The northernmost reaches of New Hampshire have long drawn visitors and vacationers, and ENE’s Tom Richardson retraces their steps to do a little “rusticating” of his own. Kayaking, hiking, fishing, moose-watching and camping all play into this episode, which also includes a look at two of the region’s venerable sporting lodges.

When the snow flies, winter-lovers flock to Moosehead Lake, where adventures await in the form of downhill skiing at Big Squaw Mountain, dogsledding, ice fishing for lake trout, and more. ENE visits the ice-bound lake to partake in all the above, as well as a side trip to Little Lyford Camps in the One Hundred Mile Wilderness for some spectacular crosscountry skiing with Steve Tatko of the Appalachian Mountain Club.

The city of New Bedford In southeastern Massachusetts isn’t associated with nature and outdoor activities, but ENE discovers some surprising natural gems in and around this commercial fishing hub, where groups such as the Buzzards Bay Coalition have transformed a former sawmill on the Acushnet River into a park that offers hiking, paddling, and birdwatching. Meanwhile, there’s fishing for striped bass and bluefish to be had just steps from the historic downtown area, and even more action with false albacore waiting in the open waters of Buzzards Bay.

The Katahdin Region of northern Maine is a winter playground for snowmobilers, and home base for many riders is Shin Pond Village. ENE pays a visit to the town of Mount Chase, in the shadow of Mount Katahdin, for a journey to the fabled “Ghost Trains” of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Along the way they stop for the night at remote Libby’s Camps, where sportsmen and winter-weary travelers are always welcome.

Explore New England travels to New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee shortly after ice-out to sample spring fishing for landlocked salmon and a kayak trip to Stonedam Island, where the public is welcome to dock, hike and explore the woods.

Outdoor TV pioneer “Gadabout” Gaddis made Bingham, Maine, his home base for many years, and ENE follows his trail by ATV, boat, and on foot. In the end, it becomes clear why this beautiful part of Maine is still beloved by outdoors-minded folk who appreciate nature in its many forms. Activities include ATV trail riding to the Bingham Wind Farm, upland bird hunting in the autumn woods, and a pontoon boat encounter that would have made Gadabout envious!

The Great North Woods of New Hampshire explode with color, and Explore New England is there to sample the spectacular fall foliage on a canoe trip along the upper Connecticut and an ATV ride through the forest to a well-known maple-syrup operation in neighboring Vermont.

Maine’s largest mountain serves as the anchor to this episode, which starts with an ATV ride through the early-fall woods to a beautiful waterfall. That’s followed by a visit to the Maine Lumberman’s Museum, home to interesting exhibits and artifacts that shed light on an enduring and evolving industry that has forever shaped the Maine woods and its culture. Wrapping it up is an exciting day-long drift boat fly fishing trip on the Penobscot River with legendary guide Danny Legere.

This fall visit to the eastern portion of New Hampshire’s White Mountains involves an exciting ATV ride through Jericho Mountain State Park, followed by a stop for mouth-watering BBQ at Road Hawg Swine Dining in the town of Berlin. But there’s fly fishing afoot as well, with time spent on the beautiful Ellis River, home to brook and rainbow trout.

This episode of Explore New England explores the Moosehead Lake Region in fall, starting with a seaplane flight with local pilot Roger Courier, followed by fly fishing on the upper Kennebec River with guide Scott Snell. ENE also visits The Birches resort and climbs spectacular Mount Kineo. Also featured is an interview with Katahdin steamboat captain Rocky Rockwell, who participated in the last log drive on Moosehead.

Explore New England visits ski country in Vermont to sample the downhill trails and other offerings at Smuggler’s Notch Resort. Also on tap is crosscountry skiing and a night ride in one of the resort’s ski trail groomers, as well as dining and dancing at Martell’s at the Red Fox and a tour of the Smuggler’s Notch craft distillery in the village of Jeffersonville.

Block Island bustles with tourists during the summer, but the so-called “shoulder seasons” of spring and fall are a different story. During these periods, the island is less crowded, the weather is often superb, and there is still plenty to do and see, as ENE discovers in a June trip. Join host Tom Richardson as he paddles, fishes, hikes, and bikes around the Block with a variety of local experts, and learns why the shoulder seasons can be the best times to plan a trip to this beautiful island.

Explore New England celebrates its action-packed inaugural season with a look back at some of the many highlights experienced while filming all over New England.