Posts Tagged ‘Boothbay Maine’

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Hodgdon Island Innkeepers spot sign of spring in Freeport: “18 Days and counting till Ice Cream Season starts”

March 26th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

LL Bean Store Window Freeport, Maine

Today, Richard and I made a trip into Freeport with some very dear friends from “back home” (Kentucky & Ohio).  Freeport is only 45minutes away from our nine room inn on our tiny island here in Boothbay, Maine .  Our day started off with grey skies and about an inch of snow giving our friends a taste of winter 2011 in Maine, but by noon it was all gone and Mother Nature had decided to smile.  The sun was shining and Freeport was hopping.  The huge parking lots behind L.L. Bean were pretty full.  It felt like everything and everyone was waking up after a long winter’s nap.  As we came around the front of the L.L. Bean home wares building, we were stopped dead in our tracks!  People of all shapes, sizes, genders and ages were learning how to cast fly fishing rods. 

One of Pamela's favorite haunts - Bridgham And Cook LTD.

It was mesmerizing to watch, but we eventually tore ourselves away and headed for Main Street and some of our other favorite haunts like Jones of New York, Mangy Moose, Cool-as-a-Moose, Brooks Brothers, Clark’s of England, Bridgham & Cook British Importers, Sherman’s Bookstore and of course, all of the L.L. Bean stores.

In the course of all this “exercise” we got thirsty and were in the process of trying to decide how we would quench our thirst when we spotted the sign that read “18 days till ice cream season begins!”  Just think – tonight the moon will be the fullest it’s been in 21 years; tomorrow is the first official day of spring and in just two weeks and 4 days (April 1st) ice cream season will be here!  How cool is that?!

To celebrate we tried out the new coffee shop/café located on the lower level of the L.L. Bean Flagship store.  It was fun and it was good.  The coffee shop showcases Coffee by Design from Portland. This was our first time to try their products and I have to say we enjoyed our Cappuccino (Richard) and Mocha (Pamela) Frappes respectively and our friends enjoyed their Roasted Red Pepper Quiche and hot teas.

Then it was down the street to the Georgetown Pottery and Edgecomb Pottery.  I’m afraid I could spend hours in each and still not see all the beautiful shapes, glazes, art and giftware there.

We finished our Freeport adventure off with dinner at the Muddy Rudder.  There was a brand new menu to choose from and between us we sampled Panko Baked Haddock, Hanger Steak, Baked Haddock and sirloin tips accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes with a side of crisply steamed julienned beets.  It was all very good and our waitress was cheerful and attentive.  It was, as they say, the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Directions to Freeport from Hodgdon Island Inn:  turn RIGHT out of driveway onto Barter’s Island Road; make a slight LEFT onto Corey lane; turn LEFT onto ME-27 to US-1 South; turn LEFT onto US-1 South through Brunswick; take I-295 South to Freeport Exit 20.  Follow signs to Freeport and parking lots.

P.S. At the time of this posting the number of days left til ice cream season is now six!

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March Madness Prevails at Boothbay Harbor Region Bed and Breakfast

March 14th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Our westward view over the Sheepscott

All those sayings that we are all too familiar with regards happenings in March just happen to be swirling around in my head today.  You know, sayings like:  “Beware of the Ides of March” or “March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb” or “When Irish Eyes are smiling – they’ll steal your heart away” – you know those sayings.  It all started this morning as I sat at my desk in the Owner’s Quarters here at Hodgdon Island Inn  looking out of the window.  The window showcases our westward view over the Sheepscott and it appears that our snow fortress is weakening. 

Our snow fortress is weakening!

 The walls of snow are melting away before my eyes.  I am reminded of that infamous “I’m melting “ scene in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy douses the Wicked Witch of the West with the bucket of water – only here on our tiny island in Boothbay, Maine, Mother Nature is doing the dousing and our once wicked white world is turning into a pool of spring greens and browns!

OMG!  March is a very busy month in the State of Maine! Kicking off the month  there was the annual yum-yum fest known as Maine Restaurant Week, March 1-12th, where one can get scrumptious three-course meals at a set price; then we had the 2011 Flower Show in Portland this past weekend, March 10-13th, titled “The Enchanted Earth”. The show is a collaboration of green industry landscapers, growers, gardeners and industry retailers dedicated to the continued success of everything about “Gardening in Maine”.

Beware of the Tides of March!

Higher tides than ususal predicted this weekend

Next up is the Ides of March (March 15th), but the TIDES OF MARCH is much more appropriate.  Why you ask? Because at every full moon, when the earth and the sun and the moon are lined up in space, the gravity of the sun and moon reinforce each other and the earth’s tides become particularly high.  It is predicted that the tides will be higher than usual, especially on Saturday hence the “Beware of the Tides of March”.

