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I. Why is it
called "Bold Colorful Life"?
A Bold Colorful Life is a
state of mind---we know who we are and live authentically; we choose
to do the things we are passionate about; we surround ourselves with
colorful people who reflect our lifestyle and values; and we create
and spend time in environments that stimulate the very best we have
to give to the world around us.
The Bold Colorful Life theme is inspired by love of nature and beauty
and art,
by love of adventure and exploration; and it's grounded in
spiritual awareness and growth. By building this estate, your
hosts are following a bold colorful dream.
Leave your stress and hassle at home and come fill yourself with the
joy of the natural world, gathering with loved ones, and exploring
this uncommonly beautiful and enjoyable area of Maine.
Come join us for a long weekend, a
week, one of our Retreats, a life adventure!
II.
What is the property like?
Bold Colorful
Life estate is situated on an enchanting old salt farm on 15 acres of
waterfront fields, woods, stone walls, apple trees, lilac trees and
gardens. If you can take your eyes off the breathtaking panorama,
you'll notice that the
'compound' consists of four New
England-style buildings: a Maine farmhouse, attached to an historic
barn, with views of the Back River and a large freshwater pond; a
charming garden shed with garden and picket fence nearby; an 1800s
Cape nestled amongst the apple trees on the southern end of the ridge;
and an 1800s barn, now the Bold Colorful Life Gallery.
The buildings
sit on a 15 acre ledge-covered clearing on a hillside of woods and
meadows, approximately 800 feet above a cove on the rocky shoreline of
the Back River, the eastern offshoot of the mighty Sheepscot River. From the front
porches of both houses, you can look northwesterly to the Back River
and farms across the river.
III.
How
can we choose between the two houses?
THE FARMHOUSE:
The main house is new, but has the soul of an historic place as it is built partially of wood
rescued from 200 year old barn buildings on this site and another. It
is designed as a traditional Maine farmhouse on the outside,
with porches and dormers and gardens. Inside, the first floor
holds a large kitchen and dining area, which faces the river; a
cozy media room with the latest technology and a
handicap-accessible bedroom and bath, both which face the
courtyard and the sunrise. On the second floor,
there are four bedrooms with private baths--two which face the
river and freshwater pond and the sunsets, and two which face the porch
and gardens and courtyard, both warmed by the sunrise.
The main house is
attached to an historic barn, which
was lovingly taken down from its original site in North
Waldoboro and rebuilt here. It is known as the Homer Jones
barn--Homer Jones built the barn over 200 years ago. On the
first floor of the barn, the two-story Great Room connects to
the dining area, with spectacular views to the river and the west. The rooms
share a wall with a see-through gas fireplace
which warms both rooms. Above it
is a gathering area for tea, cocktails and conversation, with an
overlook to the Great Room and sunset views. All Farmhouse
guests are invited to
enjoy the Great Room, front porch, back porch and new back deck!
THE CAPE:
The historic 1800s Cape was moved from its original foundation when
that foundation threatened to collapse, and has been completely
renovated in its new site--with a wrap-around deck, large back porch and
dormers. It is tucked in a glade filled with lilies of the valley and Lady-slippers, apple trees and hummingbirds.
On the first floor is one sunny bedroom with private bath, especially
convenient for those who avoid climbing stairs. This room looks out
over the courtyard and off to the river. A country kitchen and pantry, living room
with historic chimney and dining room join it on the first floor.
The kitchen looks out over the back deck to the barn
Gallery. The dining room has a view of the
shade garden as well. Upstairs are three additional bedroom units, all with private baths, each
with its own unique personality. Two have courtyard views,
with side views to the road or to the Gallery, and one has a private view of
the Cape deck and apple trees and a bath with a claw-foot tub that
looks out to the barn Gallery and beyond.
There is also a cozy Computer Corner with WiFi/WiFLi...When it
Feels Like it--90% of the time...for guests
to connect with the 'outer world'. All Cape guests are invited to enjoy the
computer corner, front porch and deck.
How close are the two buildings on the
estate?
The two building fronts are about 150 feet apart...about the distance
between country neighbors. See the aerial picture below. The two
deck areas are private from one another, visually blocked by both
buildings.
