Spirit Camping - Camping, Hiking, Travel and More

There are currently a couple of great shops in both the Maine Mall in Southern Maine, as well as the Bangor Mall in central Maine, where local Native Americans in Maine own and sell goods in an impressive mall storefront.

What’s most impressive about these stores isn’t so much that they are well designed or that the decor is astonishing or flashy like so many other mall stores. What’s so impressive about them is the products, the goods - many of which members of the various Native American tribes in Maine created.

Just browsing through these stores instantly remind you that there are Native Americans in Maine who are part of an ancient civilization and part of tribes with such a long heritage that it’s really difficult to fathom. Sure, you may find a few trinkets or jewelry that’s Made in China - products that they use to fill out the shelves with as much product as possible - but if you look carefully you’ll come across hand-made products that the owners of the stores, or members of their tribe, created.

Observing Local Tradition of Native Americans in Maine

One of the things that I think about often while hiking throughout Maine or New Hampshire is how the Native Americans in the area managed to survive off the land so successfully. The point of my post here, today, is to reflect a bit on the traditions and history of not only the Native Americans in Maine, but those all across the country.

When you’re hiking with the family or on your next nature excursion, stop and take a good look around and imagine what life would be like if all you have to survive are the tools you can create from nature, the food you can harvest or hunt from the wild, and the shelter you can create from whatever the wilderness offers.

The one thing that I keep coming back to when I imagine this is how cold the winters are in this part of the country, and how difficult it must have been for these tribes to survive the harsh conditions.

One of the things that I’m sure gave strength to the tribe is their spiritual beliefs and practices, which essentially incorporated the land - their lives were completely integrated with the Earth and the environment. It’s difficult for Europeans to understand how completely opposite the two cultures are.

White Europeans strive to use science and technology to conquer nature and put it under the control of mankind, while the Native Americans found a way to coexist with the Earth in ways that provided nourishment and support for both the tribe, and for the Earth.

I would like to dedicate this post as a reflection upon the wonderful spirituality and heritage of the Penobscot Nation - the largest Native American tribe in Maine, and one with a very long and compelling history in this part of the country. The following video are members of the tribe performing “The Traveler” in Millinocket, Maine in 2009.

As you listen to the tribal music, I suggest you sit back and close your eyes. You’ll find that the sound of the drums serves as a tremendous soothing tone, while the chant takes you into a realm that you probably never imagined possible. Please take the time to listen to this wonderful performance, and share your opinion about the experience in the comments section below.

Tags: facts about maine, maine resources, native americans in maine

If you are interested in winter activities and events in Maine, it isn’t always easy to find the latest news about what’s going on. Maine is one of the most popular winter destinations, simply because it’s a part of the country that receives some of the highest levels of precipitation in the form of nice, white, fluffy snow.

There are resources to learn about those fun winter festivals and skiing events, but you need to know where to look.

Where to Find Activities and Events in Maine

You’ve never fully experienced the wilderness until you’ve experienced the great outdoors of Maine.

Growing up in Aroostook county, I had the advantage of a childhood where I could walk out of my back door and just beyond my back yard I could go hiking for miles. The wilderness behind my childhood home felt like it went on forever. Of course, the only thing between the town where I grew up and Canada was thousands of acres of untamed wilderness and occasional logging roads.

While that sort of environment can feel very remote, and for the uninitiated it can feel scary - the solitude that the great Maine wilderness offers is also a spiritual experience that you’ll never forget. However, for many people who have never gone skiing on Maine’s many slopes or winter hiking and camping in its sub-zero temperatures, having a club or organization to support you through your adventures is a very good thing. When you want to know about outdoor activities and events in Maine, outdoor organizations and clubs are the first place you should start.

The Top 4 Sources for Outdoor Information About Maine

The following organizations are the best outdoor groups in Maine. If you are interested in hiking, skiing, camping or canoeing in Maine, joining any one of these organizations would be a very smart decision.

The first organization isn’t really a group, it’s a resource put together by the state called Visit Maine, to promote tourism. The website is a very valuable resource to learn about activities and events going on in Maine. The site provides information about Maine lodging, dining and activities, and if you click on the “Events” category you’ll be swept away to a very well designed Events page.

