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Welcome to the Bold Colorful Life Estate!! Thank you for renting this
property. We are delighted to have you visit and enjoy the greater
Boothbay peninsula in mid-coast Maine!!
We
hope that your stay is comfortable and memorable and that you return to
stay with us again and again.
Please let us know how we can help to make your stay a pleasant one.
Our Mission: our mission and primary focus is to provide you with a
gorgeous, comfortable and fully equipped site, in a beautiful natural
setting, for your gathering, reunion or vacation…at an excellent price.
We
provide the complete set of basic services for the fee that we agreed
upon in our contract, and these services are for those in your immediate
group*. This includes your receiving the building clean and ‘dressed’
like an Inn, ‘starter’ supplies such as detergent, toilet paper and
paper towels, ‘loaner’ items during your stay such as books and sports
equipment, games, movies, etc., and this manual to help you find things,
use the site and enjoy the peninsula.
We do not charge for the starter supplies, the wood for the
firepit, nor for use of the sports equipment.
***Please see
Release which must be signed before kayaks are used.
We do expect you to treat these things as though they were your own.
Thank you.
*During the COVID-19 period, we are sorry to say that if you are
interested in entertaining more than your group, you will have to find
another site for them to stay…and an alternate gathering place for you
all to gather.
No extra guests or events of any kind may take place on site without the
owner’s written permission, which will not be given during COVID-19 and
the security deposit will be retained if this policy is ignored. All
guests included in the contract are welcome on this site; however, none
will be added to that list after it is signed and accepted.
For those who are interested, we also provide additional services if
these would enhance your visit and/or your event. These
are offered at additional cost.
Examples include:
Please let us know if any of these are of interest to you,
preferably before your
visit. Thanks!
If
there is something we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please
let us know...and if you are pleased with your stay, please let the
world know. Thanks! :-)
In
order that your visit is harmonious for all, and in order for you to
receive your full security deposit refund, please abide by the
following policies. Many thanks!
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
I. PLANNING YOUR TRIP:
Here's the website which will answer many of your questions about
planning your trip to the Boothbay peninsula: boldcolorlife.com.
And there is a separate section of this manual which lists many local
activities. Melissa is also available to share local tips.
The
best local weather can be found at wunderground.com...04537 is the zip
code.
II. ARRIVAL:
Melissa's cell phone is 203-331-7242. Please be in touch as you
approach, so that she can guide you to the property, meet you and give
you your tour of the building, the grounds and the local attractions.
Please give her your cell phone(s) too. Thanks!
Parking for the Farmhouse is north of the Cape house, along the Cape's
front picket fence.
(Parking for the Cape is south of the Cape, just past the gray boat with
sign and just past the first post light.)
III. USE and CARE OF THE BUILDING:
Please follow the ‘tried and
true’ Golden Rule--to treat others as you wish to be treated—and the
property here as you would wish yours to be treated. And please
remember: your contract includes use of the facilities for your group.
It does not include an option to entertain others,
unless you have made prior arrangements and have agreed to the
event fees.
A. Kitchen
-
The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, propane stove and
oven, two microwave ovens, toaster oven, coffeemaker, waffle-maker,
ice cream maker, iced tea maker,
lobster pots, other cooking equipment
and, of course, full-sized refrigerator. All equipment is
self-explanatory, (or easily used with owner's manuals in the first
drawer to the right of the sink) except the stove and oven.
-The burners on the stove are lit by turning the knob to the
left to 'lite', where it will click, and then further left when the
burner has lit. Please do not leave the knob on 'lite', as it will
burn out the motor.
-The stove has two important buttons to the left of
the door. The top switch must be pressed down, to turn the stove on to
preheat; then the dial is set to your desired temperature. When your
meal is done, please be sure to set the dial to 'off' and the switch to
‘off’ as well.
-And please be sure to turn the fan on so that the cooking odors
are removed from the kitchen. The fan has two speeds, as you will see
from the front buttons. Thanks!
To help you find things in the drawers...and to help you
get them back where they belong, go to the online Policies and
Information manual and press
here for the visuals.
