Soggy to satisfying on Windjammer Days 2010

When the day arrived, it showed up foggy and out of sorts. When it left, it left with a bright, colorful fireworks display and lots of satisfied attendees. Thus was the story of Windjammer Day’s 2010- a foggy, gray start, moving on towards a clear afternoon, and finishing with a clear evening. The tall ships, at least those that decided to come in and anchor in the harbor, were majestic, stately and seemed to be almost pulled from a past where these giant vessels were the prime mode of transport throughout the world. Though we live in an age where the quickest solution- especially when it comes to transport- is always the most sought after, it seems we hold in our hearts a fond remembrance for the conveyances of our past. You only have to look as far as the classic automobiles that dot summer roads to know that, sometimes, older is better. And these magnificent ships are no different. A Boothbay Harbor tradition for forty-eight summers, Windjammer Days bring in throngs of people, some whom probably remember the first one. Though the number of ships may have declined, and the streets may not have been as choked with people, the two days in 2010 were successful- everyone that left our hotel had a great time, shopping, eating and taking in the events.  As always, if the weather had been better Wednesday morning, then we would have achieved perfection. However, no trip to Maine could possibly be complete without a touch a fog and a dash of rain.

 

                The event, first held in 1963 in coinciding with the 200^th anniversary of shipbuilding in the Boothbay Region, honors the past by letting these glorious ladies of the sea take center stage every summer. These two days have traditionally been viewed as the “official” kick-off to summer- followed up closely by the Fourth of July holiday; it has always been a busy couple of weeks to prepare hotel, restaurant and retail staffs for the work of the summer. Many hidden gems can be found during these two days, from a pancake breakfast to the craft fair on the Boothbay common- you always have to keep your eyes open, or you might just miss something. And I will tell you from experience, there is nothing quite like one of this massive ships heading towards you, dropping anchor, and skimming to a stop just a few yards in front of you. And the cannon- well, let’s just say that your truly was almost startled directly into ocean by the cannon fire, which signifies the ship has anchored. All and all, the tall ships are truly a beautiful display of living history.

The day is always capped off with a display of pyrotechnics. In many years, the weather, always the fickle mistress of the summer traveler; postponed the fireworks. The result when this happens is twice the fireworks on the Fourth of July. However, this year, despite the foggy/rainy start to the day, the fireworks went off as scheduled. Impressive to say the least, these fireworks were the longest that I could remember for Windjammer Days- at one point, they appeared to stop, only to commence again. The crowd, which had been drifting away from the pier, lurched back in surprise, awaiting the finale. Simple though they may be, fireworks have always had an allure, and are a great way to put a proverbial cherry on the top of the treat that is Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor.   

                In summary, Windjammer Day’s in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, is certainly worth the trip. But I would suggest that, if you want to stay in the harbor, call and book early. Here at the Fisherman’s Wharf, we book up early with many guests that have been coming for years. With those rooms filled, it leaves us with a small collection of rooms for new guests. Why not start your own tradition today and book with us for Windjammer Days 2011? We are waiting for your call.

                

Skimming the Skies with Ocean Point Aviation

                On Tuesday of this week, your faithful scribe had an opportunity to check out a local sightseeing trip. Now, you say, there are plenty of sightseeing trips in Boothbay Harbor, and I would tell you that was true. However, this particular trip was not in Boothbay Harbor- it was above it. David and Kerrith Stapp, owners and operators of Ocean Point Aviation, LLC, had extended an invitation for local hospitality staff to experience a scenic flight of the area, and to experience firsthand what they had to offer. Guests can choose from a short tour for $85 per person, which lasts about a half hour, and a long tour, about an hour, for $115 per person; as anyone can plainly see, the longer trip is much more economical. It was explained to me that this reflects the preparation time on the ground that it takes for a flight, regardless of the time in the air- so why not take the longer flight, it is defiantly worth the extra thirty dollars.

              After a short drive up to Wiscasset- traffic was light on Tuesday, so it made for easy going- I met with David, owner and chief pilot, and prepared for my scenic flight. Utilizing a state of the art Cessna 172, with seating for three plus the pilot, David Stapp certainly looks the part. Aviators firmly in place on the weather perfect day, he invited me to join him in the cockpit to begin our flight. The first thing that I noticed was a large graphical display on the dash- current GPS technology has advanced leaps and bounds since I have been in the cockpit of a small airplane. Providing my pilot with up to date information on weather, traffic patterns and other airplanes, this handy gadget definitely eases any doubts as to the safety of the flight; just below the display is a row of back-up, non-technological gauges, in the case that the computers fail. Back-ups for back-ups make for a very safe flight. There was a shout of, “Clear prop!” and we were off.

