Helpful Hints for Enjoying Your Stay at 375 Dunham Point Road

 

at home | within 5 minute drive | on the island | extended area | food & wine | restaurants
Activities at the house or within a five-minute walk: boat watching, boating, loop road walk, kayaking and canoeing, biking, clamming, mussels, fishing, reading on the beach, watching the sunset, watching the tide, outdoor toys for kids, books and games, videos and VCR
  • Boat Watching: It's fun to watch the boats from the pier at the yacht club. The mail boat from Eagle Island arrives at around 11:00 a.m. every morning. Lobster boats unload their catch at the Fisherman's wharf daily.
  • Boating: We are just minutes from the Deer Isle Yacht Club. If you do not have your own boat, you can take the mail boat to Eagle Island and other nearby Islands for a very reasonable price. This is a great way to get out on the water and see Penobscot bay, and it's only a 3-4 minute walk from the house! There are two small children's life preservers in the garage. Of course, see the list below of other boating options in other parts of the island.
  • Loop Road Walk: Dunham Point Road and Perez Crossroad form a 3 mile loop road. The views along Dunham Point Road are beautiful. Head out towards the Yacht Club and walk until you hit Perez Crossroad. Turn right and it will take you back to Dunham Point Road-we are just a few houses away.
  • Kayaking and canoeing: you can launch right out in the back yard at mid or high tide or down the street at the public launch on Southwest Harbor Road (about a 3 minute drive) at any tide. There are also great places on Deer Isle to explore by kayak or canoe! Please note that the owners of the beach at Sylvester Cove (a 2-3 minute walk) do not allow launching of kayaks.
  • Biking: There are two adult mountain bikes in the garage. Dunham Point Road (our street) is a great place to begin. Deer Isle has miles of safe roads that are along the rocky coast. Please bring your own helmets.
  • Clamming: You will need a clamming license, available at the Town Hall in Deer Isle (entrance across from the congregational church on Route 15). Rate for non-residents is $2. Clamming rakes and crates are in the garage on the shelf by the back garage door. Rubber boots are in the garage. Wear rubber boots and walk out into Mill Pond at low tide. Look for spots in the mud with tiny air bubbles coming up. Use a clam rake (we have several in the garage) to gently dig a shallow hole. Sift through the mud for clams. Make sure they are at least 2 inches in diameter (there is a gage attached to the clam crate). When you have as many as you want, rinse them off in the water and cover with seaweed. To avoid gritty clams, soak the clams in water with about _ cup of cornmeal for several hours before cooking. Steam clams in a little (1/2 inch or less in bottom of pan) white wine or water until they are open. Discard any unopened or cracked clams. Serve with the broth and melted butter for dipping.
  • Mussels: Much easier than clamming. At dead low tide, walk out in Mill Pond (just go out your back yard!) all the way to the water (beautiful view!). Pick up mussels that are still under water by the handful (they stick together) and put in a clam crate or bucket. These will need to be scrubbed. See recipe in Summertime Food for steaming.
  • Watching the sunset: The view from the back yard is pretty, but the view from the dock at the Deer Isle Yacht Club (3-4 minute walk) is really amazing. The sun sets right over Eagle Island in the distance and lingers in the sky. Take a glass of wine and enjoy!
  • Watching the Tide: There are lounge chairs down by the water on the property for enjoying a drink or a book while watching the tide go in or out.
  • Sandbox and Outdoor Toys: There is a covered turtle sandbox next to the barn with sand toys inside. Push toys and tricycle are stored in the barn (Ask Karl [our caretaker] if you don't see them) Red wagon is in the garage. Your kids will love playing in the large grassy yard, down by the shore, or in the woods.
  • Books and Games: There are plenty of books in the house and the sideboard is filled with games for children and adults (see the hall closet for a few more games).
  • Videos: There is a large color TV and VCR in the living room and several grocery stores on the Island rent videos.
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    Activities and amenities within a five-minute drive:
  • Golf and Tennis: The Island Country Club is less than a 5 minute drive from our house. It features several tennis courts and a nine hole golf course. The rates are extremely reasonable for both golf and tennis. Try the cheese burger and fries while you're there. Open May 29 thru September. (348-2379)
  • Post Office: both the Deer Isle and Sunset Post Office are less than 5 minutes away by car.
  • Shops and Museums in Deer Isle Village: This is a very quaint, New England village with many artists, shops, museums, and antiques.
  • Library: The Deer Isle Library is right on the harbor and less than 5 minutes away. Call ahead as the hours are irregular.
  • Pharmacy: Island Pharmacy is about a 5 minutes drive-- right across from the Burnt Cove Market. Telephone: 367-6333.
  • Ice Cream shop and restaurants: Deer Isle village has an old-fashioned ice cream shop and several good resteraunts. See the list of our favorite resteraunts below.
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    Activities and amenities on the Island of Deer Isle (including Stonington)
  • Barred Island Preserve: Take 15 A to Goose Cove Road. Near the end is the parking area for Barred Island Nature Preserve. You can walk to the Island at low tide.
  • Tennis Nature Preserve: Out Sunshine Road (see map in on refrigerator). Easy hiking.
  • Picnic: There is a well-stocked picnic basket with wine glasses and china in the kitchen. Try a picnic at the Tennis Nature Preserve or at many other sites on the island!
  • Bicycle Rentals: There are two adult mountain bikes in the garage. If you need additional bikes try Finist Kind Bike Rentals (348-7714).
