Vacation in Maine or NH

[Jeff Zipkin]

Hey Mainers (Mainites? Mainitees?) and New Hampshirers, planning a vacation to one of your lovely states. Plan on doing 3 or 4 days of backpacking as well as general bumming around.

First question, because this may drive scheduling, when is black fly season in your states? Is it unbearable like it is here in the Daks and the Greens of VT?

Next, where would you recommend for a 3-4 day backpacking trip. I've never hiked in either of your states so anything's on the table. I'm an experienced backpacker with all the necessary equip and skills for most anything. Ok with alpine travel and peak bagging, but also want to cover some miles so cross country travel would be the bulk. Show me the best your state has to offer.

Lastly, what other stuff would you recommend i do/see in your state? Prob will play some dg but prolly only a course or two. Quaint towns, off the beaten path experiences, always more nature so an additional day hike or 2 would be considered. Any can't miss vegetarian restaurants you can recommend? Breweries are always a bonus. if you would open your home for a night or so to a traveler that would be awesome too

Feel free to post here or pm, or email me at jzip71 at yahoo dot com

Thx a ton.

[Doug Callaghan]

Baxter state park for Maine. Its not backwoods backpacking but i think you could do a week or two of hiking just within the park. Fun factor is there also with Mount Katahdin. If its just 3 or 4 days you would have no problem finding enough trails. Lots of cool little lakes where you can take loaner kayaks between trails also. Town also south of the park for food/drinks ect. Depending what time of year you go you might run into the dedicated folk that are finishing the Appalation trail. Ussually you can spot them because all the guys have giant beards. Maybe even some of the ladies too.