· There
is a gas grill on the back porch for your use as well. The propane is
turned 'off' when you arrive, but the grill functions in the standard
way. Please turn the propane off
and
clean the grill
each time you are through grilling. Thanks! Propane
refills are accessed onsite behind the garage,
at the Hannaford’s in Boothbay Harbor, or at the campground on Route 27.
B. Dining Room
-
The Dining room table is made of a 200+ year old barn door, from the
Homer Jones Barn in North Waldoboro. Please do not attempt to move
it; please move benches by picking them up rather than sliding them
across and scarring the floor.
-
The gas fireplace is great for ambiance, however, it is not 'green'
and does not heat well--the heat goes straight out the chimney. Your
rental agreement includes up to an hour of usage, three times per
day, e.g. during meals, in season only**. Additional usage will be
deducted from your security deposit. Thanks for joining us in being
'green'.
SEASONAL USE-PLEASE NOTE: PLEASE USE
THE GAS FIREPLACE SPARINGLY.
DIRECTIONS: You only need to use two of the
buttons on this control pad: the top two
on the right. Top right is the height of the flame. 3 is
highest; 1 lowest. The second
button down is the amount of fan that blows the heat from
the flame. Please do not
press any other buttons. Thanks! **
Seasonal use is from October 31-May 1.
C. Libraries of Books
-
Please enjoy the books here at the Bold Colorful Life Estate,
indoors or under cover
-
Treat them gently, according to their age
-
This is not a lending library, so please be sure that all books are
returned to their proper place in the library
-
And be sure to watch children and elders when using the new library
ladder
D. Media Room --Games, DVDs and other media
-
Please enjoy these games and movies to your heart’s content. Then be
sure to return all parts to their correct packaging and to their
original place.
E. Piano
This is an heirloom from my father’s estate. It’s a
valuable Yamaha Baby Grand Piano. Please enjoy it, while following these
policies.
-
Please treat the piano with respect at all times and keep the dust
cover over the keys whenever not in use
-
No children under age 8 may play the piano; only those over age 8
who have had piano lessons are welcome to play
F. String Bass (Bass Fiddle)
This is also an heirloom which is for your enjoyment,
under similar policies.
-
Please treat the String Bass with respect at all times
-
No children may play the Bass at any time. If you have children whom
you think might be unable to resist, just let us know and we'll
remove the instrument
-
Please do not move the String Bass unless you are trained to handle
such instruments
G. Telescope
-
The telescope has been removed to the Owner's Quarters for
safe-keeping. If you are well-versed in appropriate procedure for
using sophisticated telescopes, and would like to use the telescope,
let us know before your arrival and we'll happily make it
available. Thanks.
H. Bold Colorful Furniture and Decorations
-
Please take care of all furniture, linens and room decorations as
though they were your own. LEAVE THE MAJOR FURNITURE WHERE IT IS
PLEASE. The Farmhouse dining room table is not to be moved. (There
is a minimum repair fee of $200.00 for moving/attempting to move
this table.) Please lift the benches into place for your use. The
floors are especially fragile as all the barn-board floors have been
around for hundreds of years, so please leave the furniture where it
is.
J
If you move bedroom items around, please be sure they make their way
back to the correct bedroom position.
-
Please raise and lower the room-darkening shades, rather than
adjusting the curtains, especially the bow-tie curtains in the
Watermelon-Tourmaline room in the Farmhouse. Thanks!
-
To avoid major rain coming in through the windows, please open the
windows from the top, rather than the bottom. We’ve been
surprised by high wind and rain off the river!
I.
Bathrooms/Septic System
-
Both buildings are served by sensitive septic systems. Please DO NOT
FLUSH these items:
Sanitary products, diapers, condoms, WIPES, tissues, napkins, Q-Tips,
paper towels, cotton balls or anything else that will not break down in
a septic system. There are covered garbage cans in every bathroom-please
deposit these items in the garbage cans.
** The cleaning crew checks the septic filters after every guest group
and any group that does not follow this rule will be fined the septic
pumping service charges: $50.00. Thanks.
J. Laundry
-
The laundry is fully equipped with front-loading washer and two
dryers, folding counter, drying racks and hangers and iron and
ironing board. Please be sure to use cold water and medium drying
heats only on the household linens. The cold water button is marked
in red, so you can't miss it as you set your washing preferences.
