Pinch me, I live here! September marked 25 years since I moved to Portland.
By Nancy Dorrans
September was a very busy month for me. There’s been some adventure, some travel, some family time, some gardening, some work, some play, and some playing at work…
For starters, over Labor Day weekend (Surprise!) I stayed home. The weekend started with a challenge: The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) 5 Trail Challenge. The PRLT is a “community based nonprofit land trust serving Gorham, Gray, Standish, Westbrook, and Windham. They hold conserved lands with free public access preserves that include trails and water access…”
Maintained by the PRLT, these trails are local gems:
- White Mountains Overlook | East Windham Conservation Area, Windham
- Mill Brook Overlook | Mill Brook South Preserve, Westbrook
- Diamond Trail Boardwalk | Black Brook Preserve, Windham
- Snake Pond | Part of the Sebago to Sea Trail, Standish
- Gambo Preserve Mill Ring | Gambo Preserve, Gorham
Mostly new to me, they are so close by, peaceful, and very accessible. I had already hiked two of them earlier this summer and wanted to finish! So, along with several MOAC (Maine Outdoor Adventure Club) friends, we hit three out of the five that Saturday, and I earned an exclusive 2025 Trail Challenge Nalgene water bottle from REI!
Sunday Kayak
On Sunday, my kayak got to see the ocean! Along with a small group of friends, we paddled down the Saco River from downtown Saco to Camp Ellis and had lunch at Huots. The river was teeming with a variety of birds and a few jumping sturgeons!
Labor Day Rally
On Labor Day, I attended the rally “against oligarchy” in Portland. Josh Ritter kicked it off by singing “Getting Ready to Get Down, adding a line, “..Susan Collins is very concerned.” Then we heard from the dynamic Graham Platner, Troy Jackson, and the inspiring senior senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders!
The month had only just begun, and I was energized!
Quebec’s Eastern Townships
A small group of twenty adults joined me on September 5th for four nights on a motor coach tour in search of the fabled “Three Pines” village in Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
On the way to Magog, we hiked over a suspension bridge at the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, enjoyed award winning cheeses at Fromagerie La Station de Compton, and sparkling wines of Vignoble le Cep d’Argent. Our group bonded over a delicious dinner at Manoir des Sables resort.
It rained all day that Saturday while we attended the Magog Harvest Festival (La Fete des Vendanges). But with plenty of local spirits to sample, our spirits were not dampened…
We continued to Montreal and explored the city’s old-world charm, local Marches (markets), walked with a local guide, and visited Montreal’s extensive botanical garden in daylight and during night for the Jardins de lumière, “gardens of light” experience.
We didn’t find Three Pines, but came close a few times… Oui, Oui, we hope to go again next year!
2 Days in Detroit
The following weekend, I flew to Detroit for forty-eight hours of high-quality time with some of my favorite people!
Beginning with the most delicious Mediterranean food, with cousin Lori at the Beirut Restaurant. Followed by the Allman Brothers tribute band, Revival, at Cadieux Cafe with my childhood family friend Ryan Craig. Then breakfast and five rounds of cribbage with my Uncle Bob. Finally, the very special family wedding of my young cousin Matthew and his beautiful bride Justine!
Gorilla Day!
September wasn’t over as I wrote this column on the 24th which was also World Gorilla Day!
If you’ve read my recent columns you know that it was an honor and the ultimate thrill of my adventurous life to journey to Uganda this June and trek with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian into the Bwindi Forest National Park…
Earlier this spring, CNN did a short “Call to Earth” feature on the world’s endangered Mountain Gorillas, the Kings of the (Bwindi) Forest. This documentary features Dr Gladys, the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) and CTPH (Conservation Through Public Health), the organization she and her husband Lawrence established.
You can find it on YouTube under CNN’s series “Call to Earth: Kings of the Forest.”
I believe every day is a good day to celebrate these magnificent beings!
Would you like to visit Uganda and witness the success of Conservation Through Public Health, sip some Gorilla coffee, and visit a family of gorillas in Bwindi? Contact me for more information. I’m working with my tour operator in Entebbe and have several set departures in 2026 to choose from!
Don’t delay – NOW is Someday!
