Outdoor Activites in Western Maine

The crisp mountain breeze whizzing by you, sparkling clean waters from numerous lakes, rivers, streams inviting you, colourful leaves falling on your shoulders creating an array of colours for you to capture on canvas, skiing over the fresh layer of snow and avoiding to fall over the snowman while learning to ski !!
Welcome to Western Maine, also known as Vacation-Land, in the midst of "Lakes and Mountains". Western Maine is also a called a “Four Season Destination” for it's ability to offer you all year round outdoor activities, suitable for all ages, be it fall, spring-summer or winter.

I am sure your planners and schedulers are out to plan a perfect family vacation, which should be a mix of various activities.
Allow me to take you on a small informational tour of Western Maine, which will hopefully make it easier for you to experience this wonderful place to its fullest. As I had mentioned earlier, Western Maine is a four season destination offering diverse activities all year round. Easy accessibility from Portland International Airport gives Western Maine extra brownie points. Most importantly, Western Maine is family-friendly, safe and easy on your pockets.

Since fruit picking in this region of Maine, is one of the favorite activities, it just can't get more easier to sift out variety of outdoor activities Western Maine offers you, your family and friends. But given this regions vastness and endless offerings you might be a little greedy in devouring all the beauty this place offers which is truly natures gift to mankind. You can choose a "perfect base" for yourself which has great outdoor activities and also enables you to explore other areas around your base.

You could head out to SUNDAY RIVER RESORT which is a "all in one four season destination", which is easily accessible from Portland Airport. SUNDAY RIVER RESORT is located in Newry, Bethel. This is one of the most popular and premier destinations with tons of outdoor activities you can undertake, which also makes this a perfect base for you to explore further in surrounding areas. You will be spoilt for choices considering the huge range of outdoor activities with lot of hotels/lodges in and around Sunday River Resort and Bethel area. To further cement your relationship with Western Maine, land Maine offers you ample choices to buy a piece of land to build your own dream vacation or primary and retirement house.

Sunday River Resort Summer Activities : Canoeing & Kayaking, dozens of trails to walk and hike, bicycling on a variety of terrains, loops and trails, fishing, boating, camping, guided wildlife tours, summer zipline tours, chairlift rides, mountain biking, scenic drives, ATV rentals, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, dog sledging, windjammers, light house tours, whale watching, amusement parks, movies, cultural attractions, farm tours, orchards & berry picking, lighthouse tours, horseback riding, antiquing ….PHEW!!, if you are tired all day after your adventure escapades, there is a Spa Service & Wellness centre to soothe your tired nerves !!!
During winter : Two free shuttle services are offered during days and evenings between your hotel/lodges, outdoor activities and Bethel. Sunday River Resort, being the second largest ski resort with more than 120 trails on eight interconnected mountains, also caters to Nordic Skiers with a number of ski touring centers with skiing, sledding, snowboarding to ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and skating.

If this still doesn't satiate your inner hunger, you can venture in and around Bethel - which is called Maine's most beautiful Mountain Village, just few minutes from Sunday River Resort, enabling you to dig out more outdoor activities.
You could venture a little up north to Grafton Notch State Park - which opens its gates for summer camping season and is a haven for rock climbers in summer as well as ice climbers in winter or try White Mountain National Forest or watch the local concert in the village common gazebo or after dropping off your wife in the local shopping market, simply play golf at one of the best Golf Clubs Sunday River Resort offers, keeping your kids engrossed in The Big Adventure Center. Well, you could join them for ice skating after your golf !!

If you choose Bethel or Sunday River Resort as your base, you and your family could also take day trips to other surrounding areas and towns, known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities and peppered with its own local flavour, which you must experience. These places are all within an hour n half drives range from Bethel / Sunday River Resort. You could have breakfast in the following places and return for your evening meal back in Bethel / Sunday River Resort.

