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.

Cape Cove

Approaching the point you will find an abundance of sealife.

Little Cape Point

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.”

Granite Lined With Dikes

Many varieties of seaweed line the shore.

Seaweed Along The Shore

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

Seaweed

A cute fawn is unaffected by our presence.

Fawn

Blue blazes and cairns mark the trail.

Trail Marker

Soon we will be reaching the Mud Hole trail.

A Peaceful Setting

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.

Following The Trail Along The Shore

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 .

Returning Via The Mud Hole Trail

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

One Last Glance

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.

Fungi Growing On An Evergreen

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

Moss Covered Forest

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

Parking Area

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.

Starting Out

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

Moss Covered Forest

Lichen

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!

A Pause On One Of Many Boardwalks

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

Little Cape Point Trail Head

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

Reaching The Shore

A Southerly View

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.

Walking The Shoreline

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.

Enjoying The Scenery

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

Walking The Loop At Cape Cove

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.

A Little Help

Over And Up

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.

Harvesting flowers throughout the growing season is twofold. You prevent unwanted self seeds from taking over precious garden space plus you get to preserve the beauty of the flowers all year long by drying them. Now that winter has settled in here in Maine this is a good time to replace tired floral arrangements.

A Sampling Of Our Harvests

We’ve collected over 20 varieties of flowers throughout the growing season and hang them in a cool and dry place.

Chinese Lanterns In The Garden

Chinese Lanterns are traditionally harvested when they are orange but we pick them from when they are green, then gold, straight through until they nearly turn burnt orange.

Ready To Harvest Straw Flowers

[View with PicLens]

Nigella

Nigella’s “love-in-a-mist” ballon-shaped seed pods with its delicate and lacy greenery is an all time favorite.

Lanterns With Artemisia

Silvery Artemisia harvested before it goes to seed offers flowing textures that brighten the color and enhance the shape of these delicate yet structured papery orange chinese lanterns.

These tired arrangements are in need of refreshing.

Cornucopia Of Flowers

The soft lime green color of the Annabelle Hydrangeas have faded along with the beautiful dark cherry and lime tones of the PeeGees. Hydrangeas are  also harvested in stages to capitalize on all of their varying shades of color.

Spray With some Fading Echinops

Dried flowers add beauty, texture, and color anywhere.  In this example,  a low ceiling did not provide enough room atop kitchen cabinets for baskets or other large decorative items, so a collection of dried flowers from our gardens filled the space nicely.

Dressing Up Cabinets

Even during the coldest and grayest days of our long Maine winters, these dried flowers bring warmth and cheer. They are also a daily reminder of brighter, warmer and longer days.

End Cabinet

Here Lamb’s Ears, Blue Hydrangea, Poppy seed pods, and PeeGees finish off the space above an end cabinet.

Artemisia, Lanterns, and Eucalyptus

It is said that Chinese Lanterns brings good fortune to a home.

Basket Of Flowers

Here a basket of colorful flowers adds life to a bathroom tub surround.

Top Of An Armoire

Bouquets of dried flowers and a basket filled with lanterns take up empty space atop an armoire.

Annabelle, Astilbe, Poppies, Nigella, Strawflowers, And Statice

Keeping Up Appearances

The perennial gardens keep us on our toes all season long however when the summer fades away our maintenance increases to keep the gardens attractive, neat, and interesting for the Autumn season. Aside from the current flowering plants perennials have been either sheared, pruned, or simply left alone with seed heads intact.

Photos Taken October 1, 2009

Helenium and Boltonia

We Have Many Ornamental Grass Varieties

Colorful Zinnias

Dahlia Patch Going Strong

We concentrated in our Dahlia garden today deadheading Dahlias and removing tired sunflower plants.

Keeping Plants Tidy

The spent 6 Ft + sunflowers were growing in patches in the garden, we clipped them down and left a 2″ stem for location purposes of later removal. 

West Side Of Dahlia Patch

Outside Camden Harbor, Maine Lies

Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn’s

Oceanfront Accommodations

Written by Chiles T.A. Larson author, photojournalist, and travel writer from Williamsburgh, Va. about our bed and breakfast/inn, in Sept/Oct 2009 Home And Away Magazine AAA Ohio.

“The spectacularly landscaped grounds of Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn are matched by the inn’s views overlooking Penobscot Bay.”

“A stone’s throw from the deck of my comfortable cottage just outside Camden, Maine, was a string of colorful lobster buoys bobbing gently with the incoming and outgoing tides. Each morning at sun-up I could hear the muffled sound of a lobster boat’s engine as it moved bee-like from pot to pot checking the day’s offerings.”

We spent the following three nights just outside of Camden at Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn, where we heard lobstermen in Penobscot Bay at work early each morning. A virtual Garden of Eden sits on the property, with several acres of stunning flowers in clusters with individually shaped boarders. Most impressive, the buildings and gardens were constructed in a wilderness setting, pioneer-like,  by Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn owners George and Kristin Palmer and her parents a dozen years ago.”

AAA Home And Away Sept/Oct 2009

AAA Home & Away Sept/Oct 2009

Camden Maine’s Harbor And Its

Surroundings

Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn with its private and quite oceanfront accommodations is ideally located for exploring the Maine Coastal Villages of Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville. Being passionate about our Inn that we built from the ground up, naturally we gravitate towards others that share the same commitment and dedication.

Camden Hills Mount Battie And Camden Harbor

Dining Out

The harbors of Camden and Rockport are quaint and unquestionably picturesque. Camden Harbor with its dramatic backdrop of  Mount Battie is certainly an eye catcher and claims a few passionate, talented chef owned restaurants to boot. For years our guests have consistently raved about the food and service at Atlantica Restaurant and Francine Bistro.  And for good reason, each focusing on fresh, local and sustainable practices.

Chef Ken Paquin and wife Del own and operate Atlantica a bustling seafood bistro. Its harbor side deck provides beautiful up close waterfront views and is ideal for dining al fresco. They have a fantastic seafood menu and some of the best-prepared in the area.

Waterside Table At Atlantica

Perfectly Grilled Swordfish

Halibut, Lobster And Chanterelles

A couple of footsteps away, on a backstreet, Francine Bistro remains highly memorable for its steak and garlic herbed frites. Chef Brain Hill creates amazing dishes from mainly organic local sources and has a wonderfully diverse menu. His passion for food is quite obvious and has received media attention.

Rockport Harbor

Just around the corner, less than a five minutes drive, from Camden Harbor is the quiet and charming Rockport Harbor. This is the homeport of the family built, owned and operated Schooner Yacht Heron. Nigel (Twig) and Bonnie offer various sail packages that may include viewing both Rockport Harbor (Indian Island Lighthouse), Camden Harbor (Curtis Island Lighthouse) and beyond.

Beautiful Rockport Harbor

A Spectacular View Of The Mountains Aboard The Heron

Lincolnville Beach

1 mile North of Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn is a small strip of sand beach, the Maine State Ferry terminal to the  Island of Islesboro (20 minutes ride) and a handful of shops and restaurants.  Chez Michel is a favorite dining spot serving up a myriad of well-prepared dishes.

Lincolnville Beach

The Ferry Terminal At Lincolnville Beach