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.

Food Stops Off I-91

In the last couple of months, we've had to drive from NYC to New Hampshire and Vermont, and I'm pretty excited about the stops we've discovered, not far off of the highway.


(Update: Unless I've said I've eaten here, I cannot vouch for the food. I have a friend who went to the Miss Bellow's Diner after reading about it here, and she got food poisoning. We didn't eat there--we did just like the way it looked, but still, I will make more of a point of making it clear when we have eaten at a place. I'm so sorry Sue! )

 

(Near White River Junction, off of I-91)
Farmer's Diner: This is just about 10 minutes off of the highway, and is a great organic-ish/local-ish place to get breakfast or lunch. It's in a shopping center that has a good antique mall (with a toy museum in the basement), and also a place to pick up lots of local cheeses, jams, and maple syrups.

(Near Rockingham/Bellows Falls exit off of I-91)

The Vermont Country Store in Rockingham: This is not the original store, which is much more charming, but this has the same products, and the same massive amount of samples for the taking. Plus delicious Vermont coffee that you can take to go. This is just 5 minutes off of I-91.

Smokin' Bowls: I know, ridiculous name...but apparently the soup is amazing. It is on the same road as the Vermont Country Store above, and is only open as a soup spot during the fall, winter and spring. I think it turns into an ice cream shop in the summer.

Miss Bellow's Falls Diner: A nice old diner in a railroad car...it seems like standard diner fare...but it has a lot of character, and is just 5 minutes off of the highway. (Update: come here to look at the cool diner, but eat at your own risk. Our friend got an awful case of food poisoning from here.)

Knowlton's Kitchen: We didn't go here, but it's just across the river into North Walpole, NH, and apparently, it's a fantastic diner.

(Northampton, MA, right off I-91)

Bluebonnet Diner: we didn't eat here, but the reviews look good. Real maple syrup, landmarked diner.

(Whately, MA, right off I-91)

Whately Diner Fillin' Station: we did eat lunch here and the soups (clam chowder and chili) were totally homemade. The waitress was so excited about them she brought me a taste of each...I ended up getting both. It's open 24 hours and is a chrome "Princess" style diner built in 1960.

Tom's Hot Dogs is in the same town, and gets big thumbs up from Roadfood. The reviews bring up a good point, that there isn't a bathroom, and if it's cold out, you'll be eating in your car, as it's take-out only. But if you're in the mood for a hot dog and great fries, it's good to know about.

If you're driving up in spring or summer, the North Hadley Sugar Shack looks amazing. Maple soft-serve ice cream! Homemade donuts!

(Near Hartford, CT)

Pepe's Pizzeria is in Manchester, and isn't directly off of I-91, but looks worth the 5-10 minutes detour. 

Maine Fish Market, a seafood stop in E. Windsor, CT, a half mile off the interstate.

(The Berkshires-yes, this is a detour--we decided not to take the interstate all the way on the way up, and took the Taconic instead. It adds about an hour to the trip but we wanted to mosey.)
Rubiners in Great Barrington, MA...probably one of the best edited small grocery stores I've been in...and then the cafe in the back, Rubi's, is perfection. Delicious sandwiches (we loved the Reuben) and soups, and desserts.

Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Over the holidays, we went to the Omni Mount Washington, for four nights. I had no idea what to expect, and since it was a really long drive (about 6 hours from NYC), I was really crossing my fingers.

We fell in love.

It is one of those resorts that is so totally all-around great, that you can't imagine that anyone wouldn't like it, at any time of the year. And while I'm kind of allergic to saying "family-friendly", it is probably the most FF place ever. Have you ever heard of a hotel that does a New Year's Eve celebration that is catered to the kids, with a 10pm midnight countdown? And a life-size gingerbread house?

 Then there's the kids club, which is a nice 'mixer' for the kids, when they first arrive. And the outdoor heated pool, which kids often run down to in their swimsuit in the frigid air, then jump around trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues.

I loved the old-school band that played at dinner in the fancy dining room. And yes, people get dressed for dinner, even the under 70 set. (But if you don't want to, you can go to the more casual restaurants.)

And I love that there are several restaurants to choose from, so we never got bored.

The skiing was just down the road, and although we were there when it was unseasonably warm and without snow, it was still great for a beginner. (Yes, Clara learned to ski there!)

(that's not the bretton woods ski area-but the view from the back of the hotel. that one center stripe with a line up the middle of it is the cog railroad that runs in the summer..)

Being married to a collector/antique/food obsessed guy, we also made some discoveries around the property. Littleton is a sweet town that has some nice shopping (Just L our favorite) and a good diner. The Santa's Village which was open on New Year's Eve for a special celebration was fantastic. And the antiquing in Lancaster and Bethlehem was great. We loved the lunch at Grandma's Kitchen in Whitefield (mostly homemade everything). And if we had planned ahead, we would have built in a visit to the Garnet Hill outlet in Franconia (it's only open on weekends).

(above: santa's village)

(antiquing in bethlehem and lancaster)

 (chudders in littleton: the longest candy counter in the world!)

(the foot suspension bridge in littleton-fun to walk over)

I haven't even touched on how fantastic the property is, and how great it's history is...but in a very tiny small nutshell...it was built in 1902 as a getaway for the elite New Yorkers who would take a train up to the White Mountains of New Hampshire for the summer. It was actually one of many such properties, but sadly, being that most were wood structures, they either burned, or closed because tastes changed, and not enough people travelled there anymore. It's so lucky that it's still around—the recent renovation in the last year or two had a lot of money put into it, and it shows. We LOVED this place, and want to go back and see it in the summer.

 

 

 

 (the bretton arms is a small inn which is part of the mount washington--it has a great restaurant.)