Hodgdon Island Inn B&B

Things to do, places to go, people to see!

That there would be so many fun things to do, see, and experience here in mid-coast Maine. The list keeps getting longer, but at this very moment the following are some of the adventures we’ve had and are looking forward to as the season gets started. And just imagine, all of the following are within a driving distance that takes just a few minutes or up to an hour from Hodgdon Island Inn. How cool is that?
_ a drive to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (www.lighthouse.cc/pemaquid)
_ Georgetown Reid State Park www.maine.gov has a lovely mile-long beach between two rocky headlands, with a view of islands and the open sea
_ the Farnsworth Museum/Wyeth Center (www.farnsworthmuseum.org in Rockland
_ Owl’s Head Transportation Museum (www.owlshead.org)
_ any of the potteries are reputed to be fantastic: those we have checked out so far are Edgecomb (www.edgecombpotters.com ), Georgetown (www.georgetownpottery.com) or Arrowsic Pottery (www.arrowsicislandpottery) …and while in Georgetown check out www.fiveislandlobster.com
_ Wiscasset for its antique shops, museums and of course, the very commercialized, but incredibly infamous, delicious and a little more expensive than others, but well worth it, “lobstah rolls” at Red’s Eats (www.shopwiscassetantiques.com)
_ the Maine Maritime Museum (www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org) in Bath
_ the Maine State Aquarium (www.visitmaine.com) Boothbay Harbor
_ a harbor cruise in Boothbay Harbor on board the Novelty (www.balmydayscruises.com); or a trip to Monhegan Island for the day with lunch at the hotel while on the island
_ Cabbage Island Clambakes www.cabbageislandclambakes.com , East Boothbay, old-fashioned clambakes, watch lobsters and steamers prepared in seaweed in real “Downeast” tradition at water’s edge. Open for bakes daily June –September
_ the beautiful (and very close to the Inn) Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (www.mainegardens.org)
_ Boothbay Region Land Trust www.bbrlt.org , Boothbay Harbor, offers brochure and maps to 12 easily accessible properties in the area for walking/hiking including Porter Preserve (within walking distance of the Inn), Ovens Mouth Preserve, and Linekin Preserve
_ checking out a couple of the vineyards in the region like Oyster River Winegrowers (www.OysterRiverWinegrowers.com) in Warren or DayBreak Vineyard (www.daybreakvineyard.com) in Wiscasset
_ outlet shopping in Freeport (www.FREEPORTUSA.com), home of LLBean (www.LLBean.com )
_ eating ice cream (reputed to be the best ice cream in New England) at Round Top Ice Cream Stand (526 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543-4680)
_ and of course, a great way to end the day is to pick up a favorite bottle of wine (or beer), go across the street to the Trevett Country Store, order some of the best lobster rolls around, bring them back and sit on the front porch of the Hodgdon Island Inn (www.boothbaybb.com) and watch the beautiful pink sun set.
There is so much more to explore and discover and enjoy! We can’t wait. We’ll keep you posted. Oh, and if you have a favorite place, outing, adventure or food haven – please share!!

Okay:  let’s see a show of hands out there for all of you who have heard of the Kentucky Derby?  You know, lots of folks making merry, fast horses “running for the roses”, women decked out in fancy (or should I say outlandishly elaborate?) hats, Derby Day pie, Kentucky burgoo and Mint Juleps all at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky?  It’s the oldest thoroughbred horse race in North America established in 1864.  The preparations for this big day have been thought about and planned for quite some time and the clock is ticking down.

And why you ask am I prattling on about this?!  Well, first of all, I suppose it’s because I am a wee bit homesick (having just relocated from Kentucky to Maine this will be the first Derby we will not be with the “old folks at home”) and secondly, we are feeling a parallel excitement here on our tiny little island in Maine as we make final preparations for the re-opening of our beautiful coastal Maine Bed & Breakfast inn this first Saturday in May:  Boothbay’s own Hodgdon Island Inn! The re-decorating is almost done; the rooms are being aired and the beds made up, fresh flowers are being arranged for each of the rooms, the lawn and garden is being cut and trimmed and Richard has been a wonderful taste tester for several of my new recipes (yum!).  The online reservation page has been launched and can be accessed through the temporary website www.boothbaybb.com

It’s an exciting time and at the same time a wee bit scary – we asked ourselves “will anyone come? Will we make new friends?”  Happily the answer to both those questions is yes!  Folks are booking rooms and we are meeting new folks from all around the globe:  from just down the road in Boothbay, Trevett, Barter’s Island, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Freeport, Portland, North Waterboro, East Boothbay, Bath, Wiscasset, Brunswick, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Rockland and Camden to a bit further afield in Massachusetts, Maryland, Alabama, Florida, Connecticut, Ohio and of course, Kentucky as well as England. It’s so much fun!  Helping us to meet these new neighbors is the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce.  They hold a Business After-Hours Program where each week a different business or organization hosts this get-together.  We have been treated to tours, scavenger hunts and delicious edibles at some incredible places like the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (just for the record, we are the closest B&B to the Gardens), the Boothbay Opera House and the Boothbay Region Greenhouses.  Next month, the Maine Innkeepers Association is taking us on a tour of the Nickels-Sortwell House; built in 1809, in Wiscasset (rumor has it that it is “the prettiest village in Maine”).  For fun this weekend is the annual Fisherman’s Festival in Boothbay Harbor and we’re signed up to take the Burnt Island Lighthouse Tour (I’ll let you know how it goes in my next installment).

So instead of listening to the thundering of horses’ hooves, Richard and I will be listening to the thundering of waves.  This is home now.  Derby Day will always hold a special place in our hearts and in our memories, but this first Saturday in May, 2010 will hold an even more special place in our hearts and in our lives because it will be the day that the Hodgdon Island Inn re-opened for business and our dream will be a reality!

In closing, and in the spirit of Derby Day, I say “come see us soon y’all!”

P.S. Be sure to check out our specials. Whether you’re getting away for romance, planning a trip to mid coast Maine or the Boothbay Region on a budget, or just feeling impulsive, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Hodgdon Island Inn.  Our packages and last minute deals are great ways to experience all that we have to offer.

EARLY BIRD BOOKING SPECIAL:

Reserve a two night MINIMUM stay before June 10, 2010 in Room Numbers 2, 5, or 8 and receive a 10% discount off our “High Season” rates (6/18/10-10/16/10). This is a two night package and offers a gourmet breakfast each morning along with afternoon refreshments at a 10% savings.  Enjoy a relaxing stay at our spectacular Boothbay location. With the Hodgdon Island Inn Bed & Breakfast as your “Mid-coast home base”, you can spend a day “Down East”, north or South, to explore state parks and preserves, museums and historic sites, lighthouses, take a cruise, experience a clam bake, dine casually or in style, go antiquing or outlet shopping, or just take a walk or a dip in our heated in-ground pool – it’s all here for the doing and within a driving time from just minutes to a little over an hour.  7% Maine state lodging tax is extra.  Offer is based on availability and double occupancy. Please mention discount when booking.