The places you could take day trips to:

1) Rumford - Pennacook Falls, up north of Bethel and east of Rumford falls, Screw Auger Falls and Mother Walker Falls, all in Grafton Notch State Park, North East of Bethel is Black Mountain of Maine, famous for its finest family winter sports facilities in Maine.
2) Norway / South Paris - in the heart of the Oxford Hills Region, is a treasure of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. With lots of Cross country ski and snowmobile trails.
3) Livermore Falls - If you want to pick your strawberries and apples and enjoy the fall season, this is a perfect place. The area's natural resources offer vast options eg. swimming, fishing, boating, golfing, camping, hunting, hiking and not to forget alpine and Nordic skiing during winter.
4) Farmington - Visit the Stanley Museum in Kingfield, take a walking tour through the quaint villages and downtown main streets.
5) Naples - Here Sebago Lake provides opportunity for all kinds of water sports - power boaters, sailors, kayakers, canoers. Sebago Lake also connects to Sebago Lake State Park, a popular destination with picnic areas, sandy beach, woodland walking trails.
6) Lewiston / Auburn - in Androscoggin County, located along the Androscoggin River. Lewiston / Auburn is a gateway to scenic beaches and picture postcard coastal villages
7) Bridgton - Perhaps you may be wanting to recharge YOUR batteries here at Pleasant Lake with peace and tranquility freely available.

Even after your day of vigorous - outdoor activities, hearing the birds chirp and being one with nature, you could include a visit to one of the local markets in any of these towns to experience "local way of life", have a bite in local bakeries or simply buy some souvenirs for yourself and friends, which will help you rewind your memories.

Since Western Maine is a "all four season destination" it offers different kinds of outdoor activities to suit everyones needs, lets take a quick geography lesson about this region.
Western Maine is easily accessible from Portland Airport. GreyHound and Amtrak can get you to Portland swiftly.
Western Maine is divided into 10 small towns and villages, each offering myriad of outdoor activities in all four seasons :
1)  Androscoggin County
2)  Bethel Area
3)  Greater Bridgton Lakes
4)  Flagstaff Area
5)  Franklin County
6)  Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Area
7)  Oxford Hills Area
8)  Rangeley Lakes
9)  River Valley
10) Sebago Lakes

The vacation doesn't here. Since this region is also called a foodies paradise you must awaken your sensory buds by tingling them with local delicacies made from farm fresh ingredients. Don't leave without taking a slice of Western Maine with you - spare some time in capturing ready frames of natural beauty God has made in Western Maine, you just need to click and freeze the moments with your family.

Lastly, inspite of the endless outdoor activities Western Maine offers you, if you just sit with your legs up with a fresh glass of cider in summer or a hot cup of cocoa / hot soup ( choice is yours ) during winters....BE CAREFUL, you could possibly face the wrath of your family !!

Improve your Putting game

PUTTING which is a final stage in completing a hole is 40 percent of good golfers score. Uncertainty while putting can either make or break your score, irrespective of how good or bad you play before reaching the green. A good putting technique should help you strike the ball in hole in fewer shots. Hence it's imperative for a golf player to thoroughly understand the nuances of putting.

There are various drills one can learn to practice the art of putting, but understanding the basic core will cement the foundation to improve your putting techniques :

1) Understanding Putting Stroke Techniques :
Before getting on the field you should practice several putting drills to get the hang of it. Practice and knowing the relation between your putt, ball and the target, learning the grip and stance while putting, accuracy of striking with different styles of putting will enable you to understand it's problems and putt accordingly.

2) Learn to read GREEN :
Once you reach the green, it's all about understanding the space you are playing in. Putting on green is to get the ball in the hole in fewer shots.
Practice and know your green - nature of slope, length of grass along with Aim, Speed, Distance and Wind factor. This know-how will help you judge green faster and put the ball in hole with accurate results.

3) Anticipating the shot with confidence :
Golf is a game which requires good guidance, practice, physical fitness BUT it also requires equal amount of mental fitness. Even slightest hesitation and lack of focus during putting could hinder your prospects. Keeping a calm and relaxed body without rushing can help anticipate a shot better, making him/her more confident.

