Bold Colorful Life Estate Policies and Information

The Cape  2024

Welcome to the Bold Colorful Life Estate!! Thank you for renting this property. We are delighted to have you visit and enjoy the greater Boothbay peninsula in mid-coast Maine!!  

We hope that your stay is comfortable and memorable and that you return to stay with us again and again.
Please let us know how we can help to make your stay a pleasant one.

Our Mission: our mission and primary focus is to provide you with a gorgeous, comfortable and fully equipped site, in a beautiful natural setting, for your gathering, reunion or vacation…at an excellent price.

We provide the complete set of basic services for the fee that we agreed upon in our contract, and these services are for those in your immediate group*. This includes your receiving the building clean and ‘dressed’ like an Inn, ‘starter’ supplies such as detergent, toilet paper and paper towels, ‘loaner’ items during your stay such as books and sports equipment, games, movies, etc., and this manual to help you find things, use the site and enjoy the peninsula.
We do not charge for the starter supplies, the wood for the firepit, nor for use of the sports equipment. ***Please see Release which must be signed before kayaks are used.

We do expect you to treat these things as though they were your own. Thank you.

*During the COVID-19 period, we are sorry to say that if you are interested in entertaining more than your group, you will have to find another site for them to stay…and an alternate gathering place for you all to gather. No extra guests or events of any kind may take place on site without the owner’s written permission, which will not be given during COVID-19 and the security deposit will be retained if this policy is ignored. All guests included in the contract are welcome on this site; however, none will be added to that list after it is signed and accepted.

For those who are interested, we also provide additional services if these would enhance your visit and/or your event. These are offered at additional cost. Examples include:

• additional overnight guests, beyond the building 9 person maximum-$35/person/night
• extra mid-week cleaning services and/or after-check-out deep cleaning services-variable
• rental of air conditioning units-$70/week or stay if shorter
• use of the kitchen and dining room for an 'event' which includes more than the building's overnight rental guests
• use of the 'rental deck' behind the red barn building for an outside 'event'
• For our ‘destination wedding’ or 'wedding reception' guests, we offer many additional services, which are outlined here. And for our 'special event' guests, services are outlined here.

Please let us know if any of these are of interest to you, preferably before your visit.  Thanks! 

If there is something we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please let us know...and if you are pleased with your stay, please let the world know. Thanks! :-) 

In order that your visit is harmonious for all, and in order for you to receive your full security deposit refund, please abide by the following policies. Many thanks! 

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

I. PLANNING YOUR TRIP: Here's the website which will answer many of your questions about planning your trip to the Boothbay peninsula: boldcolorlife.com.
And there is a separate section of this manual which lists many local activities. Melissa is also available to share local tips.

The best local weather can be found at wunderground.com...04537 is the zip code.
 

II. ARRIVAL: Melissa's cell phone is 203-331-7242. Please be in touch as you approach, so that she can guide you to the property, meet you and give you your tour of the building, the grounds and the local attractions. Please give her your cell phone(s) too. Thanks!

Parking for the Cape is south of the Cape. The driveway is a left turn just before the Cape, just past the gray boat with sign and just past the first post light. (Parking for the Farmhouse is north of the Cape house, along the Cape's front picket fence.)
 

III. USE and CARE OF THE BUILDING:
Please follow the Golden Rule--to treat others as you wish to be treated—and the property here as you would wish yours to be treated. And please remember: your contract includes use of the facilities for your group. It does not include an option to entertain others.  unless you have made prior arrangements and have agreed to the event fees.

A. Kitchen

• The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, electric stove and oven, microwave oven, toaster oven, toaster, coffeemaker, waffle-maker, ice cream maker, iced tea maker, lobster pots, other cooking equipment and, of course, full-sized refrigerator. All equipment is self-explanatory, including the stove and oven. To help you find things in the drawers...and to help you get them back where they belong, press here for the visuals.
   
• There is a gas grill on the back porch for your use as well. The propane is turned 'off' when you arrive, but the grill functions in the standard way. Please turn the propane off and clean the grill when you are through grilling. Thanks! Propane refills are accessed onsite behind the garage or at the Texaco in downtown Boothbay or at the campground on Route 27.

B. Dining Room

• If you choose to move the Cape dining room table, please lift it carefully and move it gently, on the rug, for both the care of the table legs and care of the fragile historic, ‘pumpkin pine’ floors.

