Classic, rustic, waterfront Maine retreat (“Crow’s Nest”) perched above Beal's Cove w/i Harpswell Sound w/ private direct waterfront access via steps w/ platform for fun activities - 4 kayaks+2 paddle boards included. Its plentiful sleeping space, porch, and expansive property w/ shared tennis court make it fun for family reunions or get-togethers. Porch speckled w/ rocking chairs overlooks the bay and has spectacular views of sunsets enjoyed w/ coffee, cocktails, and lobster & steamer dinners.
The space
The house & property on Orr's Island have been in our family for 125+ years and are rustic. The house is original and the experience is hearty. It has A LOT of charm, history, and care put into it; think "Glamping in Maine" and not "The Hamptons" or Nantucket. It may not be pristine and perfect and have all of the amenities you may be looking for, so please review all before deciding. We're transparent about everything the house & property have and do not have. And, because we want to ensure you enjoy your time in Maine, our property is not the best choice for those with physical limitations, mobility issues, or the elderly who may prefer an "easier-to-get-around" environment. Please take all of this and the following important notes into consideration before deciding, as we do not want to mislead or disappoint.
For instance, for heat, there are small heaters for most rooms that work well, but there is no central heating, and for cooling off, there are only fans in each room, and no central air conditioning or air conditioners. The stairs going to the 2nd-floor bedrooms & 1 full bathroom in the back of the house are steep; this has been an issue for some (note: there are 3 bedrooms on the 1st floor - two with a queen-sized bed and one with two single beds - and there is a 1st-floor full bathroom). Also, most lighting throughout is by lamps plugged into the wall, wall sconces up higher, and motion-activated lights on the staircases. Overhead lighting only in 2 full bathrooms and kitchen. In addition, for those wanting to walk to the water, of course you should, it's via a fairly steep, ~25 yards, mowed path with only a rope handrail from the house to the field below that takes care to walk down unless you love hiking, and then it's easy. And, the steps down to the water from the field to our small, platform deck to relax on and launch the 4 kayaks (2 open & light and 2 seaworthy & heavy) and 2 paddleboards (light) from are a little steep (not that bad) with a guard/hand railing for support, again easy if you are used to the rustic outdoors. So, for those needing to be careful and enjoy all, our house may not be the best fit. Okay, now on a more fun note ...
There are years of wonderful memories and we hope you enjoy this aspect as we do. The porch is where all sorts of fun and quiet activities happen as it overlooks the water & our field (pups love it) and where everyone usually meets at sunset (see pics as to why) and the adjacent living room sits 10+ comfortably with a wood-burning fireplace when there might be a chill in the air (seasoned wood provided). There is a firepit area adjacent to the porch (see pictures) for daytime relaxation and evening chatter & s'mores! The dining room is a wonderful area for dinners with lots of people and the galley-style kitchen, while small and has no dishwasher, has 2 refrigerators, a full stove/oven (propane burning), convection microwave with air fryer and all utensils, pots & pans, blender, etc. you need to prepare gourmet meals, lobster & steamers, and anything else you concoct.
The Wi-Fi is strong, so that's great for Wi-Fi calling and various devices accessing at the same time (well ... maybe not 10+ streaming video at the same time!) and we have a 40-inch Amazon FireTV (first time in 125+ years) via Wi-Fi connection, not cable. It's ready to go via our Prime Video account and you can access your Netflix, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, Peacock, Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, and Prime Video account(s) to watch movies and other channels. And/or bring your own "dongle" to access other services via the Internet not accessible via a Fire TV. And, there is a DVD player connected to the TV for those who remember what that is with some DVDs (a few for smaller kids) in the TV-table drawers.
For those who have pups (we love our pups), please ensure to bring poop bags and clean up after them around the property and be respectful of others. There are many wonderful waterside and wooded places - our property too - where you can bring them and we did our best to let you know their policies (see the Guide Book) but always best to bring a leash, even if you don't need it = better safe than sorry!
Our 7 bedrooms are cozy with closet and/or bureau space. All sheets and associated linens & towels are washed after every visit. If you have a favourite pillow, bring it, but every single bed comes w/ 2+ pillows and the two queen and king beds have 4+ pillows each. The two full bathrooms are not large, but they work well, and each has a bathtub with a shower. Toilet paper, shampoos, conditioners, soap, body wash, and toothpaste supplies are provided for all guests, so please don't take them with you. :-) We ask that you buy paper towels, as they seem to go very fast. We have extra paper towels in case you forget to buy them, but please replace them for upcoming guests or our family members. Garbage bags are provided, and no need to buy them.
There are two other houses 50+ yards to the left and right, respectively, owned by our cousins that also have been in the family for 125+ years; we all get along great, and you have privacy, promise! The fun part is that you might meet other wonderful folks renting the house to the left.
SPECIAL NOTES:
1. There is no washer or dryer for clothing/towels/etc. If needed, drive 15-20 mins to Brunswick and use a laundromat (there are a few); they have drop off/pick up service while shopping or on the way to see the sites, or do it yourself. There is a clothesline at the house to hang "stuff" to dry.
