves, along with several water and snack breaks. It also confirmed we need to keep up with our weekly Zumba classes because it gave us the cardio endurance we needed to make it up this big (to us) mountain.

I concurred with both my kids that this climb was absolutely worth the sweat. We were amply rewarded with an amazing panorama of surrounding peaks. My 14-year-old also was pleased to have found yet another geological marker at the summit. She's all about locating those markers this year and I have found it to be a great motivator for my teens on our mountain treks.

We chose to hike up the mountain via the Mud Brook Trail and loop back down the Caribou Trail. It turned out to be a 7-mile trek round-trip. We read in the AMC Mountain Guide that the connection between these two trails was not well marked. Because we were warned, we kept a keen eye out for trail blazes on the rocky summit and had no major problem finding the connection.

But there was an aspect of this hike that the girls and I found particularly challenging -- the rocky terrain. There were large rocks and roots embedded in the trail for most of the climb up, as well as down. There were also a surprisingly high number of water crossings, which were shallow streams of varying widths. Basically we did a lot of rock jumping over waterways and on the actual trail. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal to have to watch your footing. But after 7 miles of careful stepping to avoid twisting an ankle, we really came to appreciate the even terrain walking around our neighborhood the next day.

Despite the rocks, this was a trail that offered a great sense of accomplishment for my family. It's not a casual or easy mountain hike, so I'd recommend you make sure your kids (and you) are ready for the elevation gain. I think my kids, at 14 and 16 years old now, were at the right age and general fitness level to hike this mountain to ensure we would all enjoy the experience. If you want to visit Evan's Notch with your family but aren't sure they can handle this mountain, the 1,300-foot elevation gain of Blueberry Mountain might be a better place to start. The views on the various mountain peaks in Evan's Notch are all wonderful. Well, those we've climbed so far. We have plans to take on a few more mountains around the notch later this year because we love the views so much. But you can be sure we'll be making a point to step up our weekly exercise program to stay in shape before tackling these taller peaks.

TRAIL REVIEW

WHAT: Caribou Mountain
WHERE: Batchelders Grant
LENGTH: Seven miles by looping from Mud Brook Trail to Caribou Trail
ELEVATION GAIN: About 2,000 feet
BATHROOM: Outhouse at trailhead
TERRAIN: Dirt with a lot of roots and rocks, and narrow waterway crossings
TRAILHEAD: From Fryeburg take Route 113 to the Evan’s Notch area on the Maine side of the White Mountains National Forest. The trailhead is 6.0 miles north of the Cold River Campground. For those with a GPS, the trailhead is located at: 44.3359, -70.9753
14-YEAR-OLD’S REVIEW: “This was a nice hike with a pretty view at the summit. It was a big mountain so it was a bit of a challenge for me to get to the top. I also liked finding the (geological) marker at the summit.”
16-YEAR-OLD’S REVIEW: “This hike was not too hard if you are in pretty good shape. The view at the top was really pretty. It was worth it to get to the top to see all the mountains that are around this one.”

Caribou Mountain




 
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram May 13, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: Sabattus makes it easy to climb mountain

Sabattus Mountain in Lovell is a gem of a place that offers an easy, family-friendly hiking adventure with spectacular views.

Choosing a hike is always an interesting process at our house. The peanut gallery, now 14 and 16 years old, has to approve of the adventure to ensure we all have a good time. The criteria in choosing this particular hike included my daughter's perception of the family's fitness level. Both girls feel they are "really out of shape to climb a big mountain."

This is how we all usually feel about early spring hikes. We need a few easy warm-up climbs before we tackle the higher elevation gains.

Sabattus Mountain has an elevation gain of about 500 feet, and we all agreed that sounded very doable.

The driving directions sounded straight-forward, and that can be a determining factor in choosing a trail. There is nothing more frustrating than vague directions to an out-of-the-way trailhead with kids in the car. I prefer to avoid comments like, "Are we there yet?" or "Mom, you're lost aren't you?"
I've heard plenty of both through the years.

I used the 10th edition AMC Maine Mountain Guide when researching this mountain. This updated guide was edited by fellow Maine Sunday Telegram outdoor columnist Carey Kish (it's out in bookstores this month). The trail was described as having nice cliff views of the western mountains and the Presidential Range. And thanks to a clear spring day, that's just what we found.