  • Boating: There are many opportunities to charter boats or go on cruises in the area. See brochures in the basket in the living room. There are two small children's life preservers in the garage. Several charter companys (among many) with a web site are Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, Eggemogging Landing Boat Excursions, and the Isle au Haut Company. Many other places rent kayaks, canoes, and sail boats.
  • Fishing: See the charter companies listed above. There is also lots of fishing from various docks and the shore. Stop in at the Island Fishing Gear and Auto Parts (367-5959; yes, it's also a NAPA store!) and check out what's available.
  • Shops in Stonington by the harbor: There are many boats to watch in the town of Stonington and lots of shops and galleries for browsing. The Island Cow ice cream stand is open most sunny afternoons.
  • Galleries: There are many galleries on the island to find quality paintings and ceramic art. See the chamber of commerce web page listed below.
  • Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House: live theater and music performances.
  • Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: premier school for artists. This is a great day trip even if you are not enrolled in one of their sessions. There are also evening lectures and shows.
  • Transportation Matters: shuttles and taxi service from airport and other transportation services.
  • Events Calendar for Deer Isle / Stonington.
  • Check out the Deer Isle / Stonington web site
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    Activities in the surrounding area (including Mt. Desert Island)
  • Acadia National Park: It is a little more than an hour drive from the house to the summit of Cadillac mountain. Acadia is beautiful and not to be missed. Cadillac Mountain, the loop road, and Sand beach are particular highlights. Try the Jordan Pond restaurant for great popovers and a fun locale. There are several easy day hikes as well and good biking trails.
  • Bar Harbor: resort town with many shops, museums, and tourist attractions. Try the whale watching trips or the "express" ferry to Nova Scotia.
  • Blue Hill: plethora of shops, restaurants, and galleries. There is a large grocery store (Trade Winds), a food co-op, a good wine store. Try the Fish Net for great take-out lobster rolls.
  • Steel Drum Band in Buck's Harbor: A wonderful steel drum band, "Flash in the Pans" plays a street dance in quaint Buck's Harbor every other Monday night in the summer from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. The last one is Labor Day. Drive off the Island then take Herrick Road to 176 to Buck's Harbor (see a map) – about a 20 minute drive. Buck's Harbor looks exactly the same today as in Robert McCloskey's books, complete with Condon's Garage.
  • Castine: picture perfect Maine coastal town with an excellent golf course, cute shops, beautiful yachts, and good food. It's a great day trip (about an 1 hour + away).
  • Public Libraries: There are public libraries in Stonington and Deer Isle. Check the brochure in the basket for hours (irregular). For a longer outing, try the Brooklin library - (about a 35 minute scenic drive) for a wonderful, newly renovated library with a great children's section, internet access, etc. Brooklin was the home of E. B. White, and the library has manuscripts and original illustrations from his books. While you are in Brooklin, eat at the Morning Moon café (try the crab and cheese omelet for a late breakfast) and visit the Wooden Boat School. Ask someone to point out E.B. White's house.
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    Food and Wine
  • Grocery Stores: The closest grocery store is Burnt Cove Market (367-2681) on 15A. It is better than you might expect for a small island and from the exterior. There is usually decent produce, local berries, good fish, and look for Cedar Cottage bakery breads and scones in the bread section. The Galley (348-6988; on 15 across from the high school) and the Stonington Market (367-2386; in town in Stonington) are both good other options. There are gourmet options at all the local groceries during the summer months.
  • Lobster: For the freshest, most convenient lobster, call our neighbor, Pearl Hardie, (yellow house on the corner of Perez and Dunham Pt) at 348-6117 and place an order. He will drop them off the next day on his way back from his boat. Prices vary with market, but are much better than store prices. To cook lobsters, put 1 inch salted water in bottom of lobster pot and bring to a rolling boil. Put in lobsters head first (so the tail doesn't splash you), cover, and check to see when it returns to a boil. Time the lobsters for 17 minutes after the water returns to a full boil. To double check if they are done, pick one up by an antenna and if the antenna breaks off from the body they are done.
  • Local Farmers' Market: Saturday mornings May thru September in parking lot of Deer Isle Congregational Church (just minutes from the house). Excellent vegetables, baked goods, goat cheese, and meats. The blueberries are especially good! Especially crowed in August, so get there early.
  • Crab: For delicious fresh picked crabmeat, call our neighbor Jane Huttar at 348-6057 and place an order. She does not pick every day. During 2001 the price was $12 a pound – enough for crabcakes for 4 adults or lots of crab rolls. See the Martha Stewart Quick Meals cookbook for a good crabcake recipe. Butter and toast hot dog buns and stuff with crabmeat mixed with mayo, dill and green onions for a crab roll. There is also a crab cookbook on the shelf.
  • Other Seafood: You can either catch your own or purchase it from the many retailers in Deer Isle or Stonington. Deer Isle is a seafood lover's paradaise!
  • Wine: There is a good wine store in Stonington, The Clown. Ask for some recommendations from their $10 and under wine tasting earlier in the summer. The wine options at the grocery stores are adequate, but The Clown's prices are not any more expensive, and you have much better service and selection. (367-6348 or info@the-clown.com)
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    Restaurants

