changing seasons

If there is anything I like about winter here in Maine… it’s ice-fishing season. Yup, it’s my favorite outdoor activity during winter because we do all those winter thingies that I enjoy like… snowshoeing, snowmobiling… camping… cook-out… binging and pigging out on [Chinese and Italian] sausages, deer meat, bacon, chicken, chips, and lots of food and drink.

Ice-fishing season is a huge event here in Maine. It is one of the most awaited winter outdoor events here in Maine. It is one of the sports events that is well-participated and well-anticipated by almost all Mainers and tourists alike.

One of the most awaited and most participated events during ice-fishing season is the Chevrolet Derby more popularly known as the Sabago Lake Derby. It is Maine’s largest and richest ice fishing derby in all of Maine. Sabago Lake being the second largest lake in Maine which covers about 45 square miles is a huge playground for both kids and kids at heart.

This year, the Sabago Lake Derby was held last February 21st and 22nd, 2009 and the statewide Derby will be held on March 7th and 8th, 2009.

And just like last year, Sabago Lake was as busy as ever. The lake was turned into a snowmobile and 4-wheeler highway. It was turned into a small plane runway. It was turned into a parking lot. And it was specked with thousand of fish traps.

People and dogs alike play carelessly on the lake. People are partying. Kids are enjoying the sled ride. Shacks, tents and lounge chairs provide comfort and warmth from the cold chill and from the long wait for the fish to bite.

And most importantly, the smell of sausages and meat grilling fills the cold air with a familiar scent known to a hungry stomach. Ice-fishing season on the hindsight… is a season for family and friends to bond… have fun… chillax [chill-out and relax] and enjoy the Maine winter outdoor despite the frigid climate. And I just love it not because I am trying to be a hardcore… I am trying to be a Mainer.

Additional Information:
The Maine Way
Ice Fishing Regulations
Maine Ice Anglers Association

Another fun activity that we do during winter time here in Maine is snowmobiling. I love riding snowmobile. The first time I rode our snowmobile was during a snow storm. Hubby and I drove the snowmobile in the deepest woods… in the middle of a blizzard… in the dead of the night… in search of a pizza. It was kinda scary for me because it was the very first time I ever ride such an extra ordinary and amazing means of transportation for winter season. It was fast and furious and loud too like an ordinary motorcycle.

Snowmobile is just like a motorized sleigh. There are thousand of miles of trails, forests and lakes all over the state of Maine where you can trek and ride snowmobiles with friends and families. There are places where they also hold competitions because snowmobiling is not just a recreation but also considered as a sports here in New England states.

This year, I have not tried riding our snowmobile again since winter came. Hubby and I are too busy lately that we can’t find the time to ride around. Hopefully, before the winter ends and the snow melts… we will be able to get pizza… the Maine way.

Additional Information:
Snowmobile Maine
SledMaine

Winter in Maine is never dull. It may be cold or too cold but never dull. It can be messy especially after a snow storm or worse… ice storm but never dull. And it will never be dull because we never run out of activities during winter time.

One of the activities that I enjoyed during my first winter here in Maine is snowshoeing. Yes, it was really fun for me then because it was my very first winter. I thought then that the snow is one of the most amazing things that I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I love bundling up and walking on snowshoes, [a special kind of footwear made for walking on snow] in open fields.

Snowshoeing in Maine is one of the many winter activities that one can do during the long cold winter season. One needs a snowshoe to be able to walk on thick snow. School kids usually have snowshoeing day in school which is a good form of exercise for them. Walking in snowshoes is really a work out. It was hard but fun.

Snowshoeing in Maine is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Maine on foot. We would hike the hills or trek the trail in the woods with our snowshoes and if we meet some critters along the way, it’s just a bonus. And if you find hiking and trekking too vigorous for you… backyard snowshoeing is indeed fun too.

Additional Information:
Maine Guides Online
Snowshoes

We have accumulated over 10 inches of snow already before it was officially declared winter season here in Maine. And before the first day of winter season, we had ice storm and a couple of snow storms that caused a lot of damage to people and properties.

