This year has brought some surprising firsts for us on the Aroostook River. For the first time, I found myself kayaking on October 31st—in 75-degree weather, no less! That’s a far cry from the chilly Halloweens of my childhood in Caribou, Maine, where a winter coat was often a necessity for trick-or-treating.
Adding to this unusual season, I’ve been walking the riverbed in November, something we’ve never experienced in nearly 20 years of living on the river. Typically, rain in October refills the river, submerging the bed until the next summer. However, the dry conditions this year have kept the riverbed exposed much longer, offering a rare chance to explore it much later into the fall.
These moments feel like little gifts—gentle reminders to embrace the unexpected and find joy in the beauty of this ever-changing river and life itself. With rain in the forecast, the river will likely reclaim its bed soon, leaving me with hope for another chance to explore its wonders in 2025.
