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AreA Lodging

from Southwest Harbor & Tremont 2021

from Southwest Harbor & Tremont 2021, page 15

PersonAL services

Sip your morning beverage in front of the campfire. Or, perhaps off the deck of a rental unit overlooking the harbor. There are many places to stay in this area ... meeting everyone’s comfort level and idea of the ideal! Contact one of our providers to begin your next memorable retreat to Mount Desert Island. We hope you come again soon!

HARBORVIEW MOTELAND COTTAGES

11 Ocean Way – P.O. Box 701 – Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 207-244-5031 or 800-538-6463

On t the S Shore Quiet V Village o of S Southwest H Harbor Near A Acadia N National P Park & & A Attractions

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The ferry trip to Little Cranberry Island is about a 20-minute trip. We won’t repeat the loading and unloading details but it should get easier as the day goes by. As you arrive in Islesford, (the town on Little Cranberry Island), you will notice that this island is different from Great Cranberry. There is a surprising presence of lobster traps and gear in many places. When we arrived in Islesford, we wrote down, “this is a purely, authentic, fishing island.”

We recommend that you travel up the hill to the Islesford Historical Museum managed by Acadia National Park. The National Park Staff on location are a good source of information about the island. In this area, there are also public restrooms, the Islesford Dock restaurant, and other shops. Head up Main Street and just after the Islesford Congregational Church, turn left on Mosswood Road. On the left is the Islesford Neighborhood House and Library. Check out the Library, if it is open. The librarian on duty is also a good source of local information. For $1.00, you can get a good map of the island (highly recommended). Returning back down to Main Street, turn left and pass the General Store, Post Office, and The Ashley Bryan School, the local elementary and middle school. Shortly after, on the left, is the Catholic Church and a cemetery. Just after this, bear left on the North Wood Road. After sharp left and right turns, you will look for a “right of way” on the left, just after a log cabin. This little road descends quickly down to the shore. You will know you are in the right place if there is a residence on your left where the road ends. Park your bike off to the side and walk down to the shore. This is Bunker’s Cove. With a view much like “the million dollar view” on Great Cranberry Island, this is a great place for a picnic. There are residences close by so keep your noise at a reasonable level. As you go back to your bike and climb back up to the North Wood Road, take a right and go back to Main Street. Take a left on Main Street, and then another left on Bar Road. Pedaling past homes with much fishing gear around them, you will descend to the shore. Take a left on the

Ann’s Point Cottages

Waterfront properties available year round

quietsidepropertymgmt@gmail.com quietsideproperties.com | 207.244.4021 | 207.479.0388

gravel Coast Guard Road, (no street sign), and proceed parallel to the wall of rocks the sea has piled up 8 to 10 feet high. This wall obscures your view of the water so you might want to pull over and “climb” the wall to get your bearings. The panoramic view is outstanding. To the right, the rocky shore curls around to the left to include Maypole Point and further in the distance, one side of the landmass that forms The Pool on Great Cranberry. To the left, the shore curls around to the right and includes the old Coast Guard station, which is now a private residence. Further on, Baker Island connected to Little Cranberry Island by a bar, finishes almost a visual half-circle as you look out to the open ocean. You can continue along the road, but remember to stop short of the old Coast Guard station, to give the owners their privacy. Returning from this area, you will turn back on the Coast Guard Road. Turning right on the Bar Road, you will cross Main Street and keep to the left on the Bar Road until it meets with Main Street near the Mossword Road. Shortly after joining Main Street, you will again come upon the Islesford Congregational Church. We found the Church unlocked and went inside. This is a lovely, old church with fine wood and beam work. Also of note are the stained glass windows which were created and donated by local artist, author, storyteller and musician, Ashley Bryan. Practically across Main Street from the church, Maypole Road leaves to the left. The Maypole Road is about a 1 mile round trip to Maypole Point which is worth the ride. You do want to consider the time about

PENURY HALL

Bed & Breakfast – Open All Year

Six guests share scrumptious breakfasts, convivial atmosphere, sauna, an interest in art, antiques, gardening and the delights of Mt.Desert Island. Gretchen Strong Box 68, SW Hbr., ME 04679

207-244-7102

tstrong@penuryhall.com www.penuryhall.com Rentals • Real Estate Sales

116 Main Street Northeast Harbor, Maine 04662 Tel.207•276•5468 Fax 207•276•3616 katrina@cartersrealestate.com

Distinctive properties. Legendary service. For all your real estate needs on Mount Desert Island and the Downeast Maine coast.

Also offering more than 400 vacation rentals near Acadia National Park.

www.KnowlesCo.com

now. You want to be sure to have enough time to catch your ferry back to Southwest Harbor! We knew we had enough time to go down this road without missing our trip back. The times have changed since we took our trip, so DO pay attention! The Maypole Road first goes by the town field and picnic area on the right. The road is out in the open most of the time with high, bushy vegetation on the sides in stretches. You will go by many boathouses (including the current home of Islesford Boatworks) on the right, then a cemetery for some of the early settlers on the left. The road winds a bit and then climbs a bit to a point where the view to the right of Great Cranberry and “The Gut” are very nice. In a couple more turns, you will come upon a a private residence. We parked our bikes a ways back from the house and followed an open area to the left of the house. This leads to the shore and another great view. To the left, the long shoreline of Gilley Beach, the Coast Guard Road where you were earlier, the bar and Baker Island form a long, sweeping view of a remote bay. Straight ahead, you will see a few small islands. One of these is called Seal Rocks and here is where the binoculars would come in handy. We did not have any, but it seemed that there were more than a dozen seals out there. Heading back to the town pier, you will board the ferry and head back to Southwest Harbor with a stop at Great Cranberry Island. We hope you enjoy your bike trip to the Cranberry Isles. If you would like to share your trip with us, or make suggestions, please write to Bayside Celebrating over 50 Years Graphics, PO Box 55, Mount Desert, or email us at: baysidegraphics@roadrunner.com. ME 04660