Progress on the Bailey Island bridge

I have been anxious to see how the temporary bridge was actually going to disappear. Boy, are they busy doing just that today! The top two pictures are of the bridge workers taking apart both sides. They are even taking the huge cement bases out. And a local contractor is lugging the huge boulders away at the same time. I would say at this rate, there will be little left when we open the Inn on April 1st.

Then they will have to clean up the site where all of their trailers and equipment has been for the past 2 years. There is rumor that the former "Rock Ovens" restaurant is suppose to open too. But, you never can trust rumor on Bailey Island. When I hear for sure, I will let you know. It would be nice to have another restaurant on the island. For those of you who do not know, that restaurant was in my family for decades. I even ran it for 7 years before opening the Log Cabin in 1980.

The third picture was taken from Cooks Point of the newly renovated bridge. And finally, the last picture is of Matt, busy at work painting and caulking one of the bathrooms. All 9 rooms will have a fresh paint job when we open (which is in 43 days).

We are ordering a new web cam for the Inn this week. The existing one is acting up, so we are upgrading. Hopefully it will be up and running soon. And, it is a much better quality, so we are hoping the picture will be much nicer.

Hope all is well with all of you, Sue

February snow

Hard to believe that Josh plowed that huge snow bank with his little truck, eh? Don't tell the Labor Dept. that we have him working at age 5!

Of course, Daisy helped him too. Actually, Aimee was doing her part, and Matt was headed to the Inn also.

The bottom picture is of Mackeral Cove in the fresh snow. I know it was a very large storm for most of the country. We got lots of fluff fortunately, not ice. The drifts are really magnificent. The island is very pretty today. I may go take a few more shots.

Beginning to wonder if all of this will melt before April. Another storm is predicted for Saturday. We open in 56 days! The reservations are coming in at a rapid pace....going to be a busy year. Matt and Aimee are painting the rooms, so they should be ship shape!

I will head out with camera in hand.....'til next time, Sue

Bailey Island Winter

These chairs are not looking so inviting at the moment. We have had several snowstorms so far this winter. This last one was all powder, and the drifts are spectacular, especially with the sun shining on them. The colors are the thing I love about this time of year. The ocean is so blue in contrast to the snow.

Matt is home from his ski trip to Colorado. He, Danny and Josh plowed me out yesterday in the plow truck. Then Matt and Danny shovelled our porch. Josh dug his toy plow truck out from the sandbox and did his part plowing the deck. It was priceless.

They are predicting another large storm for Wednesday, but are not sure of the track yet. I am suppose to go to a seminar on marketing online. We will see if it gets cancelled.

Hope you all are surviving winter. Spring is 57 days away! We open in 68! Sue

Calm before the storm

Although it is quite cold today, as you can see the sun is bright and the wind is calm. Our forecast for tomorrow is not so nice.....snow, sleet, freezing rain. We have been lucky so far this winter with no ice.

It has been a very busy day for reservations. I have taken 6 so far....September being the popular month. We are over 50% full for September already! The rest of the season is filling up fast as well. This is quite exciting as it is still January!

The temporary bridge is coming down slowly. Cooks restaurant has been closed for a couple weeks for renovations--opening this Friday. I will go check it out. The Bailey Island store and Giant Stairs grill have stayed open all winter. It is nice to have a few places right on the island to get a meal. Of course, Maine Street Brunswick still supports dozens of places to eat as well. Lodging and restaurant sales were up over 4% in Maine from the previous year. I think the Brunswick area has contributed more than their fair share!

Hope all is well with all of you and winter is not too harsh. We open in 73 days! Sue

Bailey Island's major intersection

This sign just cracks me up! First of all, it has only been a few years since we had names for our roads on the island. They were established for 911. Although I am sure it has made the UPS guy happy. This is the only "street" sign the State decided was necessary on the island.....for the life of me I cannot figure out why. The island is only 2 miles long, and the speed limit is 30 mph. I would think you could read the signs as you were driving, without a "warning" sign from the State. And, of course, we named our "road" a lane. It is Log Cabin Lane, not Log Cabin Road. The Log Cabin is the only property on this "road". But, because we have 3 separate buildings, 911 wanted us to name it and number the buildings. So, we are 5, 7, and 9 Log Cabin Lane. But, anyhow, thanks to the State DOT for giving potential guests fair warning that the Log Cabin is coming up on the right by the oncoming curve! So, now when people ask where we are on the island we can say right after the new curve sign, instead of half mile past the bridge!

So, we open 83 days from today. Come see us! All for now, Sue

Abner Point on Bailey Island

I just took my dogs for a walk to the end of Abner Point. It is sunny and 40 degrees today. What a contrast to Monday when it was snowing and blowing 50 mph and 10 degrees. Even the dogs did not go far that day. Tomorrow is New Years Eve! 2010 was a very busy and eventful year for us at the Log Cabin. No big events for 2011....yet.

Alicia leaves for Florida tomorrow until April. My grandson Josh will be sad, as Alicia's son, Terrence, is his good buddy.

Matt continues to do repairs at the Inn. I continue to take reservations. Looks like another busy year for us.

Lots of interest in the Brunswick Naval Air Station. There are many companies vying for space, as well as Bowdoin College. The navy will be missed, however.

No big plans for me for New Years Eve. Hope all of you have a safe and healthy new year.

Happy New Year to all of you, Sue

Temporary bridge

Now that the "new" Bailey Island bridge is complete, the bridge workers are slowly taking apart the temporary bridge. Although I watched them build the temporary bridge, I cannot figure out why they are taking the road away from the structure first.....seems it should be the other way around to me. But then, I am an innkeeper, not a bridge engineer. I am sure they know what they are doing. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Speaking of progress, can it be we have been closed for almost 2 months? Let's see.....that means we open again in 99 days! Yahoo!! Can you tell that I love the Inn? I love everything about it.....the building, the view, the crew, the guests....oh yeah, and the gardens.

Christmas is next week. My grandson Josh turns 5 this week (speaking of time flying). His nursery school holiday pageant is Wednesday. Of course, I will attend. Last year he sat in his Mom's lap and watched....we will see this year if he participates. It is very cute either way.

Hope you are all well and happy, Sue