The Man Cave on…Escapes

There are many studies to prove the benefits of what is called “Destination Aging,” In fact, one study said “Travel could be the best defense against aging.”   One destination in particular gets the Man Cave’s vote. 

Quietly feeding on aquatic plants, the moose at the edge of the marsh eyed me suspiciously.  I was in my canoe paddling toward the moose, my camera ready for the perfect photo.  Putting the paddle down and bringing the camera to my eye, I zoomed in on the moose’s head with its new growth of antlers and snapped away as I glided forward.  Soon the moose’s head filled the view, and I guessed I was 20 yards away.  Suddenly, the moose lowered its head, let out a grunt and charged.

I dropped the camera, and in that instant realized I had glided within 15 feet of this huge brown beast!  Yanking the paddle from the bottom of the canoe, I back-paddled furiously, and the moose halted its charge.  Lesson learned.  Don’t get close to moose, especially one with antlers!

Northern Exposure

For nature lovers, even those who make rookie mistakes like I did, northern New England offers something for everyone.  In Vermont and New Hampshire there are thousands of lakes and clear flowing rivers, a countryside of pleasant valleys ringed by mountains.  Dirt roads, especially in Vermont, meander through towns with populations as low as 300 people – an escape from humanity, replaced with a forest immersion.  As Robert Frost wrote, “When I tire of trees, I seek again mankind.”

I could list all the popular tourist attractions such as the Cog Railroad up to the top of Mount Washington, but you might prefer a different kind of visit: back-roading.  I enjoy choosing a region and then by either car or bicycle I’ll get “lost” on the backroads, often being surprised by some quiet hilltop, lake or meadow which seems the definition of tranquility.  Sometimes I’ll use the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer to help me find secluded waterfalls for a summer swim.  Or maybe a scenic hilltop with an incredible fall foliage view which can only be reached by parking the car, followed by a short hike.

In Maine you have the options of big timber country (logging companies own much of the land in Northern Maine but allow public access) or large lakes such as Moosehead Lake.  Maine also has hundreds of miles of ocean shoreline, where picturesque towns such as Castine or Stoningham are perched on the granite outcrops. The farther north you travel, the fewer visitors, and the towns feel less touristy and more local, supporting the lobster fisheries and boat building trades.

Rather than stay at hotels try the hundreds of small bed & breakfast: many make you feel part of the family.  Some B&B’s are partial working farms which would be a good choice for traveling with grandkids.  Other B&B’s offer you healthy outdoor exercise, such as their own trails for walking and mountain biking.  Active travel offers both physical and mental health benefits, and if you are single you can be paired with other singles for fun adventures as a group.

One year my buddy Cogs and I canoed from one B&B to another up near the headwaters of the Connecticut River, and another year we hopped from B&B to B&B by car but with frequent stops for trout fishing.  Those were some of my happiest mini vacations and we planned them ourselves.

There are professional companies, however, to help you plan your trip if are unfamiliar with an area. They will book a self-guided inn to inn trip or active travel ones that include bicycling, hiking or paddling. 

If you go Exploring

No matter what (or where) you choose, remember to do your due diligence:

-Check the activity level of planned trips to make sure you are physically up to the journey.  Hiking can be a leisurely stroll or a intense trek up a mountain; a bike trip can be exhilarating or arduous depending on how many miles you must cover each day.  Can you hop on a van if you need?

-pack carefully and appropriately.  Don’t wear flipflops for a mountain hike!

-Bring your meds and consider travel insurance.

Now that I’m a little older I’m planning a biking inn to inn excursion on the Island’s of Lake Champlain in northern Vermont.  But I’m going to allow time for a leisurely ride so that I’m only biking (after a hearty breakfast) starting at 10 am and finishing at the next inn at 3pm.  That way I’ll have time for a nap, a swim if it’s warm, and a cold libation before dinner.

Want more about travel? Visit Senior Planet’s comprehensive collection of videos, articles, and more on our special Travel Section.  

YOUR TURN

What’s your favorite escape – and why? Share your favorites in the comments!

Michael Tougias is a NY Times Bestselling Author of 38 books.  There’s A Porcupine In My Outhouse and The Power of Positive Fishing are two of Michael Tougias’ books that includes trips in Northern New England as well as Cape Cod.  www.michaeltougias.com