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Archive for the ‘Seasons in Kennebunkport’ Category

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Planning a Worry Free Getaway to Kennebunkport Maine

January 11th, 2012 by avadmin

Tonight’s weather forecast for Kennebunkport Maine shows that winter may actually be on its way, as we are expecting a dusting of snow tonight.  And here that means 3-6 inches of the white stuff.  That is enough to make lots of people run for cover or out to the grocery

Snow and Ice won't keep you away from Kennebunkport Maine

Snow and ice is no match for us in Kennebunkport Maine!

store for ample supplies of milk and bread (french toast, anyone?), but not here.  It truly is remarkable – in Kennebunkport Maine a half of a foot of snow is just old hat.  But when we moved here to become innkeepers at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast I was skeptical.  I mean, when I was growing up, if six inches of snow fell at just the right time, school might be cancelled.  And that was still New England!  Honestly, though, traveling in Maine when it is snowy outside is no trouble at all.  No, you really don’t need chains on your tires or a truck with four wheel drive.  You don’t really even need snow tires! The plow drivers and road salters have got you covered.

But once you’re here at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, there’s no need to test the roads unless you want to.  You can walk to countless shops and restaurants, and even a few will deliver.  So when the mood strikes to hunker down and curl up in front of a glowing fire, just go with it!  Don’t stress, however, when the need for fine dining in a luxe atmosphere wins out – you won’t have any trouble.  If you are still worried about the weather in Kennebunkport Maine or at home or find yourself worrying about your babysitter or aging pets (or parents) left behind, we’ve got a solution for you!  Several years ago, we started investigating reasonable trip insurance companies and stumbled upon iTravelInsured, which offers a wide range of policies, from comprehensive we’re-headed-to-a-remote-nation plans to simple cancellation insurance.  We encourage all guests to protect themselves with their trip cancellation plan, because, with options starting at just over $13, you can protect against the unexpected.  Plus, your peace of mind is certainly worth more than that!  So this winter when planning your winter getaway to Kennebunkport Maine, you can rest easy – we’ve got you covered!

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A Surprise October Snowstorm in Kennebunkport Maine

October 30th, 2011 by avadmin

Today’s freak snowstorm surprised much of the eastern seaboard, and Kennebunkport Mainewas no exception.  Who would have thought that Mother Nature would dump inches of snow when much of the fall foliage hasn’t even hit the ground?  Certainly not

Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast in the snow

The melting snow outside our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast - note the pumpkin!

anyone at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast!  Most of our lawn furniture is still in place, welcoming visitors relaxing in the afternoon sunshine, reading books, or just enjoying the fall foliage.  The geraniums framing the windows of each of our cottage suites are still in bloom in their boxes – in fact, they may actually have survived the storm.  And the lush urns by our front steps are in their prime.  But today, instead of waving at the horse-drawn carriage and bike riders, our scarecrow greeted passing snowplows and sand trucks.  Yes, looking out the windows of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, the scene looked like one you would expect several months from now … except the trees still have leaves!

So although about four inches of snow blanketed the streets in Kennebunkport Maine, with the bright sunshine typical of autumn in New England, much had melted by this evening.  The fallen leaves were revealed in the rapidly appearing puddles, and the pumpkins decorating lawns and steps shed their white coats.  Plus, with temps expected in the fifties tomorrow, every remnant of the storm should quickly vanish.  In the next several days, life should return to normal as the thousands of people without electricity will have their power restored and the downed tree limbs get cleared away.  Fortunately our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast weathered the storm unscathed, with the exception of one sorry lilac bush.  But hopefully the damage won’t prevent its remaining branches from producing lovely and fragrant blossoms come springtime!  In the meantime, let’s all get back to enjoying fall – there’s so much more to come!

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Spooky Celebrations – Halloween in Kennebunkport Maine

October 27th, 2011 by avadmin

Now that the leaves are starting to fall in Kennebunkport Maine, it finally feels like Halloween!  There’s a chill in the air and the leaves crinkle under your feet as you walk through this scenic New England village.  There’s a scarecrow outside our Kennebunkport

Happy Halloween from Kennebunkport Maine!