The trail is marked with yellow blazes and the climb is steady but not particularly steep. There were a few spots when one of us stopped to take a break under the guise of taking a picture or listening for the birds. Of course we weren't out of breath (well, maybe a little), but my daughter's assessment of our stamina for mountain climbing this year was accurate. This mountain choice was just right for us.
As we neared the top, which is less than a mile from the trailhead, we found a couple nice lookout points. The kids were particularly enamored with a large deposit of white quartzite that sparkled in the sunlight.

But it was the summit view that we found most impressive, particularly because you usually have to work a lot harder for an expansive, unobstructed view from an open rock face. And the park benches to take in the scenery were an unexpected bonus.

While exploring the summit, my 14-year-old discovered a geological marker pounded into the rock ledge near the northwest edge of the cliff. Despite the battered appearance of the gold disk, it was an exciting discovery. We are geocachers, finding hidden boxes with our hand-held GPS unit, and have considered participating in the benchmark hunting aspect of the game to find geological markers. After this discovery, the kids want to go on the hunt for another one.

Round-trip, this hike was an easy 1.5 miles. It really was a wonderful place to get back to our family mountain climbing adventures this spring.

A HIKE YOU’LL LIKE
TRAIL: Sabattus Mountain
WHERE: Lovell
LENGTH: 1.5 miles, looping trail
ELEVATION GAIN: about 500 feet
BATHROOM: No
TERRAIN: Dirt with a lot of roots
TRAILHEAD: From Center Lovell on Route 5 north, take Sabattus Road (on right past Center Lovell General Store). After 1.5 miles, bear right at fork onto the dirt road of Sabattus Trail Road. Trailhead is well marked on right. For those with a GPS, the trail head is located at: N 44.1883, W 70.853.
14-YEAR-OLD’S REVIEW: “What I liked about the trail is that it was easy and there wasn’t too much climbing. The scenery was nice and they had benches to sit on at the top of the mountain. It was really pretty at the top.”
16-YEAR-OLD’S REVIEW: “The trail was really nice and the scenery was really pretty when we got on top of the mountain. And it was nice they had benches for us to sit on and eat our lunch.”

Choosing a hike is always an interesting process at our house. The peanut gallery, now 14 and 16 years old, has to approve of the adventure to ensure we all have a good time. The criteria in choosing this particular hike included my daughter's perception of the family's fitness level. Both girls feel they are "really out of shape to climb a big mountain."

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram April 8, 2012.

Kid Tracks Column: Surprising items find place in first-aid kit

My family's first-aid kit has seen plenty of action over the years. The tweezers have regularly removed ticks and the baby wipes have saved us from poison ivy outbreaks. The plastic card has earned a permanent place in our kit since we discovered its leech removal abilities, and we always carry small bottles of meat tenderizer and Benadryl after our run-in with yellow jackets.

Our first-aid kit includes a couple of items we use all the time, which helps ensure that I use the kit regularly and know when it's time to replenish certain supplies.

As the weather warms and your family gears up to hit the trails, it's a good time to take a few minutes to organize your first-aid kit.

Here's an inventory of the Almeida family's kit (which we consider a constant work-in-progress) to get you started.

Band-Aids: We used to stock a variety of character and tattoo Band-Aids when the girls were younger because a minuscule scratch on a finger threatened to prevent us from moving another step. We still stock a variety of sizes and styles because even as teens, only the perfect one will do.

Hydrogen peroxide: A small bottle of this is a must as my girls refuse any contact with the "nasty" alcohol square.

Anti-itch cream: In the summer someone always has a mosquito bite. And although scratching a bite isn't a big deal, it can become an all-consuming irritant (especially if the bite is hard to reach while wearing a backpack).

Baby wipes: A multi-purpose item that has been helpful after the misguided steps we've taken into a poison ivy patch. By wiping our skin to remove the resins, we've been able to avoid an outbreak. Although soap and water are best, the key is to get the resins off quickly.

Meat tenderizer: A paste of water and tenderizer helps reduce the swelling of bee stings. This was a tip we learned from a pharmacist, and after our run-in with yellow jackets everyone in my family can attest to the fact that this odd-sounding remedy really does work.

Gum: This always helps calm down my girls when they get anxious or hurt.

Tweezers: We use these primarily for tick removal but also for the occasional splinter.

Moleskin: This stuff works a thousand times better than Band-Aids for blisters on your feet so it gets lots of use on our longer hikes (we pack a small pair of scissors as well).