 

                Though it was short flight, simply to give me a flavor of what they were offering; the brief trip afforded me some spectacular views of Boothbay Harbor and the surrounding the area. If you have never seen the Botanical Gardens from the air, it is quite impressive. The harbor, with its scores of moored sailboats and powerboats, is quite picturesque from the air. Ocean Point Aviation certainly provides a unique way to take in the sights- a standard long flight will take you down the river to Bath, up along the coast, giving you a glimpse of Fort Popham and the beach; you will also be able take in many of the local lighthouses from the air, as well as gain a true appreciation for the proverbial “rocky coast” of Maine.

               

                Though the cross-winds at the Wiscasset Airport are ranked in the top five for worst in the country – learn to fly there and you can fly anywhere, they tell me- our landing was smooth, if a bit rocky. Our journey completed, my feet back on the ground, I met with David’s wife, Kerrith, who handles the marketing for their business- we had a quick chat about social marketing and its growing importance into today’s market. After a few tasty nibbles on the provided snacks, I was back on the road, heading back into Boothbay Harbor. However, my head remained in the clouds; my mind’s eye soaring with the wind- the Boothbay Harbor Region is simply breathtaking from the air. Call Ocean Point Aviation at 207-380-1884 today to book your own scenic coastal plane ride today!                

Cruising Around with the Reggae Cruise on the Harbor Princess

This week’s blog posting will be the first in what will hopefully be a series of exposes about the various trips, excursions and activities available to our guests when they come to Boothbay Harbor. I hope to pay a visit to this different venues, experience them as a traveler would, and post, complete with photos, about the experience. This week’s posting will be about the Reggae Cruise with the Boothbay Whale Watch.

In the name of full disclosure, your faithful scribe has gone on more than one Reggae Cruise- in fact, I have been going on these fun filled excursions since shortly after my twenty-first birthday. Locally, it has become a weekly summer tradition for people; come Monday morning, the phone in the ticket booth is ringing off the hook. Various “cruise organizers” make their lists, and book accordingly- usually during its peak operation, the Harbor Princess sells out in short order- so book early and often if you want to check out this unique excursion in the Boothbay Harbor area.

Your night will begin with the short trek from land, down the gangway, into the awaiting arms of the Harbor Princess. You will be greeted before you board, by one of the friendly, dependable crew members. They are there to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the passengers- veterans all, they are sure to greet you with a smile.  The next step, for those of the cocktail set, will be to venture to into the bowels of the galley, to stand in line for one of large selection of tasty beverages. Now, if you are in the know and know someone amidst the crew, your wait time might be shorter, but the line does not move until you leave the dock, so if you are not in hurry, wander around the ship and get your bearings first. The bottom deck affords passengers a 360 degree view of the surroundings, a fact that comes in quite handy in the vessels other role as the premier whale watching vessel in Boothbay Harbor.

As you familiarize yourself with the layout of the Princess, you will probably here the first dulcet chords emanating from of the centerpiece of the Reggae Cruise- the Dani Tribesman- a group of extremely talented, down to earth friendly musicians. Lead by the irrepressible Dave Gagne, the Tribesman have been playing together for years-this shows in their comfortable playing style, voluminous song selection, and the overall character of the band as a whole.  Though primarily focused on reggae music, you should not be surprised to hear a little Buffet mixed in, with a swirl of John Denver or Blind Melon for flavoring. Overall, the music is the highlight of the cruise- by the end, on a good night, with the weather cooperating, the music brings everyone together; though the sun may have set, the night is usually full of happy folks, singing and dancing together, under the stars, on the top deck.

Drink prices are reasonable, the food is appropriately greasy and delicious, and the bartenders are quick with both drinks and humor. The first trip of the season in 2010 was on Memorial Day Weekend, a full two to three weeks earlier than normal. And what a fabulous trip it was- lots of familiar faces, eager for the first trip of the season. The weather could not have been more perfect, the band was in mid-season form, and the seas were calm and blue. We here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn are always eager to work with our local partners, and in that spirit, we offer special room rates for reggae cruisers on Sunday nights (and Thursday nights for the Cahoots cruise)- $95 + tax will put your head in a bed for the night. No need to worry about driving- the Harbor Princess leaves right for our dock- convenience and fun, all in one package. Please note, this special is for ticketed passengers of the Reggae Cruise and does not include tickets for the boat.   I would encourage one and all to come down to Boothbay Harbor and experience this cruise. You will not be disappointed- just remember, book early- tickets go on sale each Monday for the following Sunday. Check this and other available trips on the Harbor Princess at www.whaleme.com.

June has arrived and we are two weeks into the 2010 season. The season has started out extremely promising, for us here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn and for all the local shops and excursions- Memorial Day Weekend was beautiful and busy, which of course is beautiful in its self. We hosted another successful Alumni Dinner, and the parade on Monday was a fine tribute to veterans everywhere. Every year, after the holiday, there is a lull- the town clears out quite a bit- and remains calm for a couple of weeks. This is a great time to visit Boothbay Harbor. It is a fabulous time to visit the sights without the crowds, to drive the coast without traffic, and enjoy spectacular food without having to wait for a table. I would encourage everyone to visit during this period before Windjammer Day’s- most everything is open, and you will find great deals walking off the street for lodging. Always make sure to ask for a room upgrade; invariably, hotels will want to put their best foot forward and upgrade you to nicer room, for the same price, when they are not busy. If you are a shopper or would just like to have a few days relaxation by the sea, the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine is a perfect spot for any and all vacation desires.

