BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 20, 2021
When asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, my first thought was something outdoors. The older I get, the more I value experiences and quality time over gifts or big parties. And because we live in such a beautiful state, planning a fun outing — whether it’s a hike, paddle, camping trip or bike ride — is easy and inexpensive. Keeping it simple, my husband Derek and I decided on a paddle on Phillips Lake, a lovely body of water right near our home. Dotted with small, undeveloped islands and gigantic boulders, Phillips is the backdrop of the historic Lucerne Inn. Through the trees, I spied a noise-maker as it landed on a tree. So naturally, I crept closer and snapped a photo. It was a merlin. Merlins are powerful falcons. ~ Aislinn Sarnacki