***We recommend that you
do the same for your personal clothing, to avoid the shrinkage that
sometimes occurs with hot water.
-
When washing
clothes and linens, consolidate loads to best use our LARGE
machines.
And these machines are here for your use
during your stay, not as a laundromat substitute for guests who
arrive with dirty laundry. Thank you.
-
There is a
laundry line at the east end of the back deck, which connects to the
hammock tree.
-
Please hand wash any rugs that need to be cleaned--do not attempt to
wash or dry them in the house laundry machines. Thanks!
-
The laundry is a shared space, with the owner and staff, so there
are sometimes maintenance/repair materials in there. Just avoid
them, as you can.
Feel free to lock the door at the top of the stairs.
K. Garbage /Recyclables
-
To locate
the garbage cans, follow the side stairs off the back porch and turn
right just past the bulkhead; the cans are on your right and the
pink recyclable boxes next to the garage.
L. Other Items
-
Please let us know if you have breakage or damage of items in either
house, or the loaner sports equipment. If it’s normal ‘wear and
tear’, there will likely be no charge, but it helps us to know what
needs repair and replacement. If it’s beyond normal wear and tear, a
suitable sum will be held back from your security deposit refund.
-
Some of the electrical outlets are switched. If you can’t get an
outlet to work, it may be ‘switched’ so try the other plug. Or press
the reset if it’s a GFCI outlet.
IV. WE’RE A ‘GREEN’ ESTATE:
WHAT WE’VE DONE AND ARE DOING:
Please see the end of this document. We're going for a
'green' certificate.
WHAT
YOU CAN DO: Please join us in these practices.
-
All rooms
are equipped with paddle fans. Air conditioners are available for
‘rent’. Since they are not ‘green’, there is a $50.00 fee for the
week or stay if shorter. Let us know if you’re interested, before
your arrival.
If
you are interested in composting, use the composting bucket (small
covered bucket on the back porch or in the kitchen) to gather your
compost and deposit it in the compost sites. There
is a round black plastic compost barrel near the large propane tank
near the Farmhouse and there
is a large wooden fenced compost site next to the berry garden at the
southern end of the property. (beside and behind the Cape building--see
the estate map in the front of your P & I manual)
V. USE and CARE OF THE PROPERTY:
A.
FIFTEEN ACRE ESTATE PROPERTY:
-
All guests
are invited to make themselves at home on this naturally beautiful
15 acre waterfront property. Please enjoy the lawns and environs on
the river side, as well as the woods on the eastern side of the
road. Former residents used to have lobster fests down on ‘the
point’, beyond the bottom of our River Walk, and, at low tide, you
will see the claw-foot tub used to cool their drinks…now in the
middle of the cove. Mother Nature put it there in a wild storm!
The estate has access to the cove in the
tidal Back River at the bottom of the property...just follow the
River Walk.
-
There is no beach or dock, just unimproved river
front...wear good shoes! If you reach the bench or the driveway,
just past where the kayaks are kept, you've gone too far and are on
my neighbor's property. Please retrace your steps. Thanks! Check the
map in the 'Policies and Information/ P & I' manual to see what's
where.
-
The Fairy
Walk is on the eastern side of the road. Across from the pond, just
walk down the path marked by birch logs and you’ll see the sign and
flags. Enjoy wandering the lovely woods and building a fairy house
which you can work on throughout your stay. Walk past the creek to
the hilltop to have a picnic in the quiet woodland glade. And from
there, you can explore our new
Enchanted Trail North.
Please tread carefully, as it is a woodland path with rocks and
roots.
-
Our new
Enchanted Trail South
begins to the right, just after you leave the road and enter the
Fairy Walk path. You’ll see the sign hanging from our antique RR
crossing signpost.
-
There is
also a lovely, serene cemetery, past the entrance to the Fairy Walk,
near a gurgling creek, where some of the family that owned the
property for fifty years, now reside. There is a
stone bench there, for reflection.
-
And, for
healing and calming connections with Nature, our
‘Forest Bathing’ locations
are marked all over the 15 acre estate..
