Page 80 - WCM 2021 Winter

Freshly-cut blocks of ice were hoisted from the fridgid waters, then transported to ice houses for use well into summer months.
shelter of the warming hut. This homey hut is replete with steaming cups of hot chocolate, soothing cider, and yummy snacks to fortify weary trail riders, and toasty heat to help chase the chill from a blustery winter day. And their rental shop can outfit you with all the gear you need for a day filled with invigorating enterprise.
Back in the day, their main focus in winter was
on cross-country skiing. Now they have upgraded their trails to also accommodate hikers, snowshoe enthusiasts, and fat bikes. These new-generation cycles have tires that are wider than the norm,
and have a super aggressive tread design for stable riding in snow. If you are lucky, when you fall over you’ll land on a cushion of soft snow – just get up, brush off the snow, and get spinning again!
I called Elizabeth Flynn at the Trails Center be- forehand to ask about bringing my dog to romp on the trails, and she quickly answered, “We’re defi- nitely a dog-friendly facility. Most of us here own dogs or are dog lovers.”
Outside the snowy season of Loppets and other
race events, the center plays host to an array of other family-oriented activities. Whether it’s a picnic overlooking Saddleback Lake, an afternoon of bird watching, or a simple day hike through wooded glades
criss-crossed with brooks and teeming with wildflow- ers, your mind is sure to find its inner “pause button.” Kids will especially enjoy their Gnome Home Roam! Contact the Trails Center at 864-4309, or visit their website www.rangeleylakestrailscenter.org to map out your next adventure today.
Old-fashioned Ice Harvesting in Livermore
The first time I visited the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center was during a history class at the Uni- versity of Maine Farmington. The university offered a three-credit course during which students stayed right onsite for the whole weekend, doing chores and living a typical Maine life as it was during the 1700s.
The very first morning, before breakfast, I was plunged headlong into churning butter for the early meal. Others in our group chopped wood for the stove, while some milked the cows. Some folks were assigned to tend to various other critters that called Norlands home, and still others whipped up home- made items for our early day chow. We lived the entire weekend without electricity, and worked hard with our hands and head, just like they did back in those days. That weekend class was a real experience, and sticks in my mind to this very day.
When I spoke with Sheri Leahan, Washburn-Nor-
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Arts, Entertainment, Adventure and More in Western Maine
Courtesy Washburn-Norlands Living History Center