To shorten the gap between the questions - How to Putt and How to learn Putting better - P3ProSwing has come out with a tool called Putting Shark, which lets you practice the art of putting in the comfort of your home or office. This putting tool attached to your computer, gives instant feedback with crucial data such as swing path, club-head speed, angle of attack etc required to understand, rectify and improve your putting shots.

Improve your putting skills and you will be perfectly analyzing a shot, ready to finish off the game with confidence, no matter where the ball is on the green.
Keep putting !

P3ProSwing - Golf Analyzer-Simulator Systems

Golf is a precision club and ball sport, which has its own methodic style which a person needs to know and master well. Thank God for small mercies, due to innovative technologies at our disposal, some sports offer us a chance to play and learn a game without actually being on the field. Golf is one of them.

Few years ago, it would have been preposterous to even believe that golf can be played indoors and could have a system which analyzes to improve your golf game.
P3ProSwing's technology offers a professional golfing system called Golf Simulator, an award-winning golf swing analyzer, instructional aid and simulator.
This simulator not only lets you play golf, it also analyzes your game with accurate results, is versatile and a portable system for your home or office allowing you to polish your golfing skills.Without you being on the actual golf course, P3ProSwing golf simulator lets you have the experience of playing golf "just as you would play on golf courses" refining your shots.

How does it work ?
P3ProSwing’s Golf Simulator creates a virtual golfing environment for you. Using any club, with or without a golf ball - their system includes - a “Sensor Platform” connected to your computer with latest version of “P3ProSwing Golf Swing Analysis software”, analyzing and outputting easy to read data immediately in a graphical form of every shot you play - Club Face Angle, Swing Path, Ball Speed, Attack Angle, Strike Location/Sweet Spot, Club Head Speed, Swing Tempo, Toe and Heel Height, Distance, Right and Left of Path, Penalty etc ...
To further enhance your experience, you could choose various packages or individual gear like a small compact P3ProSwing catch net to practice your shots or choose to project graphical data on a big screen which also acts as a net and a virtual golf course. P3ProSwing can be used for its swing analysis capabilities as well as it’s entertainment value, making it a complete Home Theatre.

You could be a individual keen golfer, trainer, professional golfer, golf store, golf product promoter, indoor club center - P3ProSwing has various options as per your level of expertise, to help you sharpen your golf shots and enjoy the game.
To make your golfing simulator a better experience P3ProSwing systems offer you to choose from various packages eg. Analyzer/Simulator Packages, Studio Packages for a complete virtual golf studio, Virtual Golf Courses Collection Package with analysis and adjustable environmental factors OR you could mix n match with P3ProSwing's individual products like softwares and accessories which are required to maintain your P3ProSwing systems.

All simulator packages include P3ProSwing Golf Swing Analysis Software and Sensor Platform :
You can choose from the most basic to the advanced Analyzer - Simulator Packages
1) P3ProSwing Golf Simulator & Swing Analyzer
2) P3ProSwing PRO AND PRO PLUS
3) P3ProSwing PRO X
4) P3ProSwing PRO XC
5) P3ProSwing PROXCS
6) Putting Shark with it’s own sensor platform and software

P3ProSwing is highly regarded as a accurate swing analysis system for golf by the PGA Center for Learning and Performance. PGA Center, not only uses P3ProSwing as a partner in golf training but is also a official technology partner which is reiterated by the fact that PGA of America uses P3ProSwing in giving demonstrations to PGA Professionals as well as conducting lessons for golf schools, indoor gold centers and golf individuals of every skill levels.

“Take control of the game”, which is aptly mentioned on P3ProSwing's website.
P3ProSwing offers the best in golfing technology to enjoy, learn and be proficient playing golf in the comfort of your homes with 365 days a year of virtual tours of the best golf courses in the world...!!!

Why someone should have a website

You want your business to grow and have a presence all over the world. Obviously you can’t have physical offices all over the world, carry your work all over the place, keep distributing visiting cards.

What do you do ?
Develop a website - your virtual office which needs hardly any space to design with less time and money.
Lots of questions will arise, main one being - Should I have a website ?

Website is your virtual office which connects you to the entire world. A personal or business website assures presence, works on behalf of you and your business 24 * 7 building up contacts and eventually growing your business.