Plastic card: I discovered the benefit of an expired plastic credit card while trying to remove leeches from my daughter. The firm, but flexible, scraping of an old plastic card does the job well and it works on newly attached ticks as well.

Eyeglass mini screwdriver: If you have a child with glasses then you know that if they're going to have a problem with their glasses, it's going to be somewhere really inconvenient. This little item came in handy fixing our flashlight once on the trail too.

Baby powder: This is great for sweating feet as well as the all-consuming irritant of chafed thighs and for sand removal between toes.

Sunblock and insect repellent: I keep these items in the first-aid kit because I use them frequently and this ensures I'm familiar with my kit's inventory.

OTHER ITEMS we carry include: antibiotic cream, Ace bandage, medical tape, ibuprofen/acetaminophen, feminine hygiene pads, nail clippers, emergency heater blanket, whistle, sewing kit, waterproof matches, safety pins, hair elastics, hand sanitizer and a flashlight.

I'd like to say our kit is light and easy to carry, but it's not. The girls have a smaller first-aid kit for our shorter adventures when we're not far from our car (and our larger kit).

But I think it's important to be prepared for an emergency (the real ones as well as the ones contrived by the little people in your life) when you're spending time outdoors. Oh, and trust me that the gum and preferred Band-Aid requests should be accommodated. That's a small price to pay for solid insurance for a fun family adventure.

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram March 11, 2012.

Make-your-own yogurt not just for the cultured elite

I thought making my own yogurt was beyond my busy lifestyle and cooking abilities when a farming friend suggested I give it a whirl. I'm a busy full-time working mom with two active kids, and I initially thought that if yogurt making were easy, everyone would be doing it.

There were a couple of aspects of the recipe that intimidated me:
1. It requires a candy thermometer.
2. The six to eight hours of "incubation" for the yogurt to set.

But I found these things were easily managed. Plus, knowing exactly what was in my yogurt -- as well as the cost-savings -- made homemade yogurt worth the effort.

I get my milk from a friend who raises Jersey dairy cows. My recipe reflects my own family's taste for a thick and creamy, but less-sweet, yogurt.

HOMEMADE VANILLA YOGURT
1 gallon of milk
¾ cup of sugar
¾ cup of dry milk
1 tablespoon of Madagascar vanilla bean powder (found at a natural food store)
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon of plain active-culture yogurt
Candy thermometer
Mason jars with lids

Heat the milk in a large pot on medium high heat. Do not set the heat on high, as it could scald the bottom of the pan. Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pot to monitor the milk's temperature. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat when the temperature reaches 180 degrees. Depending on your stovetop, this can take 20 to 30 minutes. When the temperature climbs to 150 degrees, keep a close eye on the milk, as the jump to 180 degrees happens quickly. It is important not to allow the milk to boil.

Once at 180 degrees, submerge the bottom of your pot in a pan with cold water and ice cubes to cool the milk quickly. Add sugar, dry milk and vanilla bean powder and stir well. The mixture needs to cool until it is 110 degrees, so keep the thermometer in the pan to monitor.

At 110 degrees, add the plain yogurt.

Mix the yogurt starter well before pouring into your mason jars. Place jars in a pot of warm water so that the water is just below the top of the jar. Then put the pot in the oven.

Set your oven at 110 degrees to incubate. This process can take 6 to 8 hours, depending on your taste preference. I prefer removing mine at the 6-hour mark to put in my refrigerator.
Recipe makes about 5 quarts of yogurt.

TIPS
• Yogurt cultures like bacteria, so avoid using commercial milk labeled "ultra-pasteurized." Local dairies typically offer less-processed (called flash pasteurized) milk, or you can connect with a local farmer to buy raw milk.

• Be sure to use only plain active-culture yogurt for your starter, and choose a quality yogurt. Using a vanilla or added-sugar yogurt will not work correctly.

• The dry milk I use makes my recipe into a thick, creamy yogurt that my kids like because it's similar to a commercial-brand consistency. You can use less for a thinner result. Another common thickener for yogurt is unflavored gelatin, but I prefer dry milk for the additional protein it offers.

• There are two ways to affect the sweetness of your yogurt. One is how much sugar you add, and the other is how long you incubate. Experiment with both to find a combination that suits your family's tastes.

