When in Rome

🥾Mount Phillip

Rome, Maine that is.  About an hour and fifteen minutes north of Portland, you'll find a couple of popular hiking destinations managed by the 7 Lakes Alliance (thank you, 7 Lakes Alliance!). 

First stop is Mount Phillip.  This is a 1.4-mile loop, 320 feel elevation gain with two lookout points with not much to look at.  That's just my personal opinion.  You should check it out and see for yourself.  Maybe do it in the full bloom of fall when it's more colorful. 

  

But overall, it's a nice, quick, quiet hike.  The trails are well marked and well maintained.

🥾French Mountain

And then there's French Mountain.  It's a super short 0.8-mile loop trail, a shorter trek than Mouth Phillip but with a 716-foot summit where you can see Whittier Pond and the Kennebec Highlands but only 200 feet of elevation gain. 

The view at the summit is quite nice.  I bet it's even better at the peak of fall.  I've been to many hiking trails and this is the only one (that I can remember) that is interpretive with cell phone audio tour.  As Mainers would say... Wicked!

 

A word of caution when you get to the top.  If you see a turkey vulture, do not ask for multiples of them.  Be content of seeing just one.  I saw one from the distance and thought to myself... cool. I wish he has friends.  And then there were two... cool... And then three.. and then five.  so many of them that I had to step back and pretty much hide behind a pine tree as they approach my way.  Maybe they don't intend to eat me but I didn't really want to test that theory.

 

Overall, both trails are good for a day hike and fresh air.  They are accessible year-round and offer opportunities to experience the beauty of the Belgrade Lakes region.  I'm planning on going back to hit the rest of the trails out there.

🍂 Fall is Coming

You can feel it in the air at nigh.. hold on 🎶

Every time I look at my window I feel so blessed to have an awesome property.  It's not massive by any means but a lot bigger and roomy than my previous properties in Idaho.  A lot quieter for sure.  But during the day, I don't if a few of my wild friends visit me. 

There's Alvin and Moe...

  

Bambini of course...

And Jennifer and Drago.

 

I do talk to them so don't judge.  They don't talk back like Puu that's why we're all friends.  You know who else I talk to?  John Lennon...

Where to next, Puu?

I'm really not sure.  My external drive's not connected to my computer and I'm too lazy to plug it in 😫.  In other words...  it'll be a surprise.

In the meantime, check out my store to see more images like this!  Or maybe follow my Instagram page.  Or maybe get some free stock photos.  Thank you internet!

Oh shoot!  I almost forgot.  My website has been published!!!  I mean it's an Adobe Portfolio page but still.  If you have time, check studioBella Images!!!

"Small shifts in your thinking, and small changes in your energy, can lead to massive alterations of your end result."

― Kevin Michel