Skijoring demos set in Corinth

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It’s February vacation. The weather’s a bit on the frosty side. The way I figure, you have two choices: You can complain about it (which you will, since we Mainers love griping about our weather) and be miserable. Or you can complain about it and find a way to enjoy yourself anyway.

If you’re looking for a way to do the latter, do something new, burn some calories, and do it all for free, I may have an option for you.

Jump in your car. Take your kids (that part is important). And drive to Corinth.

(If you’re confused, let me remind you that I’m talking about the town formerly known as East Corinth, which rid itself of its compass designation a couple years ago, making things much simpler now … except you have to explain which town you’re actually talking about).

Why Corinth?

Well, that’s pretty easy.

Skijoring.

I can see it. You’re confused. You know nothing about skijoring.

Well, neither did I, until the other day. In a nutshell, skijoring is a pretty simple sport: Put on a pair of cross country skis. Grab the family pooch. Lash yourself to the pooch with a special harness. Then hold on.

In Corinth, there’s a new business called Critterwoods Outdoor Recreation Area, and they’ve got a great deal for you.

If you want to find out about skijoring, you can come out during February vacation and watch free demonstrations.

If you want to bring your skis and just do a bit of Nordic touring, you’ll be able to access their 20-mile trail system for free. Yes. Free.

The daily schedule: dog sled demonstrations at 10 a.m., cross country ski demonstrations at 11:30 a.m., and skijoring demonstrations at 2 p.m.

On Tuesday and Thursday, they’ll hold a bonfire and wiener roast from noon to 1, and on Wednesday, a snowman and snow sculpture contest is planned.

The owners – Frank and Anita Thomas and Gary and Joan Chapman – are dog-sledding enthusiasts and will be around to offer assistance. Jean Perron of Waterboro, an accomplished skijorer, will offer instruction in that sport.

Frank Thomas said the foursome has more than 1,000 acres of land at the site, and points out the terrain is perfect for beginners and experienced skiers alike.

Now, if you want to take your dog and see if old Spot or Fido’s got what it takes to become a skijouring star, you can probably do that, too. You might want to call 285-0099 or 285-3573 for suggestions before you do.

Anyone participating in dog-related activities will be asked to join the Down East Sled Dog Club for insurance reasons.

But if you’re just looking to check out a new cross country ski area … for free … you won’t have to pay anything.

Here’s how to get there: Head out Broadway from Bangor to Corinth. Turn left on Route 43, then take a right onto Route 94. Take another right onto O’Roak Road at the Critterwoods sign, a couple miles later.

Critterwoods is at the end of the road. You can’t miss it.

It’s been cold out lately (have I mentioned that yet?) I’m sure you noticed. But as a fellow Mainer whose common sense quotient has always been a bit low and who has always refused to let a little thing called “weather” dictate his outdoor plans, I’ve got a solution for you.

Keep ignoring it … and start planning for summer.

As promised a couple weeks back, I’ve got a great way for you to do just that.

You can go fishing.

I know, I know. You’re already going to go fishing. A lot.

But I’m happy to report that the Bangor Daily News is offering you a chance to do something you’ve likely always wanted to do … if you’re a fly fisherman or woman, that is.

No, you don’t get to smack me in the head with a wooly bugger. It’s even better than that.

You get to go fishing … in a drift boat … on one of Maine’s top fly-fishing waters … with one of the state’s legendary fishing guides, Greenville’s Danny Legere.

And I’ll be there, too (I figured I’d slip that part in last … just consider it the fine print).

Here’s the deal: On March 21, 22 and 23, the Penobscot County Conservation Association will be holding its annual Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show at the University of Maine.

The NEWS, as reported earlier, will have a booth there. Much of the time, I’ll be there, along with some other staffers. We’d love to meet you, hear your comments … and if you have any column ideas, I’ll gladly listen. And of course, if you want to extend your subscription, or subscribe for the first time, we’ll have people who can take care of that for you.

But the big selling point of our booth will likely be The Box, into which you’re invited to toss your name … and from which we’ll pick the lucky winner for the fishing trip.

We’ll be publishing a handy little form for you to clip out and fill in (I’m not sure if the lawyers will make you absolve me from blame, just in case you’re the one who ends up with one of my No. 18 Adams flies growing out of your forehead … but it might be a good idea if they do). All you have to do is stop by the Sportsman’s Show, sidle up to us … and enter.

The form will appear in the paper several times, so don’t be alarmed if you hear that you’ve missed it.

One lucky winner will join Danny Legere – owner of the popular Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville – and me on a full-day drift boat trip down the East Outlet of the Kennebec River, which runs from Moosehead Lake to Indian Pond.

The trip is already scheduled for Sunday, June 29, and it’ll be an eight-hour, 3-mile drift over some of the state’s most picturesque … and fishy … water.

Danny will row, and teach us a thing or two. You and I will cast until our arms are sore. And unless I miss my bet, Danny will put us on top of plenty of salmon.

If you don’t know Danny Legere, let me tell give you a one-sentence testimonial on his behalf: He’s one of those guides who’s always busy.

Sound simple? Perhaps. But that simple sentence, I figure, says a lot about a guide.

Registered Maine Guides come and go. Some have licenses but don’t actually guide too much. Danny Legere? He’s booked up. Every day. Every year. Months and years in advance.

Now, I know it’s still cold out. And I know you have to wait for the entry blank to be printed … and the Sportsman’s Show to roll around … until you can enter.

But hopefully, summer’s looking a bit closer than it was. I know I’m looking forward to it … and June 29 … already.

Good luck.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.