We recently were given the opportunity to demonstrate the durability of the pack baskets produced by Loring Pack Basket, and put their claim of “Worlds strongest and toughest hand made pack baskets” to the test.

As you’ll see in the video, these packs really do live up to their reputation. If you’re an outdoors person, or just need a rugged pack to haul stuff around in, look no further than Loring Pack Baskets.

Visit their website to learn more at www.loringpackbasket.com

Hey everyone.  Luke here.  This year I, along with my wife and the rest of my team, participated in the the American Lung Association’s 25th annual Trek Across Maine. The Trek is a 180 mile long bike ride starting at Sunday River ski resort in Bethel and finishing in Belfast on the coast of Maine.  It traverses all types of landscapes, weaving a path through Maine towns and country settings, up mountains and alongside rivers. There were over 2,500 riders this year, who raised over 1.5 million dollars.

I’d like to thank those who pledged donations to help me reach my fundraising goal!

Jerry York – From Yorks of Houlton
Michael Levesque – From Perfect Fit USA
Tanya Pereira – From the City of Brewer
Brian Rahill – From Rainstorm Consulting Inc.
Judy Hill – From Mixed Media Artist
Charles Washburn – Zeta Nu Fraternity Alumni

Thank you again for your contributions!

The Trek was long, hard and tiring but also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. To be able to complete it alongside my wife and my team made it that much more of an accomplishment.  Rain or shine, I’ll certainly be riding again next year.

*Couple small notes about this video. My approach to filming was drastically changed the weekend before the trek.  I had a bad wipeout on a practice ride, went over my handle bars and really messed up my left arm.  I couldn’t confidently or comfortably bike with one hand and film with the other, so there’s not as much “action” footage as I was hoping for.  Second, there isn’t a lot of footage from Day 1.  It rained a lot all day and digging the camera out to film seemed like less of a priority than staying warm and finishing the day.

ENJOY!  Share with your friends! If you want to learn more about the Trek Across Maine, visit their website: http://www.lungme.org/

A day to remember….. Shinning sun, warm breezes, blue waters and a ton of fun! A perfect day for the 37th Annual Piscatiquis River Canoe Race.  This is one of over 30 races that go on between March and September in the State of Maine. The Piscatiquis river race consists of Class II White water, 9 miles of winding banks, and some great views.  The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis have put this race on for the last 37 years. There was a great turnout, over 90 participants and many different classes of boats.  We took two canoes down, Luke and Jess in their new Old Town Canoe and Matt and myself in my twice overhauled fiberglass canoe (from my understanding, this canoe was split clean in half at one point in time).  Even though we finished towards the end, we had a fantastic time!  You do not need to be an expert to compete in this river race.  I would highly recommend it to even to the most novice individuals.  Now, keeping to the true nature of Flip Outdoors, our outdoor adventures for this day did not end after the race.  Luke and I met up in Orrington, at Rocky Knoll golf course, to squeeze in an evening round of 9 holes.  FOUR!!!!!!!  Enjoy the episode.

What a time….. Check out the episode on flipoutdoors.com. Some great white water footage…

These are some photos of the race taken by Matt’s fiance Becky.  Thanks Becky!

Golfing, Canoeing, Golfing, Biking, Canoeing!

An Outdoor Update from Luke

This weekend was all about being outdoors. It started Friday after work, with 9 holes of golf at Hermon Country club. Followed by some light whitewater paddling at The Piscatiquis River Canoe Race and another 9 holes of golf at Rocky Knoll on Saturday. On Sunday a 16 mile bike ride followed by a BBQ on Pushaw Lake for lunch, and then a little more canoeing. This time at a more leisurely pace, casting spin rods.

Now is a great time to get outside in Maine, the bugs aren’t out yet and everything is drying up and coming into bloom. Here are some popular hiking trails in different areas of Maine. Get out there! http://maineoutdoors.com/hiking/hike_info_trails.shtml

Yes folks, we’re still editing the Maine State Sportsman Show video.  Lot’s of footage and interviews to get through.  Hoping to have it posted soon!

I have had a lot of fun so far this year Brook Trout fishing. Yes it’s early, brooks are running a little high and the temperature of the water is still very cold.   So you can imagine it has been a little challenging getting video footage of us getting into the fish.  We’ve been catching a few pan fryers (7 or 8 inches) here and there.  I tell ya there is nothing better than being able to go out an catch a couple brookies with the white stuff still on the ground.  I am confident that I will get the footage I need to put together an “Early Season Brook Fishing” episode soon.  Here are a few snap shots of Willy, Wayne and I doing our due diligence on these little streams.

One of Them is a Keeper

Jimmy and I attended the 29th annual Maine State Sportsman’s Show this weekend. We spent the day talking to a variety of vendors from Maine companies, exploring the different exhibits and activities and sitting in on a fishing seminar.

Sorry if we didn’t make it around to your booth to film you for Flip Outdoors, if you’d like to be featured, contact us and we’ll work on including your business in an upcoming episode!

Email us to get started / learn more!

Below are some stills from the video we shot, it looks like we’ve got the makings for another great episode so keep your eyes out for that and links to the featured Maine vendors; to be posted soon.

-Luke

Every year in winter and spring people fall through unsafe ice on lakes, ponds and streams. All to often these accidents are fatal. Whether on foot, snowmobile or other vehicle, know the ice conditions before venturing out.

In spring when warmer days lead to melting and runoff ice can become unpredictable and unsafe, especially in areas with a current and moving water. Don’t venture out onto ice that you’re unfamiliar with or that looks unsafe. Even though the days are getting warmer, icy ponds and streams are still dangerous.

Flip Outdoors presents Spring Ice Safety from Flip Outdoors on Vimeo.

One of the many things that you can do in the middle of winter in Maine is to go rabbit hunting. We slap on the snowshoes and grabbed the guns. This was an area that I haven’t hunted rabbits in a very long time. So Melissa and I put the snowshoes to the test and did some walking to find out where these cottontails are hanging. It was a gorgeous day….

Flip Outdoors Rabbit Hunting in Charleston Maine from Flip Outdoors on Vimeo.