C. Libraries of Books

• Please enjoy the books here at the Bold Colorful Life Estate, indoors or under cover
• Treat them gently, according to their age
• This is not a lending library, so please be sure that all books return to their proper place in the library

D. Living Room --Games, DVDs and other media

• Please enjoy these games and movies and the boom-box to your heart’s content. Then be sure to return all parts to their correct packaging and to their original place.
• Keyboard-please enjoy the keyboard gently and keep the dust cover over the keys whenever not in use.

E. Bold Colorful Furniture and Decorations

• Please take care of all furniture, linens and room decorations as though they were your own. LEAVE THE MAJOR FURNITURE WHERE IT IS PLEASE. The pumpkin pine floors are especially fragile as all the barn-board floors have been around for hundreds of years. J
• Please raise and lower the room-darkening shades, rather than adjusting the curtains, especially the bow-tie curtains in the Garnet, Turquoise, Ruby and Peridot rooms.  Thanks!
• To avoid major rain coming in through the windows, , please close windows when you leave the site when a storm is expected.  We’ve been surprised by high wind/rain off the river!

F.  Bathrooms/Septic System

• Both buildings are served by sensitive septic systems. Please DO NOT FLUSH these items:

 Sanitary products, diapers, condoms, WIPES, tissues, napkins, Q-Tips, paper towels, cotton  balls or anything else that will not break down in a septic system. There are covered garbage cans in every bathroom-please deposit these items in the garbage cans.
** The cleaning crew checks the septic filters after every guest group and any group that does not follow this rule will be fined the septic pumping service charges: $50.00. Thanks.  

G. Laundry

• The laundry is fully equipped with a front-loading washer and two dryers, folding table, drying racks and hangers and iron and ironing board. The new machines work with the LIGHTEST of TOUCHES...please be very gentle. Please be sure to use cold water and medium drying heats only on the household linens. ***We recommend that you do the same for your personal clothing, to avoid the shrinkage that sometimes occurs with hot water.

• When washing clothes and linens, consolidate loads to efficiently use our new large machines. And these machines are here for your use during your stay, not as a laundromat substitute for guests who arrive with dirty laundry. Thank you.

• There is a laundry line south of the back deck, for hanging wet suits and towels.
• Please hand wash any rugs that need to be cleaned--do not attempt to wash or dry them in the house laundry machines. Thanks!

• The basement is a shared space, with the owner and staff, so there are sometimes maintenance/repair materials there. Just avoid them, as you can.  And please DO NOT BOLT the basement door. The owner needs access to the locked basement areas to provide maintenance of equipment that serves the whole site. Feel free to lock the door at the top of the stairs.

H. Garbage /Recyclables

• The garbage cans and recyclable containers are on the back deck.

• Place your garbage in the tall black containers. Black bags are found on the back deck in the deck box. Please place all debris, rubbish and discards in the garbage cans, IN BLACK BAGS, with lids securely attached. **Please double-bag lobster/seafood/meat remains/diapers: first in white bags, then in black. We do have marauding wildlife…wild raccoons and a neighbor black dog who thinks he lives and dines here. J  And please note: if the cleaning staff has to sort your recyclables from your garbage, there will be a charge on your security deposit.

• Please place your glass recyclables in one white bag in the recyclable bin; your cans in another and your #2 plastic in a third. Deposit recyclables go in another bag. All other plastic goes in with the garbage.  There is a third can in the basement for overflow.

• Cardboard can be stored in the mudroom at the back of the house.

I. Other Items

• The Cape is provided with the 'starter' supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, dishwasher and clothing detergent so that you are not caught short the first night.. Please augment these as necessary on your grocery shopping trips. And please be sure to buy 'free and clear' and 'he' products for the dishwasher and the laundry as we are on a septic system...and have high efficiency machines, as well as soft, treated water.
• We've acquired an 'outside lobster cooker' which can be hooked up to your propane grill tank. Let us know if you'd like to borrow it.

