The Boothbay Region Land Trust has so much to offer. For the first time, friends and I walked part of the Schmidt Preserve in Edgecomb. It is crisscrossed with well marked trails, wide logging roads, gentle slopes, and sun-filtered vistas. Lots of shade loving flowering native plants and ferns galore. There was a group of walkers with dogs ahead of us but once they were out of sight not a sound was heard except for the forest. Highly recommend the Schmidt Preserve. If you are so inclined you can start a seven mile hike of the River-Link at Back River at the Zak Preserve, cross the east side of the Schmidt Preserve, and end at Dodge Point on Damariscotta River on the River Road.

On our way home we stopped and had a picnic lunch at the Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site erected on Davis Island during the Jefferson administration 1808-1809. It is one of the best preserved wooden blockhouses from the early 18th century in the US. The sweeping views of the shore along the Eddy Road, Clough Point, Back River, and the Sheepscot River were spectacular. Plenty of picnic tables, parking, and bathrooms!

Living in a community surrounded by native plants and trees, it was informative to attend the Planning in the Wild workshop on Invasive Species sponsored in partnership with Midcoast Conservancy, the Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry, the Maine Natural Areas Program, and the Maine Forest Service. The purpose was common invasive species identification and ecology, actions you can take to mitigate invasive species, and educational resources and programs. All these state departments can be contacted online to see what is invasive and what to do about it. The one that I was interested in was stilt grass, easy to identify and eradicate on your own land. The Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson is a great year round facility with trails, ponds, wildlife, the Barn, and the Welcome Center as well as three cabins that can be reserved. On the way back to Sprucewold I stopped at the Oxbow Brewing Company to stock up for fall, conveniently located at 276 Jones Woods Road in Newcastle.

We have had far too many losses in Sprucewold this year: Sara and Jack Angel, Annemarie Kurzius, Sherry LaBelle, Greg and Donna Muzzy, Debbie Smith, and Ross Maddocks. Our hearts are broken, a sad year!

If you are year round in Sprucewold, enjoy the peace and quiet of the coming winter season and know that those who don't have that privilege are already counting the days until we can return to our little piece of heaven. Happy Winter!