 Now we’re counting down to St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th.  For many it is a day of partying, parades, eating corned beef and cabbage and drinking green beer  (Sarah’s Cafe, fun restaurant on Route 1 in Wiscasset). For others it is a day of prayer and contemplation. For me it is a day filled with many memories, lots of love, much laughter, a few tears, good Irish music and an Irish jig or two.   I may have mentioned that I am first generation American-born of Irish ancestry, but I don’t know if I mentioned that I am also an Irish step dancer.  My mother, Sheila, was born in a town on the coast outside Dublin, Ireland not too dissimilar from Boothbay Harbor. 

Currant soda bread is cut in wedges to serve;whole wheat soda bread is featured.

But most importantly of all:  one must eat Soda Bread on this great day!  Now I could write an entire blog on Irish Soda Bread because there are as many different recipes for it as there are shades of green on the Emerald Isle, but we stick to the Byrne Family recipe which has been handed down for many generations.  I have shared this family heirloom with you in the recipe section of our blog I hope you enjoy it!

And the last of this month’s fun activities here in the Pine Tree State is Maine Maple Sunday set for March 27th .  Most sugarhouses offer free maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugar bush tours, music, and so much more. 

March isn’t the only month with lots of things to do and see here in Maine .  Come and see for yourself.  And as always, if you need a place to stay, we’ll be here on our tiny island and as is customary in Ireland, Richard and I will  bid you “cead mile failte” {Cade (rhyming with “wade”) meala fault cha. Fáilte is said quickly} – a hundred, thousand welcomes!

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INNKEEPERS AT HODGDON ISLAND INN, BOOTHBAY, MAINE SEND ANNIVERSARY WISHES BACK HOME TO MOM & DAD

March 2nd, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

The Four Popovers: Pamela, Dad, Mom & Richard

On March 5, 1949, a young couple in Kentucky got married.  That was the year that the New York Yankees would beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.  It was the year that a horse named Ponder would win the 75th running of the Kentucky Derby.  The average price of a new home cost $7,450.00 and the minimum hourly wage rate was 70 cents an hour.  Harry S. Truman was President of the United States; Margaret Chase Smith was the Senator from Maine; NATO was established; Newfoundland joined Canada; soap operas debuted on television; the first VW Beetle was sold in the US; the very first automatic street lights were installed in New Milford, CT; the first Polaroid Camera sold for $89.95 and to celebrate the company’s 80th birthday, the first Pillsbury Bake-Off was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.  Movies that year included Adam’s Rib, Twelve O’clock High, On the Town, and Roger’s and Hammerstein’s South Pacific debuted.  Folks were listening to Hank Williams “Lovesick Blues”, Vaughan Moore’s “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and Gene Autry’s   “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”.  William Faulkner received the Nobel Prize for Literature and Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” opened.  And some very talented people were born that year:  Vera Wang, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Lionel Ritchie and Bruce Springsteen to name a few.

Ben & Pat Riley married on March 5, 1949 - fast forward 62 years

Fast forward 62 years and we know that some things have changed a lot and some hardly at all, but one thing remains steadfastly the same:  that young couple is still married and going strong!  As the parents of two sons (the eldest of which happens to be my beloved husband, Richard) and one daughter; the grandparents of two; and the favorite companions of a Maine Coon Cat named Bro, they are kept pretty busy.  In addition, Dad loves to read and star gaze, Mom loves to cook and bake, they care for all sorts of birds and animals, and they love everything Maine:  Maine lobstah, Maine chowdah, Maine blueberries (preferably in the form of yogurt or a crisp), fresh hot popovers, the jagged mountains, the rugged coastline and everything in between from Kittery to Bar Harbor. 

They love everything Maine!

Richard and I thank them for their love and support and for their company on all the Maine adventures through all the years.  We hope you will join with us in wishing them all the very best on this their 62nd wedding anniversary! 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD WITH LOVE!

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BOOTHBAY, MAINE INNKEEPERS’ NITE OUT: DINNER IN BATH, AN AUSTEN PLAY IN BRUNSWICK AND NARY A MUMMIE OR A ZOMBIE OR A SEA MONSTER IN SIGHT …

February 24th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Our "first date" in our new home ...

Last week Richard and I decided it was high time we went out on our “first date” in our new home and what better time to do it than around Valentine’s Day.   So we made plans … dinner first, followed by a play.  We were both very excited and found ourselves looking forward to our night out!  It was a huge success, I am happy to report!

