During a bright sunny day on Sept. 25, the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department traveled to Red River Camps in Deboullie Township.
“We could not have asked for a nicer day for such an outing. The foliage was nearly at its peak,” said recreation program director Neal Sleeper. “We started our journey via Route 161, swinging by briefly at the Carl Bondeson Farm, where participants were able to witness area youth harvesting potatoes the old-fashioned way. Bondeson still employs area youth to hand pick potatoes.
Contributed photo
Pictured during their trip to Deboullie, as part of the Caribou Recreation Department’s “Adult Take it Outside Series” are in front, from left, Nancy Carney, Sharon O’Brien, Lola McBreairty, Natalie Kavin, Pat Rossignol and Sharon Pelletier. In back, Louise Bray, Gloria from Red River Camps, Lori Risner, Neal Sleeper, Margaret Gillespie, Jen Brophy from Red River Camps, Luanna and Gary Guerrette, Rebecca Dickinson and Doris Nadeau.
Following their first stop, they traveled to Fort Kent and stopped at the Fort Kent Blockhouse for coffee and refreshments. Because the blockhouse is so close to the moose registration station and it happened to be the first week of the moose hunt, some of the participants opted to venture over to the registration station with coffee in hand.
“Upon our refreshment break, we headed north to Saint Francis and enjoyed a beautiful ride along the Saint John River before eventually entering the North Maine Woods in Saint Francis,” said Sleeper. “After a beautiful ride though the Deboullie Preserve, we eventually arrived at Red River Camps. Hosts Jen and Gloria had prepared a beautiful lunch for this hearty group of explorers, consisting of homemade chicken rice soup and make your own sandwiches on their scrumptious homemade Red River Bread.”
Following lunch, participants were treated to fresh baked cookies. No trip to Red River Camps would be complete without getting a tour of their cabins, and that’s exactly what participants were afforded the opportunity to do.
“Upon lunch and touring the cabins participants reluctantly had to leave and we loaded into the van and enjoyed a beautiful ride out of the North Maine Woods, where participants were able to see several ruffed grouse along the way,” said Sleeper.
If these outings sound like something that you would like to try or if you would like to hear more information about this outing, call or stop by the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center at 493-4224. The Take It Outside Adult Series is for anyone 18 and over. The program starts in mid-August and runs through the end of October. The group travels to many fascinating destinations around northern Maine and neighboring New Brunswick. Fees vary for each outing and include lunch, transportation and all entrance fees.
