Sugarloaf Maine
Band from Uncle (oh how we miss you, Uncle AL!); skiing out back on Spaulding; WMCC: some of the many reasons why we love living in our region!
With the help of T & L’s sleds, Crusher, AJ & Listo accompanied WSKI’s Eric Schwink several years ago on this backcountry tour w/ the Environmental Disaster Ski Team, plus a few words on Western Mtns. Center for Children! [Read more…]
Kids programs have always been a strong part of the Sugarloaf community year-round, & this footage from the ’80s shows a summer day at the top of Sugarloaf with singer, songwriter, performer Rick Charette whose passion & talent for writing for children resulted in the well-known “Bubblegum” in 1983, followed in 1985 by “Alligator in the Elevator”. These kids would be in their thirties now, but probably still remember this happy day, courtesy of the beloved Sugarloaf Gondola, & the programs entrenched in our local lifestyle to ensure future generations of outdoors adventurers continue to thrive & love this place as WE do ….
Those were the days……..!!!
Out of the archives is this un-edited footage from the ’80s when horseback riding was available from Sugarloaf/USA as another non-winter activity to do in the region. There is a quick close up from afar of the fire tower at the summit of Bigelow Mtn, but although the tower & the horses are gone, that knock-out view from within the Bigelow Preserve along the shores of Flagstaff Lake still remains, with various ways to enjoy it; by foot, mountain bike, or boat! … or horse, if you bring your own! This is our backyard; you’re invited year-round! Come out & play!
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Me. — A British tycoon and a Swedish-born balloonist broke a distance record Thursday and sped along at up to 142 m.p.h. as they attempted the first Atlantic crossing in a hot-air balloon.
Traveling far faster than expected with the aid of the jet stream, Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand covered the first 1,000 miles of their 3,400-mile journey in a little more than 10 hours. They broke the distance mark for hot-air balloons at 907 miles while passing about 140 miles southeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
“It has been the most spectacular and magnificent flight,” Branson said by radio. “When we arrived at 27,000 feet, we hit the very cold weather (about 40 below zero). There was an enormous cloud behind us that created a massive vapor trail. For a moment I thought the balloon was on fire.”
Branson, 36, the head of an entertainment conglomerate and chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Lindstrand, 38, lifted off Thursday morning from a Maine ski resort. Their 21-story-high balloon, with a pressurized capsule suspended below, had never before been inflated or flown.
Ice cream & kids & the 4th of July can only be improved upon by having a HUGE Sundae with a ton of kids to eat it before it melts! Yum!! It’s always been a great place to live for adventure seekers & relaxation experts: this footage from 1985 (best recollection!) shows it’s a great place to grow up, too!!
Happy 4th everyone!
