Welcome Spring, Hills to Sea Trail!

By Emily McDevitt

Eagerly anticipating the spring equinox, arriving at 5:24 p.m. EST on March 20, 2023, and having just met with the Hills to Sea steering committee, I find myself reflecting on the most perfect day in June 2022 … sun shining, breeze blowing, temperatures in the 70s, and a day of hiking and guiding. As is often the case, the guiding aspect of the day came from all participants … the Drinkwater Elementary School (Northport) kids and educators, Cloe, my new friend Katie, and most importantly, the Hills to Sea trail, consisting of the trees, birds, flowers, dirt, mud, cows, planes, tractors, roots, sticks, bridges, road crossings, streams, sand, snacks, conversations, swimming, alpacas, hellos and goodbyes, a day I remember as one of the best of June 2022. I learned that the Drinkwater 8th graders would celebrate their graduation that night; that the 7th graders consisted of one girl and a handful of boys; and that these kids move swiftly through the woods—swiftly enough to be rewarded with an hour in and along Sandy Stream. And I learned that kids will remind you of the why of it all, every single time. Last and certainly not least, I was reminded of the power and the beauty of the Hills to Sea Trail—a trail that was conceived of by a small group of dedicated hikers who would gather and plan, would talk to scores of landowners, and would end up with a 47-mile trail from Unity to Belfast, with over 60 private landowners giving permission with a handshake for this trail to cross their fields, woods and yards, allowing the Drinkwater School kids and teachers their day of hiking. That’s an incredible gift. We will continue to come here. I am forever thankful for this trail.