Easy Getaway: Bethlehem PA

One weekend we decided to take a detour on our way to Binghamton, NY and went through Bethlehem, in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. I had read about this restaurant there called Bolete, and figured the only way to experience it, was to spend the night, because the last thing we wanted to do was eat a meal, and then drive a couple of hours. We made a booking at the restaurant, found a hotel to stay in, and hit the road. Other than being excited for Bolete, we had no expectations.

Bolete was amazing. It's in a 200 year old stone former stagecoach inn, and it's owned by a husband and wife team, Lee and Erin. He's the chef, she runs the front of the house. They are so kind and gracious, and made us feel at home immediately. But it was pretty clear that everyone there felt a part of their family. (Maybe the fact that they live upstairs has something to do with it?!) The food, the drink, everything was really stellar. They source everything from farms in the area, and have very close connections with all of the farmers--it was super exciting to see that the Lehigh Valley has so many great farms growing and raising responsibly. After dinner, we drove to the Hotel Bethlehem, and checked in.

Maine Week: Around Portland

We had one full day in Portland, primarily because after we checked out of Chebeague, and took the ferry back to the mainland, we had a 6pm reservation at Fore Street Restaurant.  It's so good, it's reason enough to go to Portland. I think it's like the Zuni of the East Coast. If you're going to be in the area, call and make a booking, even if it isn't the day or time you want--and then several days before they often call you up and can give you the timing you need.

 The chefs have a small room where they can choose whatever came straight from the farms that day.

Just a 10 minute drive north of Portland is a magical walk on Mackworth Island, where you can see fairy houses, and make your own too.

Maine Week: Hidden Pond Resort

Hidden Pond is the kind of property that makes me long for Cookie Magazine, where we got to write stories about properties that were 5 stars for being perfect for families. This place would have not just made the cut, but have been one of our favorite stories, and here's why: First of all, you get your own cottage, with lots of space around it--with plenty of trees and plantings grown in so it feels private. I think they're also spaced out enough that your kid could be having a meltdown, or you could be having an argument, and nobody would hear you. Which is good, since the other families staying at the property will become your friends pretty quickly.  Although we arrived at about 8:30pm for check-in, we let Clara go for a late swim. Within 60 seconds, she had befriended Catherine, a girl the same age, and we were talking a mile a minute with her parents (we are still friends and visited them in Virginia over spring break). In the distance, there was a bonfire, with smores being cooked up by other families. Back in the cottage, which was a lovely two bedroom, the beds were perfect--great mattresses, great bedding. A screened in porch perfect for hearing the sounds of a summer night. A full kitchen so you can make your own coffee in the morning, or help yourself to wine whenever you like. We didn't cook in it, but it was nice to know we could if we wanted to. Every morning a light breakfast is delivered to the front porch--along with the newspaper. There's usually some fruit, yogurt, and a pastry/muffin. Now back to the macro reasons of why you would love this place: Technically, the property is in Kennebunkport (which all I knew about it was that the Bush family has a home there), but actually, it's on a quiet rural road, and is actually a 10 minute drive from "civilization". You feel like you have options if you leave--plenty of them--from exploring just in Kennebunkport town (just to park in the Honor System parking lot and to go to Daytrip Society, both adult and kid stores, and Anniebells--or to dinner at The Ramp), or to the Goose Rocks beach, which Hidden Pond is affiliated with, so you can have lunch on the beach and just sign it to your room. Or you could drive up to Portland and have lunch at Eventide, or dinner at Fore Street, and do some shopping in between (if it's a rainy day!). But you'll probably just want to sit tight, hang by the pool, and just relax. There's also the Tree Spa, the fantastic spa on site--where you can have a treatment in a treetop room, with products from Farmaesthetics (from Rhode Island). (I had an amazing therapist and treatment!) There are bikes for all sizes that you can use during your stay. And definitely have dinner at Earth, a special restaurant--it is definitely not casual dining, so you might want to spring for a sitter if you go. It's definitely one of my favorite properties I've ever been to (Clara still talks about it and is dying to go back) and it's just amazing that they could successfully create a proper 5 star property/experience, that you'd be happy to go to no matter where it is.  But it's in Maine, so you get all the pluses of getting to explore the pine tree state at the same time.

