Visitors to AMC’s Medawisla Wilderness Lodge and Cabins on Second Roach Pond in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness region know what it’s like to have the comforts of home—including good, home-cooked meals—in a wilderness location. Medawisla managers John Mesich and Amy Oullette have been catering to guests here since August 2006, and have gained somewhat of a reputation not only as friendly, attentive hosts, but as top-notch cooks as well.

A typical day’s fare at the camps might include fresh blueberry pancakes or cobbler at breakfast, a hearty trail lunch, and roast turkey with all the fixings for supper. Grilled or baked salmon is another favorite, and Amy’s rich clam chowder can’t be beat on a chilly day.

Their Maine sporting camp experience isn’t limited to Medawisla. Recently, the pair worked as caretakers at Bulldog Camps on Enchanted Pond in West Forks. John, 32, was born in Arizona and has spent most of his life in Brunswick, Maine. Amy, 31, a Maine native, spent several years enjoying her family’s camp in nearby Elliotsville.

The couple is excited to be managing Medawisla, helping guests get to know the area, and tending to chores around camp. They also enjoy fishing on Second Roach Pond and exploring the trails and woods roads. Medawisla is a key destination for guests wishing to travel camp-to-camp on cross-country skis or mountain bikes, and John worked with fellow staff members Bob LeRoy and Shannon LeRoy to post directional signs on the new 17-mile mountain bike route, a scenic and, at times, challenging, route from Medawisla to Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins.

In addition to hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, Medawisla guests can enjoy paddling on Second Roach Pond and other nearby ponds, and fishing for trout, landlocked salmon, and other species of fish. 

"We help guests enjoy their time here by recommending good fishing spots, providing maps and info on day hikes in the area, suggesting good places to see wildlife, which is abundant here, and we provide delicious, hearty, home cooked meals," said John.

"We hope guests are able to get a better sense of the Maine Woods Initiative and the goals AMC is trying to accomplish in this area when they visit. We hope they leave here feeling renewed and refreshed after a peaceful, quiet getaway in a beautiful setting. We hope they love it here as much as we do and come back often."

- Rob Burbank