Our History
Ray and Nancy Reitze, of Canaan, Maine, founded Earthways in 1988 with the mission statement: ''To teach people the ancient ways of living with the earth so they may hold a renewed perspective of love for all things, that they may freely choose their true life's purpose.''
Over the years Ray and Nancy have shared their knowledge and wisdom with many students, apprentices, and aspiring Maine Guides. When they met Patrick and Andrea Dole of Belfast, they knew they had found the right people to carry on the work of Earthways. Over the last five years, Andrea and Patrick have devoted time to work closely with Nancy and Ray, and have the elders' blessing to bring Earthways Guide Service to the next generation.
Earthways guides unique trips on the Allagash and St. John, on pristine ponds in the North Maine Woods, and winter camping in deeply peaceful Maine woods, and teaches a variety of skills classes throughout the year. Patrick Dole, a respected professional wooden boat builder in the Mid Coast for 20 years, has worked with Master Maine Guide Ray Reitze to continue the time-honored guiding traditions of building wood canvas canoes, pack baskets, paddles, snow shoes, toboggans, and other outdoor gear.
Ray has generously shared a lifetime of wisdom with Patrick, including finer points of efficient canoe paddling, poling upstream, staying warm in winter camp, and many more unquantifiable aspects that can only be learned in proximity to a Master Guide.
A Walk with the Woods
We join veteran guide Raymond Reitze on ponds and bog trails in western Maine and at his farm in Canaan, hoping to glean bits of this gentle man’s wisdom from his lifetime
of living simply with nature.
by Sandy Lang
Photography by Peter Frank Edwards
Issue: December 2020
Ray Reitze, Jr., Master Maine Guide
Years ago, Ray was called to teach the skills and philosophy of the elders that have shaped him since he was a boy. Founder of Earthways, Ray brings to the world a gentle and humble presence that draws all who meet him towards the peace, light, and love that dwells within him.
Ray is author of And We Shall Cast Rainbows Upon the Land, a book of wisdom and teachings from both Ray and Grandfather, a Mic Mac elder who greatly influenced Ray's life and direction and purpose. He has spoken on wilderness survival at numerous public schools and organizations such as L.L.Bean's Outdoor Discovery Schools and in Maine and New Hampshire Audubon Societies.
Ray and his wife Nancy co-authored a series of articles on primitive skills entitled "Grandfather's Teachings".