-
And brand
new in 2020 is
our labyrinth,
located in the main lawn and wildflower area, facing the Back River.
B.
Porches
-
GUEST
PORCHES: Guests in the Farmhouse are welcome to use the attached
porches--front porch and deck in front of the Great Room, and the
back deck which overlooks the Back River. Please be careful as these
porches are slippery when wet!
-
PRIVATE
PORCH: The large deck behind the red barn building is part of the
Owner's Quarters and is not for guest use,
except when rented for
an 'event'--a wedding reception, large dinner or other gathering.
See us if you'd like to rent the large back deck. Please use the
stone steps that lead down to your herb garden carefully…and do not
access this deck. Thanks.
C.
Fire-pit
D. Freshwater Pond
E. The River Walk
-
The estate
is situated on the Back River, a tidal river that runs to and from
the Atlantic Ocean. If you follow the signs to the 'River Walk' you
will walk along the ancient stone wall and discover the winding (feng-shui-ed)
walkway to the river.
-
All along
the way, enjoy Nature's pageant...our pair of bald eagles and osprey
diving for their meals, our family of four deer, our local
porcupines,
wild
turkeys,
foxes and birds of
every description. Butterflies and dragonflies
abound...and sometimes so do mosquitoes, so take your spray with
you. :-)
-
At low tide,
you may see our local sea-worm and clam collectors, making their
living out of the cove mud.
And you'll be able to see that clawfoot tub mid-cove.
-
At
the bottom of the River
Walk is our stone staircase to the riverfront flat, with a bright
yellow handrail. Walk along the flat until you see the colorful
flags, under which the kayaks are located on two racks. If you reach
the wooden bench or the driveway, you've gone too far and are on my
neighbor's
property. Please retrace your steps. Thanks! Check the map in the
'Policies and Information/ P & I' manual to see what's where.
F. Sports Equipment
-
Sports and Games Room--there is a 'room' in the trees,
behind the
Gallery Barn
and out of the winds, where we stock sports equipment and games for
your use, at no charge. Paddles and hiking poles are available
there. Safety vests are found next to the kayaks near the water.
Children’s
toys are located in and near the beige 'children's deck box'. We
also have such games as badminton, volleyball, ladder toss, croquet
and Bocce in the 'adult' deck box. Please have fun with them, use
them carefully and return them to where you found them--in their
original state--after each use.
*We do not have time, between guests, to clean and maintain the
equipment, so please do that after each use. Thanks!
-
There are SIX ADULT KAYAKS FOR YOUR USE. 8.6 foot
sit-on-top kayaks--see the next part of this manual for details,
'how to use' information, and the Release of Liability form which
all kayak users must sign before using these kayaks. And we've added
THREE CHILDREN'S 6.6 foot KAYAKS TOO.
Please return all the kayaks to their racks, with the
heavier yellow kayaks on the bottom levels and the orange on the
top. All of them should be placed with the ‘top side’ facing down,
to keep the water off. Thanks.
G. Fairy Walk
on the Enchanted Trail-
across the street from the freshwater pond
· The
Fairy Walk is a path
through the
woods that leads to a wonderful, tree and boulder encircled area where
children (of all ages) are invited to build a fairy home. We provide
piles of natural materials for this purpose and you'll know you're there
when you see the flags marking the entrance. If you walk further along
this path, you'll pass the creek and rise up to the picnic area in the
ancient woods and from there to the Enchanted Trails North and South.
Enjoy!
H. Forest Bathing
Self-Guided Walks
-
2018 was our first year offering a self-guided tour
of the gardens, woodlands, waterways and lawns for personal calming
and healing.
Forest Bathing
enhances mental, emotional and biophysical wellness.
VI. DURING YOUR STAY:
-
HOST: Melissa lives on site,
in the Owner’s Quarters in the west end of the red building,
much of each
week.
Please feel free to contact her or her representative by text, at
reasonable hours, if you have searched this manual and still have
questions about the estate or the area. We love to share information
about activities, restaurants, trips, etc.
See the
Activities portion of this manual.