Winter season officially started on the 21st of December, a Sunday… a week after that ice storm that caused massive statewide power outages that left more than half of a million Maine households in the dark and bitter cold weather.

Winter season used to be my favorite season of all because it is beautiful. Coming from a tropical country, I have dreamt of White Christmas since I was a kid. I had my first White Christmas in 2007 and it was awesome. Last Christmas was also white but it was not that awesome anymore. It was still beautiful and picture-perfect because of the snow. But since I had that car accident last December 17, the week before Christmas, I officially announce that I hate winter.

The black ice, sleet, and slush which are synonymous with winter season made it a non-favorable season. I am still in shocked up to now knowing that I almost missed Christmas due to the accident. But I am still so grateful that God gave me a second lease on life.

Winter season is just another season for me now. The changing seasons of Maine are still amazing as far as I could tell. The changing seasons of Maine will always be a part of my life because this is my home now. And the changing seasons in Maine will still be a process and a transition that I will still look forward to because after all, Maine is beautiful in all other aspect.

Additional Information:
Ice Storm

 It is not officially winter yet. That is according to the calendar. And according to the calendar, the first day of winter falls on the 21st of December. It is not officially winter yet and we already accumulated about a foot of snow in the mountains and half a foot in other places in the state.

When I came here in Maine, my idea about winter is just snow. My idea of living in the United States is having White Christmases. And my idea of snow is just everything white… nice landscapes… picture-perfect sceneries… reindeer… and hot cocoa with miniature marshmallows in front of a warm fireplace.

But now that I am here and experiencing all the changing seasons… I can tell that winter is not that cool at all. I mean figuratively. It is indeed cold. It is fierce. And it has “no-mercy”.

Now that I am here in Maine, there are two color codes that I hate… Black Friday… and Black Ice.

Black Ice is scary. And since I just started driving I know I have to be very careful on the road. It’s indeed not officially winter yet but a lot of vehicular accidents are reported on TV almost everyday due to snow, sleet, and black ice.

It is not officially winter yet and I just had my first “ice storm”. We had snow the whole day yesterday and freezing rain the whole night.

This morning when I woke up… the place is icy. The trees and the grounds are all covered with ice and icicles are hanging from the rims of the roof. We have no power and we don’t know until when. The entire place is crappy with broken tree branches and slippery grounds. I only went out to take some photos and I stayed home to keep warm.

Additional Information:
Ice Storm News in Maine
WGME 13
Portland Press Herald

For some reason I woke up quite early this morning. And as usual I turned on my computer first before I made my first trip to the bathroom. After the computer, I turned on the TV next to check on the weather. That’s how I started my day normally.

“We are going to have a nice day today!”… that is according to the meteorologist. I trust him. Hubby trusts him too but he is jealous of him because he knows that I find him cute and I have a crush on him. Hahahaha. After giving the weather forecast he said… “it’s the start of the Autumnal equinox“. I don’t know about the equinox but I know that autumn means that summer finally ends and winter is just around the corner. It means that Fall is finally here.

This is my second autumn or fall here in Maine so I know what to expect now. I know that the nights will be longer now. I know that 8 pm is already dark. I know that we will have cooler or lower temperatures. I know that the maple leaves will start to change its color and will soon fall from the trees. I know that I will be raking a lot now and that will replace running as my exercise. I know too that I need to cover up now and my sexy clothes are no longer appropriate to wear.

This is my second fall and I know exactly what to do. I have to organize my closet again to make room for our fall and winter clothes. I have to sort out my summer clothes… keep those that still fit and throw or give away those that don’t. I have to put all my summer clothes in totes and keep them in the cellar. And I have to bring up the fall/winter totes to give way for the spring/summer totes. It’s the start of a new season and it’ all about the totes now.

This is my second fall and it means that Maine landscape will be changing dramatically into mono-chromatic red-orange-brown hue. When it happens I will be enjoying Maine foliage again. When it happens I know for sure that I will be anticipating the beautiful sights of Maine. When it happens I will be swept away by the breathtaking view of the countryside. When it happens I will be again awed by the colorful palette of the horizon. When it happens it will feel like I am living in a life-size canvas again.

