Guest Information

Arrival

You may arrive any time after 4:00 pm in Cottage 1 and 5:00 pm in Cottage 2. If you plan to get here late, let us know so that we can leave a light on for you. There is a sign in front of each cottage indicating the number. There is a keypad lock on the front door, and we will send you the code before you arrive. You may arrive earlier than the specified time and leave bags in the cottage, but we guarantee the cleaning will be completed by the arrival time and not before.

Shopping

The store in Somesville is the nearest convenience market and garage. There are large markets in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth. The cottages are stocked with staples such as flour, sugar, salt, and pepper, and there will be paper towels, soap and toilet paper.

Noise

Please do not play a radio, stereo, or television outside the cottage, and keep the volume low at all times. Please try to be relatively quiet when swimming or canoeing – we know this will be difficult if you are having a good time – but your restraint will be appreciated by your neighbors and the birds and animals that live around the pond.

Flowers, ferns and berries

Do not pick any flowers, ferns, lichens, or moss. These plants are fragile and will live for only a short time after being picked. We have planted many of the wildflowers for everyone to enjoy. You may pick blueberries (there are lots in season in the upper field) and blackberries (around the fields).

Birds and animals

Each year there are some different birds and animals that come to live here. We have seen otter, deer, fox, mink, fisher, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, groundhog, moose, bear, osprey, eagles, several kinds of hawks and many varieties of smaller birds.

Swimming and fishing

The best place to swim is from the floats or the opposite shore of the pond. Acadia National Park owns the outlet, inlet and opposite shore and you are welcome to use any of this land. You must buy a fishing license from the Town Office in Southwest Harbor for anyone over 16 who wants to fish.

Canoes and kayaks

Please haul canoes and kayaks out of the water when you leave and turn them over to drain. A sudden wind can easily knock a canoe into the pond, so be sure to tie canoes to the cleat on the dock. If we have to send someone to fetch the canoe, we will bill you for the time at $50.00 per hour. Please make sure there is a lifejacket for each person in the canoe and remember that lifejackets are hard to put on when a canoe is turning over. You can leave the rowboat at Cottage 1 in the water, but please pump it out when necessary. Thanks.

Fires

Please use the outdoor grill carefully. Extinguish coals and cover the grill when the charcoal has cooled. Wood in the woodshed is for your use. Do not light a fire anywhere outside.

Electricity

The rate in Maine is VERY HIGH. Please turn off lights and appliances whenever you leave the cottage.

Television and internet

Provided by Spectrum cable.

Radio and CD

There is a Bose Wave Music System in each cottage, which we hope you will enjoy as much as we do.

Trash and recycling

Trash is picked up on Thursday mornings in the spring, and on Saturdays in the summer, and recyclables on the last Friday of each month from the galvanized cans near the garbage house. You MUST put trash in black plastic liners, which we have provided. Please do not leave recyclables in the cottage. We do not have a place to compost at this time, but may try to provide one again next year.

In case of emergency

There is a list of numbers to call next to the phone.

Departure

We hope you have a wonderful vacation. We ask that you leave by 10:00 am Saturday (11:00 am in Cottage 2) so we can prepare the cottage for our next guests. Please let us know if you are leaving early or if a special situation requires that you leave later.

Going greener

We are trying to be as green as we can, and hope you will let us know your ideas about ways in which to lighten our carbon footprint.

• We use paper made from 100% recycled sources for leases, correspondence, and information.
• Supplies such as paper towels and toilet paper made from recycled sources are in the closet near the first floor bathroom.
• We provide natural cleaning products, including soaps by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Clorox Green Works. If you purchase cleaning items, we would appreciate your help in using similar items, which you can buy at A&B Naturals in Bar Harbor.
• We provide garbage bags made from cornstarch or recycled plastic, and sandwich bags made from recycled plastic or cornstarch for food storage.
• There are reusable bags in the broom closet for you to use when you go shopping.
• There are PVC-free EVA curtain liners in showers, and most sheets are organic. We are slowly replacing those that are not.
• Toys in the sandbox are made from recycled milk jugs and contain no BPA or phthalates.
• The hot water heater is set to 120 degrees.
• Wood for woodstoves is primarily from our property. We use native plants when landscaping and only organic pesticides (and rarely) as well as organic fertilizers.

Thanks very much.