Have you enjoyed a trip with us or visited one of our preserves? Share your stories here!

(If you weren't able to come with us this year, stay tuned to our newsletter and this website and be sure to make your reservation early next year. We look forward to seeing you on the coast!)

A dozen people followed MCHT member and naturalist Peter Blanchard on a half-day trek across the southern shoreline. A few of the group had never been to a Maine island, while others contributed their own knowledge of the flora and fauna to Peter's boundless stories. They were then treated to a narrated, scenic boat tour back to Bass Harbor.

I joined the smaller group to spend the entire day on the island, exploring the 6.2-mile loop around MCHT's preserve. Winding over the rolling northern shoreline we were treated to stunning vistas of Mount Desert Island and Frenchman's Bay. We enjoyed our lunch on the narrow isthmus that connects the island's main portion with Rich's Head. Picking up the trail on the southern shore, MCHT Regional Steward Terry Towne deftly shared some great stories about his experiences caring for the preserves trails and the flora and fauna. One of the most intriguing sites I found was a hollow frequented by minks. After wrapping around Deep Cove we passed a number of rocky beaches, stopping momentarily at one to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the company of our fellow companions.

Returning to the village, we were treated to a tour of the town's museum led by the island's eldest citizen, Marjorie Giamo. Her life story, engaging personality, and tales of Frenchboro's past were captivating. One of the famous lobster roll from Lunt's dockside deli was the perfect cap to an incredible summer day on this Maine island as we grabbed the evening ferry back to Bass Harbor.

The guide service, a family affair led by Rob and Jen Scribner and dad Rick, was excellent - showing not only a love for paddling but also instructing the group on the need to treat with respect the sensitive and sacred sites we visited. On the way, Rick Scribner regaled the crowd with historical accounts of Machias Bay and its unique place in American history as the site of the locally celebrated battle of the Margaretta, which was the first naval battle of the American Revolution. Rick offered us the "short version" on our way to Picture Rocks, but was convinced to offer up "the whole story" later in the day as we paddled across the Bay to another petroglyph site after lunch.

We were greeted at Picture Rocks by Passamaquoddy tribal historian Donald Soctomah and his daughter Lydia, who had generously raked a box of ripe blueberries for us - "in case we needed a little boost of energy" as Donald put it. As we ate lunch, Donald gave a heartfelt talk about these petroglyphs - some over 3,000 years old - on this sacred site used by tribal shaman, and showed us up close (though we never walked on them) the images of deer, moose, birthing women and even a sailing ship thought to represent that of Samuel de Champlain. He stressed that these etchings "pecked" into the ledge with sharp stones before the arrival of iron to the New World were not only significant to the Passamaquoddy people, but are a part of all of our shared history. Unfortunately, some have visited the site in recent years and compromised some of the drawings by doing rubbings, walking on the ledges, and even carving their initials in the rocks. As a result, visiting the site is now only allowed by permission, and I felt privileged to be there and hear from Donald about their significance.

It was an energetic group and a worthwhile trip. All in all, a good day out.

Our boat full of MCHT members headed out on a beautiful, crisp sunny day that soon took us deep into a fog bank that descends so often on the bays. A pod of harbor porpoises escorted us for a ways, we saw lots of seabirds. David MacDonald, MCHT's Director of Land Protection shared stories about the islands we passed - including Buckle Island, the very first project of MCHT's 40-year history.

As luck would have it, Marshall beckoned us from the fog, bathed in warm sunlight. As we came into Sand Cove, it was fun to see people who had come in their own boats - two had kayaked from Seal Harbor, starting out at 8 that morning! We braved the surf and stormed the beach in small boat loads, nearly losing one of the lunch coolers in the surge!

We went to Marshall to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its conservation, to thank all the members and donors who made the preserve possible, and to explore the 10 miles of new trails that have been marked this year. Our new president Paul Gallay welcomed and thanked everyone, David told about the various conservation efforts over several years, and Board member Forrest Berkley, who was instrumental in protecting the island, gave very emotional remarks about why that special place was so important to him and his family. Finally, our steward for the island, Terry Towne, told us about the island and the rugged trails we would be exploring. With that we were ready to head out.

We were treated to winding trails on deep moss, weaving among the trees and rocks, clearings filling in with sweet-smelling ferns, open expanses of rocky shores giving way to vast seascapes. I was thrilled to get to Boxam Cove- I've heard so much about the beach at Sand Cove, but I found Boxam even more impressive.

One of our group, John Rivers, brought along his camera with a huge zoom lens and took lots of pictures . He has already set up a slide show on his Flickr site.

Many of you also brought cameras and have your own stories to share - We want to hear them! Please tell us about your experience that day! Share your photos, too. You could win a free trip next year if you enter our photo contest.