• Please let us know if you have breakage or damage of items in either house, or the loaner sports equipment. If it’s normal ‘wear and tear’, there will likely be no charge, but it helps us to know what needs repair and replacement. If it’s beyond normal wear and tear, a suitable sum will be held back from your security deposit refund.
• The electrical switches are NOT obvious in the Cape, probably because it’s historic, so please try them all to determine what switches what. And if you can’t get an outlet to work, it may be ‘switched’ so try the other plug.
• The shower in the Ruby-Peridot suite turns fully off to the right.

IV . WE’RE A ‘GREEN’ ESTATE:

WHAT WE’VE DONE AND ARE DOING:

Please see the end of this document. We're going for a 'green' certificate. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please join us in these practices.

·         Turn off non-essential equipment (paddle fans, lights) when not in use

·         Follow the garbage/recyclable procedures, above.

·         Re-use your linens as much as possible; when washing clothes and linens, consolidate loads to best use our new LARGE machines.

·         Purchase and use bio-degradable laundry products and cold water in our laundry. (Using COLD water not only helps the environment; it helps avoid shrinkage)

·         Hang your wash out to dry on our laundry lines, when possible.

·         Discard only things that cannot be re-used or recycled. 

·         We are Wi-Fi, so please consider using electronic or digital communications (email, telephone, text messages) before using paper/print based communications. We call it Wi-Fli (when it feels like it) because this is a peninsula in Maine, sticking out into the ocean...but it's historically reliable 90% or more of the time, and with our new router and range extender, we're nearing the 100% mark.  If the Wi-Fli is not functioning well, let us know and we'll re-boot the modem or router as soon as we can.

·         Four bedrooms are equipped with paddle fans. Air conditioners are available for ‘rent’. Since they are not ‘green’, there is a $50.00 fee for the week or the visit. Let us know if you’re interested.

If you are interested in composting, use the composting bucket (small covered bucket on the back porch or kitchen counter or sink) to gather your compost and deposit it in the compost sites. There is a large wooden fenced compost site next to the new berry garden at the southern end of the property. (beside and behind the Cape building--see the estate map in the front of  your P & I manual)

**We are dedicated to your comfort; however, any excessive use of utilities (several turnovers of linens/laundry during your stay; extended use of the gas fireplace; excessive use of heat) will be deducted from the security deposit. 

V. USE and CARE OF THE PROPERTY:

A. FIFTEEN ACRE ESTATE PROPERTY:

• All guests are invited to make themselves at home on this naturally beautiful 15 acre waterfront property. Please enjoy the lawns and environs on the river side, as well as the woods on the eastern side of the road. Former residents used to have lobster fests down on ‘the point’, beyond the bottom of our River Walk, and, at low tide, you will see the claw-foot tub used to cool their drinks…now in the middle of the cove. Mother Nature put it there in a wild storm! The estate has access to the cove in the tidal Back River at the bottom of the property...just follow the River Walk. There is no beach or dock, just unimproved river front...wear good shoes! If you reach the bench or the driveway, just past where the kayaks are kept, you've gone too far and are on my neighbor's property. Please retrace your steps. Thanks! Check the map in the 'Policies and Information/ P & I' manual to see what's where.
   
• The Fairy Walk is on the eastern side of the road. Across from the pond, just walk down the path marked by birch logs and you’ll see the sign and banners. Enjoy wandering the lovely woods and building a fairy house which you can work on throughout your stay. Walk past the creek to the hilltop to have a picnic or enjoy the hammock in the quiet woodland glade. And from there, you can explore our new Enchanted Trail North. Please tread carefully, as it is a woodland path with rocks and roots.
   
• There is also a lovely, quiet cemetery, past the entrance to the Fairy Walk, near a gurgling creek, where some of the family that owned the property for fifty years, now reside. There is a stone bench there, for reflection.
   

• And, for healing and calming connections with Nature, our  ‘Forest Bathing’ locations are marked all over the 15 acre estate.
   
• And brand new in 2020 is our labyrinth, located in the main lawn and wildflower area, facing the Back River.

B. Porches

• GUEST PORCHES: Guests in the Cape are welcome to use the wrap-around attached porch. Please be careful as these porches are slippery when wet!
   

• PRIVATE PORCH: The large deck behind the red barn building is part of the Owner's Quarters and is not for guest use, except when rented for an 'event'--a wedding reception, large dinner or other gathering. See us if you'd like to rent the large back deck.