For dinner we chose a restaurant in Bath recommended by a fellow Barter’s Island Community Club member. 

Solo Bistro decor is "Maine Modern"

The Solo Bistro (www.solobistro.com) was super!  The décor is “Maine Modern” with pale wood tables and brightly colored chairs.  The choices were wide ranging and the prices competitive.  We opted for the three-course Prix Fixe menu of the evening.  We had no regrets as we savored our spinach salad with vanilla white balsamic vinaigrette; Maine Shrimp Risotto with tomato, leek, eggplant and Greek olives; and chocolate chip cookie sandwich with pumpkin marshmallow ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce.  Our waitress was friendly and attentive, but not intrusive and we left knowing that we would definitely put the Solo Bistro on the “must do that again” list.

Then it was off to Brunswick and the play.  The play was a production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the Theater Project adapted by Joe Hanready and J.R. Sullivan and directed by Christopher Price.

The Theater Project (www.theaterproject.com) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit community-based theater in Brunswick, Maine.  Its mission is “to change young and old; to enrich and inspire their living, and provide a safe environment for original and dynamic exploration.”  If this production of P&P is any indication I would have to say that they wholeheartedly fulfill their mission.

Now I must admit I am a Jane Austen devotee and am pretty fussy about adaptations of her work, but I am happy to say that the performance and staging at the Theater Project was fabulous – just fabulous and did Miss Austen’s work great justice!

The auditorium seats about 75 or so and it was a SOLD OUT performance.  The ages of the audience ranged from vivacious and charming college students to low key and charming old timers (like us). But one thing was clear – everyone there was enjoying the play.  The set consisted of one small round dining room table, four would-be Chippendale chairs, two upholstered benches, two wooden benches, two topiaries and a crystal chandelier that magically appeared or disappeared as was needed to indicate that we had moved to Pemberly or to the infamous residence of the infamous Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  The furniture was moved in and out of position by two young ladies attired as servants who occasionally draped a lace tablecloth over the small round table and topped it off with a vase (pronounced with a short “a” sound of course) of flowers and who always curtsied. 

The ensemble cast was very good, especially the actress playing Elizabeth.  She was delightful and I would liken her performance to that of Jennifer Ehle’s in the A&E version also starring Colin Firth.  But it was the actor playing Mr. Collins, who in our opinion stole the show!  He was awkward, self-effacing, slimy, cow-towing … and that smile – Yuk! In short, he was perfect!

Richard and I thoroughly enjoyed it – we discussed it on the way home and again over the next few days.  And of course it inspired me to once again drag out my much beloved, dog-eared copy of P&P … you know what they say:  once an Austen devotee, always an Austen devotee.

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COASTAL MAINE INNKEEPER’S WINTERTIME REMINISCENCES, RESOLUTIONS, RECIPES AND WRITING BLOGS – PART ONE

February 15th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Our "Old Kentucky Home", the Piatt-Fowler House, circa 1817

It’s Friday, February 11, 2011, the sun is shining, the sky is bright blue, the water is deep, dark blue, the temperature has warmed up to 14 degrees (Fahrenheit, that is) and I find myself sitting at my desk looking out at the receding snow piles that once stood 10 feet high and looked liked lookout posts for our fortress.  It’s beautiful!  But life does go at a slower pace here in the winter than where we came from (the bluegrass state) and it gives one more time to reflect …

This morning over breakfast (which by the way was Oatmeal Brule with blueberries, walnuts and bananas), Richard and I were reminiscing about where we were and what we were doing this time last year?  Now, we do have to admit that parts of last year went by in a bit of a blur, but this particular week we can recall with perfect clarity!

Moving Day! Of course, Mother Nature does not always cooperate ...

We were back in Kentucky, packing up the last of our belongings while our moving crew was simultaneously beginning to load said belongings.  Of course, Mother Nature does not always cooperate, and while this move was underway, we had some serious snow.  So serious in fact that they couldn’t get the moving truck up our old driveway to the Piatt-Fowler House and the movers had to resort to using a small rent-a-truck to shuttle loads out, but of course it didn’t stop snowing in between loads and every time, Richard and the guys had to dig the shuttle out.  We hoped it wasn’t an omen … at the end of the second day; everything was onboard except for our second car (which we had packed with everything from Richard’s paintings to the large antique family portraits).  As we stood in the cold, pitch black of night being whipped with blinding snow watching our car being crept up two narrow planks into the dark cavern of the moving van, I finally understood the expression: “my heart was in my throat”.  It all seemed so unreal, surreal and not to mention scary!