IV.
What's fun to do outside at
the estate?
The estate has 300 feet of water frontage on the Back
River. The river empties and refills every six hours and
wildlife is profuse. At half and high tide, you can swim,
paddle, canoe, fish or just sit and admire the activity of the river.
Borrow a kayak and paddle out to explore the area. Here's an
aerial view of the estate in summer.
At low tide, you will often see dozens of
birds on the uncovered islands and ledges, and day or night you
might hear the haunting call of the loons. There are half a
dozen seals who like to play in our cove and this stretch of the
Back River. A pair of bald eagles are nesting at the
northern end of Tibbetts Island (about an 1/8 of a mile down
river) and they regularly swoop overhead, looking for lunch.
Enjoy your own lunch, with river views, on our three picnic
tables along the River Walk.
From the stone benches on our walkway, you can watch lobstermen tending
their traps in the open channel
from dawn till dusk. You can meditate on the sunrise, watch the seals
play in the cove, track osprey and
seabirds as they wheel overhead. If you're very lucky, you will see our
resident porcupine, who resides at the edge of the forest, our Maine
painted turtles who sun on their log in the freshwater pond or the
myriad of frogs who leap quickly into the water there, and our gray fox who
dances on the snow-covered winter lawn. You will almost definitely
see our deer at dusk and we've seen moose prints on the property on
two occasions in the fall. Worn out from all the fresh air? Relax in a
hammock or a rocking chair. More
ideas here.
Where is the children's toy
and play area?
The children's play area is just to the west side of the Gallery barn, where
you can find a sandbox and chairs for child-watching. There is a beige
deck box filled with toys, further back behind the Gallery Barn in a
'room' of trees, away from the wind off the river.
Where is the sports
equipment kept? What's available?
The sports equipment is kept in that same 'room', out behind the barn, where the wind
can't lift the equipment and blow it around. There are four kayaks, with paddles and
life vests. There is also a beige deck box with many games including
croquet, badminton, volleyball and rope toss. Use of all of these is
complimentary.
V.
Where
can we walk and hike and enjoy Maine's natural beauty?
Walking
and climbing along the property’s lawns and through the
gardens, you
will see apple and cherry and plum trees, protected Lady slippers,
chokecherry and lilac bushes, perennial gardens galore, all set
off handsomely by hemlocks and cathedral pines. Walk or drive
around the corner onto Dover Cross road, and you can enter the
Ovens Mouth Preserve and continue your hiking along the rocky
cliffs of the
Ovens Mouth, which connects the Back River with
Cross River. Drive a little further, and you can visit
any of
the other 12 preserves on the Boothbay peninsula, the
Central Maine
Botanical Garden (just four
miles away!), and
Boothbay Harbor or other nearby
attractions.
Walking sticks are available for loan.
More ideas
here.
VI.
What's fun to do inside at
the estate?
The estate is equipped with all sorts of entertainment
for quiet nights and rainy days. Hundreds of books, dozens of movies,
lots of games and puzzles await you; borrow some art supplies and
create your own Maine work of art. Relax in a porch chair. Play the
baby grand piano in the Great Room of the Farmhouse or the keyboard in
the Cape. Several rooms have TV; all have cable
access.
More ideas here.
VII.
How do we find the estate?
Directions are here:
Directions & Maps
VIII.
What about privacy?
The estate is almost at the end of a quiet, residential road in
Boothbay, about six miles from Boothbay Harbor.
Your space is entirely your own while
you are at the Bold Colorful Life Estate. If the other building
is rented, it's as close as a country neighbor...we've never had
anyone feel as though there's not enough space for both groups
to be private. The property is
15 acres on both sides of the road.
The owner/manager is on site much of each week. She will 'check
you in' and give you the tour of the building, the site and the
area; then disappear. She'll be accessible by phone or text if
you have questions that aren't answered in the Policies and
Information manual, if something on the property needs attention
and/or if you'd like to know more about the area. Otherwise, she
is busy with life and maintaining the property.
She also always offers to take your group picture in front of
your building on the last day...and to wish you well on your
travels.
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