Maine
A guide to your 1st summer in Maine
If you’re one of many a whole lot of individuals who moved to the state this previous 12 months, congratulations on making it by your first winter. It’s time to place away the heavy jackets, boots and snow shovels and prepare to benefit from the lengthy days of a Maine summer time.
Whether or not Maine is your new residence or you’re simply visiting, there are some things it’s best to take into account heading into your first summer time right here. Skilled residents know Maine is a superb place to discover and play in hotter climate, but it surely’s not one thing that ought to be taken as a right.
Right here are some things it’s best to know to make your first summer time right here enjoyable, enjoyable and, most of all, secure.
Bugs
There’s a motive that Mainers use summer time and “bug season” interchangeably. The state is residence to a number of flying bugs that chunk, sting or just buzz round your head in clouds. Essentially the most infamous are the blackflies, mosquitos, deer flies and moose flies. All of them chunk and people bites create itchy bumps that vary from a minor annoyance to severe allergic reactions.
The unhealthy information is there isn’t a escaping these bugs when you spend any time outside. The excellent news is, there are insect repellents that do a very good job of defending you. Search for ones that comprise DEET for the perfect safety.
Talking of annoying bugs, Maine is experiencing infestations of browntail moth caterpillars. These larvae are coated in tiny hairs that may trigger pores and skin rashes and respiratory misery when you come into contact with them. Avoiding them is essential, and the state is sustaining a map exhibiting areas of predicted infestation.
Ticks
Thanks largely to local weather change that has resulted in hotter than regular winters, ticks are on the rise within the state. Final 12 months there have been experiences of tick exercise each month, that means they’re now a year-round concern to individuals, pets, wildlife and livestock. Significantly severe is the rise in Lyme disease-carrying deer ticks.
There are a number of methods you possibly can take to maintain ticks off you whereas outside, from duct taping the underside of your pants to utilizing DEET-containing repellent. No matter what you do exterior, it’s essential you conduct common full-body tick checks on your self and pets after coming indoors.
The climate
Sure, it’s a cliche, but it surely’s true: When you don’t just like the climate in Maine, wait 10 minutes.
Summer time circumstances can go from nice to dangerously stormy in a really brief time. Relying on the place your travels take you, temperatures can fluctuate from shorts and T-shirt climate to needing a jacket and gloves. Equally, a relaxed lake can shortly turn out to be a wind-whipped physique of water able to capsizing canoes or small boats.
It’s additionally essential to know that, simply because the air temperature is heat and even sizzling, water temperatures in Maine can stay dangerously chilly. Chilly sufficient to render you hypothermic in a matter of minutes. By no means exit on a pond, lake, river or stream with out sporting a correct private flotation machine. At all times examine the forecast earlier than heading out, and ensure you have the gear and clothes to match.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to have a backup plan if the climate washes out your plans for the day.
The good outside
There are few higher methods to spend a day in Maine than climbing. From straightforward paths to technical trails, there’s a route for each degree and climbing expertise. Alongside the way in which you’re prone to see quite a lot of wildlife, birds, flowers and vegetation that make the state an out of doors lover’s paradise.
Earlier than heading out, ensure that your itinerary matches your ability and health degree. Inform somebody the place you’re going and roughly while you plan to be again. Take sufficient snacks and water to maintain you energized and hydrated. Don’t neglect a first-aid package, your sunscreen and a hat to guard you from the solar. Take note of the time — you don’t wish to be caught miles from the trailhead after sundown in the dead of night.
If for some motive you end up nonetheless on the path at evening — or worse, misplaced or injured — don’t panic. Keep the place you’re and wait to be discovered.
Visitors
Summer time is excessive visitors season in Maine. Issues are typically extra congested alongside the coast, significantly in southern Maine and close to Mount Desert Island.
That usually means accounting for additional driving time to navigate places reminiscent of coastal Route 1, Route 1A from Bangor to Ellsworth and Route 3 from Ellsworth to Bar Harbor. One of the best ways to cope with it’s to plan for additional time to get to your vacation spot.
It’s additionally value noting Maine is a well-liked vacation spot for bicyclists, and you’ll usually end up sharing the street with individuals exploring the state by bike. It’s the legislation in Maine that drivers have to be not less than 3 ft from a bicycle owner when passing one.
Fuel costs
Take heed to the locals
When doubtful, ask an area. Individuals who have lived right here for a time are the specialists on tips on how to actually take pleasure in a Maine summer time. They know the perfect spots to seize the proper lobster roll, to absorb probably the most scenic views, catch the trophy fish, have a picnic, see a moose or just wander and get misplaced in your ideas on a summer time day in Maine.