• I use a combination of quart, pint and half-pint sized mason jars. This requires that I use a couple of different pots in the oven while incubating in the water bath, but the variation offers convenience for my family's lunch boxes.

• Fruit should not be added to homemade yogurt until after it is incubated and ready to eat.

• I use powdered vanilla bean because it is cheaper than an actual vanilla bean, and my family doesn't care for the faint alcohol taste of liquid pure vanilla extract.

• To make Greek-style yogurt, use a strainer lined with muslin and fill with yogurt. Put the strainer into a bowl and set in the refrigerator for about two hours. Scoop out the drained yogurt and add to single-serving containers. This method works for homemade or commercially processed yogurt. And if you have a dog, the drained liquid is a great healthy treat for your canine friend.

• To make frozen yogurt, add two cups of drained Greek-style yogurt along with one cup of milk, one cup of frozen fruit and two tablespoons of jam into a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into single serving containers (smaller containers freeze more quickly and minimize crystallization). Then place containers in the freezer overnight. My daughter packs one of these in her lunch box and by the time the lunch hour arrives, her container is a slush consistency, which she likes.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
You can see this recipe step-by-step, with pictures, as Wendy teaches Shannon Bryan how to make yogurt for her Pans on Fire blog.

Originally published in the Portland Press Herald's Food & Dining March 7, 2012

Oscar season a lot of fun this year for me

The Oscars are this Sunday night and G. and I are on a mission – watch as many Oscar-nominated movies as we can before the awards show.

This idea was prompted after seeing The Artist. G. and I loved the movie. L. thought it was "OK." But truth be told, G. took a film history class this past fall that focused on silent movies and then "talkies" during the 30s and 40s. I enjoyed watching the old Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, etc. movies with her during that school quarter and we had many discussions about them. G. also made her own silent movie with many of the classic elements that helped her understand this particular movie genre. There is something to be said for having a different level of appreciation when you've tried to do it yourself. G. used animals and music in her own silent film so she paid careful attention to those elements in The Artist. We also both made note of the guy's hair in the movie. If you watch with a keen eye you'll see that the man's hair reflects his mood and/or foreshadows what's to come. A very minor element in a series of clever ones we liked in that film.

I could ramble on about different aspects of The Artist but I'll spare you. G. and I think it's still our favorite for winning Best Picture.

This is however tempered by the fact that we've only seen a handful of Oscar-nominees so far.
G. saw Hugo in 3D with a friend and really liked it. And again, she appreciated knowing the silent films referenced in that movie (it's a silent movie Oscar year). I saw Hugo with L. without the 3D and liked it, but not nearly as much as G. I don't like 3D because it is a blurry picture to me (I believe my astigmatism prevents me from fully appreciating the effect). But I've been told that the 3D effects in Hugo are what make it especially compelling.

Last night G. and I rented The Help. Both of us really enjoyed the movie and thought Octavia Spencer was our first choice for Best Supporting Actor. Although we both agreed Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids was great so we could root for her to win as well. And just for the record, I am well-aware that Bridesmaids was not likely my best movie-watching decision for my 15-year-old. Yet it prompted some interesting (and oh yes, uncomfortable) conversations at our house after that viewing! But I don't regret it because it sure did bring to light the issue of bogus boyfriends. That movie was hilarious and I was happy to see Melissa McCarthy get a nod for an Oscar. She made that movie oh so much better with her character.

Anyhoo, G. and I have looked through a bunch of other nominees. We actually would love to see Jane Eyre since it's up for a Costume Design award. We didn't think Hugo, or The Artist for that matter, was really all that great in this category. But based on the trailer, Jane Eyre looks more to our liking. But alas, we can't seem to find a rental of the movie online and can't get it at our local Redbox as of yesterday. But our search will continue at Videoport tomorrow.

We've watched trailers for The Tree of Life and it looks like a snooze. A couple of people have told us they either (1) thought it was horribly slow and/or (2) "didn't get it." Based on the comments we're going to skip the $3.99 rental on that title. We kind of felt the same way about "Moneyball" but it is in the queue for us to decide for sure either way tomorrow night.

The Descendants is playing at the Nick this weekend. I dislike depressing suck-the-life-out-of-you movies so I'm still on the fence about seeing that one. Although a friend just emailed and said it was good and not overly depressing. There is also Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close to consider as well but to be honest, neither jumped out at me as being movies I'd normally seek out. So, we're still making up our minds about spending the steeper price for a movie theater ticket.

