And Then There Was Sun

For almost 20 days, Maine has been pelted by rain, obscured by fog, and otherwise a sad place to be.

Yesterday and today, the sun made brief appearances and made everyone noticeably happier.

"The forecast was completely wrong!" one of the guests said.

The atmosphere is a chaotic place and weather can only be determined 24-48 hours in advance. Plus Maine has odd weather anyway.

So you might as well be optimistic about it all and wear a few layers, just in case.

And while the sun is out, sit on a porch and take it in. After all this rain, we all certainly deserve it!

Princesses, Lemony Cheesecakes, And The Bar Harbor Garden Tour

When life hands you rain and lemons, make lemony cheesecakes.

Ok, that might not be the old adage but our afternoon snacks are sure to bring a smile to anyone that has one, even on a dull and dreary coastal day.

We had two princesses stop by this afternoon in addition to our regular guests. These little girls know that what a small heart-shaped lemon cheesecake can't fix, a princess dress and tiara can. They stopped by with Kirsten, who used to work at the Inn at Bay Ledge. It's nice to know friends can still stop by for a visit.

And speaking of visitors, the Inn is going to be part of the Bar Harbor Garden Club Tour for the first time ever. Coming up July 19, you can see all the prettiest gardens in Bar Harbor in one day. We're honored to be part of the 75th anniversary of this event!

More information about the tour can be found on the Bar Harbor Garden Club website.

So lots to celebrate on this foggy coastal day. Hope your day is filled with flowers, princesses, or cakes as well!

If You Can Stand The Walk Down, Head To The Ovens

It's low tide and a couple staying the night has just headed down the eighty something steps to the private beach to check out The Ovens, which are a series of caves along the beach.

Hard to believe that most of the time, this is the ocean floor, isn't it?

It is certainly worth a little huffing and puffing down the wooden staircase to see these cool features up close.

Today at the Inn At Bay Ledge, here is what else is going on:

Temperature: 66 degrees F
Weather: Sunny and cool, low tide at the moment
In the teacup: Bluberry tea
Snack: Orange cranberry cookies
People currently staying in: All three cabins, Summer Cottage, Rooms 4, 8, 9, and 10

Afternoon plans/goals: Reading about cool DIY projects in This Old House magazine while sitting on the porch, getting the guide books for the rooms ready, watering the plants on the porch in case it doesn't rain tomorrow

So it's back to porch sitting until the sun sets!

Photo by John Swinconeck

We Are Open!

The Inn at Bay Ledge is officially reopened for the season. At first it felt like August (90 degrees Farenheit in May?!?) but now it's feeling like April with cool showers and lots of fog over Frenchman's Bay.

Sitting with a hot cup of tea is in order and with the view from the enclosed porch overlooking the water, it's hard not to feel instantly relaxed. Thank goodness tea time is 3-6 pm!

So here's your official first dispach from Inn at Bay Ledge In Bar Harbor, Maine:

• Temperature: 47 degrees F (it apparently also feels like 47 degrees F, but how do weather people even know that?)
• Weather: Foggy and drizzling
• In the teacup: Chocolate mint oolong
• Snack: Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
• People currently staying in: Rooms 1, 2, and 7 with more people coming tonight!
• Afternoon plans/goals: Updating this blog, folding laundry, drinking tea, limiting myself to 2 cookies

Thinking about a trip to Maine? We're great even in the rain. Check out the rooms, etc. on our site: www.innatbayledge.com.

Have a great weekend!

A New Addition to the Bay Ledge Family!

On Sunday, August 17th at 1:10a.m., Julie - a long time member of our Bay Ledge family - gave birth to her first child, a beautiful baby girl. We have long been preparing for the arrival of this little miracle, celebrating with Julie at her baby shower, buying and making gifts and sending love and warm thoughts to Julie and her husband throughout the last nine months. We are so pleased to find mother and baby, at home, happy and content.

"I'd rather be sailing…On an open sea"

July brings warm weather, and with it, the chance to get out on the water! Mount Desert Island's cultural and economic history has strong ties to the water and we offer countless opportunities to leave land behind and take off into the other wild blue yonder. Perhaps you'd like to paddle quietly around Bar Harbor's Porcupine Islands and take in the beauty of Bar Harbor's natural history. National Park Sea Kayak Tours, Aquaterra Adventures, Coastal Kayaking Tours, or Crystal Seas Kayaking can all get you started. Perhaps you would rather catch sight of a whale on a Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. trip. Maybe you want to spend the day sightseeing on a Lulu Lobster Boat Ride or want the hands-on experience of Diver Ed's Dive-In Theater. Maybe you'd like to go fishing with Bar Harbor Fishing Trips or just want to relax and spend the day sailing on a Downeast Friendship Sloop Charter. No matter what you choose, there's ALWAYS something to do on the water in Bar Harbor!

IT'S JULY 4TH WEEKEND IN BAR HARBOR!!!

Bar Harbor's July 4th festivities offer event goers entertaining and unique ways to celebrate the birthday of the United States! At 10a.m., the holiday weekend kicks off in downtown Bar Harbor with the most fun you'll ever have a 4th of July parade. Don't miss locals strut their stuff and demonstrate offbeat humor on homemade floats. Wave at the Jackson Lab's employees dressed as mice in the annual installment of their "Mouse Float." Clap at the fast and furious pace of more than a dozen shriners from the Anah Temple in Bangor as they maneuver tiny cars around and over each other. Enjoy the feeling of patriotism and community that only a small town New England parade can provide!

After the parade, follow the crowds to the MDI YMCA Annual Lobster Races. Place your bets on lobsters sponsored by local businesses and help raise money for the MDI YMCA Scholarship Program. Sometimes your lobster wins, but it is more likely to just sit at the starting gate or even move backwards! Still, you'll never have more fun betting on something that is likely unaware it is racing.

As the day draws to a close, make your way first to the Bar Harbor Village Green to hear the Bar Harbor Town Band do what is has done for over 100 years -- entertain event goers with a free concert. Then, continue to down to the waterfront and your final destination -- Bar Harbor's Agamont Park -- to enjoy the annual fireworks display over Frenchman's Bay. Enjoy the night sky as it glows and lights up the outer islands and fishing boats moored a safe distance away. It is truly a unique and unforgettable event that brings visitors back year after year.