Our Last Day in Maine

     Our last day in Maine (October 7) was a day of several quick stops.  We left Rangeley Lakes State Park Campground and headed south and west.  We stopped at an overlook just outside of Rangeley and then again at the "Height of Land" Lookout where there were low hanging clouds covering Mooselookmeguntic Lake.  

Rangeley Scenic Overlook ~ low clouds over Rangeley Lake

Height of Land Overlook

 

Low clouds over Mooselookmeguntic Lake

     Our next stop was at Coos Canyon which is a 500 yard gorge where gold panning was once done.  

        In Rumford we went searching for the middle and upper Rumford Falls on the Androscoggin River that runs through the middle of the town, but couldn't seem to find them.  When we asked at the tourist information center, the fella there said, "I could show you where they WERE, but they're GONE."  He told us that the drought this summer had reduced them to a trickle.          Maine has experienced a severe drought this summer.  Several people have mentioned it to us this trip.  Water levels are down and wells are going dry.  We talked at length to a man who was getting water for washing and cleaning from the river at the Wire Suspension Bridge because his well was barely producing enough for drinking.  A young woman working at McDonald's said her well ran dry and they are carrying water from her mother-in-law's house and hoping for rain.  

Fall Colors

       Our next stop was the Sunday River Covered Bridge.  From there we headed for Grafton Notch State Park to the Step Falls and the Screw Auger Falls which have both been impacted somewhat by the drought.  We could have done some more hiking in Grafton Notch, but the sun was getting low in the sky making it dark in the woods (and I was getting tired anyway!)  

Sunday River Covered Bridge

 

Step Falls

Our Shadows!

 

Less than normal water over the falls

Screw Auger Falls

     Though we didn't see anything particularly memorable today, it was a lovely, sunny day and we enjoyed the warm weather and the scenery.    We crossed into New Hampshire and camped at Umbagog State Park.  It was a beautiful evening and we sat on a log swing by a serene lake as the sun went down.  

Umbagog State Park ~ Lit by the sinking sun

 

Our campsite