Great Escapes Fall 2022 | Page 6

Our invitation to experience Northern

The trails of Aroostook County take riders deep into the woods , across bridges and up and down steep hills .

Maine came from a long-lost acquaintance

. Blaine King was a teenage guest

rider at the 2000 Rode Reports who we ’ d

lost track of over the last 18 years , but

when he reached out through social media

to tell us about his family ’ s Shin Pond

Village resort in Mount Chase , Maine , and

then invited us out , it was an easy decision

. His warning of spring riding conditions

notwithstanding , we eagerly anticipated

the adventure .

After flying into Bangor , Maine , and

then making a side-trip to Quebec for an

unrelated meeting , the anticipation waned

few days before my flight when my host

The only thing more stunning than

slightly as we drove in pouring rain and

called and said , “ Well , c ’ mon out , but

Aroostook ’ s natural beauty was its sup-

fog for a couple of hours toward Shin Pond .

cious hosts , whipping together a fabulous

know that we ’ ve got April riding condi-

port for snowmobiling . The trail infra-

In fact , it was still raining when we pulled

steak and lobster feast as a welcome din-

tions , we ’ ve had some rain and some of

structure was immaculate – not just the

in and met our riding party .

ner for the riding crew .

the clubs have stopped grooming .”

grooming , but the brushing of the cor-

The lodge was quiet when we arrived

Overnight , while we bedded in Shin

As it turns out , riding in northern

ridors , the impressive club-made bridges

– Shin Pond Village ’ s big on-site restau-

Pond Village ’ s largest accommodation – a

Maine was all I could have ever anticipat-

that cross broad rivers , the easy-to-use ,

rant and snowmobile-based convenience

massive lakehouse with large , exposed

ed and more , and the long , temperate days

well-placed signage and the overall sense

store that are always busy from December

wooden beams and a mostly glass front

of spring made it downright spectacular ,

of pride and dedication to snowmobiling

through March were shuttered for the

facing out to the 540-acre Lower Shin

with uncrowded , wide and weaving trails ,

that locals exhibited was inspiring . Throw

season ; the owners , Blaine ’ s mother and

Pond – temperatures plummeted and

rugged and rural terrain and plenty of

in unparalleled hospitality and you have

step-father , had escaped to Florida for the

the rain turned to light snow locally , but

fresh snow during our two-day , 400-plus

expectation-exceeding fun – even if it was

spring , leaving Blaine and his longtime

weather forecasts promised heavier snow

mile adventure .

raised by hype .

girlfriend , Elka , in charge . They were gra-

would fall up north , which is where we