Sea smoke

Here is a view of the ocean that you will not see in the summer! We call it sea smoke. It is caused when the ocean is warmer than the air and the evaporation is faster than the air can absorb the vapor. This occurs on days like this, with the ocean temperature a balmy 40 degrees, and the air a frigid 15 degrees. I like to think of it as an ocean soup!

Winter cold has moved in. We have been spoiled with above normal temperatures lately. So, the contrast is quite uncomfortable. With the wind howling, they do not make enough winter clothing to be able to enjoy being outside for very long. The weather person on TV just said 1-10 degrees tonight.

But it is the first day of February, and our daylight has increased 56 minutes since December. Things are moving in the right direction. Reservations continue to roll in every day. This is very exciting!

Hope you are all staying warm.

All for now, Sue

Renovations

The snow is almost gone after a 3 inch rainfall and 40 degree temperatures of the past couple days. The sun even came back, which makes for very nice working weather. That is convenient, as my sons, Matt and Adam are residing one of the buildings here at the Inn. They are being assisted by their very good friends, and equally good carpenters, Chuck and Jim.

Today is Adams 37th birthday. We will celebrate tonight at Cooks Restaurant.

It is nice having options of where to eat in January here on the islands. We have Cooks, Giant Stairs, the Fishnet cafe, and the 2 stores on Orrs and Bailey Islands. I am sure business is not exactly booming for any of these places, but we do appreciate having them open.

I started taking a quilting class last night with the Adult Education Program. It is a beginners class. Alicia said maybe I could make quilts for the Inn. At the rate of progress I made last night, my first completed quilt should be done about 2015!

64 more days until we open. Hope to see all of you this year!

'Til next time, Sue

Lobstering in the Winter

As you can see, there are hundreds of lobster traps piled up in Mackeral Cove. And, there are no pick up trucks unlike summer, when you would see dozens of empty trucks early in the morning, owned by fisherman who were out to sea. Most of the trucks you see now, have empty traps piled high in the beds, that they have removed from the ocean to store until the next season.

The cove is quiet and covered in a fresh snow. It snowed for three days this week, making fishing, and driving quite treacherous.

There are still a few brave souls who do fish this time of year. Most of them go way out to sea, so you do not see the many boats in the bay as you do the summer and fall seasons.

There was a question on a Maine television show the other day that asked what the #1 export from Maine was. Now, I have lived here for over 40 years.....and I said either, lobster, blueberries, potatoes or lumber. I was very surprised to fine out that it is computer chips! The semiconductor industry is 28% of the $3 billion products Maine companies export. Who knew? Pulp and paper is #2.

Hope all is well with all of you! Sue

Beautiful winter morning

Here are a couple shots I took this morning.......one of Mackeral Cove through the trees, and the other of a flock of ducks enjoying the early morning sun, and calm waters. I marvel at the winter colors.....the white snow contrasted with the ocean. It was sunny and calm today, in the 30's. Just like Florida!

The phone and email has been very busy today. That is exciting. Matt and Aimee are busy with renovations at the Inn. Aimee is re-doing the mens and ladies rooms. Matt is refinishing some woodwork. Must keep the place ship-shape you know!

It is shrimp and scallop season right now. Boy, there is nothing like Maine shrimp and scallops right out of the water. We will stock up for the summer before the season is over. Most of the lobsterman have their traps out of the water, but a few hardy souls still go out. That is a tough job in the winter.

Hope all is well with all of you. Look forward to opening up in April. Looks like we will have another busy year! All for now, Sue

Bailey Island New Years snow

As you can see, the snow drifts at the Inn. It likes to drift in the most awkward spots.....like up the front door, and in the walkways to the rooms. You can see that it would be impossible to be open in the winter!

It has been above freezing for the past couple of days, so it is melting. However, they are predicting another storm this weekend! The snow and water is beautiful though....the white snow makes the ocean look more blue.

86 more days until we open---wonder if it will be melted by then?

Reservations keep coming in daily........call us if you haven't already! All for now, Sue

Happy New Year from Bailey Island

As you can see, my lazy labs were not very stressed about the holidays! Hope you all have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.

Bailey Island Community

This is a very exciting weekend on Bailey Island. Cooks Restaurant had a fundraiser for the Harpswell Heating Program last night, and it was packed! They had carollers, Santa, free snacks, and a silent auction (of course, a night stay at the Log Cabin was donated). There were all sorts of locals there chatting, eating and bidding on the auction. It is the second year Cooks has done this, and hopefully will be a holiday tradition. The sense of community was overwhelming....actually brought me to tears.

Today the Bailey Island store is re-opening after months of being closed. As you can see from the picture, it is busy! A local family has purchased it, and we wish them success! It is strange how much you miss something when it is no longer there.

Speaking of purchasing something, the community has purchased the Post Office so it should stay open for the next 5 years. All of the money has not been raised, but little by little the goal is within reach. For those of you who do not know, the Post Office is right next to the General Store.

Another community event happened on Friday. The Harpswell Nursery school had their Christmas pageant. Of course I attended to see my grandson Josh sing. Well, Josh decided that the crowd was too intimidating, and sat in his Mom's lap instead. Still, watching the other 3 and 4 year olds sing Christmas songs was fun as their families looked on. Josh, however, was not shy when it was time to get in the lunch line! He was first........takes after his Dad with the appetite!

The weather sure did take a turn....my flowers I was picking in early December are long gone. After a brief trip to Key West, I flew home to Maine on Wednesday. It was record heat in Key West, and record cold here in Maine. I woke up to 85 degrees and 98% humidity and returned home to 13 degrees!! Try to dress for that trip!

Hope you all have a safe and Happy Holiday.......looks like the big storm may put a damper on travel.

All for now........Sue