On the coast of Maine, where many green islands and salt inlets fringe the deep-cut shoreline stood a small house facing the morning light. All the weather-beaten houses of that region face the sea apprehensively, like the women who live in them.-- The Country of the Pointed FirsSarah Orne Jewett
The coast that inspired Winslow Homer and Sarah Orne Jewett is also the coast I love and am drawn to more and more. I am a Cape Cod girl through and through and my toes will always sink happily into the sands of the beaches and dunes of my childhood. The Cape may be where my pail and shovel memories are treasured but the coast of Maine is where I now choose to breath.
For Mother's Day weekend we headed to Winslow Homer's Prout's Neck. The spot that Winslow Homer called home and immortalized in his work is just a short 12 minute drive to the historic bustling port city of Portland. You would never know that as you drive along rte 77, past the famed Portland Head Light, through Cape Elizabeth and the rustic land that kisses the coast.
May is such a wonderful time of year along the coast. Everything, and everyone, is just waking up and kicking off the very long winter months. The trees were a couple of weeks behind Boston in their budding and as the sun sparkled against the water even the pipers on the beach turned their faces to the warmth of the new season. Shutters were coming down, paint brushes were busy perking up porches and pots of flowers were lined up to bloom.
For this vist we unpacked our bags at the Blackpoint Inn. Blackpoint has been a place to summer since 1878. Surrounded by the Atlantic and the bay on three sides with a cliffwalk that meanders past Winslow Homer's studio. The Inn has gone through some significant personality changes in the past year. The once 86 room spot has returned to its original 1878 footprint of the main architecture. Now 25 gracious rooms along with a bit more casual atmosphere greet guests warmly.
2008 marks the Inns' 130th year on Prouts Neck. Fresh paint, carpet, bedding, furniture and fixtures perfectly appoint the halls and guest rooms. The Point dining room retains its classic summer home grace but no longer requires jackets and ties. The dining in The Point was Maine fresh and elegant. Peeky Toe Crab with avocado, Belgian endive frisee with warm chevre, Arctic char with spinach tomato risotto and olive tapenade and Expresso mousse were all served with care not pretense.
The staff was wonderful, welcoming and warm with attention to every request. With long beaches to wander, porches to sit and rock and watch the water, easy access to the history,art,shopping and restaurants of Portland , this is a spot to linger in any season and reflects all there is to treasure about the coast of Maine.
Pack Your Bags and Visit:
-The Black Point Inn
-The Winslow Homer Studio
-Portland Head Light
-Two Lights State Park
-Crescent Beach State Park
-Fort Williams Park
Eat!
-The Good Table-Funky, comfy, neighborly and Wonderful! Breakfast (cinammon swirl french toast from homemade mammoth cinammon buns)lunch(Lobster Rolls-enough said!) and Dinner(fried Clams, mpre lobster, grilled pita, greek salads, amazing homemade seserts. Sit on the porch and enjoy-Don't Miss!
-Two Lights Lobster Shack-Hands down the best view of any Lobster Shack in New England. Since 1920 they have been eating fried clams and lobster rolls at picnic table hanging out over the crashing surf of the Atlantic by the lighthouse. Perfect picninc!
-Spurwink Country Kitchen-comfy food and atmosphere