We are all happy that you’re here
and want to help make your vacation memorable! 203-331-7242
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EMERGENCY: Should there be a fire emergency (fire
alarms go off in the Farmhouse) please call:
Fire Department: 207-633-6437 or 207-633-2451. And
then please call Melissa to let her know (203-331-7242).
Should there be a medical emergency, please call: St. Andrews
Hospital: 207-633-2121 or “911” and then please call Melissa to let
her know (203-331-7242). Thanks!
-
PRIVATE AREA——‘Owner’s
Quarters’: As mentioned above, the large deck behind the red
building is part of the ‘private’ area, as well as the driveway to
the west of the red building, from the large barn, past the garden
shed and the greenhouse, to the big back deck. There are 15 acres to
wander; please avoid these small areas, where maintenance, repair,
construction and private clients can sometimes be found. Thanks!
-
SAFETY:
Inside: Be aware that both buildings (and particularly the
Farmhouse) are composed of barn materials. Please take care to avoid
splinters in hands and feet! The Farmhouse is an historical building
and there may be floor nail-pops to avoid...please keep an eye (and
shoes) on your children.
Outside: The Bold Colorful Estate consists of 15 acres on two sides
of the Back River Road and situated on the Back River. The grounds
are partly manicured and partly wild. Please ensure that all members
of your party are careful on the estate….and careful of
the estate. Please be especially careful of
children and elderly guests around the rock walls, freshwater pond
and fire-pit…and near the new pond bridge…still under construction.
And do wear good shoes when walking down to
the riverbank. Thanks!
-
NOISE-TOWN ORDINANCE:
Please be aware that the Town of Boothbay town
ordinance requires that loud music and other exterior noise
cease at 10 pm. And the vacation rental policy here is that loud
internal noise be reduced at 11pm and cease no later than
midnight. Please comply. Thanks!
-
WATER:
The well has passed the highest tests for Inn guest consumption, and
thanks to our new water treatment system, in each house, the water
no longer tastes of iron. Bring or purchase bottled water if you
prefer the taste, and we appreciate it if you still use cold water
to avoid shrinkage of the house laundry.
-
PARKING:
Please keep the driveway clear of vehicles…fire code...park in front
of the Farmhouse only for loading and unloading.
No parking in front of the (active) garage, please. No parking on
the lawns. For Farmhouse guests, more permanent parking can be found
in front of the picket fence in front of the Cape, or across the
road on our parking flat. Thanks!
-
WIFI: Historically, we called it Wi-Fli (when it
feels like it) because this is a peninsula in Maine, sticking out
into the ocean...and historically it was reliable 90% or more of the
time. With our new router and range extender, we're nearing the 100%
mark. If the Wi-Fi is not functioning well, let us know and we'll
reboot the system as soon as we can.
-
NO PETS OR SMOKING OR
UNSCHEDULED EVENTS: This is a pet-free
property. Please do not bring pets, as that results in forfeit of
your security deposit. It is a smoke-free property as well. If you
have a guest who must smoke, please be sure they walk across the
street to smoke. And no extra guests or events of any kind may take
place on site without the owner’s written permission, which will not
be given during COVID. If an event is held or any guests beyond
those designated in the contract are invited onto the property
without the owner’s permission, the security deposit will be
forfeit.
VII. CHECK-OUT
-
Please be sure to be ready to go to your next destination by
noon at the latest on the last day of your visit. We
must allow the cleaning staff into the building at that time, in
order for the site to be ready for our next guests. Thanks!
-
If you have used small quantities of the ‘staples’ in the cupboards,
please feel welcome. If you have used significant amounts, please
replace the ‘staples’ so that the next guests may use them during
their visit.
-
All debris,
rubbish, discards and recyclables should be placed, in black bags,
in the appropriate garbage cans, with lids securely attached--see
details above. Soiled dishes should be placed in the dishwasher and
cleaned, and put away, if time allows.
-
Please wash, dry and fold all
used linens as time allows
(sheets, pillow cases, shams, towels, wash cloths, robes) before
your departure, using cold water and medium drying heats and return
them to their original room. Don’t worry about re-making and
‘dressing’ the beds. We will re-make the beds during our final
turn-over cleaning.
Please hand wash any rugs that need to be cleaned--do not attempt to
wash them in the house laundry machines. Thanks!
