Northeast Overland's Third Annual Fall Foliage Tour

MtnClimber wrote:Has anybody thought of or planning on camping Friday night?

I'll be joining you. Will probably head out that way around 5:30-6ish

The weekend is fast approaching! Hope everyone is getting super excited as we are! We still have a lot to pack onto the Taco and getting it ready too.

How many people are planning on camping this Friday night at Mt. Blue State Park?

I hope to make it up Friday night

Will there be a hike again this year?

anyone looking to join the fall foliage tour? i am unable to make it. please PM.

BulletHead wrote:anyone looking to join the fall foliage tour?  i am unable to make it.  please PM.

If anyone does purchase BulletHead's spot, please also contact me as well so I can get some info from you. Thanks!

rburt77 wrote:Will there be a hike again this year?

There is none on the agenda, however there will be ample opportunities to use your hiking boots

Timothy and I will be camping at mbsp Friday night.

For those that are meeting up with us on Saturday morning, I've listed the coordinates to the Ranger Station located in Mt. Blue State Park campground. This is where we will all meet for the briefing that will commence at 0900

Here are the coordinates from google earth:
N 44 40' 54.34"
W 70 26' 57.99"

Or use this:
Lat 44.681737 / Lon - 70.449439

See everybody soon!!

I traveled a total of 300 miles over some beautiful terrain.  I hope that those that came had a good time.

Friday evening was nice for those who came early to gather around the fire and catch up.  The campground still had most of the facilities operational, so we had a hot water station for doing dishes near our sites, and had access to hot showers.

Saturday morning we gathered in the state park parking lot.  Normally this lot would be filled up with campers waiting to check in, but this late in the season, we had the place mostly to ourselves.

When we left, there was heavy fog, but it quickly burned off.  We drove down beautiful wooded road under a canopy of amber, orange, and red, passing by small creeks and streams.  We stopped by the geological marvel Coos Canyon (pronounced KUSE, like rhyming with goose), then headed up to Height of Land.  HoL is a scenic spot that overlooks Mooselookmeguntic lake and Bemis Mountain among others.  We then tucked into the woods again.  

Along the way, we met a lone hunter walking on the trail.  As I approached, I asked about his luck.  He said that he flushed a few partridges, but foremost on his mind was that he was being pursued by a large bull moose.  He said that he had tried to elude it by crossing a stream and even touching off a shot (12g shotgun).  He asked which way we were going and asked for a ride back to his truck.  One of us was able to free up a seat.

Fuel and provisions in Rangeley.

Off to Scenic Quill Hill for more panoramas and lunch.

Up and over East Kennebago Mountain, more woods to camp in Eustis.

Sunday we headed North to the woods, but when we turned onto the road we discovered that it was impassible due to bridge/culvert replacement.  The work was far enough along that they wouldn't let us through.  We were told that they would be done in two hours if we wanted to wait.  These are the joys of overland travel. This road had been pre-run and verified open several times this year, as recently as last weekend. But on this day we were not getting through.  Neither were the two gentlemen intending to do some repair work on the wind turbines.  Fortunately, we had some local information and traversed a slower, longer, but far better route up the mountain and bypassing the construction.

We continued northeast to a WW2 POW camp and walked around, then on to camp just south of Jackman.  

Monday morning was a brisk 38 degrees (F) and very windy.  We packed up and got into out heated trucks and wandered around and eventually ended up in The Forks for lunch.  

Steve

Nice write up Steve!

Great foliage this year, much better than in the past. I heard you guys on the radio a few times but I guess I was far enough that you couldnt hear me.

The Fall Foliage Tour was our first adventure with Northeast Overland.  We weren't sure what to expect but were hoping for a weekend of fun, education, and relaxation.  We certainly got that! Aside from a very chilly and windy Monday morning, the weather was very cooperative.  We were impressed with the variety of road passages that we were presented with and the abilities of everyone's vehicles, including the Power Wagon.  Although dreams of seeing our first moose will unfortunately continue to elude us (for now),  the beautiful vistas, the anxiety ridden (I mean exhilarating   ) rock traverses, and the like-minded welcoming people more than made up for it.  We enjoyed meeting every one of you and look forward to participating in future adventures.  We decided to change our profile from "4signs" to "mad goose."  Thank you Veyron for the inspiration.

Veyron and the MAD GOOSE

Superduty11 wrote:Great foliage this year, much better than in the past. I heard you guys on the radio a few times but I guess I was far enough that you couldnt hear me.

Foliage this year has been/is amazing. I have gotten some amazing photos last weekend and I'm going out again this weekend on the "Fall Expedition" in southern NB.

4signs wrote: We decided to change our profile from "4signs" to "mad goose."  Thank you Veyron for the inspiration.

and what a fitting name it is! I am truly in awe of the capabilities of your rig! I was most impressed when it took on that first obstacle with ease! Was great riding with you all and looking forward to seeing you all again!

felbell85 wrote:

4signs wrote: We decided to change our profile from "4signs" to "mad goose."  Thank you Veyron for the inspiration.

and what a fitting name it is! I am truly in awe of the capabilities of your rig! I was most impressed when it took on that first obstacle with ease! Was great riding with you all and looking forward to seeing you all again!

It was great riding with you too and maybe next time we can share some good old war stories.  I'm an 8yr active army veteran and never felt like I had the  opportunity  to express my gratitude for YOUR service.  Army life aint' easy (especially in the desert) Hope to see you on the next adventure

Where a few of us stayed Friday night













Matt Glazier succesfully exiting "the ditch"


Richard Burt's Saturday night fire. One match with very little paper




Steve Booth conquering a steep, slippery climb


The rewarding view for all after that steep, slippery climb

Nice Pics!  Whoever brought along the propane torch to light that campfire is a genius.  Wish I had thought of that

Alan (in the tan 4 door Taco) and I both had lp w torches