With having a website of your own, it’s not only easy for you to showcase your work anytime and anywhere, but makes it easier for a potential client to reach you. No matter what your business is, due to today's fast changing technology a website if correctly designed, allows any business to spread its network with various options you can choose, as per your business needs.

The basic advantages of having a website -
1) It acts as a virtual office and a showreel for you - personal or business.
2) 24 * 7 presence.
3) Wider reach all over the world.
4) Easier for potential client to search and reach you easily.
5) Saves time and money for you and your clients in reaching, communicating, understanding each other.
6) Due to rapid changes in technology, it’s now possible for you to develop a website as per your personal or business needs, hence it also makes it easier to execute more complex forms of businesses online which includes online shops, banking, online tutorials, etc

Website is a tool which basically enhances the prospects of your business. And I am sure after reading the advantages you are eager to design a nice website for your business - A virtual office with your presence all over the world.

Straight from the heart - Unedited and pure

Devala Prarthana / Bhagwan ko Gujrarish / A plea to God

Ya ali Ya ali.....
Kaisee hai teri boli

Ya ali Ya ali.....
Karvaraha hai kyon tu atank ki goli

Ya ali Ya ali.....
Khilwaraha hai tu khoon ki holi

Ya ali Ya ali.....
Hum sab ko bata de tere dil ki boli

Ya ali Ya ali.....

Above is a short poem ( if it can be called a poem ) straight from of my heart. Unedited and pure. These lines suddenly just popped up in my mind, when I was thinking of the state this world is in - war, riots, terrorists acts and in general, a total chaos our world is in now. It is my plea to god asking him ( God ) - To say something about the state, this whole world is in.... Why is he doing all this and can he stop it ??

This poem just came out of me in "Hindi", my national language. And I would like to keep it that way and not translate it in English or any other language. Translating would rob off the essence of these lines.


Kip expressing :)

Devala Prarthana / Bhagwan ko Gujrarish / A plea to God

A letter from "Spirit of Mumbai" to people of Mumbai

I am the Spirit of Mumbai speaking :

Come disaster, rain or shine, come, destroy me anytime, disfigure me, I will still stand and smile, because I am the SPIRIT of Mumbai

Come all you people, come, abuse me, corrupt me, dirty me, litter all over me, trample me, I will still stand and smile because I am the SPIRIT of Mumbai.

Come, attack me please, bomb me, shoot me, kill me, I will still stand united holding hands with a smile and a candle in my hands because I AM THE SPIRIT OF MUMBAI.

A letter from "Spirit of Mumbai" to it's people which includes me.

I am Spirit of Mumbai known for it's resilience, strong shoulders and kindness. I was born recently, but have matured due to incessant disaster strikes on Mumbai. I feel tired and old everytime Mumbai is attacked by humans or natural disasters. I think I am here to stay, thanks to Mumbai people who believe in me and stand by me. No matter what happens to this city, they run and come under my shelter, rest for while and then walk off with a smile, holding hands, shouting slogans "Stay United", "Mumbai Spirit" and with a candle or two in hands. Please stop abusing me.

Yes I am resilient, have strong shoulders and kind hearted, but lately I have started to crumble with the burden of comforting Mumbai city. I am on constant call and no time to rest. All I am doing nowadays is saying, "Be calm and stay cool. Stay United. We are Mumbai People...blah blah. My parents must be surely laughing on my plight. I had heard from them, in their time....people were very strong minded and if at all a disaster struck, people would start devising ways to stop the disaster, instead of just holding rallies, fight amongst themselves and expect the useless politicians to do something for them.

But today, I am overworked. Isn't it time for everyone to start thinking of how to stop these disasters, terror attacks hitting Mumbai ? ( which are quite frequent in number ) and devise, implement and execute the plans for a better change, rather then just dial my no for help. People are just calling me randomly which I can't even refuse. And since I am kind hearted, I melt looking at the plight of the victims. I should have made a specific contract with certain points and not just walked in their life. 