Maine Week: Chebeague

Last summer we spent a couple of days on Chebeague Island, staying at the super charming Chebeague Island Inn. It's an island that, on the surface, seems like you could figure it out in a couple of hours, on a bike. On the first day, we actually wondered why we had committed to spending two whole days there, when there was, in my husband's words even "nothing to do". But somehow, like the Magic Mountain, Chebeague spoke to us, and by day two, we were committing to renting a house there later in the summer, for a whole week. Yes, it's an island in Maine, which means that you have to have a huge tolerance to cold to go swimming. But there is a town pool. No, there aren't loads of restaurants to check out. But that means that you get to know the people in town, because there are so few places to be. If you rent a house, you can call for lobster delivery, or clams...and it's cheap. Or you can get a permit and go clamming yourself. It's sleepy, it's slow, it's magical.

On the boat (water taxi) that we took from Portland to Chebeague. It's a 20 minute water taxi, and a much longer (and cheaper) ferry.

Maine Week: Migis Lodge

I'd read about the Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake for years and when we finally got a chance to go at the end of last summer, I was over the moon. It's kind of like the best summer camp you can imagine--all sorts of activities like paddle boarding, waterskiing, canoeing, tennis, shuffleboard...and then there's the gorgeous lake and lots of docks to jump off of and swim to...and a sauna at the end of the swim. It's family owned, and it feels like it from the second you walk in. There's nothing corporate about it--everyone that works there is in a good mood, has real conversations with you that aren't scripted, which might not seem surprising given that it's in Maine, and it's not anything like a resort...but because it's all inclusive and you pretty much never want to leave, the comparisons are natural, and the differences are huge. We went for two nights, and if we could have started working there and never left, we would have. It's a place that's worth saving up for—even if you only go a couple of days. We met one family that goes for three days every couple of years because it's what they can afford--but since they don't have to fly there--it actually evens out.

Maine Week: Avena Botanicals Apothecary and Gardens

When we stayed at the Marston House in Wiscasset, one day we took a little trip to the Avena Botanicals Apothecary and Gardens in Rockport. I had first learned about it from my friend Steve Orr, the garden editor at Martha Stewart Living, when he covered it for the magazine. It was founded in 1985 by herbalist and gardener Deb Soule, who is the sweetest woman (and has a book coming out this month!) You can drop in and check out the biodynamic herb gardens, from which they hand harvest the herbs that go into the balms, tinctures, and other things they make.We are big fans of everything they do: Heal-All salve that comes in a tin is always with us--it works on humans and pets, and is an all-purpose salve that is great for any skin irritation. They have a number of tinctures that are alcohol free that work really well, for conditions like upper respiratory, digestive issues, fever...

Clara and Deb Soule. We had such a blast hanging out there--I think we stayed several hours.

Maine Week: Marston House

One of the many reasons I love the blogosphere is when it introduces me to really magical places and really lovely people. Several years ago, someone had recommended Katy Elliott's blog to me, and I remember seeing The Marston House on it. I think I later saw in on another favorite blog, Designtripper. I spoke to the owners at one point, but was unable to visit as they are only open from May to October. Well last year I was able to visit it with Clara, right before the 4th of July. We spent two nights there (it's in Wiscasset), and not only did we love the Marston House, but we fell in love with the owners, Sharon and Paul Mrozinski. They couldn't be kinder, or more interesting, or have better taste. The rooms they let are so tastefully appointed, and the basket of breakfast is perfect. It's just up the street from Red's, the lobster roll place that causes traffic jams and always has a line. There are plenty of great things to do in the area--so this is a good base. We returned later in August, as I wanted Matt to meet Sharon and Paul, and we found even more things we loved in the area. I promise to write about our November stay with Sharon and Paul in their apartment in France, which they rent out. Beautiful.

Best Lobster Roll: Eventide in Portland

Eventide is a relatively new spot (opened last July) in Portland Maine, and it's great for anyone going to Maine this year to know about. If you're doing a camp drop-off, going to the ferries in Portland, or just passing through Portland on your way to anywhere above Portland, make an effort to build in a stop here. It's maybe the most perfect lobster roll, albeit, a new take on the classic. They make their own bread, which is sort of a sourdough Wonderbread! It's worth coming here just for that—but everything else is amazing too.

Swiss Family Robinson Style

My friend sent me this link from Garden&Gun (one of my favorite magazines, and a fantastic digital resource too). I love the way this property, the Edisto River Tree Houses, in South Carolina looks.