THE FOOTLOOSE FRIENDS

The "Footloose Friends" make up an informal group of hiking enthusiasts who roam the many woodland trails and carriage roads of Mount Desert Island each Tuesday. Occasionally, they also explore off-island walks.

The group began in the late 1970’s as a handful of people all of whom were members of the Friends of the Southwest Harbor Public Library. One of this early sub-group of library Friends dubbed them the "Footloose Friends", and this apt name has stuck.

There are no dues (a yearly picnic Fundraiser finances what little needs to be financed) and no requirements for membership. Simply show up to hike each Tuesday morning and you are Welcome. Nothing short of a national calamity will stop the hike.

In warm weather, the Friends usually pause for noon sandwiches, a beverage, and a little conversation at some scenic spot. Sociability is an important aspect of footloose activity. Boat trips to the outer islands are often scheduled for summer hikes.

In cold weather, the tradition evolved of visiting a member’s house following the hike for hot soup, coffee and sandwiches.

The original handful has grown through the years to a point where as many as 50 people may show up to walk.

WHEN: Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Masonic Lodge (Acadia Repertory Theatre) on Main Street in Somesville, across from the fire station.

FOOTLOOSE FRIENDS WALKS AND HIKES
August - October 2008

Aug 5
Hadlock Pond Carriage Roads from Parkman Lot
OR Norumbega Goat Trail to NE Harbor* - Don Cousins.

Aug 12
Jordan Pond Shore Path (east side)
OR Sargent Mt. via Parkman Mt. and Grandgent trail* - Bud Applegate.

Aug 19
Round Mountain Carriage Road from Jordan Pond toward amphitheater
OR Pemetic traverse N to S. Travel via Island Explorer* - Mary / Doug.

Aug 26
Aunt Betty Pond Carriage Road
OR Cadillac via West Face, dn North Ridge*. Isl. Expl. - Mary/Doug.

Sept 2
Shore Path and/or West Street, Bar Harbor
OR Dorr Mt. via Homans Path* - Bud Applegate.

Sept 9
Southwest Harbor Connector Trail
OR Flying Mountain/St. Sauveur loop* - John Molavi

Sep 16-18
Monhegan Overnight.
~See details below.~

Sept 16
Carriage Road from Eagle Lake to Witch Hole Pond
OR Razorback Trail to Mansell* - Sue Graf.

Sept 23
Ocean Path
OR Triad Ramble* - Sue Graf.

Sept 30
Western Mountain Road
OR Jordan Pond, S face S Bubble, over N Bubble
and Connor’s Nubble, return via Carry Trail* - John Molavi.

Oct 7
Hall Quarry Color Walk - CH Breedlove.

Oct 14
Seawall Picnic - Hio Trail.

Oct 21
Carriage Road, west side Sargent Mountain
OR Camden Hills traverse. (early morning departure,
late afternoon return) - Dave Orsmond.

Oct 28
Carriage Road, east side Eagle Lake
OR Penobscot Mt. via Jordan Cliffs Trail* - Rae Cousins.

Please remember: The Footloose Friends, its members and contact persons, assume no responsibility and have no liability for any accident or injury associated with their activities. Members and guests participate in Footloose Friends activities at their own risk and with the understanding that trip leaders are not experts.

We will solicit a leader for the ‘lowland’ walk each week at the circle. This requires only making sure that everyone returns from the walk.

*Note that if there is demand, there may be two sections of most ‘mountain’ hikes. The ‘slow’ section will hike at a more moderate pace, and may cover less distance, possibly varying or curtailing the route.

The regular circle will continue at its usual time,
with the 'whistle' blowing at 9:30.

Dear Footloose Friends,

Another quarter invites us to explore the wonderful world around us, whether on relatively modest carriage-road walks and on more challenging mountain hikes.

We are trying to get a group together to spend a couple of nights on Monhegan, September 16th and 17th. If you haven’t made your reservations yet, you can still try. Here’s the information:

Wonderful walking/hiking, woodland and Cliffside, artist studios galore. (Level, it is not.) You’re on your own for reservations, but we hope to have a good group. Don’t wait, though, hotels and guest houses fill up very early. A few suggestions for accommodations:

Tribler Cottage (apartments) (207)594-2445

Trailing Yew (207)596-0440

Shining Sails (207)596-0041
http://www.shiningsails.com

Monhegan House (207)594-7983
Holden W. Nelson info@monheganhouse.com

Island Inn (207)596-0371

Brackett's Oar House (207)594-9151

The boat goes from Port Clyde:
Monhegan Thomaston Boat Line (207)372-8848

Our other excursion far afield is a traverse along the Camden Hills on October 21st,. This day-long trip, led by Dave Osmond, should be very different from the Mt. Battie trip we’ve done on several occasions.

Please, if you have any suggestions for future hikes, please contact any member of the committee:

Bud Applegate - 244-9398 olagarden@hughes.net

Ellen Brawley - 244-3174 ebrawley@hughes.net

Sue Clark - 244-3051 snbclark@gwi.net

Don Cousins - 244-9380 donrae19@verizon.net

Anne Funderburk - 276-3301 afunder@roadrunner.com

Stan Rooney - 288-3110 r22156221669@msn.com

Happy trails...

Ellen Brawley (for the committee)

In 2002, the Footloose Friends published a cookbook, Is It Eleven O'clock Yet?, for the benefit of the Library. While many of the recipes in this collection are not original, they are favorites of the Footloose Friends Hiking Group.

All copies have been sold, but you can read it, and print it, as permission to print for personal use is granted. You are not granted permission to reproduce for profit or to post on another website.

CLICK HERE To view or print the cookbook PDF file.

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