BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 1, 2026
It was mid-August, and I had a few blank days on the calendar. Blueberry Mountain in western Maine had been on my to-do list for some time. I hastily packed my camping and hiking gear into the truck. Mount Blue State Park Campsite No. 72. I immediately got a sinking feeling. I went to the back seat and there was no green stuff sack with my sleeping bag. With two nights in the low 50s forecast. You knucklehead. I looked for the camp stove. And looked. And looked. Nada. I cleared the picnic table, secured all my gear and jumped into the truck. I was going to Walmart. I found a red sleeping bag on sale for $15. Then I spied a cheap backpacking stove knockoff. $18. It’ll do. I’m a list maker. The key, though, is to actually check things off as you’re loading up. Otherwise, well, you’re gonna forget stuff. ~ Carey Kish