C. Fire-pit

• The Fire-pit is also for use by all guests. Softwood is free and is located in a pile near the pit and beneath the yellow flags. The left beige deck box holds construction firewood--watch out for nails/screws. The right beige deck box holds dry kindling and flashlight. You'll find newspaper and matches/lighters in your laundry area. Please stay close while your fire is burning and be sure your fire is out before you leave the area. Each house has a hose with a bucket to fill and take with you when you set the fire. If you forget, there is a hose situated on the side of the red Farm building, in the ‘Private’ area.
• Hardwood is not to be used in the Fire-pit…it takes too long to catch, and burns too long for the Fire-pit.
• If the forecast is for rain, feel free to gather some dry firewood and store it in your laundry or mudroom for later use.
• Please be especially careful of children and elderly guests around the rock walls, freshwater pond and fire-pit. Set your fire while it's still light and bring a flashlight after dark.

D. Freshwater Pond

·         The pond is the home of tree frogs, bullfrogs and Maine painted turtles. We also have a 'resident' Great Blue Heron and a visiting mink. Have a seat on either bench or a nearby hammock or picnic table and enjoy watching them, but please don't step into the pond or harass the wildlife. :-) :-) Please supervise children near the bridge and pond.
 

E.  The River Walk

• The estate is situated on the Back River, a tidal river that runs to and from the Atlantic Ocean. If you follow the signs to the 'River Walk' you will walk along the ancient stone wall and discover the winding (feng-shui-ed) walkway to the river.
• All along the way, enjoy Nature's pageant...our pair of bald eagles and osprey diving for their meals as the tides turn, our family of four deer, our local porcupines, wild turkeys, foxes and birds of every description. Butterflies and dragonflies abound...and sometimes so do mosquitoes, so take your spray with you. :-)
• At low tide, you may see our local sea-worm and clam collectors, making their living out of the cove mud. And you'll be able to see that clawfoot tub mid-cove.
• At the bottom of the River Walk is our stone staircase to the riverfront flat, with a bright yellow handrail.. Walk along the flat until you see the colorful flags, under which the kayaks are located on their new racks. If you reach the wooden bench or the driveway, you've gone too far and are on my neighbor's property. Please retrace your steps. Thanks! Check the map in the 'Policies and Information/ P & I' manual to see what's where.

F. Sports Equipment

• Sports and Games Room--there is a 'room' in the trees, behind the Gallery Barn and out of the winds, where we stock sports equipment and games for your use, at no charge. Paddles and hiking poles are available there. Safety vests are found next to the kayaks near the water. Children’s toys are located in and near the beige 'children's deck box'. We also have such games as badminton, volleyball, ladder toss, croquet and Bocce in the 'adult' deck box. Please have fun with them, use them carefully and return them to where you found them--in their original state--after each use.
  *We do not have time, between guests, to clean and maintain the equipment, so please do that after each use. Thanks!
   
• There are SIX ADULT KAYAKS FOR YOUR USE. 8.6 foot sit-on-top kayaks--see the next part of this manual for details, 'how to use' information, and the Release of Liability form which all kayak users must sign before using these kayaks. And we've added THREE CHILDREN'S 6.6 foot KAYAKS TOO. Please return all the kayaks to their racks, with the heavier yellow kayaks on the bottom levels and the orange on the top. All of them should be placed with the ‘top side’ facing down, to keep the water off. Thanks.

• Please note: You use these items at your own risk. So please keep all vacation memories sweet….by being safe. The Bold Colorful Estate owners take no responsibility or liability for your handling of yourself or these recreational items. ***Please see Release, attached to your contract or in the pocket of your P & I Manual, which must be signed before kayaks or boats are used and please read the next section about kayak use.
•  And for water enjoyment, check the tides before planning to paddle or swim. There is a printed tide report in your P & I Manual pocket in the kitchen, and here is the link: http://maineboats.usharbors.com/monthly-tides/Maine-Midcoast/Boothbay%20Harbor

G.        Fairy Walk on the Enchanted Trail- across the street from the freshwater pond

·    The Fairy Walk is a path through the woods that leads to a wonderful, tree and boulder encircled area where children (of all ages) are invited to build a fairy home. We provide piles of natural materials for this purpose and you'll know you're there when you see the flags marking the entrance. If you walk further along this path, you'll pass the creek and rise up to the picnic area in the ancient woods and from there to the Enchanted Trails North and South. Enjoy!

