The weather this week has been glorious; cool crystal clear blue skies and fall color everywhere. I wonder why Maine is not too busy for words during this stretch of perfect weather and outstanding beauty. I use this time to cut and split our firewood for the coming winter and enjoy the work even if it is tiring after my easy summer of riding around in a boat.
Early fall is the season of the quick hot fire in the wood stove. It is not cold enough to want a fire overnight but when we get up in the morning it is chilly in the house but of course by midday it will be nice and warm so the fire must be out and the stove cool by then. After a feeding a woodstove for a long time I can tell you that the small fire is the hardest to get right.
This is the time of year when I have everything that I use out and either being loaded or unloaded depending on the day. In the last week I have had canoe trips, fished on both fresh and saltwater and am working with the dogs to get ready for the coming hunting seasons. I enjoy the variety but the loading and unloading can be a little much after a few days not to mention the clutter of having everything out at once.
I recently read an article that talked about the purpose for being in business and it got me to thinking about why I do all of this. There is the fact that I really enjoy what I do. After more than a little thought, remember I am running a wood splitter a part of each day, I have decided that I am a guide because I want my clients to learn something amazing about the environment each time I am with them. What kind of tree is that? What do seals eat? Is that an eagle? I don't know if I achieve that goal every time but I hear enough stories to make me think that I am at least on the right track. I call this simply conservation education because an appreciation for how amazing the environment is starts everyone on the road to thinking about how to take care of it. I am fortunate to have found volunteer opportunities that encourage and promote similar goals. I think that serving on the Board of Directors of the Maine Conservation School or as a Trustee of Unity College are different facets of the same goal. In fact working as the lobbyist for the Maine Bowhunters and the state chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is conservation education of a slightly different sort. To me all of this ties together neatly and fits what I think is my purpose for being in business.
Please take advantage of the great weather this fall and get outdoors and learn something about our environment.
Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
