Letter: Experience the healing power of Maine’s wild places

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 3, 2025

With all the uncertainty and rising hate in the country, I’m grateful to live in Maine. Our wilderness is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, especially the state’s whitewater rivers. This state reminds me that real connection doesn’t come from screens or headlines — it comes from shared experiences, from nature, from being fully present. I’ve guided people from all over the country, and without fail, they leave a little lighter than when they arrived. That’s the power of Maine’s wild places. ~ Billy-Joe Smith, Standish