-
Please leave the house keys with the P & I manual on
the kitchen island. Thanks!
VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS/REVIEWS:
If there is something we can do to make your stay more
enjoyable, please let us know...and if you are pleased with your stay,
please let the world know. Thanks! :-)
·
If you enjoyed your stay, please let us know what made it
special.
·
If you found us on AirBnB, they will ask you for a
review.
· If you found us on VRBO/Homeaway, they will also ask
you for a review.
For the Farmhouse: VRBO property 229721
For
the Cape: VRBO property 325241
·
For
both on TripAdvisor
THANKS FOR COMING!
We hope for you a lovely, serene trip home or to your next destination,
having spent time in a beautiful, peaceful, healing and serene
environment. Now you’re ready for your ever more Bold and Colorful
Life!!
J
______________________________________________________________________
SPORTS EQUIPMENT DETAILS:
Sports and Games Room--there
is a 'room' in the trees, behind the Gallery
Barn and out of the winds, where we stock sports equipment and
games for your use, at no charge. Paddles and hiking poles are available there. Children’s
toys are located in and near the beige 'children's deck box'. We also
have such games as badminton, volleyball, ladder toss, croquet and Bocce
in the 'adult' deck box. Please have fun with them, use them carefully
and return them to where you found them--in their original state. **We
do not have time, between guests, to clean and maintain the equipment,
so please do that after each use. Thanks!
Safety vests
are now available near the kayaks at the water.
|
There are now SIX ADULT
8.6 foot
sit-on-top kayaks for your use |
There are also THREE CHILDREN'S 6.6 foot sit-on-top kayaks for
your use
|
 |
 |
These are
Eclipse 102 sit-on-top kayaks. They have:
Standard Features:
- High performance multi-channel
hull
- Bow and Stern carry handles
- Front and Rear deck bungees
- Molded in Drink Holder
- Adjustable Seat Back
|
Dimensions:
- LENGTH 102 in - 259 cm
- WIDTH 31 in - 79 cm
- HEIGHT 12.25 in - 31 cm
- CAPACITY 295 lbs - 134 kg
- WEIGHT 39 lbs - 18 kg
|
|
These are
Children's sit-on-top kayaks. They have:
Standard Features:
- High performance
multi-channel hull for stability
- Molded-in Guide handles
- Open Cockpit
- Graduated Foot Wells
|
Dimensions:
- LENGTH 78 in
- CAPACITY 150 lbs
- WEIGHT 20 lbs
|
|
HERE
is the 'how to use' information
-
The kayaks are located at the west end of the
property, near the riverfront, on two kayak racks. **Look for the
brightly colored flags when you reach the end of the stone staircase
at the bottom of the River Walk--see Estate Map for location.
-
After you
check the tide chart, please remember to take your paddle with you,
from the Sports and Games Room, when you walk down to the kayaks and
riverfront.
-
Please
return the kayaks to their current positions, upside down, with the
yellow/adult kayaks on the lower levels and the orange/children’s
kayaks on the top levels...and return the safety vests and paddles
to the Sports and Games room, each time you use them.
Thanks!
-
Please note: You use these items at your own risk.
So please keep
all vacation memories sweet….by being safe. The Bold Colorful Estate
owners take no responsibility or liability for your handling of
yourself or these recreational items.
***Please see Release, in the pocket of
your P & I Manual, which must be signed by each paddler before
kayaks or boats are used.
-
And for water enjoyment, check the tides
before planning to paddle or swim.
You have a 2 to 2.5 hour window on either side of
high tide to paddle without ending up in the mud!
-
There is a printed tide report in your P & I
Manual pocket in the kitchen, and here is the link:
http://maineboats.usharbors.com/monthly-tides/Maine-Midcoast/Boothbay%20Harbor
________________________________________________________________________
AREA ACTIVITIES--PERSONAL FAVORITES
The
list is endless, but here's a start. Feel free to ask us more questions
if this doesn't cover them.
The history of the town of Boothbay...and
the Boothbay peninsula.
