Monday morning along the Maine Coast

It's a beautiful Monday morning here in Winter Harbor, Maine. Although today is supposed to be our day off, at least this week, Susie went in early to prep and bake the morning pastries. I can see it's going to difficult to tear her away from those ovens if and when we do get a "serious" day off. But hey that's what we came here for, right?

A few more notes about Winter Harbor. Directly across from Gerrish's is the "Winter Harbor 5 & 10." A good place to stop and pick up a newspaper, charcoal for your grill, light bulbs, a cooler, you name it and I bet Peter has it. And it's a great place to get information, directions and advice on what's happening around town.

The Island Explorer bus system is up and running -- it's long been a favorite on Mt. Desert Island and now there is one on this side of Frenchman's Bay as well. If you take the ferry over from Bar Harbor the bus will pick you up at the wharf and take you in to Winter Harbor for lunch or to stroll the art galleries and then out to Schoodic Point where you can spend the afternoon hiking the trails or just strolling along the ocean. Then grab the bus back to the ferry. Or just leave your car downtown and take the bus. Anyway it runs all day long from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is absolutely and utterly free.

Speaking of the ferry it leaves Winter Harbor at 9, 11, 1, 3 and 5, and leaves Bar Harbor at 10, 12, 2, 4 and 6. The cost is $29.50 per person (RT), $6.00 per bicycle.

Tomorrow I'll talk about the arts here in Winter Harbor. There are several art galleries right in town as well as Hammond Hall where you can often find some pretty good music in the summer. But more of that later.

Wish you were here,

Steve

Sunday in Winter Harbor

It's a cool, semi-overcast morning here in Winter Harbor. A few folks out to get morning coffee and pastries. And speaking of pastries how about rustic raspberry turnovers or blackberry coffee cake or maybe apple-cheddar muffins?

Elena is working this morning and so is Jessica, who just started this past week. She and her friend Natalie round out the staff here at Gerrish's for the summer. So now we're pretty much set to go for the Fourth of July kickoff!

Yesterday shortly after Susan and I drove out to Schoodic Point for our daily walk, I caught sight of the Cat ferry coming in to Bar Harbor from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Susan had already set out on her walk and I was futzing around with my iPod and getting out of the car when I looked up and saw this huge black hydrofoil churning up the water coming in from the northeast. Pretty cool to say the least. I've seen ocean liners leaving Bar Harbor and heading in the direction of Nova Scotia but this is the first time I've seen the Cat. Susie suggested maybe we would do Nova Scotia as a day trip on the Cat on one of our days off. That sounds good to me.

And speaking of Schoodic Point, while Susan was on her walk and I was gaping at the Cat she came across two fox kits and their mother right near the parking the lot! Now how cool is that!

Wish you were here,

Steve

Breakfast notes from Winter Harbor

It's cool and overcast here in Winter Harbor this morning.

If you're up and on this side of Frenchman's Bay drop by J. M. Gerrish's for some of Susie's fresh-baked pastries. This morning you'll find pear-almond tarts, scones, muffins, a buckle as well as cheese danish and mini butter crescents right out of the oven!


Wish you were here,

Steve

Notes from Winter Harbor and Schoodic Point

Yesterday was the longest day of the year. Today, Friday, marks the first week anniversary of J. M. Gerrish’s opening for the summer season, the second week since it changed owners, and the fifth week since Susan and I moved to Winter Harbor. So much has happened in such a short span of time; we have come to learn so much new and fascinating bits of an industry that we’ve only seen from one side of the counter so to speak. Now we are peeking behind the curtain, marveling at the magician working the levers, all the while trying to find a path through all this complex, complicated new terrain without losing our way. (photo: Susan's coconut cake with toasted coconut frosting.)

The weather has been interesting to say the least: a phenomenal thunderstorm the other afternoon followed up by one of the most remarkable and beautiful skies I have ever seen. Later that evening we saw numerous lightning flashes to the northwest but little struck here along the coast.

Work has cut a bit into my daily walks around Schoodic Point, but I still get a chance to get out there more often than not. We both have found it to be a wonderful place to stroll, watch the waves, listen to the surf, gaze across the empty horizon and wonder what the future has in store for us – for all of us.

In fact most people come to Winter Harbor because of this most picturesque section of Acadia National Park; and to escape the frenetic pace and often overcrowded lifestyles of Mt. Desert Island and Bar Harbor. It’s an easy drive of about 45 miles or so, or you can take the ferry direct from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor; the ferry is rumored to begin running early next week. Everyone says that the ferry, or water taxi really, gives you not only a beautiful view of the area from the seaside but also lets you travel to Schoodic and then take the local Island Explorer bus system which I believe is free.

If you are coming to Winter Harbor and want to spend a couple of days exploring this side of Frenchman’s Bay and need a place to stay check out Kathy and Bill Carpenter’s 3 bedroom vacation rental located right near the beach. You can walk to Gerrish’s or the Bar Harbor ferry and Schoodic Point is only a five-minute drive away. Plus they are very nice folks. You can find out more details by emailing Kathy at winterharborhouse@yahoo.com or phone 860-455-9335 or 207-963-7398.

And while you’re here check out Wendilee Heath’s “Whopaints” studio and gallery just a few doors down from Gerrish’s. Wendilee also provides lessons for both the beginning as well as the advanced painter. Check her website out at www.whopaints.com.

Well the weather has taken a turn for the dark side this morning, at least inland from here. Out to sea it looks bright and clear but I’m told that too can change in a heartbeat. Anyway I’ve clocked out for the morning. I’m making sandwiches today; Alex the regular sandwich maker is off today and I’m the swingman. I’ll clock back in at about 11:30 or so and get ready for the lunch crowd.

Today Susan is fixing her regular batch of maple walnut and lemon crème scones, with the addition of a blueberry buckle, orange almond cakes (melt-in-your-mouth) and apricot almond tarts.

Wish you were here,

Steve

Opening Day

Well it's about closing time, I've clocked out and I just wanted to say it's been a heckuva day here in Winter Harbor. Very busy, especially for lunch and lots of coffee -- but of course the big winner was the creations of the new pastry chef! Susie got lots of praise today for her wonderful tarts, scones, muffins, cookies, coffeecake and other deeeelicious baked goods. You should've been here!

But since most of you weren't, click here to see some photos (photo: Susie with her pear almond tarts -- yep two of them sold).

Hope you are all well and enjoying as beautiful day as we are here along the seacoast of Maine.

Wish you were here,

Steve