SUMMER DELIGHTS

It is the lament of many a Mainer: summer does not last long enough. This was reinforced recently when stores began advertising back-to-school sales. The end of summer may be fast approaching, but there is still time to check off items on your summer to-do list.

Perhaps you have recreational endeavors on that list. A hike through the woods or along a coastal promontory is a great way to clear the head, and get some exercise, too. Maine offers diverse terrain and landscape for everything from a short walk to a multi-day backpacking trip. Head to Baxter State Park and watch the moose loll in Sandy Stream Pond, or for the more ambitious, head to the top of Mount Katahdin for unsurpassed views on a clear day.

On the coast, Acadia National Park offers dozens of hikes from strenuous mountain climbs to more leisurely loops around the park’s lakes and ponds. The Bold Coast in Cutler is a spectacular hike worth the drive Down East.

Don’t forget a trip to the beach. The state’s many lakes offer many close-to-home swimming opportunities. If sand between your toes is a must, numerous public beaches dot the state’s lengthy coastline.

Perhaps watersports are your fancy. It is not too late to kayak to one of Maine’s many offshore islands for a memorable lunch. There is still time to canoe the Allagash or to troll one of the state’s hundreds of lakes in search of big fish or solitude.

Maybe your list includes gustatory delights. Eating a lobster is a summer tradition for many. So head to a lobster pound and let them do the dirty work so you can enjoy the tasty meat in a toasted roll or straight from the shell.

If it’s fresh vegetables and fruit you’re after, the state’s farmers markets are brimming with produce. Sweet, crunchy carrots, plump red tomatoes, voluminous heads of lettuce and the ever-abundant cucumber make for the perfect accompaniment to a summer dinner, especially one grilled outdoors. Top it off with fresh watermelon or a cone overfilled with homemade ice cream.

Whatever your summer indulgence, it’s not too late to enjoy it. And, remember September and October are pretty nice here, too.