This is my second fall season and I know it will not be the same as the first. And just like every changing seasons my life is constantly changing too. Maybe this fall, things will turn as colorful as the maple leaves. And as they fall on the ground I hope my life will also find the beauty of being free and well-grounded, literally and figuratively.

[Note: All the Photos here are from my 2007 Fall Collection… my first Fall in Maine.]

Additional Information:
Maine Foliage
Fall in Maine for Maine Office of Tourism
New England Foliage Tour

Maine has more than a hundred of lakes, ponds, rivers and brooks that change through the different seasons. It is so amazing to see how they constantly change each passing season. It is really fascinating how each time I drive by the same bridge – the same river looks always new to me… as if it was the first time I see it. It is even enthralling that I can even walk, stroll and dance on it… during wintertime, that is. Hahaha.

It was almost summertime when I first came to Maine. Coming from a tropical country, Maine is too cold for me at 65 degrees temperature. That was why I was wearing a jacket the entire summer while the rest of the Mainers are barely clothed. My Hubby brought me all the places that he frequented to slowly introduce to me his lifestyle. And most of the time we would go to the nearby lakes, ponds, and rivers.

Each time we go to these bodies of water I was always awed by the beauty of these places. They seemed so full of life and inviting. I just love the feeling of anticipation each time we would drive down Rt. 35 going to Wal-Mart where we could see the Sabago Lake from a great distance. It is always indeed a calming sight to see the lake surrounded by verdant vegetation of white pines, birch and maple trees. And as we come closer to the lake and drive by it, it is always over-powering because you can see how big the lake is.

I don’t get tired looking and passing by Sabago Lake. But what I like most about Sabago Lake is when I could walk on it. I love Sabago Lake when I could stroll on it. I love Sabago Lake when I could put up my tent on it. And I love Sabago Lake when it is frozen because I can dance on it.

Yes, you can do all those things in Sabago Lake when it is frozen. Winter in Maine is cold and long. But winter in Maine is also cool and fun. When it is wintertime, all the lakes, ponds, brooks and rivers are frozen and we can walk, stroll, dance, camp and drive our snow mobile on them. During this cold and bitter season – Maine is winter wonderland, quite literally and figuratively.

Helpful Links for Sabago Lake:
*For more Information about Sabago Lake… Go to Sabago Lake State Park
*For Activities you can do at Sabago Lake… Go to Sabago Lake Family Campground

I have been away from the country of my birth for more than a year now. It was a drastic decision that I’ve ever made in my entire life so far. Though I miss home a lot, I have no choice but to get used to all the things that are new to me in this new country… with my new family… in this new home… with my new friends… and with my new life.

Being away from home for more than a year now gave me the chance to experience a lot of new things that I begin to enjoy and appreciate so far. Though I miss the old things I am used to… the Philippines… my family… our old home… my old friends… and my crazy old life, I know that they will always be a part of what I am now.

For more than a year of being away from home, I have survived 4 changing seasons so far. Coming from a tropical country I was used to only 2 seasons… wet and dry. Coming from a tropical country I am used to climate that never goes down below 80 degrees. Coming from a tropical country I am used to typhoons and tropical storms. Coming from a tropical country I am used to unpredictable changing seasons.

For more than a year of being away from home, I missed the 2 changing seasons so far. In this new country I have survived the annoying bugs of summer. In this new country I have survived the endless raking of fallen leaves of fall. In this new country I have survived the freezing cold of winter. In this new country, I survived the unpredictable days of spring.

Now that I am here in Maine, so far I am beginning to appreciate the changing seasons. Despite my earlier rants about the seasons here, I have to admit that I love the feel of the warm sun on my perpetually tanned skin in summertime. I have to admit I love the amazing foliage and the magnificent landscapes of hills and valley in autumn. I have to admit I love ice-fishing, riding snow mobile and snowshoeing in wintertime. I have to admit I love those delicate yellow dandelions in our yard in springtime.

Changing seasons… changing moods… changing moments. This is what life is. Always changing… always moving… always shifting. But will all the changes one has to go through… life still, is a continuation of one’s journey of the past, the present and the future.