Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn Review

Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn has been selected as a “special highlight” for Midcoast’s Camden/Rockport Maine area lodging in the 2010, 15th edition of Maine: An Explorer’s Guide.

The author writes about Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn’s fabulous oceanviews, the luxuries of our unusual accommodations and the landscaped grounds, including a 100-bulb dahlia garden.

Sunrise On The Maine Coast

Sunrises are beautiful and so is the Maine Coast. Combine the two and you have the ingredients for a memorable stay. Fall is a beautiful time of year to take advantage of a quieter time in addition to our Bed and Breakfast’s Fall Special Stay 2 Nights And Receive A Third Night Free.  All of our oceanfront accommodations are private, offer exceptional water views, tastefully decorated and comfortable.

Wake up to ocean waves gently lapping at the shore, enjoy our fresh home-baked breakfast, explore the Camden area with its quaint shops and beautiful harbors, take a sail on a schooner and then dine at one of the many noted chef owned and operated restaurants. Or just relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity that surrounds you.

Relax on your deck and watch schooners sail by, working lobster boats a stones throw away,  porpoise frolicking offshore, with eagles and osprey soaring above.

Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn’s idyllic oceanfront location provide opportunities to view beautiful sunrises.

Local lobster fisherman checking his traps.

Spring has arrived in Maine and warmer than average temps. have brought us early blossoms!

Tiny leaves on many trees are beginning to appear.

Delicate fern heads are emerging and soon will leaf out into graceful fronds.

The fragrantly sweet scent of our  Magnolia tree’s flowers fill the air.

Pasque flowers are a spring time favorite of which there are many deep rich colors. The urn-shaped flower sits above feathery bracts of delicate spiny greenery and follows up with a most unusual seed head that adds intrigue to the garden. Unfortunately our “Blue Bell” which has dark violet flowers did not survive this past winter, however our wine and white colored varieties are flourishing.

Shade-loving Pulmonaria brightens up a dark spot in the garden with its blue and pink flowers and continues to add interest after it blooms with handsome white speckled foliage.

Large bright pink patches of creeping Phlox are spilling over the edges of numerous rock walls and best of all they will re-bloom later in the season.

We have two varieties of Primula (Primrose) that we grow in a shady spot in the Rhododendron garden. A carpet of Primula “Alba” blooms first and has bright white pompoms that is quite impressive en masse.

Pillowy mounds of Arabis grace precious garden spaces. Here it is happy sitting atop one of our stone walls.

Stay 2 Nights and 3rd Night Is Free!

Take advantage of this exceptional offer at the Camden areas most beautiful, distinctive and noted oceanfront properties! During the months of May & June, reserve 2 nights or longer and receive one additional night free! Awaken to an ocean sunrise, enjoy our fresh home baked breakfast then wander acres of colorful gardens on this 16 acre private seaside sanctuary . From our Inn you will experience the true beauty of the scenic Maine Coast. Whether you choose to watch the sunrise on your private oceanfront deck, curl up read a book, or take advantage of our beautiful coastal village laden with special shops and gourmet dining, you will find our setting perfect for a memorable getaway.

Visit our website for detailed information on this getaway special.

Part 2

As we near Little Cape Point we look back at Cape Cove and admire the natural beauty that surrounds us. On our first visit to this preserve, the shore was in full bloom with a sea of purple Iris Hookeri and wild pink Sweet  Peas. The Iris is just one of many rare plants that thrive in these harsh conditions.

Approaching the point you will find an abundance of sealife.

Along the Maine Coast rock formations display many examples of Dikes, this particular area provides a good example. The southern end of the island where the rock drops steeply into the sea is what The Nature Conservancy explains as the  ”Fundian Fault”, “a long crack in the earth’s crust that extends from the Bay Of Fundy to the coast of New Hampshire.”

Many varieties of seaweed line the shore.

This one reminds us of a horse’s tail that has been wrapped with a bandage.

A cute fawn is unaffected by our presence.

Blue blazes and cairns mark the trail.

Soon we will be reaching the Mud Hole trail.

The trail hugs the shore where there are many tricky areas to be mindful of. Slippery rocks, deep crevices and a few areas that require minor rock scaling.

Our coastal walk has come to an end. The Mud hole trail brings us back into the deep forest and winds along a picturesque fjord-like cove .

A last glance at the stunning scenery before heading back through the woods.

Lots of discoveries in the woods. Here a fungi is growing off of the bark of a pine tree.  Are there any fungi enthusiasts out there?  Would love to know the name of this species.

The moss and lichen covered forest silences your footsteps which creates an extremely tranquil setting.

Great Wass Island Preserve is one of the many gifts of nature. Thank you Nature Conservancy for protecting and preserving this treasure.

A Paradise In Maine – Part 1

 

 

After the close of another season, on this late November day we finally had some time to journey outside Camden Maine’s network of hiking trails. Nearly a decade has gone by since our last visit to this memorable Down East gem and this time around do to our familiarity of the trails we had family and friends join us.

Getting an early start is a must at this time of year as darkness falls early. After a 1 hr. 45 min. ride we cross the bridge over the Moosabec Reach to Beals Island, continue on to Great Wass Island following the signs along the gravel road to the preserve.

Hiking the 5.5 mile Great Wass Island Preserve loop will take up to 5 hrs round trip. That allows a little time for beach combing, woodland discoveries and a brief lunch. This preserve is chock full of rare plants, peatlands, wildlife and is highlighted with a picturesque granite shoreline.

We start by taking the Little Cape Point Trail and wind through the forest southeasterly for 2 miles.  Blue blazes mark the trial.

Beautiful mounds of moss and pillowy lichen carpet the rockery and forest floor along the way. Half way through the trail the forest opens to a long stretch of exposed smooth granite. From here a vista of the unique coastal-raised bog with its carnivorous plants comes into view. Incredible!

As the trail continues we reach a narrow boardwalk that runs through a swamp, a known comfortable home here for thoese carnivorous pitcher plants.

The trail ends at the shore with breathtaking views of the seemingly endless miles of granite disappearing into the cold blue sea. 

This time around the tide was in so we were forced to walk the grassy shore here which seemed to contain more deer droppings than blades of grass.

In order to connect with the Mud Hole Trail  to complete the loop, you must walk the 2 miles of shoreline northerly from the Little Cape Point Trail. We continue along the shore to Little Cape Point where we had fond memories  from our last trip of  watching harbor seals playing near the shore.

Following the shoreline toward the point we marvel at the beauty of the clear emerald colored water lying calmly in small picturesque coves.  

At the end of the cove the trail now continues upward over rocks and tree roots. A knotted rope aides in climbing the hill to access Little Cape Point.

Nearing the half-way point!

To be continued…    Click here for a map and directions to the beautiful Great Wass Island Preserve.  You may also read detailed information through The Nature Conservancy In Maine’s website.