More Moxie in Maine

Thursday September 5, 2013
#28, Moosehead Lake Family Campground
Greenville Maine

 

 

 

The weather has changed pretty abruptly. 

 

Low last night was only 41 and high today only 57.  No slow change to fall.  It’s like turning a page.  Last week was the end of summer and the next day it’s well into fall.  Hope that means it will hurry the leaves along since we will be leaving New England before we get to see the fall colors if it doesn’t.

I give up the moose hunt for the day.  I’m starting to believe this moose business here is merely a marketing campaign.  There can’t be three times as many moose here as people or they wouldn’t be so hard to stumble upon.

 

 

But there’s nothing like a good waterfall to pick up your spirits from Moose Hunt Failure.  Even if you have to drive 16 miles down dirt roads to see it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are crawling along at about mile 13 when we come to Wally World.

 

Or at least that’s what the house on the left side of the road says.  The basketball hoop is right on the road.  The “rock garden” on the right of the road across from the house says Wally World, Squaretown, ME.   What is this place?  Do you know?  Even the great google didn’t know when I did a cursory request.   They have unusual places in Maine.
We later find there is a sign at the end of this road pointing the way to Wally World as if it were a tourist attraction.

 

 

 

After the 16 miles of dirt roads we end up on a strip of pavement with a double yellow line. 

Apparently we are in Lake Moxie or at Lake Moxie.   I am just amazed.  Moxie is the Maine State Drink and now here is a Lake Moxie, a town named Lake Moxie and a waterfall named Moxie.  Apparently these all existed prior to the creation of the soft drink and its Maine creator may well have named his drink after them. 

There is a big sign welcoming us to Lake Moxie.  There are 7 mail boxes.  Lake Moxie has a garage and one of the last remaining outdoor pay phones in the country I bet.  How does this thing manage to just hang out during these Maine winters???

 

 

 

They also apparently have a town dog who comes to greet everyone who stops by.

 

 

Cute dog or not, we have to move on down the paved road which instantly curves out of town.  The road through the town turns to dirt again after the one block of pavement at the town park/boat launch on the lake and opposite the garage.

 

We arrive – MOXIE FALLS!

 

In a few wonderful paved road miles we arrive at the Moxie Falls Scenic Area and start down the trail to the falls.

 

This is a lovely easy trail and in about a mile we begin hearing the sounds of a lot of water.

I have to say up front that Moxie Falls is drop dead gorgeous and these pictures do not do it justice.  The morning light on the beautiful water just made the pictures so washed out.  I would really like some suggestions about what to do about this since I take many of my pictures in the morning’s harsh sun.

 

 

The viewing platforms are set up perfectly for those who have never been here before. 

 

First they tease you with a great view of a long series of cascades.  We think this is the falls. After all, falls  means different things in different places and we’ve seen some really varied falls.   This cascade is just beautiful.   But the trail goes on.

 

 

 

 

At the second platform we are at the top of the falls.  It is clear now that the previous view was just the lead up.

 

 

I do love water and waterfalls.  Such a gorgeous setting.  Such a wonderful falls.

 

 

 

The third platform is of course a front view of the falls.  I wish I could share the sound of the water tumbling over and crashing into the pool at the bottom, the sweet smell of the fresh moist air, the almost tactile feel of the energy it is giving off.  

We stay a long time watching the water.  It’s mesmerizing.  Is it the ions in the water falling so far down that make everyone happy.  I’ve never seen a frown at a waterfall.

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the trail up we find some other vantage points and see the water tumbling over.

 

 

It’s lunch time and we know the perfect place.

We stop again at Lake Moxie on our way back just before the second 16 mile dirt road drive.  They have picnic tables and local ducks in addition to the town dog.  Maybe he’s the mayor and they are the city council.

 

As always, the self portrait lunch photo.   The mayor is watching.  I know he is wondering about us.

 

 

 

What a great picnic spot!  The lake is lovely and someone has a great home/cabin on the island off shore.

 

 

 

 

 

The beauty really is in the details. 

While we are eating, I’m watching the town council and noticing the absolutely gorgeous details on the design of these female mallard ducks.  Have you ever looked closely at a mallard??  They aren’t just brown ducks with orange feet.

 

 

I won’t belabor the point.  Just take a close look….at the details.

 

 

 

 

 

And it is only just after one.  There’s an entire afternoon yet!

 

We leave Moxie Lake, the mayor and the town council and drive back over the one lane bridge, down the 16 miles of dirt road and consider it our great good fortune to have spent the morning this way.

 

 

 

This is what we did in the morning on this great  first Thursday in September.   We had another whole adventure in the afternoon but this post is already past long enough.  Check back tomorrow to see about the Moose Ponds.