I urge the Mumbaikar's not to spoil my name. I am there every day, every minute, every sec, every breath in every human being but all of you have to use me sparingly and stop hiding wearing my mask.Use me to stop these disasters, attacks on Mumbai and do not use me to show the world "How brave you all are to face yet another disaster and eager to help eachother to hold hands". By all means help eachother and stay united in the "hour of crisis". But let the world hear your Voice of Unity and BRING in the change by "implementing the change". Don't let the willy politicians rule you or supress your Voice of Unity. Don't expect others to bring about the change for your safety and well being. Every individual has to do it and start from his own house, neighbourhood, area to see the change in our society and country.

As I had mentioned earlier I am inside every human being, I will always be with you, but if you all keep calling me, I  will be forced to renew my contract with fresh clauses for the betterment of the city.

Till then take care and "Make that Change".

Kip expressing :)

Rat Island - Singapore, 1988

It was raining heavily the day we reached RAT ISLAND, a small island few kms away from Singapore city. We were waiting for the rains to stop at the jetty/pier for our boat ride to whisk us to RAT ISLAND. “We” consisted of me and few others from my school, as it was our school camp, a camp, which I will remember all my life.

It has taken 20 years and a short adventure documentary, which I saw on TV, to remind me, that I have my own adventure memories still inside me. Memories never get erased but somehow they get buried deep inside us, just to resurface, to remind us that “we ( memories ) are still inside you”. These memories are just like photographs, captured visually in intangible form by a human camera - eyes, brain, heart. And the only way to give these memories a tangible form is to write it.

1988, United World College, Singapore. Fully aware that this camp revolves around swimming, I still decided to join this camp since it offered me various activities. Those days I wasn’t a water fan, forget swimming I couldn’t float to save my life. Mahatma Gandhi pool, which is at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, was probably the best place to learn swimming in 80’s, but their trainers had finally given up on me. Even during our swimming sessions at UWC I never really “learnt” swimming. I was always the one to be in shallow water. Anyways, I was meant to be at the camp and so it was. I went to the camp on the strength of just one word, LIFE JACKET.

Within minutes of reaching the island, we were asked to JUMP in the ocean from a jetty just to warm up for the things coming ahead. Before taking the leap I embarrassingly reminded my group head about my swimming status, just to hear a big NO, with a LIFE JACKET given to me and shown the way. In no time, I found myself floating in the water, asking another guy, “Is it deep in here?” Obviously it was. What was I thinking, had I jumped in a tub? Well this was just a start of my adventure……

After reaching our camping ground and resting our wet butts, we were scooted off to learn sailing which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sailing was a cakewalk when compared to swimming AND the adventure lying ahead.

Next day, my real test lay in the sand in front of me. A CANOE, which is also called a KAYAK. Basically the act is called CANOEING and the boat in which we sit is called a KAYAK. We were given a KAYAK each, with a short training session and within no time we were on our own. This exercise was quite tiring but nevertheless had fun trying something new, perhaps because of our close proximity to the shore where the current was obliging my KAYAK. My first reaction on seeing this piece of boat was….. ahh LOOKS EASY, again better then swimming. As long as I didn’t have to SWIM, I was all fine even though there was direct contact with the water.

