Aaron McHugh
  • Start Here
  • Book
  • Podcast
    • All Episodes
  • Field Reports
  • Speaking
  • Workshop
    • Explorers Wanted
  • Free Guides
    • Learning to Pace Yourself: How to Keep Going
    • Road Trip Guide to California’s HWY 1
    • Free 7 day Course to Restoring Balance
    • 99 Ways to Navigate Your Best Life
43° 39' 32.76'' N 70° 15' 24.5556'' W

Aaron McHugh| 2 minute read

Dispatch: 24 Hours of Adventure in Portland, Maine

I’m down to four states left to visit in the US, Maine was number five. Between two client engagements, one in Maine and the second in Connecticut, I chose to plan a down day in Maine for twenty-four hours. Originally I’d intended to drive to Acadia National Park, three plus hours north, but I was too tired to spend all day in the car. I had a great day of rest, adventure and play. I share these stories with you, my comrades, knowing that you also face similar challenges in integrating your work life and play together.

Portland Head Light

Commissioned by George Washington in 1791, this is Maine’s most photographed lighthouse. Active today, shining it’s high beam across Cape Elizabeth.

One of Maine’s 10 Best Lighthouse list.

Portland Head Light, the first tower commissioned by George Washington in 1791, is a working beacon today, as are at least 59 others.

Breakwater Lighthouse

Modeled after a citadel guardian from the Acropolis of Athen, Breakwater Lighthouse sits across the bay from Portland, ME.

Located in Bug Light Park in South Portland, ME.

Exploring Casco Bay with Portland Paddle

Sea kayaking is tough to find living in Colorado and I’ve fallen in love. From Orcas Island, Hawaii, Scotland, and the Sea of Cortez, MX sea kayaking is incredibly accessible and #microadventure friendly. Portlandpaddle set me up in fifteen minutes with a full sea-worthy kayak, skirt, laminated map, PFD and drybag for $25 x hour. SUP options, kayak tours and big adventures all staged from Portland’s East End Beach.

Portland Paddle friend and aloha ambassador. Thanks guys.
Looking back towards shore, the Casco Bay has lots of friendly options or bigger adventures like paddling to neighboring islands.
Share:
About the Author Aaron McHugh

Aaron McHugh is an executive transformation coach, enterprise agility consultant, writer, podcaster, adventurer, and author of Fire Your Boss: Discover Work You Love Without Quitting Your Job.

More about Aaron

Related Posts

Tent-Bound: A Poem About Midlife and New Horizons

Tent-Bound No one told me it would come to this—Tent-bound with a full life of songs and heartbreak. Just outside the zipper door,thunder’s convincing accusation:Am I beyond the reach of […]

Read more

Ancient Trees: A Long Follow Through over Image

In the words of Eugene Peterson, ‘We live in a culture where image is everything and substance is nothing. We live in a culture where a new beginning is far […]

Read more

Navigate a life worth living

Sign up to receive regular emails about living a fulfilling and meaningful life

Sign Up

Copyright © 2025 Aaron McHugh

About

  • About Aaron
  • Book
  • Joy Bus
  • Contact

Learn

  • Podcast
  • Field Reports

Events

  • Speaking
  • Workshop
  • Coaching

Free Guides

  • HWY 1
  • How to Keep Going
  • Restoring Balance
  • 99 Ways

Follow Aaron