Make Friends with Your Guide (Book): Sandy Moore & Kimberlee Bennett, Paddling Southern Maine

I had so much fun talking to the Fly Girls last week, that I’m keeping with the buddies-on-the-water theme this week too!

My guests today are Sandy Moore and Kimberlee Bennett, the authors of Paddling Southern Maine, a great guidebook that I just bought myself as a birthday present… to myself.
Yes, I’m one of those lucky people whose birthday smacks right up against the holiday season AND the new year, so I usually spend January doubling down on planning and scheming about how to get my butt out of my desk chair more with trips and activities. I can already tell that my new copy of Paddling Southern Maine, and all the other information these ladies share so generously online and in this episode, will get me social distancing on the water a whole lot more this coming spring and summer.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had a hard time interpreting guide books in the past. You read about a trip or hike or paddle you want to do, but then get lost trying to find the trailhead, or show up at the parking lot and it holds 2 cars and there are already 10 other people jockeying for position. Never mind when the book tells you something is ‘easy’ or ‘moderate’ or ‘difficult’ - what does that even mean?

These two ladies live in Maine, paddle in Maine, and in some cases, face-plant off SUPs in Maine (see below), so I trust the advice and guidance they’re providing. I feel like a broken record since I basically say this every week, but you’re really going to love this one. These two are a riot together, they know their stuff, and our conversation is jam packed with tips and trips - but thankfully no map scraps!

You can follow Sandy on Instagram @kayakguide1, and Kim is all over the interwebs @mainekayakgirl on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Kim also continues to blog and add trip reports at kayakinginmaine.blogspot.com, and her trusty adventure companion, Miss Gladys, has her own Instagram handle @mainekayakdog.

More cool links from our chat:

• What is a recreational kayak?
• Brownfield Bog
• Uncle Henry’s
• Range Pond
• Anvil Cloud
• Presumpscot River/Shaw Park
• Bonny Eagle Pond
• Great Pond (Cape Elizabeth)
• ROADiD Dog Tags (FixxID)
• Yakpad Paddle Saddle

And that day Kim tried paddleboarding with Shannon Bryan (GGW Episode 05!) from FitMaine :-D