Rangeley … Viewpoints!

Hope, Unity, Washington, Jefferson, Windsor, Chelsea, Augusta, Belgrade, Rome, Farmington, Strong, Phillips … no this is not a quiz question … these are the towns we passed on our drive just of around 100 miles inland. We took a few pics on the way and the leaves were certainly getting more colourful.

We kept our eyes peeled for moose …

… crossed the long distance Appalachian Trail …

… and stopped at Smalls Falls to stretch our legs.

Finally we reached Rangeley, which according to the sign on Main Street is equidistant from the North Pole and the Equator.

It has always been a resort, served in 1900 by the railroad and steamboats, bringing people to fish the spectacularly named Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Today there is year round appeal with fishing, hunting, boating, off-roading and skiing.

The first viewpoint was overlooking Rangeley Lake as we drove into town.

We are staying in the very lovely Rangeley Inn which was first opened in 1877 but has since been moved and expanded and recently restored.

To take advantage of the last of the light we drove up Quill Hill to their 360° viewpoint. The top has been cleared and you can see in every direction – well worth the $10 toll to drive to the top!

You can see Rangeley Lake in the distance in this last one.

returning to town, here is Haley Pond behind the hotel.

Next day we drove the scenic route all the way round Rangeley Lake taking a few pics and making a couple of stops.

Bald Mountain offered a family-friendly hike of 1.3 mile each way, with an ascent of 930ft.

The guidebook suggests wearing orange in hunting season so not to be mistaken for a moose, and Pippin was dressed up for his hike, but we were told not to worry on such a popular route.

The trail started easily enough with a gravel path …

… slowly became tougher with tree roots and stones …

… then having lulled us into a false sense of security, from around halfway became a rocky scramble to the summit … but we made it!

The 360° viewpoint at the top of the fire tower was much more rewarding for having got there under our own steam!

The last viewpoint was at the Height of Land Overlook, but by now it was a little overcast.

… and here’s Rangeley Lake again!

Dee in the gift shop recommended The Hungry Trout – Come Hungry, Leave Happy – and we did, on both evenings! Chris had exhausted the veggie options with mac ‘n’ cheese on the first night but Brian cooked up Asian Tofu just for him while the Saturday night prime rib was to die for.

Tomorrow we leave Maine and head to New Hampshire.

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