Bed and Breakfast and pumpkins everywhere you look.  But if you’re looking for more to get you in the spirit of Halloween, there are tons of amazing events and activities to suit anyone’s tastes!
No Halloween is complete without a haunted house, so this year check out the Haunted Barn at Snug Harbor Farm in Lower Village Kennebunk (4-7:30 p.m.).  Just about a mile from our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, you’ll be in for some good, old fashioned fear – and fun!   Still not spooked enough?  Drop in for a screening of the first ever horror film hosted by River Tree Arts.  Nosferatu is a silent film widely considered the first horror movie.  Plus you’ll be “treated” to the musical stylings of the Symphony of Horrors Ensemble.  Showing begins at 7 – $5 for admission, but free popcorn!  And what Halloween would be complete without a viewing of the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show?  Don on a costume during your visit to the Biddeford City Theater and the ticket price drops from $10 to just $5!  With showings at 8 and midnight, you can’t go wrong!
On Saturday, take part in the 8th Annual All Souls’ Walk through Hope Cemetery in downtown Kennebunk.  Enjoy this narrated tour on what is sure to be a gorgeous fall day between 1 an 4 p.m.  If you’re looking for more family friendly activities, try the Halloween Spooktacular, featuring face painting, mummy wrapping, and arts and crafts.  And if you are a Halloween enthusiast, don’t leave your costume behind, because Bentley’s Saloon is hosting a costume party with $600 in prizes and giveaways.  Great live music certainly doesn’t hurt and will help keep you going until the party ends at 12:30!
Haunted hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking – oh, my!  There’s lots to look forward this Halloween in Kennebunkport Maine!

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Leaf-Peeping in Kennebunkport Maine

September 28th, 2011 by avadmin

It’s finally that time again – time for enjoying glorious fall foliage in Kennebunkport Maine!  While there never seems to be a good way to predict when the “peak” of the colors will hit, late September to mid-late October is usually prime time for leaf-peeping.  It’s astounding to me that you can walk down one street and see trees ablaze with reds and yellows, but the next will still be lush and green.  How does that happen?!  So although I may not fully understand the science behind the turning of the leaves, that doesn’t prevent me from enjoying their splendor.

The leaves are turning in Kennebunkport Maine!

The leaves are turning in Kennebunkport Maine!

Fortunately for visitors of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, there are ample ways to enjoy the colors, no matter what your preferences are in terms of daily activities.  Here’s a smattering of some excellent ways to savor the view!

For the outdoor lover in you, head to one of the many nature preserves in and around Kennebunkport Maine.  The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust protects enormous tracts of land encompassing fields, streams, and vernal pools.  Their many trails will lead you right into the heart of our deciduous forests and surround you with color.  If you prefer to take advantage of our coastal location, head to the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge or Laudholm Trust at the Wells Reserve.  Both offer trails surrounded by forests (we all just love trees at this time of year!) with views of tidal estuaries.  Laudholm Trust’s Beach Trail will lead you to a spectacular protected stretch of sand with an amazing array of trees at your back.
But if trekking through the forests isn’t your speed, how about a scenic ride?  The horse-drawn carriage plods slowly through the historic district, offering riders views of the towering trees and historic homes that comprise the area around our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.  The Intown Trolley offers sweeping loops through historic Kennebunkport, Ocean Avenue, and Kennebunk Beach.  The antique cars at the Seashore Trolley Museum put on a pumpkin ride at this time of year that is always a blast for guests of all ages.
But if you are just up for a scenic stroll, the gorgeous beaches and coastline of Kennebunkport Maine are certainly one of the best venues for enjoying the fall colors.  Walking along Ocean Avenue, you’ll be treated to ocean vistas, grand Maine cottages, and, of course, trees and shrubs ablaze with color.  Sometimes, though, vacations just require old fashioned relaxation, so lounging in the backyard of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast is another ideal location for enjoying the fall sights.  Ringed by maples, oaks, and sycamores, the adirondack chairs and hammock are perfect for watching the reds and orange leaves flutter in the breeze!  With all these amazing opportunities for leaf-peeping in Kennebunkport you’re sure not to miss a moment primed for pictures.  Happy fall!

