Where Can You Rent Scooters in Kennebunkport?

This is not Bermuda!

You now can rent scooters from Harbor Village Scooters which is located at Coopers Corner (the junction of Routes 9 & 35) in Kennebunk’s Lower Villageat the Sunoco Station.  The Kennebunkport area has miles of flat roads and lots of beautiful scenery.  Don’t struggle finding a parking space at the beaches; tour the Franciscan Monastery grounds, or scoot out to Cape Porpoise to see the lobster fishermen bring in their daily catch of lobsters. Doing this by scooter is so much more refreshing; you are in the open air and out of your car.    There is a per hour charge with a 2 hour minimum.  Also, you may rent by the day or by the week.  Whether your are an experienced rider or novice, Harbor Village Scooters will do all they can to make sure you're comfortable and confident before heading out for a fun time on your scooter. Our staff members at the Captain Lord Mansion are pleased to reserve your scooter for you. Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

4 Enjoyable Memorial Day Adventures in Kennebunkport

Memorial Day Weekend is the traditional start to the tourist season and there are several activities that begin this weekend which offer you different experiences to enhance your enjoyment of Kennebunkport.

The Lobster Boat Rugosa begins giving scenic cruises along the beautiful and rugged coast.  See lobster harvesting up close and personal!  This weekend, the Captain Lord Mansion begins offering a special package whereby you may take this interesting cruise and then enjoy a "Lobster Shore Dinner" at Mabel's Lobster Claw restaurant. 

Ride the Rails at The Seashore Trolley Museum.  Just minutes from Dock Square, Kennebunkport's shopping district, the museum is a world apart, a place where history comes alive.  Enjoy the sights and sounds of a bygone era as you ride restored historic electric railway vehicles and explore the world-famous international transportation collection and beautiful grounds.

Step aboard the Schooner Eleanor at the docks of the Arundel Wharf. Your trip begins with a short ride down the historic Kennebunk River, passing lobster boats and luxury yachts. Once clear of the harbor, the sails are set and the wind takes charge. A typical course will take you along the scenic coastline from Cape Arundel to Cape Porpoise. Watch lobstermen at work and seabirds glide by. Learn a little local history. Help work the sails or sit back, relax and enjoy the fresh salt air. The peace and quiet of cruising under sail will put a smile on your face.

Kennebunkport celebrates Memorial Day on Monday, May 31st with an old-fashioned parade of military veterans and the high school marching band.  You might see George H. W. Bush (#41) giving an address at the ceremonies.  Finish your weekend by viewing this solemn celebration of the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

We always look forward to Memorial Day as an unofficial start to the tourist season.  Even though the real rush begins about mid-June, we want our gardens and rooms to be in tip-top shape.  During April and May our housekeeping satff is completing a thorough "spring cleaning" of each guest room. Bev is planting the gardens; this process takes about two weks of hard labor.  Our maintenance man David Hutchins and I will help her complete the task by Memorial Day weekend.

What Do You Know About The Statue on Kennebunkport's River Green?

This statue graces Kennebunkport's River Geen which is located in front of the Captain Lord Mansion.  Frank Handlen, the artist and sculptor of this magnificent bronze is a personal friend of ours.  There is quite a story concerning the creation of this statue.  Frank had actually begun crafting the clay model of "Our Fore bearers of the Coast" in another barn which did not have ceilings high enough for the full model.  We met him at a local artist's function at Mast Cove Gallery where he shared his plans to create the statue and the difficulty he was facing finding adequate space for the full size clay model.  We offered the Carriage House at the Captain Lord Mansion for his use.  In exchange, he painted a mural of the Kennebunk River, circa 1880, which is installed in our guest room, "Ship Harvest".  Frank worked all one winter in our unheated barn making the clay model.  The barn ceiling was sufficiently high enough to allow Frank to create the model in one piece.  Fortunately, in one of Maine's coldest winters on record, he was able to section off with plastic sheeting a small area which he heated with a kerosene bullet heater.  Also, he stuffed newspaper into oversize rubber knee-boots to keep his feet warm.  After making the clay model, Frank had the statue cast in bronze by the "lost wax method" at a Maine Foundry. We are proud of the part we played to help Frank achieve his dream of creating this statue.  When you visit the Captain Lord Mansion, please take some time to visit the imposing bronze statue of a fisherman and his wife casting their eyes seaward.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Photos by Robert Dennis

Did You Know the Nutcracker will be in Portland this December?

The Victorian Nutcracker Join Portland Ballet, Portland's resident professional dance company, for a magical journey through Victorian Portland to the enchanted Kingdom of the Sweets!  This classical Nutcracker story is set in beautiful Victorian Portland, with sets and costumes inspired by the Victoria Mansion. PBC dancers bring this tale to life accompanied by the Portland Ballet Orchestra under the direction of Lawrence Golan and the Victorian Festival Singers under the direction of Mark Nordli. A grand holiday tradition for all ages! Portland Ballet Company is heralded for its talented dancers, exciting choreography and innovative collaborations. PBC is known for performances such as Carmina Burana, Giselle and Bolero. Bev and I believe the cultural offerings of Portland rival those of other much larger cities.  If you are visiting the Captain Lord Mansion this holiday season, we highly recommend the Porltand Ballet for an evening of wonderful entertainment. Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Have You Seen The Victoria Mansion Decorated for Christmas?

