August 19, 2004
Climbing Mt. Katahdin & the Knife Edge
in Maine's Baxter State Park
Just for your entertainment - Story & Photos from a trip to Maine in mid-July. Folks in Vermont have been complaining about the constant rain this summer, but I've been lucky. My scheduled hikes were cool and cloudy, but we didn't have much trouble with bugs, and we never got rained on! It's been good for gardens, too. 
Plus - 6 new Steel Pedal Cars - Model T's, 55 Chevies, more.
Also - Are you getting too many mailings from us?  Duplicates? Let's cooperate to solve this problem. 
Dear Friends and Customers,

     In July, a hikin' buddy and I climbed Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak. Katahdin is located in Baxter State Park,  a 204,733 acre wilderness granted to the State of Maine and declared "forever wild" by benefactor and former governor Percival Baxter. The park has 47 mountain peaks and ridges, 18 of which exceed 3,000 feet. 
     Baxter Peak, near the western end of the Katahdin ridge, is at 5,267 feet the highest point in Maine, and is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
The Katahdin Ridge - view from the North
     Mt. Katahdin is actually a large cirque or amphitheater- shaped ridge, with several named peaks, of which Baxter is the highest. Toward the eastern end there is Chimney Peak at 4,912 ft and Pamola Peak at 4,997 ft. 
Composite panoramic photo looking north into the basin formed by the Katahdin cirque.
     The portion between Baxter and Chimney Peaks is called the Knife Edge, a narrow ridge with steeply sloped, occasionally vertical walls

on either side.  At some points, the trail along this ridge is just a foot or two wide. This trail, while neither gaining nor losing much altitude, requires some climbing skills, and is considered one of the most difficult trails in the Eastern U.S. 

On the Knife Edge: short steep climb to one of the many peaks on the ridge
Read the complete trip report at 
www.turnertoys.com/gmc/Katahdin20040710/Katahdin20040710.htm
and see more photos, including an aerial view and a large, hi-res. version of the panorama (recommended for DSL & Cable users) - almost like being there.         Top of page
An Invitation:
If you enjoy the outdoors as much as I do, and if you find yourself in Vermont, you are invited to take part in one of the many free outings sponsored by the Green Mountain Club.  This is a statewide organization that maintains and protects Vermont's 300+ mile Long Trail, and offers year-round free, guided hikes, canoeing (bring your own canoe!), and bike trips.  Difficulty levels vary to suit everyone - from short and easy to strenuous, 10+ mile climbs for the adventurous.  I am one of the trip leaders, with a taste for the more difficult adventures. 
     Coming up on my schedule are rock scrambles on Mt. Mansfield (8/29, VT) and Mt. Adams in New Hampshire (9/4), and some easy to moderate local hikes in September and October.  The schedule also includes lots of easy day hikes and bike rides throughout the state. For the complete GMC Schedule, visit               
                               http://www.gmcmontpelier.org

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 New offerings for August (so far) - 6 new steel pedal cars, favorite American Classics including Model T's &  55 Chevy Bel Airs.

See them at our Play Structures Department
        www.turnertoys.com/C1/play_structures.htm

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 If you are getting too much email from us, or you are getting duplicates (it may well have happened with this mailing), please take just a few minutes to make the necessary adjustments by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page that says "Update your profile". This will take you to a page where you can select what newsletters you want to receive (or get off the list entirely). Or - you can go to 
http://www.turnertoys.com/email-register.htm , enter the email address at which you received this newsletter, and make the desired changes.

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Don't forget, we have a large assortment of wooden trains (Brio/Thomas compatible), 20 different Woodkins® play pals, Balsa Model Airplanes for fun and competition, Kites, favorite traditional American wood toys including Jacobs Ladder, tops, and rattles, and Holgate Classic toys, toys we all had as kids. 

Thanks for shopping at Turnertoys. We hope to see you again soon.

Best regards,

Ed Loewenton
August 19, 2004