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Our Kennebunkprt Bed and Breakfast Welcomes Fall!

September 24th, 2011 by avadmin

Though the past few days haven’t really felt like it (with temps reaching into the low 80s), fall has officially arrived at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.  Yep, today was the second full day of autumn!  Though Kennebunkport Maine is famous for its incredible fall foliage (and the

Pick pumpkins in Kennebunkport Maine

Pumpkin photo courtesy of Morn the Gorn via Creative Commons

unique opportunity to enjoy it from the beach), there are oodles of amazing perks to this time of year that often go overlooked.  So while you are enjoying the gorgeous fall colors, don’t miss out on some of my favorite, and often overlooked, things about autumn.
Throughout the year, guests at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast enjoy scenic (and informative!) horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district – unless, of course, there’s lots of snow, when they snuggle together for sleigh rides – but during the fall, visitors have the unique opportunity to enjoy hayrides!  Harris Farm in Dayton, Maine, as well as historic Wallingford Farm, just over the bridge in Kennebunk, Maine.
But fall is truly excellent for enjoying the fruits of the harvest! We are so lucky to have a plethora of wonderful u-pick farms just minutes from our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, so that means awesome opportunities to pick lots of your own pumpkins, apples, and corn.  A short drive from the inn lies Spiller Farm, a smaller orchard with young trees, which are perfect for picking the premier fruits without having to scramble up tree branches.  With plenty of varieties, there’s sure to be something to satisfy everyone’s tastes!  Pumpkin Valley Farm in Dayton (a town a bit to the west) offers the opportunity to pick pumpkins for just 40 cents a pound, go on a hayride, and enjoy a day of entertainment with their “Jumping Pillow” (an enormous bouncing surface) and a six acre corn maze.
But when you can’t bring all your goodies home, you’ll still be sure to enjoy the best seasonal produce at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.  We strive to serve as many ingredients as possible, starting with our first fruit course.  But at this time of year, you might enjoy baked stuffed Maine apples, sweet potato pecan pancakes, or pumpkin custard as part of your entree – yum!
No matter how you choose to spend your time in Kennebunkport Maine this fall, you are sure to enjoy every moment, especially when you are surrounded by the incredible natural beauty of the fall foliage!

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Kennebunkport Maine Spared By Hurricane Irene

August 29th, 2011 by avadmin

All of us are feeling incredibly grateful that Hurricane Irene passed through Kennebunkport Mainewithout causing much of a disturbance.  Despite our coastal location, the area did not experience the extreme flooding that has

Hurricane Irene in Kennebunkport Maine

A few brave souls in the surf at Kennebunk Beach during Hurricane Irene

plagued much of Northern New England.  Though many were bracing for the worst by boarding up windows, stocking up on food supplies, and hunkering down with their families, the storm brought some rain and enough wind to litter the lawns of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast with branches, flowers, and leaves.  Not much more.
So when the showers stopped on early Sunday afternoon, we headed to the beach for a walk and a rare glimpse at the especially angry Atlantic Ocean.  The situation seemed rather calm as we left the Maine Stay, but as we rounded the corner onto Kennebunk Beach, the waves were quite ferocious, stirred up by strong winds.  The breeze was so strong, in fact, that we even struggled to push open the car door!  By this point, the sun was trying to poke through the cloud cover, so we donned on our sunglasses.  Boy, were we ever glad to have those!  Irene’s violent winds (to see for yourself check out our video on YouTube), downing power lines up and down the East Coast (though sparing much of Kennebunkport Maine), had stirred up the sands so vigorously that the grains lined our mouths and pelted our glasses.  Nevertheless, the walk was invigorating, and we enjoyed watching the few “crazies” daring to dip in the ocean and dogs struggling against the gusts as they took their afternoon walk.  The best, or more humorous, part was watching the terns and seagulls being thrown backwards as they tried to fly into the hurricane.  I’d never seen anything like it before!  After a few laps up and down Gooch’s Beach, our legs grew tired from fighting the gusting winds.
Heading back to the inn, we found the trees blowing around, but calmness relative to the scene at the beach.  And the drive through town revealed nothing out of the ordinary (granted, a few shops seemed to have closed early) – with restaurants open and people milling about.  All of us in Kennebunkport Maine are counting our blessings that Irene’s fury seemed to leave us mostly unscathed, and send our thoughts and good wishes to those struggling with devastation in other parts of the East Coast.