Unloading the car was a different story ... going into the truck my heart was in my throat!

The next couple of days were indeed unreal as we said good-bye to family and friends and began the 1,060 mile trek, with our beloved feline companion, Charlie Darlie, to our new home in Mid Coast Maine.

Thankfully we, our belongings and the fantastic North American Van Lines crew arrived safely in Boothbay and on Saturday, February 13th.  Richard went up to meet the truck and guide them to Hodgdon Island Inn.  He said then, and again this morning, that the sight which greeted him is one that he would never forget: 

It caused quite a commotion in Boothbay!

there was this huge moving van straddling the side of Route 27 as close as was possible to the Civil War monument right in the middle of Boothbay Common!  As you can imagine, it caused quite a commotion, especially as they made their way down Barter’s Island Road past the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (www.mainegardens.org), over the bridge and onto our tiny little island, but I’ll save that story for another day …

The perfect end to the 1,060 mile trek from the bluegrass state to the pine tree state.

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FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED AT HODGDON ISLAND INN BED AND BREAKFAST

February 2nd, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Friends, inn guests and neighbors gathered to enjoy coffee and dessert

Friends, inn guests and neighbors from as close by as Boothbay Harbor, Barters Island and Trevett, to as far away as Rhode Island, Colorado and Florida, gathered in the common rooms at Hodgdon Island Inn to enjoy a dessert and coffee reception hosted by innkeepers, Pamela Byrne Riley and Richard B. Riley.  The occasion marked the celebration of their first year anniversary in residence at the beautiful Boothbay, Maine Bed and Breakfast!

Mr. Schor was on hand to do the honors, as was his wife and muse, Olga

The highlight of the reception was the unveiling of an original David Schor painting depicting a summer’s evening at Hodgdon Island Inn with one of the famous pink Maine sunsets reflected in its windows.  Pamela and Richard took inspiration from the pinks, blues and gold of these sunsets when decorating the breakfast and sitting rooms as well as the nine unique guestrooms of their lovely three-story Italianate home.

David Schor original depicting a summer's evening at Hodgdon Island Inn

The artist also captured the moment seemingly most appreciated by past guests of the inn:  when Pamela and Richard step out of the front door to greet guests upon their arrival.

 Mr. Schor was on hand to do the honors, as was his wife and muse, Olga.  David Schor’s career as internationally known and collected painter and visual artist has spanned three decades.  It has been said that David’s work “captures the spirit and the soul of his subject(s)”.

To view the Hodgdon Island Inn painting and other David Schor originals, go to www.davidschor.com

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GROUNDHOG DAY, Nor’easters and Tiny Little Islands in Maine

January 31st, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

The view from Barters Island, Maine

Our tiny little island in Maine

Oh my!  Looking at the calendar this morning I realized that Wednesday is February 2nd or more, importantly, it is Groundhog Day in the USA.

Now, we all know that the nation’s official groundhog lives in Punxsutawney, PA – hence the name Punxsutawney Phil and that if he sees his shadow when he climbs out of his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob, there will be six more weeks of winter weather.  If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

Thinking about Phil, I realized that I had not seen one of his species in Midcoast Maine since Richard (my husband) and I relocated to Hodgdon Island Inn last year. I have seen gulls, loons, geese, crows, eagles, osprey, seals, red foxes, wild turkeys, red squirrels, grey squirrels, porcupines, lobsters and the occasional Maine Coon cat in my travels around Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset and Damariscotta, but no groundhogs!

My curiosity got the better of me so I called up my favorite search engine and went looking for “groundhog day in Maine”.  Boy did I get a surprise! 

Storm surge

Storm surge in Boothbay Maine

Up popped information on what was termed “a notable nor’easter” aka The Groundhog Day Gale of 1976.  When all was said and done there were no deaths as a result of this massive four-day long storm, but it ravaged the coastal areas of Maine and left behind over $2M worth of damage.

Apparently it all started when an upper cyclone was stationary on January 28 across the Desert Southwest of the United States.  A system in the northern branch of the Westerlies known as a Saskatchewan Screamer, similar to an Alberta clipper, moved east-southeast across Canada beginning on January 30, luring the system in the United States eastward. The cyclones merged by February 2, becoming a significant storm over New England before lifting northward through Quebec.  By February 6, the storm finally dissipated.

 In Maine, winds had gusted to 60 knots (69 mph) in Rockland and 100 knots (115 mph) at Southwest Harbor. Blizzard conditions were experienced for a few hours as the storm moved up into Canada. Coastal flooding was seen from Brunswick to Eastport.  A tidal surge went up the Penobscot River flooding Bangor for three hours.  About 200 cars were submerged and office workers were stranded until waters receded.