Tonight G. and I are jazzed about our plan to watch Midnight in Paris. Several friends have told me - in the context of "not being a big Woody Allen fan" - how much they liked that particular movie. We think this will likely be the last of Oscar-nominated movies we'll really enjoy.

We won't be seeing every movie nominated (obviously). Yet this year's Oscar season is particularly enjoyable because I can share in the experience with my 15-year-old. Teens can be fickle creatures but when you can find a genuine interest and common ground... boy they sure are fun to have around!

Here's the trailer of Jane Eyre we saw that is prompting us to seek it out for rental to gauge its costuming....



And in case you want to see how accurate you are will predicting who will win the Oscars, you can participate in the Press Herald's Oscar poll. But hurry, the poll ends at 5 p.m. tonight.

Kid Tracks Column: Wonderful winter hiking, light snow, false starts and all

There are a lot of variables to consider when hiking with kids. This is true of hiking with a dog as well. But there is one thing you can count on with both – a bathroom break will be needed within the first dozen steps of hitting the trail. Never in all the years I've been hiking with kids, and the few occasions I've taken a dog, have I avoided a false start.

So I found myself amused when my 15-year-old bemoaned her foster dog's need to poop within the first few steps of getting to the trail head at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park in Freeport.

She had packed a couple of disposable bags for just such an occurrence but had hoped for a bit more time before having to deal with the smelly bag factor. But it worked out that it happened early.

She managed to remove the waste and dispose of it within minutes (hello car), despite the winter conditions and fewer trash barrels available at the park this time of year.

While the dog's business was being picked up, my 14-year-old decided maybe she needed to use the bathroom, too.

Thankfully there is a winter bathroom option near the parking lot for human visitors who prefer to be a bit more discriminating than our canine friend. (Note: The regular bathroom building is closed in winter and the remaining outhouse option is chilly.)

Once all the business was done, we were on our way (again). And I have to admit that even though my kids are getting older, I am amused some things don't appear to ever change.

At this time of year I usually write about all our fun adventures on the cross country ski trails. We pack our lunches and have a ton of fun flying down hills on our skinny skis and scoping out a nice spot to sit in the snow for a picnic.

Not so this winter. The snow has come and gone more quickly than a New York minute and it's been rare that a snowy day coincides with one of my days off from the office.

But if we can't ski right now, a winter walk by the ocean is a nice second choice.

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers great winter hiking options. It is a well-visited trail system, so the packed snow makes walking fairly easy. It's also well lined with trees to keep the stiff winter breezes from hitting you while you enjoy a view of the ocean.

There are several miles of looping trails around the park and plenty of animal tracks in the light snow covering to keep kids interested, and guessing, what creatures live in the area. We didn't see many feathered friends flying in the sky, but we did hear quite a few songs in the trees.

We are never alone on the trails when we visit Wolfe's Neck Woods regardless of the weather and time of year. On the day we visited the park there were a dozen cars – and plenty of people with canine hiking companions -- taking advantage of the park. These were not nearly the number of visitors we typically see during the warmer months. So, a quiet hike on the popular trails is a real treat.

If you haven't ventured out for a winter hike yet, do it. The cold days of winter, when dressed properly, can be a great way to enjoy the Maine State Park system with your family (humans and canines). And during this particular winter, no special gear beyond a comfortable pair of snow boots is required.

Warmer winter also means the inevitable bathroom break is a little more tolerable, too.

TRAILS
WHAT: Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
WHERE: 426 Wolfe's Neck Road, Freeport; 865-4465
BATHROOM: An outhouse
TRAIL USE: Hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing; looping trails range in distance from 0.4 to 1.8 miles, with linking trails to extend mileage
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes, on a leash
FEE: Adult residents, $3; Children 5 to 11, $1; under 5 are free

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram February 12, 2012

Kid Tracks Column: Whie waiting for snow, give skating a try

Mother Nature hasn't felt like offering up much white stuff (until recently) for my family to enjoy our usual outdoor winter fun on skis and sleds. So, we're adapting. The cold spell has offered conditions to get outdoor community ice skating rinks around southern Maine up and running.

Ice skating is something I introduced to my kids when they were preschoolers. I felt they should have a comfort level to be "social" about it. Basically, I figured if some friends asked them to go ice skating, they could accept the invitation with confidence they knew the basics to have fun.