     

  • Casual
  • Fisherman's Friend in Stonington is good for classic fried seafood platters and lobster stew. Fish fry on Friday night and good Spring and Fall specials. Open April 1 thru October 31. (367-2442)
  • Lily's Café in Stonington is very good and more creative. Excellent soups and baked goods. Excellent vegetarian fare as well. Good crab cakes. Open year-round. (367-5936)
  • Mountainville Café: snacks and deserts. (800-777-6845 or 348-6182)
  • Country View Diner – a classic Maine "take-out" with picnic tables on your way to Blue Hill. There are bunnies and ducks for the kids. Good onion rings and lobster rolls.
  • Finest Kind Dining: excellent restaurant whether you're looking for pizza, seafood, or lobster. Very reasonably priced. Less than a five-minute drive. Open May 1 thru October 31. (348-7714)
  • Bagaduce Lunch a take out on Bagaduce Falls. A bit far just to eat, but a great place for dinner before the steel drums in Buck's Harbor. Beautiful location with picnic tables. Great fish sandwiches.
  • Connie's Cafe: Just minutes from the house in Stonington. The diner is a great lunch or breakfast option. Connie makes fresh dounuts daily!
  • Island Star Cafe: Just minutes from the house in Deer Isle Village. Sandwiches and tasty baked goods. Open April thru December. (348-6292)
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  • Finer Dining
  • Sisters at Eggamoggin Reach right at the bridge. Good food. Also a takeout restaurant and playground for kids.
  • Shore Oaks Inn at Oakland House Only open in Spring and Fall. Wonderful food. Romantic setting (not good for kids). Ask for the library room. On Herrick Road overlooking Eggamoggin Reach. Oakland house is open during the summer too, but the restaurant by the ocean is not available.
  • Goose Cove Lodge: one of the best restaurants around with a great chef every summer. Just minutes away.
  • Pilgrim's Inn: located in Deer Isle Village just minutes from your house. Excellent fine dining.
  • Cafe Atlantic: Great view! Located in Stonington. April thru October. (367-6373).
  • Brooklin Inn: located across the bridge in Brooklin. The new management is excellent. They have a new chef for 2002 that we have not tried, but past experience suggests that it will still be a great place to dine!
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    Contact Information:

    Andy and Amy Vaughn
    375 Dunham Point Road
    Deer Isle, ME 04627

    Telephone: 207-348-6667
    email: andy@4-maine-vacation-rentals.com

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