These activities are not only outdoors, but you can filter results to only show activities for “Science & Nature” if you like. Search for events that are great for children, based on performing arts or just check out all events going on throughout the state.

MaineTourism.com offers this valuable official travel planner in electronic format (PDF) called Maine Invites You, where you can learn about events and information for the year including cruises and fishing trips, skiing, museums, hunting and much more. The book is updated every year and offered for free.

This book is a valuable resource and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s even just planning to visit Maine for a simple vacation, not only for outdoor experiences.

The Maine Outdoor Adventure Club (MOAC) is a great organization for anyone who simply wants to experience the great Maine outdoors.

The club offers all kinds of events, both public and private, so checking out this calendar often (and joining the club itself) is an excellent idea.

The Maine chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is another great place to go if you want to go on outdoor adventures with a bunch of folks who love the wilderness just like you.

The Maine AMC goes on work trips (to maintain trails), organizes outdoor trips and also offers social events. I can assure you that if you join the Maine chapter of the AMC, you’ll never be bored. Additionally, you may even consider joining the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, a group of very special men and women who devote their own personal time and resources to maintaining the Appalachian Trail and the many structures and camping areas it visits.

Have you ever visited the Maine outdoors? Do you spend time with any of these clubs? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

Tags: campgrounds, camping, facts about maine, skiing, snowshoeing

Whether I’m at work or traveling somewhere away from Maine, whenever people learn that I’m from Maine I almost always get asked the same questions - where are the best places to stay along the Maine coast or where are the best restaurants. However, one especially surprising question is often, where are the top animal shelters in Maine?

A Comprehensive List of Animal Shelters in Maine

Why am I covering Maine animal shelters on a camping and travel blog? That’s simple - apparently there are a lot of people who travel to Maine to find a new family pet. It may be the fact that many people consider Maine as one of the more clean and naturally beautiful states in the country, so it stands to reason that the animals that are born and raised here are healthy and free of the sort of illnesses or problems many animals experience that are born closer to urban sprawl and under the cloud of city smog and pollution.

For this reason, and because SpiritCamping stands for the spirit of the wilderness - which includes all living creatures - I’m going to offer the most comprehensive and complete list of animal shelters in Maine that you’ll find anywhere. Bookmark this page for quick reference later when you’re looking for a Maine pet, or forward it to a friend who lives in the Northeast and is hunting for a new, healthy cat or dog. This state has lots of them and they’re waiting for a warm and loving home.
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Tags: facts about maine, maine resources, wildlife

During our anniversary in August, my wife and I visited the coastal Maine town of Ogunquit as part of our annual tradition. We were aware of the approaching hurricane, and while we were nervous about the potential for weather to completely ruin our weekend together, we kept our hotel reservation and forged ahead. On the weekend of August 23rd we arrived to a completely sun-filled Maine coast and not a hint at all that a category 4 hurricane was just off the coast. To say we were shocked and pleasantly surprised would be an understatement.

The Amazing Effects of a Hurricane

We had never been anywhere near the coast when a hurricane had ever passed through this area of coastal Maine. In fact, hurricanes usually don’t - they most often head out to sea or they crash inland far South of northern New England, so we were not at all prepared for what we were about to see.

After spending a nice evening at a local restaurant and having a few drinks, we called it an early night - ready to explore Perkins Cove and the surrounding area in the morning. The next day, Sunday, when we looked out the window, we were completely mesmerized by the ocean. The first thing we noticed was that the wind on the land had obviously picked up a bit, but the sun was still shining and the temperature was relatively warm. However, as we approached the guard rail at the edge of the Perkins Cove parking lot and gazed out over the Atlantic Ocean, we just stood in absolute awe at the monstrous waves that were crashing against the rocky Maine coast. I had my SmartPhone with me, so I snapped a few shots of the approaching waves - unfortunately the small 1.5 megapixel lens did not do Hurricane Bill much justice.
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Tags: hurricane, maine coast, ocean