Before I proceed, I will describe what a CANOE / KAYAK is and three basic important points necessary to canoe. There is SEA KAYAKING, WHITEWATER KAYAKING, LAKE KAYAKING. We were given a SEA KAYAK. There are two types in KAYAK’s, OPEN and CLOSED. Open KAYAK can seat two people. Closed KAYAK’s can have 1 or 2 people as per the design. We were given a closed KAYAK which takes a single person, in which he/she sits on the buttocks with legs extended and maneuvers the boat with a paddle.
Some more points to bear in mind while canoeing :
1)
a) Firstly one should NOT be scared of water. ( I had no choice regarding this )
b) Believe me canoeing is tough. It’s not easy as it looks. For canoeing one needs to have powerful hands and legs with LOTS of patience and stamina in general and especially when the KAYAK is against the wind and waves. One just needs to practice for such a activity to control it and of course have a liking for water sports.
C) As mentioned above a single person sits with legs extended on the buttocks with no place to twist and turn the lower part of the body. Sitting in the KAYAK with legs stretched for long hours calls for strong legs and lots of stamina.
2) When one sits inside the KAYAK, it’s necessary to cover the mouth
( entrance of the KAYAK ) or the cockpit with a special sheet to keep the water away from entering the KAYAK. Removing water from the KAYAK, when in water is next to impossible. It’s like inviting trouble and sapping yourself of energy which is very vital when canoeing. If any water removal has to be done, it has to be done on land, usually by two people, since KAYAK’s are very heavy. It has to be turned upside down with each person lifting it’s side one by one to remove the water.
3) If you capsize ( the KAYAK turns upside down when in water with a person in it ) with the water protection sheet at the mouth of KAYAK, one should know the technique to come out of the KAYAK quickly and swiftly under water in few seconds. It’s very important not to panic and breathe correctly at this moment.

After spending almost half a day with the KAYAK I thought to myself well I guess this is it, end of this session and start of something NEW. NO this was not to be. A task which was thrown at us made my life a nightmare and yes, it was KAYAK related. Our task was to canoe for a about a km to another island, where our group had to put up tents and spend a night.
I wished, I hadn’t come for the camp. Is this a fun camp or a torture camp ? A km canoeing in deep sea ? Are the camp heads mad ? These thoughts relentlessly kept lingering in my mind till….. we were almost in the deep.

Deeper in the sea, our travel against the current, made things more difficult to maneuver the KAYAK, though we were travelling parallel to shore. More then hands, my legs started aching and I couldn’t take it anymore. My team mates were quite ahead of me. To make it worse I had slowed down since I was getting pushed sideways and more deeper by the waves, towards a gigantic docked ship, which in turn made me hit the paddle with more vengeance imagining horrible things. My mind was completely shut -
1) I was having unbearable cramps in my legs
2) Due to strong current I wasn’t moving ahead
3) To top it, I was pushed towards a huge ship which would have probably minced me and my KAYAK by it’s propellers, had it been moving.
I just had one thing on my mind, get out of the KAYAK and free my legs, I didn’t care about water going in the KAYAK. On an impulse I just took off my water protection sheet and managed to come out of the heavily bobbing KAYAK. I dared this, due to LIFE JACKET which was on me. I wasn’t scared of drowning. At that moment I just wanted to free my legs, which I did heaving a sigh of relief, stretching my legs holding on the KAYAK, ONLY to have my KAYAK filled with water. As mentioned earlier it’s next to impossible to remove water when the KAYAK is in water. I somehow struggled to take the water out of the KAYAK by turning and twisting it. It was a difficult task as water was constantly reentering the canoe as I was fighting to remove it. Thinking to myself that it was impossible to take the water out completely, I had to get in the KAYAK quickly and swiftly before more water could rush in, cause the KAYAK was bobbing up and down furiously. But HOW? As I tried getting in, the KAYAK would twist and turn and more water would get in. After a long play I somehow climbed the KAYAK, pushing myself through the KAYAK cockpit, without a care for the water which was still inside. I just had one thing on my mind “Destination – Island” for overnight stay. Although I was at my wits end and exhausted with this play of getting OUT and IN, I started for my destination with renewed vigour and strength mentally and physically.

And….. finally I reached the island as rest of the team mates were parking their KAYAKS on the shore. I was shuddering to even think of the next day travel from the KAYAK back to where we started from, but surprisingly the KAYAK literally glided through the water since the wind and water current were favouring us.

As things stand today, I can swim to save my life and others life. Though my Life Saver Certificate validity has expired long back, the Life Saver in me is still alive. I guess the know-how and techniques don’t have a validity period. Having said that, if I were to fall in the same kind of “canoe” situation I won’t require a LIFE JACKET at least for those couple of minutes I struggled then. BUT I will not hesitate to dial L J, my pal and saviour, LIFE JACKET which saved me from drowning and gave me strength for doing unimaginable things in the midst of the ocean, without fear taking over my mind.

Kip expressing :)