Bittersweet, fabulous August on the coast

The magic of August comes in packages big and small.  Once I took an evening kayak ride in East Blue Hill where a whitetail buck welcomed us in and then shooting stars filled the skies and bioluminescence filled the seas.  If you haven't experienced the delight of paddling among the sea fireflies, make plans now!  Both Castine Kayak and Old Quarry Ocean Adventures can set up trips for you.

Leslie's 2014 calendar

We adore the sunflowers we get from Dan's Flower Farm but they are friendlier with autumn than with summer so are bittersweet in their beauty.  Dan and his artist wife Leslie Anderson are both so talented. I picked up her 2014 calendar at the farmers market the other day.  You could order a copy online. 

The Blue Hill Fair is a late August favorite, of course.  Antique tractors vying for record pulls, sheep dog trials, live music, pig racing, a lumberjack show, harness racing, even our own Idol show.  I take my responsibility as innkeeper and guide to the area very serious--I sampled funnel cake, Bianco's Italian sausage, a bloomin' onion--all so I could report to you that, really, it's all good fun fair food!  I also recommend the lobster rolls and crab rolls, the shortcake, the caramel apples...  The Northeast Historic Film organization goes to the fair, too!  We watched some old footage and then bought a movie about Maine lumberjacks for the inn.

View from the Ferris wheel

Have you heard about the Retreat at Betsy's Cove? The amazing Isla Miller has created a beautiful space for all sorts of retreats, corporate to personal.  When you gather people together in a magical place, miracles do happen.

The Retreat at Betsy's Cove

We are looking forward to the Maine Open Lighthouse Day, and the Foliage, Food, and Wine Festival.  If you are, too, make sure you have your reservations in place.  With the lovely foliage, and a busy fall, we often book up.  If you reserve now, you're sure to get the room you want--the Suite with its fireplace and cathedral ceilings, room 3 with all that sunshine, room 9 with the slanted ceilings and the skylights...