This summer house on Isleboro was a perfect getaway for my sister's and my annual Sisters' Week for the two of us. In fact, the home is large enough to easily accommodate a family of six or so, but we didn't feel like two beans rattling around in a bottle. To the contrary, the home's 'public' spaces allowed us to enjoy each other's company and at the same time pursue our individual versions of rest (she painted and did a jigsaw puzzle while I read). There is a covered, but open outdoor porch and an enclosed indoor porch, and both look over the bay. The living room is cozy with a fireplace (which we used one day when it poured outside) and the kitchen is set up with a table to take in the bay as well. The home is well-stocked with the basics: cookware, tableware, and there are bins that appear to contain most things needed in a pinch (not food, though).
The island is reached by ferry which runs on the half-hour between Lincolnville and Isleboro. We enjoyed our time on the island so much that we didn't leave the island until the day my sister left, and then it was to enjoy the myriad stateside opportunities available to tourists. The Island Community Center is host to a weekly farmers' market, while not large, does offer a chance to meet some of the people who live there year-round, as well as to get fresh vegetables and strawberries, local dairy, cheese (really good!!), and fresh eggs. There are two grocery stores on the island; one of which is surprisingly well-stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables and a good-looking meat counter. The other store is more rustic, but it has most of the staples a person would need. That said, we found most the people who live year-round take the ferry into town to buy groceries.
The best thing about this place is the natural beauty and peacefulness. There is wifi, but no television. A person can walk the beaches, go swimming (brrr!), and there is a rowboat that one could take out (we didn't, but mostly because we didn't want to have to man-handle it down the steep steps to the beach). There are several nature trails to hike, and like most places, the people who live here are more than happy to share what they consider to be the best of the island with visitors.Finally, it would be remiss not to mention how great Juli is to work with. She was out of town, but readily accessible to answer all our questions and was very helpful to solve problems NOT of her making (mine only). This was a great vacation!