For
shops, galleries, restaurants, festivals, farm markets, special
activities, professional services, aquarium, miniature golf, railway
village, boat and bike rentals, etc., the two local Chambers
of Commerce and the local
newspaper:
Boothbay= http://www.boothbay.org
Boothbay Harbor= http://www.boothbayharbor.com/
Boothbay
Register = http://www.boothbayregister.com/
--
Some of our personal
favorite restaurants include: Robinson’s Wharf on Southport Island
for lobster/seafood; McSeagull’s for creative everything; Boathouse
Bistro for tapas and in Woolwich is a new favorite, the Montsweag Farm
Restaurant.
ENTERTAINMENT*
*During COVID, do call ahead to be sure these sites are
open for your entertainment.
·
The Boothbay Region Land Trust, for hiking and
wandering--one of the preserves is right around the corner from here: http://www.bbrlt.org/
Our favorite hikes include the nearby
Ovens Mouth East and West, Porter Preserve on Barter’s Island,
Oak Point Farm,
Bonyun on the Westport peninsula to the SW and LaVerna on the Pemaquid
peninsula to the NE. The Cliff Trail in Harpswell and Bald Mountain in
Camden are also wonderful hikes. All have water views as the payoff for
exercise. And
if you’re willing to drive a little farther, Spirit Pond in Phippsburg,
near the Popham Beach and Morse Mountain hike and beach, is lovely.
·
Beaches/Swimming Holes:
The estate itself: access to
the tidal Back River is at the bottom of the property...just follow the
River Walk. There is no beach or dock, just unimproved river
front...wear good shoes!
o
Knickerbocker Lake, Boothbay--fresh
water lake
o
Barrett Park,
Boothbay Harbor--salt water
o
Hendrick’s Head Beach,
Beach St, Southport--ocean beach
o
Pemaquid Beach,
Pemaquid--ocean beach
o
Popham Beach,
Phippsburg--ocean beach
·
Fishing
There are fish in the Back River, other nearby rivers and the Atlantic
Ocean...check with the Chambers (Boothbay
and
Boothbay Harbor) about fishing licenses. We don't have fishing
equipment on site, but here's our
local fishing
information.
·
Boothbay Region YMCA offers
week-long memberships: 207- 633-2855 **check with the Y for current
rates
TOURS and EVENTS
·
To tour the Maine/Boothbay Harbor coast and nearby
ocean:
The Cabbage
Island tours are
great--to see the Boothbay Harbor area by boat and have double lobster
dinners--good to book ahead.
The Squirrel
Island tour and Monhegan
Island tours are
fun. Also, we have local
lobster boats and whale
watch tours.
And we have deep sea fishing charters and puffin cruises which
are good to book ahead.
·
Lighthouses:
o
Burnt
Island Lighthouse tour
o
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park:
http://www.bristolparks.org/lighthouse.htm
o
Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth:
http://www.portlandheadlight.com/
·
Farm Markets: Boothbay:
Thursday Damariscotta Friday
and Damariscotta Monday;
and Waldoboro
·
Craft
Fairs in
the greater Boothbay region
·
Just feel like wandering?: drive the King Philips Trail
scenic circle (and see the two mansions--Hobbit-style and
camouflage-style), or down to Ocean Point or Capitol Island
·
To go farther afield, you might like to enjoy Wiscasset, Damariscotta,
the Pemaquid
peninsula and
light house, Rockland, perhaps Mt. Battie in Camden, Bar
Harbor,Acadia National Park.
MISCELLANEOUS
·
Bringing a baby along? Baby
Rentals = http://www.boothbaybabyrentals.com/
Looking for a spot to rest and recover? Try any of our benches or
hammocks. Soothing Nature is all around. Sit in our meditation garden
(next to the garden shed), walk the Labyrinth, visit the cemetery across
the road, try out the Forest Bathing or wander to nearby Nature
preserves-see above. Bold Colorful Life and the environs is about
enhancing your wellness and joy of life.
LESS ESSENTIAL/NICE-TO-KNOW INFORMATION
WE’RE A ‘GREEN’ ESTATE:
GREEN ESTATE
We are committed to involve employees and guests in the
common goal of preserving and protecting the planet. We engage in
sustainable practices that conserve natural resources and reduce
environmental impact.