H.        Forest Bathing Self-Guided Walks

• 2018 was our first year offering a self-guided tour of the gardens, woodlands, waterways and lawns for personal calming and healing. Forest Bathing enhances mental, emotional and biophysical wellness.

 VI. DURING YOUR STAY: 

• HOST: Melissa lives on site, in the Owner’s Quarters in the west end of the red building, much of each week. Please feel free to contact her or her representative by phone or text, at reasonable hours, if you have searched this manual and still have questions about the estate or the area. We love to share information about activities, restaurants, trips, etc. See the Activities portion of this manual. We are all happy that you’re here and want to help make your vacation memorable! 203-331-7242
   
• EMERGENCY: Should there be a fire emergency (fire starts in the Cape) please call:  Fire Department: 207-633-6437 or 207-633-2451. And then please call Melissa to let her know (203-331-7242).
  Should there be a medical emergency, please call: St. Andrews Hospital: 207-633-2121 or “911” and then please call Melissa to let her know (203-331-7242). Thanks!
   
• PRIVATE AREA——‘Owner’s Quarters’: As mentioned above, the large deck behind the red building is part of the ‘private’ area, as well as the driveway to the west of the red building, from the large barn, past the garden shed and the greenhouse, to the big back deck. There are 15 acres to wander; please avoid these small areas, where maintenance, repair, construction and private clients can sometimes be found. Thanks!
   
• SAFETY:
  Inside: Be aware that both buildings are composed of barn materials. Please take care to avoid splinters in hands and feet! The Cape is an historical building and there may be floor nail-pops to avoid...please keep an eye (and shoes) on your children. :-)
  Outside: The Bold Colorful Estate consists of 15 acres on two sides of the Back River Road and situated on the Back River. The grounds are partly manicured and partly wild. Please ensure that all members of your party are careful on the estate….and careful of the estate. Please be especially careful of children and elderly guests around the rock walls, freshwater pond and fire-pit.  And do wear good shoes when walking down to the riverbank. Thanks!
   
• NOISE-TOWN ORDINANCE:
  Please be aware that the Town of Boothbay town ordinance requires that loud music and other exterior noise cease at 10 pm. And the vacation rental policy here is that loud internal noise be reduced at 11pm and cease no later than midnight. Please comply. Thanks!
   
• WATER: The well has passed the highest tests for Inn guest consumption, and thanks to our new water treatment system, in each house, the water no longer tastes of iron. Bring or purchase bottled water if you prefer the taste, and we appreciate it if you still use cold water to avoid shrinkage of the house laundry.
   
• PARKING: Please keep the driveway clear of vehicles…fire code...park behind the Cape and use the ramp for loading and unloading. For additional parking, park across the street on our parking flat. No parking in front of the (active) garage, please. No parking on the lawns. Thanks!
   
• WIFI: Historically, we called it Wi-Fli (when it feels like it) because this is a peninsula in Maine, sticking out into the ocean...and historically it was reliable 90% or more of the time. With our new router and range extender, we're nearing the 100% mark. If the Wi-Fi is not functioning well, let us know and we'll reboot the system as soon as we can.
   
• NO PETS OR SMOKING OR UNSCHEDULED EVENTS: This is a pet-free property. Please do not bring pets. And it is a smoke-free property as well. If you have a guest who must smoke, please be sure they walk across the street to smoke. And no extra guests may be on site and no extra events of any kind may take place on site without the owner's written permission. If an event is held or any guests beyond those designated in the contract are invited onto the property without the owner's permission, the security deposit will be forfeit.

VII.   CHECK-OUT 

• Please be sure to be ready to go to your next destination by noon at the latest on the last day of your visit. We must allow the cleaning staff into the building at that time, in order for the site to be ready for our next guests. Thanks!
   
• Please return the building to its original state…when you walked in the door at the beginning of your visit. Floors and surfaces should be clean; refrigerator empty and clean; rental items in their customary places. If you've used the outside grill, be sure to clean it off for the next guests. Grill cleaner is in your deck box.
  We love to have children here, but please be sure to wipe their fingerprints off the windows before you leave. Cleaning equipment is in the broom closet in the mudroom and under the kitchen sink.
  
