We made our courageous return to Rangeley Lake State Park. This post should probably replace our original post. With or without kids, you only can control what you can control. Whether it’s the weather or a head cold, often you realize the minute you step outside, you are just a drop in the bucket and it can be humbling. It wasn’t the first time in which we were shown where we fall in the universe, everyone is reminded of this from time to time. 

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But this weekend in September was the definition of a family trip. One tough day, one day that we’ll dream about and one that was comme-ci, comme ça. As parents, when you catch a perfect wave type of day you need to ride it until the boogie board touches sand. Those ups and down days are pretty typical with littles and when there’s really rough one you just need to plow through knowing tomorrow will be a fresh start. 

This post is about visiting the Bald Mountain Public Lands. Somehow this happened on that money middle day. It was like when a pitcher throws an almost perfect game but only gives up a walk. That was this day. It wasn’t just the location, it was also about the things in and out of our control like what was mentioned above. The 4 of us were rolling from breakfast to bed. A day when the clouds don’t even bother showing up because they can read the room. Waking up at Rangeley Lake State Park after a challenging day 1, this was supposed to be our hiking day of the weekend. We wanted to return here to redo a visit that didn’t go as planned years ago but it was also about visiting our first of many Maine Public Lands as a family. 

We had tons of insider information about the entire Rangeley area before leaving. We definitely don’t know everything there is about Maine and there are several popular pockets that we often seek out tips on. So when Bald Mountain made a couple lists, it was clear it had to be a stop. It’s also an interesting time for us on the trail because Eloise is no longer in a hiking backpack. Any mule can carry a kid up most mountains in Maine in a decent pack, but when they hit 4 or so, that growing independence and their weight get to a point in which you need to scale back so they can build up on their own. This couldn’t have been a better sized mountain for her to take the training wheels off. 

On paper it’s like 2,500 feet; which sounds crazy for a little kid or even a parent with another kid on their back. Not to knock what our 4 1/2 year old did but she probably climbed around 1k feet so don’t get caught up in the total height of the summit and pay more attention to the total elevation climb. Not every climb starts at sea level and that’s something to keep in mind with or without kids. So don’t think all the 4k footers in New England will bring the ultimate joy and challenge because sometimes it’s more about where you start than where you finish. 

The trail itself was gradual until the last 30-45 minutes when it definitely got a bit more intense. We saw all walks of life and all ages that day. It was less than 3 miles up and down but with kids you’d want to plan for half a day. The tower at the top is your only shot at a view but on a clear day, it’s more than a view. As far as towers go, you don’t have to worry, it’s made for folks who don’t love heights but love a good photo. The picnic tables on top were an unexpected bonus for snacks and a prolonged break. 

Coming down was a nice opportunity to explain to the girls what’s the most important part of the descent of any hike. What are we going to eat after all this work? The pot at the end of the rainbow. For us and for this hike that treasure would be located at Oquossoc Grocery. Our prize would be 4 slices of hot and greasy pizza at the counter and 4 cold ice creams from the cooler near the front door. Nothing could have tasted better anywhere else in the world at the moment and that right there was the death of the hiking backpack for Eloise. For us it was a bit sadder knowing what she had seen and where she had been in it. When Adeline is out of it, we might need prescription meds before handing it off for good to someone else. 

Our final full day in Rangeley was supposed to be a wash. Thankfully we ignored the extended forecast and stayed. Though the sky looked funky all day, it was all for show because the rain never arrived. Then again our first day was supposed be free and clear and then it dumped on us for a bit. That’s why we always say, just go and control what you can control. Fun fact, in all of our trips, we have never canceled one based on what a meteorologist reported. Yea, we’ve called a few audibles based off what we were seeing but we always still show up. 

We don’t normally do restaurants and shopping on camping trips but we did on this one and it was pretty darn delicious and fun. There are no rules. Of course we tossed in a stop to Small Falls to keep us honest and boy oh boy is that a roadside attraction that can’t be passed. 

We had a wonderful weekend with a lot of special moments but one really stood out. After being fully packed and deciding to take a last second bathroom break before hitting the road, Eloise begged to rush to the lake one more time. She is the queen of fomo so something like this wasn’t unusual, but this was different. She had her little point and shoot camera and felt what was like was about a football field away. That tiny little body in the distance snapping a few more photos. It was important enough for her to do this. Who were we to rush her along, because at the moment it was a nice reminder that all the effort that goes into these trips is worth it. The kids notice and they even want to capture it and remember any way they can. 

P.S. We needed a lunch stop on the way up and because of timing, we were past most spots we wanted to stop at before they opened and normal lunch hours. Our last chance at someone cooking our midday meal before the final stretch to Rangeley would be in the Rumford area. We were unprepared to find a spot near here and needed something fast for 2 hungry kids, so Dr. Google sent us The Kickstand Roadside Eats as a possible remedy. This place is a 10. If you go here and don’t enjoy your meal then our blog probably isn’t for you, haha. When we are in the area from now on, we have been given direct orders from the boss (Eloise) that is where we need to always eat before camping.

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P.P.S We got a new camper and it fits us all now!