Sist oppdatert juni 11, 2023
The Desert of Maine er en pseudoørken og privateid turistattraksjon i Freeport, Maine.
Det består av et 40 mål stort område med karrig issand i et ikke-tørt område, fengslende besøkende med sin naturlige nysgjerrighet.
Dette fengslende reisemålet, som følge av dårlig jordbrukspraksis på 1800-tallet, tilbyr en spennende blanding av geologisk og historisk betydning.
Selv om det ikke er en ekte ørken med sin årlige nedbør på 40 tommer (100 cm), dette sandete landskapet uten vegetasjon har en uhyggelig likhet med sine tørre motstykker.
Why is There a Desert in Maine?
The Desert of Maine is not technically a desert because it receives more than 10 inches of precipitation annually.
men, the area does have a desert-like appearance, with rolling sand dunes and sparse vegetation. This is due to a combination of natural and human factors.
The natural factors that have contributed to the formation of the Desert of Maine include:
- Glacial rebound: When the glaciers retreated from Maine about 10,000 År siden, they left behind a layer of loose sand. This sand was easily blown by the wind, forming the sand dunes that we see today.
- Wind-blown sand deposition: Vinden fortsetter å blåse sand inn i området, ytterligere bidra til dannelsen av sanddynene.
De menneskelige faktorene som har bidratt til dannelsen av Maine-ørkenen inkluderer:
- Jordbruk: På 1800-tallet, bøndene begynte å rydde landet i området for jordbruk. Dette fjernet vegetasjonen som bidro til å stabilisere sanddynene, slik at de kan bevege seg mer fritt.
- Gruvedrift: På begynnelsen av 1900-tallet, gruvedrift startet i området. Dette fjernet også vegetasjon, ytterligere bidra til bevegelsen av sanddynene.
History of the Maine Desert
Under siste istid, omtrent 15,000 År siden, hele regionen New England, inkludert kyst Maine, ble dekket av det massive Laurentide-isen.
Denne enorme innlandsisen, når opp til 3,000 meter (nesten 2 miles) i tykkelse, utøvde et enormt press på landet, som får kystområdene i Maine til å synke under havnivå.
At its lowest point, the land in the area that would eventually become the Desert of Maine was submerged 175-245 meters below its current elevations.
As the glaciers gradually melted around 13,500 År siden, the land in Maine began to rebound, rising above sea level. It was during this process that the future Desert of Maine started to emerge from beneath the sea.
Over tid, rundt 12,500 År siden, the area became a receptacle for wind-blown sand, and pioneer plants likely began to colonize and stabilize the open sand deposits. Within a few hundred years, a forest likely took root, effectively stabilizing the sand.
The Tuttle family, who owned the land in the early 1800s, played a particularly significant role in the formation of the Desert of Maine.
Their farming practices, which included overgrazing and the use of poor agricultural techniques, led to the erosion of the topsoil and the exposure of the underlying sand.
Dette, etter tur, made the area more susceptible to wind erosion, which further contributed to the formation of the sand dunes.
Turisme
I dag, the Desert of Maine is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the sand dunes, hike the trails, and learn about the area’s unique history.
Things to do include:
- Hike or walk on the sand dunes. The Desert of Maine is home to a variety of sand dunes, which are perfect for hiking or walking. The dunes are also a great place to fly a kite or build a sandcastle.
- Visit the natural playground. The Desert of Maine has a one-of-a-kind natural playground that is perfect for kids of all ages. The playground features a lookout tower, swings, a slide, a log jumble, a cargo net, a seesaw, and a moose play structure.
- Play a round of mini golf. The Desert of Maine has a unique mini golf course that is perfect for the whole family. The course features beautiful landscaping, waterfalls, and sculptures from the Desert’s history.
- Camp in the campground. The Desert of Maine has a campground that is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of the Desert up close. The campground is located in a quiet, secluded spot surrounded by tall pines, sandy dunes, and a gentle stream.
In addition to these activities, there are also a variety of other things to do at the Desert of Maine. Visitors can learn about the history of the Desert, take a guided tour, or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Komme dit
The Desert of Maine is located at 95 Desert Road, Freeport, Maine 04032. It’s about 15 miles from Portland.
- Med bil, take I-95 to exit 19 and follow the signs to Freeport. The Desert of Maine is located on Desert Road, just off of U.S. Rute 1.
- By bus, Greyhound Lines offers service to Freeport. The bus stop is located on Main Street, about a mile from the Desert of Maine.
- Med tog, Amtrak offers service to Brunswick, Maine, som handler om 10 miles from Freeport. The train station is located in downtown Brunswick, and there is a free shuttle that runs to Freeport.
Once you arrive in Freeport, you can walk, bike, or drive to the Desert of Maine. The entrance fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The Desert of Maine is open from 9am to 5pm, sju dager i uken. The last admission is at 4pm. Reservations are not required, you can purchase a ticket directly at the entrance or in advance through the official website.
Maine Desert FAQs
What is the Desert of Maine?
The Desert of Maine is a pseudo-desert, which means that it does not receive enough rainfall to support a desert ecosystem.
men, it does have some of the characteristics of a desert, such as sand dunes and a lack of vegetation.
Where is the Desert of Maine located?
The Desert of Maine is located in Freeport, Maine, Om 10 miles from Portland. It covers a 40-acre patch of sand dunes that sits in the middle of a lush forest.
What caused the Desert of Maine?
The Desert of Maine was formed by a combination of factors, including glaciers, vind, and erosion.
Glaciers deposited the sand that makes up the dunes, and wind has blown the sand into its current shape.
Erosion has also helped to create the dunes by wearing away at the surrounding bedrock.
Who owns the Desert of Maine?
Pr 2023, the Desert of Maine is owned by Mela and Doug Heestand. They purchased the Desert of Maine from the previous owners, Gary and Ginger Currens, in December 2020.
Heestands har uttrykt sine planer om å revitalisere landemerket, introdusere nye attraksjoner, og fokusere på å fremme kunst og vitenskap.
De har som mål å skape et reisemål som tiltrekker seg flere besøkende og tilbyr en rekke aktiviteter, inkludert camping, konserter, minigolf, og vitenskapelig utforskning.
Din nr. 1 kilde til informasjon om verden av sandsport og eventyrreiser i ørkenen. Artiklene våre er et resultat av omfattende forskning, personlig erfaring, og kunnskapsdeling innen det globale sandboarding-fellesskapet.