   
• If you have used small quantities of the ‘staples’ in the cupboards, please feel welcome. If you have used significant amounts, please replace the ‘staples’ so that the next guests may use them during their visit. 
   
• All debris, rubbish, discards and recyclables should be placed, in black bags, in the appropriate garbage cans or recyclable box, with lids securely attached--see details above. Soiled dishes should be placed in the dishwasher and cleaned, and put away, if time allows.
  
   
• Please wash, dry and fold all used linens (sheets, pillow cases, towels, wash cloths, robes) before your departure, using cold water and medium drying heats and return them to their original room. Don’t worry about re-making and ‘dressing’ the beds, unless you’d like to do it. We will re-make the beds during our final turn-over cleaning.
  Please hand wash any rugs that need to be cleaned--do not attempt to wash them in the house laundry machines. Thanks!
  
   
•  Please leave the house keys with the P & I manual on the kitchen island. Thanks!

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS/REVIEWS:

If there is something we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please let us know...and if you are pleased with your stay, please let the world know. Thanks! :-)

·        If you enjoyed your stay, please let us know what made it special.

·        If you found us on AirBnB, they will ask you for a review.

  If you found us on VRBO/Homeaway, they will also ask you for a review.

·        For the Farmhouse: VRBO property 229721

·        For the Cape: VRBO property 325241

·        For both on TripAdvisor 

THANKS FOR COMING!~ We hope for you a lovely, serene trip home or to your next destination, having spent time in a beautiful, peaceful, healing and serene environment. Now you’re ready for your ever more Bold and Colorful Life!! J

____________________________________________________________________

SPORTS EQUIPMENT DETAILS:

Sports and Games Room--there is a 'room' in the trees, behind the Gallery Barn and out of the winds, where we stock sports equipment and games for your use, at no charge.  Paddles and hiking poles are available there. Children’s toys are located in and near the beige 'children's deck box'. We also have such games as badminton, volleyball, ladder toss, croquet and Bocce in the 'adult' deck box. Please have fun with them, use them carefully and return them to where you found them--in their original state. **We do not have time, between guests, to clean and maintain the equipment, so please do that after each use. Thanks! Safety vests are now available near the kayaks at the water.

There are now SIX ADULT 8.6 foot sit-on-top kayaks for your use	There are also THREE CHILDREN'S 6.6 foot sit-on-top kayaks for your use
	Graduated Foot Wells

 HERE is the 'how to use' information

• The kayaks are located at the west end of the property, near the riverfront, on two kayak racks. **Look for the brightly colored flags when you reach the end of the stone staircase at the bottom of the River Walk--see Estate Map for location.
   
• After you check the tide chart, please remember to take your paddle with you, from the Sports and Games Room, when you walk down to the kayaks and riverfront.
  
   
• Please return the kayaks to their current positions, upside down, with the yellow/adult kayaks on the lower levels and the orange/children’s kayaks on the top levels...and return the safety vests and paddles to the Sports and Games room, each time you use them. Thanks!
  
   
• Please note: You use these items at your own risk. So please keep all vacation memories sweet….by being safe. The Bold Colorful Estate owners take no responsibility or liability for your handling of yourself or these recreational items.
  ***Please see Release, in the pocket of your P & I Manual, which must be signed by each paddler before kayaks or boats are used.
  
   
• And for water enjoyment, check the tides before planning to paddle or swim. You have a 2 to 2.5 hour window on either side of high tide to paddle without ending up in the mud!
• There is a printed tide report in your P & I Manual pocket in the kitchen, and here is the link: http://maineboats.usharbors.com/monthly-tides/Maine-Midcoast/Boothbay%20Harbor

________________________________________________________________________ 

AREA ACTIVITIES--PERSONAL FAVORITES
   The list is endless, but here's a start. Feel free to ask us more questions if this doesn't cover them.

The history of the town of Boothbay...and the Boothbay peninsula.

For shops, galleries, restaurants, festivals, farm markets, special activities, professional services, aquarium, miniature golf, railway village, boat and bike rentals, etc., the two local Chambers of Commerce and the local newspaper:

             Boothbay= http://www.boothbay.org
             Boothbay Harbor= http://www.boothbayharbor.com/
             Boothbay Register = http://www.boothbayregister.com/

-- Some of our personal favorite restaurants include: Robinson’s Wharf on Southport Island for lobster/seafood; McSeagull’s for creative everything; Boathouse Bistro for tapas and in Woolwich is a new favorite, the Montsweag Farm Restaurant.

