As summer starts and schools let out, a familiar sense of freedom fills the air; long days, warm sunshine, and near endless time outdoors. Whether it’s basking on a sandy beach, gathering with friends for a backyard barbecue, or savoring fresh seafood on a breezy seaside patio, New England comes alive in its most vibrant season. What does your perfect summer day look like?

By: Stavros

Our trip to Chebeague Island started just like many of our others throughout New England. Early Saturday morning, we loaded our bags into the car, made a quick first stop for some breakfast on the go, then drove a few hours from Connecticut. This time, our destination was a little more complicated to reach than driving straight to. What is typically a quick trip in the car, we found ourselves taking one car ride, two shuttles and a ferry with a fair amount of down-time in between each.

We made our way into Maine just north of Portland, and we parked at a satellite location off Route 1 in Cumberland. After a brief wait with plenty of snacks, we hopped on a school bus and were driven to a dock on Cousins Island. Stepping off, our group and the rest of the island visitors congregated in a neat line and waited for our turn to board our next ride. Within a few minutes, we spotted the first glimpse of the Chebeague Island ferry on its return trip. The excitement in the crowd quickly grew and conversations got louder and more animated as the ferry got larger in view. The boat finally bumped the dock and came to a quick stop while the deckhands jumped into action and secured the mooring lines. One at a time the former guests of the island disembarked with big smiles on their faces and once the boat was clear we knew it was our turn to fill up the empty seats.

Rushing up the steps, our group got seats on the top deck for the most spectacular view of Casco Bay and finally Chebeague Island just off in the distance. Thirty minutes of cool salty air filled our lungs as we made our way across the bay. Once off the ferry, the last step of our commute was ahead of us. A two-minute ride in the Chebeague Island Inn’s shuttle through the hotel’s 9-hole golf course. The westward facing hotel sits atop a gentle rise overlooking the bay and offering spectacular sunsets. Whether it’s from the wraparound porch, one of the many seating areas on the lawn, or even the west-facing rooms, the views from the Inn are breathtaking.

All checked in, we unloaded our bags in room 215 and immediately went to explore the grounds. Having arrived late afternoon meant we were not left with more than a couple of hours of exploring. We made our way through the first floor and found the main lounge; walls covered in wide wooden planks, hardwood floors, and large open windows that let the ocean breeze fill the first floor. At the center of the south wall was an impressive stone fireplace that could surely heat the whole first story of the hotel even on the coldest winter nights. Walking through the great room we were transported to the deck of a Brigantine wooden sailboat carving through the waves of the Maine coastline in the late 1800s.

Having seen the inside of the hotel we made our way outdoors and walked along many of the gardens that produce the vegetables that become ingredients at the Inn’s restaurant. Continuing around the Inn we found ourselves on the west side of the lawn and took a seat on a couple of the many Adirondack chairs that overlooked the golf course and the bay. As we enjoyed the sights and sounds of all the merriment around us, the intoxicating smell of the many seafood dishes being served on the patio grabbed hold of us. Doing our best to wait for our dinner reservation we finally walked up the stone steps and found our outdoor table on the Inn’s patio. For dinner, we paired our craft cocktails with a variety of seafood. The Bangs Island mussels in a white wine and Fresno chili pure with chorizo were the starter, then we enjoyed North Atlantic Cod in a chowder broth with salt pork slices and the Day Boat Scallops in a buttermilk whey beurre blanc. One of the highlights of dinner was getting to enjoy our meal while overlooking the beautiful views of the bay.

As the sun set over the bay, we too made our way upstairs to our room and fell asleep to the sounds and smells of the ocean that poured through our windows. This was a trip we think about often and are eager to revisit.

The Colonial Pharmacy in downtown Kennebunkport, Maine, just behind the flowers of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument; a granite pillar topped with a bronze eagle honoring the local veterans located in the center of Dock Square. 

The Colors of the Coast

New England has an undeniable connection to the ocean and the resources it provides. It’s fair to say that when visitors come to any of our six states one of the first things they seek out is a bite of lobster and a hot cup of clam chowder. Along with the distinct smells and tastes of the cuisine, one of New England’s most recognizable sides is portrayed with colorful buoys, small fishing boats, and by the many weathered seafood shacks that dot the coastline. You don’t have to get lucky to find what you’re looking for, all one has to do is take a short drive down Route 1 and stop at any of the larger than life signs of seafood. Yet to this day, one of the most contested topics in all New England is where to get the best of any of our staple dishes. New England creamy clam chowder or Rhode Island clear clam chowder? Connecticut hot buttered lobster roll or the refreshing Maine lobster salad roll? Maybe one day, all six states will agree on the winners, until then keep trying them all until you find your favorites.

Stand Up or Sit Down?

Do you take the leisurely option and enjoy a row up the Farmington River on a kayak, or do you opt for the more adventurous stand-up paddleboard? Either way, if you’re not too careful you may end up in the water, whether by accident or by design. One of the favorite summertime activities in the small central Connecticut towns is to take advantage of what the river has to offer and spend time on or in the water. For an even more leisurely option a short drive farther north lets you take a tube and slowly make your way down a couple of miles of winding water with almost no effort. Whether you’re canoeing, boarding, or tubing everyone ends up meeting up and having fun at some point along the river.

Exploring at Low Tide

When the tide goes out, do you go in? Beached sailboats are not an uncommon sight at Linnell Landing Beach as the shallow coastline gives opportunity for some timely exploring. Low spots create pools where fish and other sea creatures congregate while they wait for the tide to rise and rescue them back to the open ocean. That’s the perfect opportunity to walk out and get a different view of the beach you regularly enjoy from shore.

When the clouds roll in, and the boats all return to the safety of the bay the mood quickly changes from inviting to a little ominous and mysterious. Fog rolls off the hills and eventually makes its way onto the water making it so boats can easily disappear. Would you dare to be brave or keep to the safety of the shore?

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The Nor’easter: No. 3 - Publish Date: July 9

The Nor'easter - Stories of New England. The people, seasons, places & traditions. Building a community for those who are New England.

The Nor’easter is a publication of the New England Travel Journal