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"The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir

Rockwood, Maine - The stillness of the morning was broken as a sunrise colored the sky. There was the sound of ducks beckoning one another to begin a new day.

Even the most nocturnal of travel writers had become an early riser, wanting to share in the magic of dawn, where the only sights and sounds were those of nature.



Ducks emerged from the water's edge. Others swooped in to join in the silent procession along an increasingly sunlit lake. They stopped to preen in a recess along the rocky shoreline. A latecomer splashed in, quacked his excuse - perhaps an apology - and joined his companions. A seagull claimed his place at the end of the boardwalk. All seemed oblivious of our presence as we stood quietly on the dock outside our cabin snapping photos of the morning ritual that surrounded us. The gently rippling water that lapped against the shore had taken on the rosy glow of the sun that was rising over the silhouette of Mt. Kineo. Birds chirped and what appeared to be a red-bellied woodpecker flitted about, testing the trees with his tap-tap-tap.

We sipped our freshly-brewed coffee on our porch, silently, simply experiencing the freedom, peacefulness and rhythmic harmony of the wilderness.

Sometimes, we just need to get away from it all away from the pace and cacophony of traffic, phones, e-mails, television.

In Maine's northern woodlands, unplugged from the details and distractions of everyday life, we can reconnect to the essence and richness of nature.

Accommodations

We vacationed this summer at The Birches Resort on Maine's Moosehead Lake in Rockwood. Here, "roughing it" is camping at your choice of comfort level.

Lodging options range from remote wilderness yurts ($40 each per night or $300 per week) to rustic cabins ($138 to $320 per night, $830-$1,760 per week, depending on cabin size and season) or well-appointed private vacation homes with multiple bedrooms (up to $480 per night or $2,750 per week for 6).

We opted for a lakeside log cabin a short stroll from the rustic hewn-beamed dining room of the main lodge. Our meals were served amidst animal trophies and massive stone fireplaces and with a superb view of Moosehead Lake.

Cabins have colorful names like On Top of Old Smoky, Born Free and Indian Summer. Our one bedroom cabin, Rambling Rose, was fully furnished, with a combination kitchen/dining room, bathroom with tub and a living room with a wood stove and pullout sofa.

Towels, linens and cookware and firewood were provided. There was a fire pit outside, which was fun for roasting tasty treats on a stick. We needed to bring along only snacks and ingredients for meals we chose to prepare on our own. Best of all, we had our own view of lake from our covered porch and pier. If you forget something, the Moose River Store is about two miles away and carries groceries, fishing licenses, live bait and other supplies. There is no cell phone service, but there is a pay phone and Wi-Fi in the Main Lodge for those with laptop computers.

Outdoor adventures

The Birches is in the middle of Maine on the western shore of Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in the state. It is a family and pet-friendly recreational retreat that has been expanded to an all-season resort.

Long a favorite for hunters and fishermen, wilderness trips and eco-tours have been offered conducted by registered and experienced professional guides for decades and the resort holds an unblemished safety record.

There is a full service marina with rental sailboats, motorboats, canoes, kayaks and pontoon boats. Learn fly fishing. Explore routes taken by Native Americans along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Paddle the Maine woods pathways of "stern, yet gentle wilderness" taken by author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau in his birch bark canoe.

Rent gear for self-guided mountain bike or canoe adventures. Two golf courses are nearby, and there is a beach, large hot tub, sauna and fitness center.

Whitewater rafting is available on the Kennebec, Dead or Penobscot Rivers. Hunting, fishing, and foliage draw visitors in spring or fall.

In winter there is ice fishing and snowmobiles, snowshoes and cross country skiing equipment can be rented. Moose antlers, which can weigh more than 50 pounds, are shed in late December through February and become treasures hunted on snowmobiles and cross country skis.

Take a guided kayak tour to Baker Brook or along the Socatean Stream in search of moose and other wildlife. Opt for the moonlight excursion to hear the soulful sounds of the loons under the stars.

Ride the ferry from Rockland to Mt. Kineo, named for the legendary and taciturn chief, and hike up the Indian trail. Enjoy the spectacular view from atop the nation's largest known mass of the rock so prized by Native Americans for its arrowhead flint.

Finding elusive wildlife

What makes this place unique is the quality and variety of ways available to find elusive wildlife in their natural habitat. Tours are offered by land, sea and air.

The Birches offers wilderness Jeep tours along dirt logging roads of a working Maine forest. Two moose grazing in a field watched us cautiously after sending a calf scurrying to the fringes of the wooded area. We were told bear sightings are rare and most likely around 4 a.m., but one ran across the road - too quickly for us to get a good photograph.

Seaplane rides (from $65) offer a birds-eye view of Mt. Kineo and the seemingly endless wilderness of the Pine Tree State. The Birches owner John Willard is a pilot who began flying about 30 years ago. He is also a licensed forester and Maine wilderness guide. His expansion of the family business begun by his father includes the addition of 11,000 acres, most of which he maintains as a wilderness preserve. He has received national acclaim for land conservation and eco-tourism.

The highlight of our trip was the Moose safari and scenic cruise (May-Oct., from $35) on a pontoon boat. This tour explores areas where these long-legged ruminants are likely to be found. We encountered one feeding along the water's edge that kept an inquisitive yet watchful eye and continued to graze as shutters clicked away.

"Moosemainea"

Maine wildlife includes the state bird, the Chickadee, as well as the blue heron, red-winged blackbird, osprey, deer, black bear, beaver, otter, bald eagle, falcon and owl. Yet, none defines the essence of Maine better than its state animal, named moose or "eaters of twigs" by the Algonquins.

Maine has more moose than any other U.S. state except Alaska. Mid-May to mid-June is a special season for family fun known as Moosemainea, celebrated in nearby Greenville.

With its distinctive furry antlers, long legs and snout, the moose is the largest antlered animal in North America and the largest member of the deer family. Males can be up to 10 feet long, seven feet high to the shoulder, and weigh up to three-quarters of a ton. Moose can see clearly for only about 25 feet, but their hearing is keen.

The best moose sightings are usually from late spring to mid-summer in boggy areas and streams. Moose like to munch on mineral-rich aquatic plants or around roads that have been salted in winter. In late-August to mid-September, cows may be spotted with a calf or two. Cows will raise their calves for a year or until another calf comes along.

Moose are usually not dangerous, and will generally just look up and continue grazing, but cows will kick and trample those thought to be a threat to a calf and males may be aggressive during mating season, late September to early October.

The call of the wild

In our civilized, overscheduled and consumer-driven world, there is a need to rediscover the meaning of vacation-slowing down, getting off the beaten path, and experiencing the serenity and timelessness of the wild.

We need time to relax, reflect, and to enjoy simple pleasures. A recreational retreat into one of our country's last remaining wilderness areas nurtures an appreciation of nature's quiet beauty, of how things were, and for the importance of keeping it that way.

SEEKONK'S LINDA FASTESON writes for Travel International Magazine and monthly for Living Well. She may be reached for travel tips or comments at rolidakr@comcast.net.