Christmas at Victoria Mansion
November 27 through
January 3, 2010.
Daily 11-5.
Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Victoria Mansion is lavishly decorated for the holidays by professional designers, decorators, and florists, making this a festive time of year to plan a tour. Visitors go through the house at their own pace, on self-guided tours using a printed program. Room stewards are available to answer questions. Guided tours are available for groups of ten or more, and can be arranged by calling the office.

During the holidays, Victoria Mansion is transformed into a spectacular holiday wonderland by local designers and florists. This year's holiday theme is "Let the Christmas Bells Ring: Celebrating 25 Years of Christmas at Victoria Mansion!".

Bev and I visited the Victoria Mansion last Christmas with our niece and her husband.  The theme last year was "We Three Kings" and I was overwhelmed by the beautiful decorations.  The Victoria Mansion's elaborate interior decor and magnificent woodwork is only enhanced by the Christmas decorations.  We plan on making a trip to see this year's decorations sometime before Christmas.  If you are visiting The Captain Lord Mansion in the next couple of weeks, we encourage you to add the Victoria Mansion in Portland to your "must see" list.  Downtown Portland, where the Mansion is located, is only about a 45 minute drive from Kennebunkport.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield, Innkeeper

What is The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm?

The Wells Reserve is a 2,250-acre research, education, and recreation facility, a public-private partnership within the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.  Wells Reserve facilities are located at historic Laudholm Farm in Wells, Maine.  The Mission of The Wells Reserve is dedicated to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Maine through integrated research, stewardship, environmental learning, and community partnerships.  Many years ago, Bev and I made a financial contribution for the purchase and protection of this land.

Bev and I enjoy walking the extensive trail system at the Reserve; one trail takes you to a beautiful white sandy beach.  Another meanders through the woods along well-worn paths and along boardwalks over the protected wetlands.  Often, during your walks, you'll see deer grazing in the fields adjacent to the reserve headquarters.  In the winter we also enjoy cross-country skiing at the Reserve. 

When you visit the Captain Lord Mansion, we'll provide directions and detailed trail maps for your enjoyment of this local attraction. The Reserve is located only a few miles from the inn and makes a great short day-trip this Fall.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield 

What is a Maise Maze near Kennebunkport?

 

 

 

Aerial View of a Corn Maze. 

 

 

 

 

Recently Bev and I took our grandson to Hershey, PA and visited a corn maze near there.  Upon entering the maze, they gave us a flag on a tall pole so they could follow everyone's progres through the maze.  Our grandson had great fun charging ahead of us while holding the flag high in the air!

Well, it was “a-mazing” how challenging and disorienting (but fun!) a corn maze can be.  We were supposed to collect pieces of the map of PA. in order to learn more about the history of the state.  Well, we missed several geographic areas in the state!   That is how challenging and disorientating the maze was.  I think it took us about two hours to find our way out.  But we had a lot of laughs along the way.  It was so much fun watching the flags go by in adjoining paths and not be able to see the other players!

These corn labyrinths are great fun and each are unique – some have treasure hunt games (which provide guideposts) to help you find your way through, and most are now professionally designed by corn maze artists.  

If you’re going to visit a corn maze, be prepared with plenty of water and even some snacks and give it at least a couple of hours to go through the entire maze (most mazes do have “escape routes”).

Here is a link to Pumpkin Valley Farm Corn Maze which is located in Dayton, Maine about a 30 minute drive from Kennebunkportand the Captain Lord Mansion. The farm is affiliated with "The Maize", the world's largest corn maze company.  This year's theme is "Under the Sea".  Here is a aerial shot of the maze. If this sort of adventure tickles your fancy, we can give you explicit driving directions to find Pumpkin Valley Farm.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

What Does the Kennebunk River Look Like From the Air?

The Kennebunk River from the Air!

The Captain Lord Mansion is conveniently located overlooking the Kennebunk River just three short blocks from the Dock Square center of Kennebunkport.  The view from the cupola at the Mansion gives an excellent view of the village neighborhood of historic homes as well as a small glimpse of the river, but not this good!   This aerial photograph shows The Arundel Wharf Restaurant which is located at the foot of the hill from the Mansion.  Also, it is where the Schooner Eleanor is berthed.  Many of our guests at the Captain Lord Mansion just walk the block from the inn to the restaurant to enjoy its great food and views.  I thought this was an interesting picture that you bloggers would enjoy.   Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield  

Fall is Coming to Kennebunkport!

The Carriage House at the Captain Lord Mansion

These pictures give you a sense of the fabulous color to be found here in the Kennebunkport area.  You don't have to travel too far from the Captain Lord Mansion to take such terrific pictures yourself.  We can help plan your day-trips to see beautiful scenic parts of Southern Maine. You may go to the following website to get color updates for the State of Maine. Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

What is Kennebunkport's 2010 Pairing of Palates & Palettes?

The 6th Annual Arts in the Inns Festival: June 2 - 6, 2010

The Festival has been renamed Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival

 

For five days in June, chefs, artists, and winemakers from around the country will come together in Kennebunkport, Maine to celebrate and share their passions.  We'd like to invite you to join us as we celebrate a pairing of palates and palettes in our coastal village.  The 2010 Festival will feature chef/artists dinners in private homes, the Twilight Soiree, Artists in Residence at local inns, the Grand Tasting and many other culinary and fine art events.  If you enjoy fine food, fine wine, fine art and fine living, please join us this June in Kennebunkport.  Call today for Captain Lord Mansion reservations for that weekend. Our toll-free number is 800-522-3141. We'll also have some exciting things going on at the inn.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield