A Stretch Of Good Weather And Cupcake Brownies

We actually did the unthinkable this morning; we hauled out the sprinklers.

After the rainest beginning of the summer ever, the Weather Gods have made it up to us in August by giving us loads of sunny days that aren't too hot, which is making us happy but leaving the plants in need of some hydration. The lilies probably have no idea what to think of this crazy weather pattern!

This afternoon, our snack is the cutest little cupcake brownies you've ever seen or tasted. I actually caught myself licking the wrapper when I knew no one was looking. Mmmm....

Hope your day is equally enjoyable!

Good News, On The Rocks

A young pregnant couple came in a few days ago and just got back from sitting on the beach.

"We found out whether we were having a boy or a girl today. We got the card and waited to open it until we were sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean. It was a really special moment."

I know, sweet. I do like to think that the inn is not only a place where people come on vacation (which seems quite trivial) but also a place where important things can happen.

By the way, it's a boy. No names yet... Maybe "Bay Ledge"?

OK maybe that's being a little too enthusiastic about a vacation, but we are hoping that this is the beginning of an important tradition for this couple of coming up to the Maine coast to remember their love for one another, and the start of their family.

How Are You Different Then A Hotel?

Someone called the inn this afternoon and asked us a very valid but interesting question:

How are you different then a hotel?

I told her a few things:

• I have compared the feeling of staying here to feeling like you are staying at your favorite aunt's vacation house in Maine. It's a nice place, but very cozy and personal at the same time.
• We serve breakfast, and not just a continental kind!
• We have tea and freshly baked cookies (or scones or cheesecakes or brioches...) every afternoon.
• There is a lot of interaction between guests and between staff and guests.
• We are on a private road and a few miles from town so it's very quiet.
• We have a private beach, and a sauna/steam room... a couple added bonuses that no one expects but can certainly be appreciated.
• We have well maintained common areas where you actually want to hang out (not like the lobby of a hotel).

It was hard to put a price on what I was telling her, then I saw this:

BedandBreakfast.com has analyzed the value of bed and breakfasts verus hotels and found that when considering a complimentary home cooked breakfast, parking, internet, afternoon refreshments, etc. what a bed and breakfast includes in a guest's stay would cost an additional $150 at a hotel.

That is certainly a higher figure than I was expecting!

For those of you who know the Inn At Bay Ledge, or maybe have just stayed in your share of hotels and bed and breakfasts/inns, how are they different? What value would you put on an inn's 'extras'?

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!