2. No dishwasher; enjoy doing it the old-fashioned way in the sink. :-)
3. Kitchen is “galley style" with 6 burner propane stove & oven with a griddle, convection microwave with air fryer and has all supplies you needed to make great meals. It also has 2 large refrigerators, one we use for liquids & bottled water and the other for food (see pictures).
Other items that we hope make your stay comfortable and fun include:
➢ LOTS of spices and cooking oils (Olive, Sunflower, Canola); make sure to check what we have before buying any!
➢ Family-owned, red-clay tennis court (open for use from June - September) is 50 yards from the back of the house, with plenty of tennis racquets at the house.
➢ Ample board games, cards, puzzles, cribbage board (gift of guests- so awesome), and a perfect, fireside table for provided chess and checkers too!
➢ 40-inch Amazon FireTV - Prime Video included with access to Netflix, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, Peacock, Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, etc. and great for movie night.
➢ DVD player connected to TV and DVDs - ask your parents what that is ... LOL.
➢ Water shoe/“booties” of many sizes in containers on the porch that we encourage you to use when walking to the water and highly recommend wearing, unless you have your own “grippy type” of water shoes, to navigate the walk down, terrain, and water below!
➢ 4 kayaks (2 open & light & 2 seaworthy & heavy) and 2 paddle boards (light), treat them nicely.
➢ 12 life preservers - 8 adults of various sizes and 4 children.
➢ 12+ "outside/beach-type" towels separate from the inside towels provided; we use them for swims in the bay/cove/ocean below the house, beach visits, and to dry pups off.
➢ 2 “Igloo”-styled coolers
➢ 6 tailgate-style, folding chairs to bring anywhere desired.
➢ 2 adult & 2 children fishing rods and bring your own lures :-).
➢ Hammock in the lower field for chillaxing.
➢ Candles for inside & the porch - some real and others battery operated that look nice but don't try and light the 'fake' ones as others have ...LOL.
➢ Firepit area to the right of the porch that we love (see pics).
➢ Seasoned firewood & fire starters for the inside fireplace and the fire pit.
➢ “Weber” round grill and charcoal (Kingsford) & lighter fluid
➢ Flashlights (4) - please do not take them with you as some guests have ... grrrrrr.
➢ Emergency Medical Kits - 2 small ones; special note: ConvenientMD Urgent Care is located in Brunswick a 15-20 minute drive from the house (just in case)!
Guest access
The entire property is private and all yours to access for your stay! Included are 4 kayaks & 2 paddleboards (treat them nicely, please) to launch via our small, platform deck on the water and our family-owned, red-clay tennis court (open for use from June - September) which is 50 yards from the back of the house and shared with family cousins and local friends, who pay an annual fee to help offset its costs. Sign up for tennis is by old-fashioned clipboard, at no cost to you, and you may block times for your stay all at once, but no more than 2 hrs at a time, please.
The field below is wonderful for relaxing, chilling & reading in the hammock, and playing with pups., and sightings on wonderful wildlife as deer, turkeys, geese, ospreys, and bald and golden eagles. The upper lawn next to the house is good for relaxing, playing games, and playing with pups, too!
Other things to note
See the Guide Book about local eateries & stores, where to buy lobsters to cook at the house, hiking trails, fun activities, kayak rentals & tours (much fun), Schooner rental for groups (awesome), Lobster Harvesting and Seal Watching tours close to the house, and more associated with the listing under "Where you’ll be" section and click "Show Host guidebook". 2 copies are printed and at the house too.
24/7 assistance is available via your host's mobile #. We do not show up during your stay, unless you want us to! :-) We ask that all guests text with us to ensure that all made it safely, and then you have the fastest way to communicate if you have questions or need help with "stuff" that comes up.
15-20 minutes drive to Brunswick ("Old Downtown" or "Cook's Corner") - The Old Downtown area is home to Bowdoin College and it is classic, quaint New England with a beautiful & large town green, health food stores, coffee houses, fun shops, diverse restaurants, food trucks, and all are walkable to each other. Cook's Corner is about 3 miles down the road from Old Downtown, Brunswick, on the way to our house too, where you will find a less enchanting and more pragmatic environment with a Hannaford’s, Stop & Shop, Super Walmart, Lowe's, PetSmart (pet grooming too), Pharmacies (CVS & Walgreens), Staples, Dollar Tree, Starbucks, Five Guys, chain-style restaurants, laundromats, other stores, gas stations, and ConvenientMD Urgent Care (VERY important to note for emergencies and they are excellent).
30 minutes drive to Freeport - home to L.L. Bean, outlet stores, fun restaurants, and 3 local breweries with great beer & food (Mast Landing Brewing Company, Maine Beer Company, and Stars & Stripes Brewing Company).
40 minutes drive to Portland and its historic seaport - much fun, has amazing restaurants on the water, and is home to Shipyard Brewing Company that you can visit. Portland is known for its natural beauty, restaurants, bustling art scene, and laid-back outdoorsy lifestyle. It's also considered one of the best places to live in Maine.
~2.5 hours drive from/to Boston!
Reminder: For those who have pups, please bring poop bags and clean up after them around the property and be respectful of others. There are many places where you can bring them - in addition to our property and waterfront - for waterside, oceanside, and wooded walks and we did our best to let you know their policies but always best to bring a leash even if you don't need it and poop bags = better safe than sorry!