          ENTERTAINMENT*

*During COVID, do call ahead to be sure these sites are open for your entertainment.

• The Boothbay Opera House: http://www.boothbayoperahouse.com/ 
• Boothbay Carousal Music Theater 
• Our local movie theater: The Harbor Theatre = http://www.harbortheatre.net/ 
• Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick, Maine 
• Monmouth Theater  in Monmouth, Maine 
• The Aquarium on Juniper Point 207-633-9559 
• Boothbay Railway Village and Antique Auto Exhibit, Boothbay  207-633-4727 Adults: $10 Children: $5 Under 3: Free 
• Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum,  Alna  207-882-4193
• Fort Edgecomb, Edgecomb 207-882-7777
  
  ACTIVE FUN

·         The Boothbay Region Land Trust, for hiking and wandering--one of the preserves is right around the corner from here: http://www.bbrlt.org/

Our favorite hikes include the nearby Ovens Mouth East and West, Porter Preserve on Barter’s Island, Oak Point Farm, Bonyun on the Westport peninsula to the SW and LaVerna on the Pemaquid peninsula to the NE. The Cliff Trail in Harpswell and Bald Mountain in Camden are also wonderful hikes. All have water views as the payoff for exercise. And if you’re willing to drive a little farther, Spirit Pond in Phippsburg, near the Popham Beach and Morse Mountain hike and beach, is lovely.

• To mini-golf, Dolphin Mini-Golf 207-633-4828
   
• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a 'not to miss' for all ages. 207-633-4333
   

·         Beaches/Swimming Holes:  The estate itself: access to the tidal Back River is at the bottom of the property...just follow the River Walk. There is no beach or dock, just unimproved river front...wear good shoes!

o    Knickerbocker Lake, Boothbay--fresh water lake

o    Barrett Park, Boothbay Harbor--salt water

o    Hendrick’s Head Beach, Beach St, Southport--ocean beach

o    Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid--ocean beach

o    Popham Beach, Phippsburg--ocean beach
 

·         Fishing
There are fish in the Back River, other nearby rivers and the Atlantic Ocean...check with the Chambers (Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor) about fishing licenses. We don't have fishing equipment on site, but here's our local fishing information.

 

·         Boothbay Region YMCA offers week-long memberships: 207- 633-2855 **check with the Y for current rates 

TOURS and EVENTS 

·         To tour the Maine/Boothbay Harbor coast and nearby ocean: 

The Cabbage Island tours are great--to see the Boothbay Harbor area by boat and have double lobster dinners--good to book ahead. 

The Squirrel Island tour and Monhegan Island tours are fun.  Also, we have local lobster boats and whale watch tours.

And we have deep sea fishing charters and puffin cruises which are good to book ahead.
 

·         Lighthouses: 

o    Burnt Island Lighthouse tour

o    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park: http://www.bristolparks.org/lighthouse.htm

o    Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth: http://www.portlandheadlight.com/

 

·         Farm Markets: Boothbay: Thursday Damariscotta Friday and Damariscotta Monday; and Waldoboro
 

·         Craft Fairs in the greater Boothbay region
 

·         Just feel like wandering?: drive the King Philips Trail scenic circle (and see the two mansions--Hobbit-style and camouflage-style), or down to Ocean Point or Capitol Island
 

·         To go farther afield, you might like to enjoy Wiscasset, Damariscotta, the Pemaquid peninsula and light house, Rockland, perhaps Mt. Battie in Camden, Bar Harbor,Acadia National Park.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 

·         Bringing a baby along? Baby Rentals = http://www.boothbaybabyrentals.com/

Looking for a spot to rest and recover? Try any of our benches or hammocks. Soothing Nature is all around. Sit in our meditation garden (next to the garden shed), walk the Labyrinth, visit the cemetery across the road, try out the Forest Bathing or wander to nearby Nature preserves-see above. Bold Colorful Life and the environs is about enhancing your wellness and joy of life. 

LESS ESSENTIAL/NICE-TO-KNOW INFORMATION
WE’RE A ‘GREEN’ ESTATE:

GREEN ESTATE

We are committed to involve employees and guests in the common goal of preserving and protecting the planet. We engage in sustainable practices that conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact.

