The View from the Top...Bradbury Mountain

Today I just couldn't stay inside any longer! Right after breakfast Bre and I headed for Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. If you've never been there, it's 6 miles from here and a fairly straight shot. And now that the Pownal Rd is newly paved, it's not only a straight shot but an easy one, too. Although most of the state parks are 'closed' for the season, access to the park is simple. You drive up to the gatehouse, deposit your park fee in the green can and head on in. Of course, paying is on the honor system, but c'mon, you've got 3 bucks, put it in the can!

There are trail maps right there at the gatehouse so be sure to pick one up. There is a large trail map there as well. There is another map at the start of the Northern Loop but I didn't see any other maps after that. All trail intersections were well-marked.

Bre and I took the Northern Loop to the Summit Trail. The Northern Loop is a fairly easy trek in the proper shoes. Not a flip flop trail unless you're 16 years old. If you can walk up Mill Street (the street Yankee Candle is on), you can do this!

Stop along the Northern Loop Trail to check out the feldspar mine (up a steep incline) and the cattle pen (alongside Rt 9). The trail meanders through the woods along Rt 9 for about a half mile, then takes a turn away from the road. I'm looking forward to this trek on snowshoes in the winter.

Stop at the Bluff for a lookout over the treetops, but don't be fooled, this isn't the TOP. You've still got another .4 miles to go. And you definitely want to go to the top! This is where the far view gives onto Casco Bay. You can even see Portland from this vantage point.

Bre and I decided to take the Summit Trail back to the parking lot. OK, this is not a trail you want a dog to pull you along! It's pretty much straight down and only levels off as you near the bottom!

This was a great mile or so hike in the autumn woods. And I can see where it will be fun in the winter on snowshoes or x-c skis.

Hope to see you there!

Gourmet Progressive Dinner

November 2 - 3, 2007

This very special event features two nights in one of three historic Freeport Bed and Breakfasts: White Cedar Inn Bed & Breakfast, Brewster House Bed & Breakfast or Kendall Tavern Inn Bed & Breakfast plus a gourmet progressive dinner on Saturday evening.

Arrive Friday afternoon and enjoy all Freeport has to offer in shopping, sightseeing and dining. Saturday morning a delightful breakfast awaits at your host inn. Spend the day on your own antiquing or hiking in one of our beautiful waterfront parks.

Saturday evening promises an enchanting get-together with fellow B&B-goers as you sample a buffet of specially chosen hors d'oeuvres at White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast before proceeding to Kendall Tavern Inn Bed and Breakfast for the main course prepared by Azure Cafe's chef. The main course is followed by decadent desserts prepared by Jacqueline's Tea Room and served at the Brewster House Bed and Breakfast.

Pricing for this special event is $449 (includes two nights' lodging for two, gourmet progressive dinner, breakfast each morning, B&B tours, taxes and tips). A deposit of 50% is required for this event. (refundable until 2 weeks prior to the dinner)

Please see the Gourmet Progressive Dinner Package on our website for more details. We have only a couple of rooms remaining for this fun dining opportunity!

Ghost Walk through Freeport B&B's in October

Wow! Where has the time gone! It's almost October and here I am just telling you about our Ghost Walk on October 19 & 20.

The Ghost Walk will take guests on a guided tour through the three Inns. At each Inn, Eddita will listen to the spirits who have remained with the house and relay what the spirits are telling her about the house, the times in which they lived and about themselves. Each Inn tour will last one hour.

Also included in the weekend is your stay at the inn and a special dinner at Jameson Tavern with Eddita leading a Q&A.

Two of the inns are already filled for this great weekend. Please give us a call for more info and we hope to see you in October. 1-800-853-1269

Heeeeere's Cooper!

For those patiently waiting for an update on the baby...here he is in all his glory...Cooper Lee. He was 7 lbs 14 ozs at birth but is now topping the scales at almost 9 lbs!

Of course, the whole family was on hand to greet him when he came home...all his siblings, tails a-waggin', were waiting for their new little 'brother'.

Coop has already got mom & dad wrapped around his adorable tiny little finger. They don't stand a chance!

We went with them to see where Alicia works at the gym and he wowed everyone there as well.

No shortage of minders when he goes to work with mom!

The weather was beautiful when we went to visit. A lull in the blazing heat, cool evenings and clear, crisp days. It was a great (short) break.

Here he is with his 'brother'.

There'll be plenty of friends to play with, no doubt about that!

Blue Angels over Brunswick

The Blue Angels are coming to Brunswick NAS this September 15 & 16. The show is free and Maine Eastern RR is running a special train from Rockland to the Naval Air Station. More info about the show is available at the Great State of Maine Air Show website. For train schedules check the Maine Eastern RR website.

We are located about 10 miles from NAS, a quick drive from here to Brunswick.

Just a quick preview of an upcoming event we are planning here...in October, just before Halloween, we are planning with 2 other B&B's to host a Spirit Walk with medium Eddita Felt. She will take guests on a guided tour of the inns from the perspective of the spirits who speak to her at each inn. The weekend will include 2 nights' stay at one of three participating inns, the Spirit Walk through each inn (about 1 hour at each place), dinner at Jameson Tavern and a Q&A session with Eddita during dinner. There will be more information on the website as we firm up the details. October 19-20, 2007.

In November we are hosting a Gourmet Dinner and B&B Tour with 2 other inns. This weekend includes 2 nights' stay at one of the inns, breakfast each morning, a progressive dinner starting here and moving on to the other inns, a tour of the participating inns and all the amenities each inn offers. November 2-3, 2007

The inn is quickly filling up for Labor Day weekend. Don't miss the last 2 LL Bean concerts of the season...Bela Fleck on Saturday and Natalie MacMaster on Sunday!

Thos Mosher Company buys 2 Main Street houses.

Thos Mosher Cabinetmaker Co has purchsed the 2 houses at the corner of Main Street and West Street. (Formerly the Button Store and the Psychic Center.) The buidings are being readied for removal from the site and will be relocated elsewhere in Freeport to be used as homes once again.

Walking by yesterday was interesting to say the least. The back roof and second floor of the 'Button' house was on the ground in the parking lot between the 2 buildings. (These buildings are across the street from China Rose and Sakura restaurants.)

I'll have to bring the camera tonight and get some pix to post.

Thos Mosher has not revealed what the plans are for the site. More about that as info becomes available.

There's a new eclectic boutique on Main St in the former Foreside building. HJ Beausoleil carries jewelry, home decor and art. The renovation of the space is very well done. It is bright and airy inside, altho, I do miss the flower boxes on Main St!

LL Bean concert this weekend is Great Big Sea, a Celtic rock band. We're popping down to see them around 7:30. Next weekend, August 18th is the Indigo Girls.

Don't forget that Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is open for tours on Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM, weather permitting.

Hope you're enjoying your summer in Maine! The light is changing and the days are getting shorter, plan to spend some time here soon!

Buck's Naked BBQ signs on for new, larger location

Next April Buck's will begin renovations on the old Dexter Shoe Outlet (presently the LL Bean Outlet store) to move their special brand of BBQ to a new location. The new location will allow them room for a new nightclub venue, something Freeport definitely needs!

Until the new location is complete, you can still find Buck's on Rt 1 South, just across from the Big Indian.

This Saturday night it's Arlo Guthrie at the LL Bean Summer Concert Series. Additional parking and a shuttle bus are available on Lower Main St at the LL Bean corporate office parking lot. This is one show we are definitely looking forward to. Hope to see you there!