When the girls were little, I collected various sizes of inexpensive ice skates through second-hand stores and yard sales. I would bring along a small plastic lawn chair or old milk crate to an outdoor rink and make sure the girls were wearing a thick pair of snow pants to pad their little behinds for the inevitable falls. Then we'd skate around until we couldn't feel our toes, which was usually less than an hour. But how long we spent on the ice didn't matter. The activity was free and the girls had a ton of fun, with most of the giggles happening when I fell.

When my girls were in elementary school they had friends who were learning to figure skate in a formal learn-to-skate program. My girls could have cared less about taking lessons at that time. But I learned two important things about ice skating equipment from my figure skating mom friend.

• A firm figure skating boot that offers solid ankle support makes the experience a lot more fun, because standing and simple gliding is significantly easier.

• A sharp blade is absolutely worth the sharpening fee.

A stiffer figure skating boot offers ankle support that will keep a skater upright more easily than the old floppy boots. Trust me, this makes a BIG difference! Play It Again sports offers these type of skates second-hand, but I also have friends who have found good quality figure skates in various sizes through eBay and Craigslist. When used, these types of skates run about $25-$40; new, they start around $50-$70. L.L. Bean also offers some good skates for tots with an ankle strap for added support.

When my girls decided to take formal skating lessons about a year and a half ago, I borrowed a pair of good quality skates from my friend and purchased another pair on sale for $60. My girls used those skates for about a year, until they started learning jumps and spins. That's when I had to make the investment in custom fit skates from a pro shop. I had some serious sticker shock on that trip, even though the girls had a Cinderella-like fitting experience. That, however, is a story for another time.

As for sharp blades, that makes all the gliding difference for a novice skater. The frustration level in learning the sport can be lessened with a simple sharpening. Most ice rinks offer a basic sharpening service for $5-$8 per pair and often can do the sharpening while you wait.

As for where to take your family skating, there are a lot of options. I have always been a bit squeamish about skating on ponds and lakes, but I am thankful for the large number of communities that flood park rinks, removing the worry about thin ice. When outdoor skating conditions don't appeal, there are several indoor rinks that offer public skating.

For those inspired to try a learn-to-skate class, the Portland Ice Arena, Family Ice Center in Falmouth and Biddeford Ice Arena all offer formal lessons. Classes are geared for basic elements in figure skating and hockey skills. And if you remember watching the Olympic skating competitions as a girl and were inspired to try it but never did, take an adult class. I have thoroughly enjoyed my learn-to-skate experience at Portland Ice Arena. I give a lot of credit to my teens for being good sports about cheering me on with my slower learning curve (they are five levels – and many skate skills – ahead of me now).

My family has come a long way since our days of floppy skates and milk crates, yet we have many fond memories of those early years on the ice together. But no matter your skating level or whether you skate indoors or out, it definitely helps make a less snowy – but cold – winter more fun.

INDOOR RINKS
• The Portland Ice Arena offers public skating from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sundays. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for youths and seniors, and $2 for skate rentals. www.portlandicearena.com

• The Family Ice Center in Falmouth offers indoor public skating from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and from 1:20 to 2:30 p.m. some Sundays (check the website). Next to the indoor rink is the Lee Twombley Pond, an outdoor Zamboni-maintained pond that is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, weather permitting. The cost is $5 per person for the pond or indoor rink, and skate rentals are available for $2. www.familyice.org

• The Biddeford Ice Arena offers public skating from 7 to 10 p.m. most Fridays (check the website) in January for $6 per person; kids under 5 skate free. Rentals are available. www.biddefordarena.com

OUTDOOR RINKS
This is a sampling of free outdoor options. View a more comprehensive list at: www.mainetoday.com/guides/winter12.html#skating
• Biddeford: West Brook Skating Rink, Pool Street, fees to skate with warming hut, skate shop, concessions
• Freeport: Parking lot on Depot Street
• Portland: Deering Oaks pond, State Street and Park Avenue
• Standish: Johnson Field, Sebago Lake Village, Route 35, warming hut, port-a-potty
• Scarborough: Behind Wentworth School on Municipal Drive, lighted with warming hut and concession area
•Westbrook: Stroudwater Ice Rink, Stroudwater Street, lighted with warming hut; East Bridge Street Ball Park, East Bridge Street
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Jan. 15, 2012