Oh my!  Now we knew, from our many previous visits to Maine dream-hunting, that Nor’easters usually occur in Maine in the months between October and April, and we were also aware that they can form at any time of the year.  What we didn’t know was just how long a shadow good ol’ Punxsutawney Phil can cast!

Nor'easter at work

The term "nor'easter" is often used to refer to any strong rain or snow storm that occurs in the northeastern US

I must admit, that as I check the weather updates this afternoon, I am looking at the predicted storm which is supposed to hit us here on our tiny little island in Maine on Wednesday a little differently than I did yesterday.  I wish all of us (especially Phil) a very overcast Groundhog Day 2011!

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Boothbay Region Land Trust Porter Preserve

January 25th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Here at Hodgdon Island Inn, Richard and I have come to claim Porter Preserve as one of our favorite places in Maine in the Boothbay Region! No matter the time of year there is always beauty and magic to be had at Porter Preserve. We love to meander along the trail (to be precise: the 0.86-mile loop trail) and take in the spectacular views of the neighboring island, the water and the “enchanted forest”, (especially at sunset, but then you know how much we love our pink Maine sunsets!). We have also seen seals lolling around the ledges at low tide while eagles and ospreys fly overhead. To get to Porter Preserve from Hodgdon Island Inn Bed & Breakfast just turn left out of the driveway onto Barter’s Island Road; go over the Trevett Swing Bridge; turn left onto Kimballtown Road and follow the signs to Porter Preserve as the road dead ends into the parking area for the preserve just past the cemetery (or if you’re looking for a stretch of the legs, it’s an easy walk from the inn).

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COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS

January 25th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Jnauary snow totals for Hodgdon Island Inn is twenty plus inches and counting

It really snowed!

Hodgdon Island Inn

near Boothbay Harbor, has the honor of being the closest Bed and Breakfast to the beautiful and ever-changing Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  Our nine-room inn is located just 9 tenths of a mile further down Barter’s Island Road directly across the street from the Trevett Country Store.  

Located directly across the street from the Hodgdon Island Inn

Richard and I love the gardens!  Although I have to admit that most of our time spent in the gardens is in the off-season.  Like today – it snowed, I mean really snowed (12 inches), and so we decided to get out and stretch our legs and take in the sights.

The unpretentious sign at the entrance

What a gem of a place!

 As Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is only a short walk from the inn, we wrapped up and eventually made our way there. What a gem of a place!  From the unpretentious sign at the entrance to the delightful driveway up to the gardens and trails, this tranquil place soothes the soul.  This past July we saw the grand opening of the Children’s Garden.  What a day of excitement and traffic and happy people! This garden was designed for children of all ages and I have to tell you that some of our guests (well past their childhood years) did not want to leave this incredible garden of sights and senses!  This year we are witnessing the construction of an education building and garden.  When it’s completed it will be the “greenest” building in Maine.  How cool is that?! In short, no matter the time of year, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are well worth visiting.  So, for that matter is the Hodgdon Island Inn Bed and Breakfast rated Number 1 in Boothbay, Maine by Trip Advisor.

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GREETINGS FROM HODGDON ISLAND INN, Boothbay, Maine

January 25th, 2011 by richard-pamela-riley

Pamela Byrne Riley and Richard Riley

Hodgdon Island Inn resident innkeepers, Pamela and Richard, look forward to Year number Two!

Richard and I (and our beloved and very regal feline companion, Charlie Darlie) hope that 2011 will be a very happy, healthy and prosperous one for you and yours!

What a year 2010 was!  As we wrap up our very first year as innkeepers at Boothbay’s own Hodgdon Island Inn, we can honestly say “there was never a dull moment”!  The fun started the moment we walked out to greet each guest and continued through the start of each day with helping to plan the day’s adventures and/or debating the merits of which area attraction should be on the “must see” list.  Should it be Boothbay Harbor? Pemaquid Point Lighthouse? Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens? The Boothbay Region Land Trust’s, Porter Preserve? or a Balmy Days Cruise to Monhegan Island?  And the fun continued well into the evenings while sitting with our guests (aka extended family members) on the porch under the stars, or around the remnants of the dessert tray in the living room.

Our resident feline, Charlie Darlie, the embodiment of Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat: now you see her; now you don't!

But the best memories of this past year are of you:  our guests, our friends, our extended family!

As Anonymous once said “some people come into our lives and quietly go.  Others stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.”

Thanks for leaving those footprints on our hearts.  We will always remember the time we spent together.

We can’t wait for Year Number Two!

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