We
acknowledge that, in many ways, we, like the global community we serve,
are only in the early stages of developing and implementing the many
changes that will be necessary to achieve these vital environmental
goals. Nonetheless, we strongly believe that our efforts to support a
healthy environment serve the interests of both current and future
generations and constitute the foundation for enduring success.
And in a more immediate way, they help us keep the fees for your
vacation rental below competitor’s fees.
J
WHAT WE’VE DONE AND ARE DOING: The whole story of
the development of the property can be found here:
http://boothbayadventure.com/
CAPE
-
We’ve completely renovated the 1800s Cape—picked it up off its
crumbling foundation and placed it on an efficient, heat-sustaining
foundation, insulated and replaced/repaired all walls, fully
insulated the attic, replaced 32 single-pane 150-year-old windows
with new double-pane insulated windows with Low E glass
-
Updated the furnace system, which
feeds hot water to highly efficient radiators, zoned the house so
that there is a thermostat in each guestroom controlling a separate
zone of heat
-
Replaced the inefficient water
heater with a new, EnergyStar water heater
-
Added an EnergyStar dishwasher
-
Replaced the aging roof with a
new roof, adding sheathing and insulation
-
Installed three low water usage
toilets, using substantially less water while achieving a good flush
rating
-
Installed non-electric water
treatment system to take out iron
-
Installed large, front-loading,
high-efficiency laundry equipment
-
We have created an organic herb garden to supply the kitchen with
fresh local herbs and an organic, wicking raised-bed garden behind
the Gallery barn which provides late summer harvest
FARMHOUSE
-
The Farmhouse is a new structure—a 2009 modular building with 2x6
insulated walls and attic, with a 200+ year old barn inside it
-
The Homer Barn, with the Great Room, is composed of SIPS
(structurally-insulated panels) which keep the building well
insulated
-
All windows are state-of-the-art double pane insulated windows with
Low E glass
-
The electrical service is state-of-the-art and efficient
-
The furnace system supports radiant heat on the first floor, high
efficiency baseboard on the second, and the house is zoned so that
there is a thermostat in each guestroom and each community room,
controlling a separate zone of heat
-
We’ve installed a new EnergyStar clothes washer, two new EnergyStar
clothes dryers, a new "on-demand" hot water heater (please allow
time for the water heater to respond to your "demand" for hot
water...about 30 seconds) and an EnergyStar dishwasher
-
We’ve installed five low-water-usage toilets, using substantially
less water while achieving a good flush rating
-
Installed non-electric water treatment system to remove iron
ESTATE-WIDE
-
We have re-used every piece of barn-board taken down from the
original on-site backhouse, as well as the Homer Jones barn, from
North Waldoboro. We re-use original barn doors, picket fences,
historic foundation stones, horse shoes, farm tools, wagon wheels
-
We’ve instituted composting and recycling at the estate; feel free
to use your compost bin to gather compost and dump it in the compost
to the left of the fenced-in southern garden
-
Practice dishwashing by Health Department approved high-temperature
sanitizing, eliminating the use of harsh chemicals (bleach)
-
Initiated use of refillable dispensers for hand soap and body soap
in guestroom baths
-
Developed our environmental policy statement.
-
Instituted use of biodegradable, 'he'-high efficiency/Free and Clear
laundry detergent
-
Began voluntary towel re-use program with cooperation of guests
-
Have begun to install new compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs,
replacing incandescents where possible, without effecting the
building ambiance
-
Recycle paper, cardboard, tin cans, plastic and glass
-
Use
electronic or digital communications (email, telephone, text
messages) before using paper/print based communications (fax,
prints)
-
Plus we have low flow showerheads, and we compost leaf and yard
waste and all kitchen organics
-
We have thinned the woods around the estate
according to Town and State guidelines, and with the Coastal Maine
Botanical Garden as our guide for soil retention through stump
retention. This enhances the wonderful breezes and reduces our
mosquito numbers.
-
And in 2019, we added a major solar installation and
a heat pump in each house!
We are committed to continuous monitoring and improvement of our
environmental practices and have joined the Midcoast Energy
Cooperative to enhance our knowledge and options.
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