We acknowledge that, in many ways, we, like the global community we serve, are only in the early stages of developing and implementing the many changes that will be necessary to achieve these vital environmental goals. Nonetheless, we strongly believe that our efforts to support a healthy environment serve the interests of both current and future generations and constitute the foundation for enduring success.

And in a more immediate way, they help us keep the fees for your vacation rental below competitor’s fees. J

WHAT WE’VE DONE AND ARE DOING: The whole story of the development of the property can be found here: http://boothbayadventure.com/

 

CAPE

• We’ve completely renovated the 1800s Cape—picked it up off its crumbling foundation and placed it on an efficient, heat-sustaining foundation, insulated and replaced/repaired all walls, fully insulated the attic, replaced 32 single-pane 150-year-old windows with new double-pane insulated windows with Low E glass
• Updated the furnace system, which feeds hot water to highly efficient radiators, zoned the house so that there is a thermostat in each guestroom controlling a separate zone of heat
• Replaced the inefficient water heater with a new, EnergyStar water heater
• Added an EnergyStar dishwasher
• Replaced the aging roof with a new roof, adding sheathing and insulation
• Installed three low water usage toilets, using substantially less water while achieving a good flush rating
• Installed non-electric water treatment system to take out iron
• Installed large, front-loading, high-efficiency laundry equipment
• We have created an organic herb garden to supply the kitchen with fresh local herbs and an organic, wicking raised-bed garden behind the Gallery barn which provides late summer harvest

FARMHOUSE

• The Farmhouse is a new structure—a 2009 modular building with 2x6 insulated walls and attic, with a 200+ year old barn inside it
• The Homer Barn, with the Great Room, is composed of SIPS (structurally-insulated panels) which keep the building well insulated
• All windows are state-of-the-art double pane insulated windows with Low E glass
• The electrical service is state-of-the-art and efficient
• The furnace system supports radiant heat on the first floor, high efficiency baseboard on the second, and the house is zoned so that there is a thermostat in each guestroom and each community room, controlling a separate zone of heat
• We’ve installed a new EnergyStar clothes washer, two new EnergyStar clothes dryers, a new "on-demand" hot water heater (please allow time for the water heater to respond to your "demand" for hot water...about 30 seconds) and an EnergyStar dishwasher
• We’ve installed five low-water-usage toilets, using substantially less water while achieving a good flush rating
• Installed non-electric water treatment system to remove iron
  
  ESTATE-WIDE
  
   
• We have re-used every piece of barn-board taken down from the original on-site backhouse, as well as the Homer Jones barn, from North Waldoboro. We re-use original barn doors, picket fences, historic foundation stones, horse shoes, farm tools, wagon wheels
• We’ve instituted composting and recycling at the estate; feel free to use your compost bin to gather compost and dump it in the compost to the left of the fenced-in southern garden
• Practice dishwashing by Health Department approved high-temperature sanitizing, eliminating the use of harsh chemicals (bleach)
• Initiated use of refillable dispensers for hand soap and body soap in guestroom baths
• Developed our environmental policy statement.
• Instituted use of biodegradable, 'he'-high efficiency/Free and Clear laundry detergent
• Began voluntary towel re-use program with cooperation of guests
• Have begun to install new compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs, replacing incandescents where possible, without effecting the building ambiance
• Recycle paper, cardboard, tin cans, plastic and glass
• Use electronic or digital communications (email, telephone, text messages) before using paper/print based communications (fax, prints)
• Plus we have low flow showerheads, and we compost leaf and yard waste and all kitchen organics
• We have thinned the woods around the estate according to Town and State guidelines, and with the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden as our guide for soil retention through stump retention. This enhances the wonderful breezes and reduces our mosquito numbers.
• And in 2019, we added a major solar installation and a heat pump in each house!
  
  We are committed to continuous monitoring and improvement of our environmental practices and have joined the Midcoast Energy Cooperative to enhance our knowledge and options.

       Contact Us    Rent theWhole Cape   Rent the Whole Farmhouse  MHC 
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   ____________________________________________________________________
    

802 Back River Road, Boothbay, Maine 04537 | Email: boldcolorlife@gmail.com
 

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