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A Kennebunkport Getaway Before School Starts

August 7th, 2011 by avadmin

It’s hard to believe that, while August has just barely begun, many people are facing the dreaded “back-to-school,” so instead of squandering summer, it’s time for a vacation to Kennebunkport Maine!  To make your summertime getaway

Kennebunkport Maine Beach

Now who could pass this up?

even sweeter, we’ve decided to offer 15% off stays from August 28 through September 2 when staying for two nights or more. That means that a fantastic escape could start at just $194 per night!  As always, we’ll include gourmet breakfast daily, afternoon tea and freshly baked snacks, and everything you need for a trip to the beach.  Plus, what better time is there to enjoy breakfast served on our wraparound porch?  It’s the perfect spot to watch Kennebunkport Maine wake up with a steaming mug of coffee or tea (or cocoa, if that’s your preference!).
Whether you’re taking the opportunity to reconnect with your other half, relax with the whole family, or just unwind after a whirlwind summer, Kennebunkport is the perfect destination!  The beaches are begging for sandcastles, seaside naps, and frolicking, and our scenic streets are ideal for meandering.  But, best of all, this quaint New England village is sure to bring you back to a simpler time. A visit to the Seashore Trolley Museum, with its antique and vintage trains and trolleys (yes, you can even ride the rails on these beautifully preserved trams), is a must for old-fashioned fun.  Nothing, however, revives yesteryear quite like the horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district, home to our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.  As you clip-clop past beautifully preserved historic mansions you’ll learn about the rich past of the area and some of the quirky characters that made Kennebunkport Maine such a unique place!  So to de-stress before the school year begins, there’s no better destination than the Maine Stay Inn – don’t miss out!

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Best Summer Storm Watching In Kennebunkport Maine

July 26th, 2011 by avadmin

Tonight, as a summer thunderstorm rolled through Kennebunkport Maine, I started to think about where the best spots in town are to view these gems of summertime.  Yes, there is sometimes nothing better than a sudden rainstorm

Summer thunderstorm

Watch a Summer Storm in Kennebunkport Maine (Photo courtesy of Flickr user 802)

that brings enormous droplets of water that leave half-dollar splats on your windshield, bringing down the humidity levels that had steadily risen through the afternoon. This evening’s violent squall happened to bring Skittles sized hail to some areas, but our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast (and each of our guests’ and their cars) was fortunately spared.
Walking out of the inn, I noticed several couples enjoying our wraparound porch with pre-dinner cocktails in hand. They picked the ideal place to

Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast wraparound porch

Our porch is just one great spot to watch the storm roll in!

watch the storm roll in!  Granted, I might be a touch biased, but a protected wraparound porch with an Eastern view  - what could be better?  Plus, the warmth and comfort of your room is right there!
But if you are out and about in Kennebunkport Maine, there are plenty of other places that make for ideal storm chasing.  The balcony at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub is another stellar location.  Protected from the elements and high above the water, you’ll see the storm approaching up the Kennebunk River, but will even have time to grab a beer or spirit before the “show” arrives.  Plus, since they serve late, you’ll be sure to leave satiated, no matter how long that summer thunderstorm lasts!  However, if you’ve already eaten or are willing to wait until after Mother Nature’s fireworks, the ultimate viewing spot is Narragansett Point along Kennebunk Beach.  If you could drive up to the very edge, the vista would be perfection.  Unfortunately, you can’t, but you can come pretty darn close with any of the closest parking spots overlooking the Atlantic as the waves crash against the rocks and retaining wall.
So now you’ll have to find your favorite spot to enjoy the fury of a summer evening thunderstorm in Kennebunkport Maine.  Will it be one of my faves or will you blaze your own trail?  Whatever the verdict, I hope you’ll share your findings!

 

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