Maine
5 winter activities to enjoy in Maine without snow on the ground
It’s been years since we’ve handed the New Yr within the Bangor space with out a speck of snow on the bottom, however right here we’re — roads, slopes and fields away from any white stuff or ice, and lovers of winter actions left excessive and dry.
However simply because we’re not anticipated to get any main quantity of snow anytime within the subsequent two weeks doesn’t imply there’s nothing winter-centric to do that time of yr. Listed here are 5 choices to benefit from the chilly climate, with or with none snow.
Go to the seaside
It in all probability sounds insane, going to the seaside in January. However with the dearth of snow and ice and daytime temperatures hanging round within the 30s for at the very least the subsequent 10 days, it’s truly a good time to go to considered one of Maine’s numerous rocky seashores, all up and down the coast. Not solely will only a few — if any — individuals be there, it’s additionally a unbelievable alternative to watch winter guests to Maine’s coast, together with varied migratory birds not typically seen within the hotter months. Waves additionally are usually larger and extra spectacular within the winter, so be ready to take some stunning photographs. And when you’d be suggested to decorate appropriately, seashores are a lot simpler to navigate with out a bunch of ice to slide on.
Go to a sauna
Scandinavians and Finns, like Mainers, know the worth of doing issues to maintain your spirits up through the chilly, darkish winter months. Some of the iconic components of their tradition are saunas, the place you sit and sweat within the steam till you may’t take it anymore — after which both plunge right into a physique of water or an ice-cold tub or bathe. It’s actually invigorating.
In Maine, there are a selection of locations that provide each conventional saunas and modern “infrared” saunas. Cedar Grove Sauna in Montville affords sauna periods for solo and group in addition to group sauna occasions, whereas Raven’s Crossing in Appleton has nightly sauna periods (and therapeutic massage remedy). Nearer to Bangor, Float 207 in Hermon affords each infrared saunas and sensory deprivation float tanks.
Go ice skating safely
It’s categorically unsafe to go skating, snowmobiling or ice fishing on any of Maine’s lakes or ponds proper now, since temperatures haven’t but been reliably freezing and the ice remains to be not thick sufficient to help the burden of individuals or automobiles. It’s extremely harmful, so don’t do it!
These delicate temperatures have meant that it’s been robust for cities to open their out of doors skating rinks, which typically open just for the coldest winter months, and which normally contain organizers flooding open areas in parks and different city land to supply up protected, free ice skating for the group. Whereas most cities have but to open their rinks, the marginally decrease temperatures anticipated later this week and into the weekend might imply it’ll lastly be time for cities like Orono, Eddington, Bangor and Belfast to begin providing ice skating. Examine together with your native parks and recreation departments or group organizers about opening dates, so you may skate safely.
Heated out of doors and ‘igloo’ eating
One of many issues the pandemic taught us was that out of doors eating doesn’t should be restricted to the summer season. A number of Maine eating places and breweries have saved out of doors eating going year-round, starting from heated and coated out of doors seating at locations like Mason’s Brewing Firm in Brewer and Maine Beer Firm in Freeport, to the full-on personal “igloo“ expertise at Timber in Bangor, Kanu in Previous City and Pineland Farms in Grey. It’s an awesome choice to remain protected from COVID and different viruses, and it’s additionally a enjoyable method to change up your wintertime social calendar.
Have a bonfire
It’s good to face exterior by a roaring hearth with snow throughout you, to make certain, however think about how a lot simpler it’s to haul wooden and have a tendency the fireplace with none snow or ice to journey you up? Whether or not you’re sitting in your deck by your little Solo Range, otherwise you’re constructing an enormous ol’ blaze out of your Christmas tree and all of the branches that fell in that wild pre-Christmas storm, it’ll at the very least give the sensation of winter, with or with out snow. Ensure for those who’re constructing a fireplace any greater than may be contained in a small hearth pit that you simply test together with your municipality about getting a burn allow.