                The end of June is really the kick off to the summer season. The first major summer event, Windjammer Days, comes near the end of June, after which the town is busy and bustling until Labor Day. There is nothing quite like seeing the majestic windjammers sailing into the harbor. If you open your mind’s eye, you can almost picture a time when the wind was the sole source of propulsion for sailing, and these tall ships were the norm.  They were like floating villages, with every member of the crew doing their part to ensure the safety of the whole. Though the crew’s of today windjammers are probably not the career sailors of the past, they still take pride in their job, keeping the vessels in fine working condition- all in all, it is a unique opportunity to view these pieces of living history.  But book early, because rooms go fast for these couple of days in June. Here at Fisherman’s Wharf, we have guests that have been staying in the same room, for this event, for over twenty years. You have to be lucky or have really good timing- give us a call, we will let you know what we have available. But please understand that there are not many rooms left at all. Which is a good thing for us- we prefer being busy.

                As we launch ourselves into the full swing of summer, please remember, anytime is a great time to visit Boothbay Harbor and the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn. We have great staff this year- experienced and enthusiastic- and we would love for you to join us. It is as easy as picking up the phone and giving us a call; someone is here, twenty four hours a day, to take your call and show you what the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn has to offer- fun and relaxation by the sea.   

2010 Season is Underway!

After a weekend full of events- Spring Fling, Land Trust, wedding reception- the Fisherman's Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, is in full swing. Today, Sunday the 23rd of May, is the first day for our dining room to be open. There are some new menu items, as always, a fabulous view, and even some new faces taking care of customers in the dining room. The weather for opening weekend was flawless- this does not include Sunday, which has dawned foggy and a bit grey- which always has been and will always be one of the most important factors in bringing in guests to the hotel.

       Speaking of bringing guests into the hotel, I want to take a moment and reflect on bookings so far. This is always the first question anyone asks you about the business. "How are bookings looking this year?" I have been asked this on several occasions, and am never really sure how to answer. Unbridled enthusiasm is not the way to go; answering that particular question with the energy of Tony the Tiger, that famous breakfast advocate, would go a long way in making me look mad. However, responding like Chicken Little, that infernal pessimist, would also not be appropriate.  I have set up camp, unwaveringly, in the middle of the road, sitting on top of a fence. Essentially, advanced bookings, especially in this economy, are somewhat a misnomer. The window for these “advanced” bookings has shrunk; much of the time guests will call and book just a few days before they arrive. This is fine, of course, but does not help much for peace of mind or planning in advanced.  The best we here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn can hope for is bright blue skies, low gas prices, the wanderlust of summer and the allure of the sea; all of these factors combining in one way or another hopefully will bring in lots of customers, old and new.

So if you are sitting in front of your computer reading this blog, and somewhere in your heart there is a soft voice telling you to hit the open road, to throw caution to the wind and take an adventure, then perhaps you should travel up to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Drive into town and listen for the sound of gulls off the water, the smell of salt in the air, and bustle of downtown. Make your way into town and come visit us at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn. You will not be disappointed.  

First event, under our belt, signs point to successful season

The day dawned sunny and blue, and just like that, the one part of the day that we cannot control was taken care of. It is Saturday, May 15^th, and the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn is getting set up for its first official event of the 2010 season. The Downeast Yacht Club has held their Commodores’ Luncheon in our dining room for several years. The festivities kicked off at around 11, with a cocktail hour, featuring cheese and crackers- the cheese, a specialty of Executive Chef John Reed, is worth the price of admission by itself. As at all events like these, the attendees spent much of the early period mingling, catching up with friends, and enjoying the spectacular view of the harbor from the dining room. And speaking of the dining room, it has never looked better. Our dining room manager, and a duo of hardworking lads, have cleaned, dusted, folded, swept, swept again, dusted again, polished and primped the lounge and restaurant for the last couple of weeks, and they have it looking like the belle of the ball.                

               

The aroma’s wafting from the kitchen were sure to set the guests taste buds to quivering, so the staff wasted no time- shortly after the speeches and awards, food began to stream from the kitchen. Our well trained staff had the food out in a matter of minutes- all the better for the yachters and boaters to satisfy their culinary cravings. The options were a Baked Salmon en Croute, stuffed with Lobster Boursin over mixed greens; a Roast Loin of Pork with Root-vegetable ragout and a Rosemary Demi-glaze, or a Roast Chicken Breast with Cranberry-Walnut Stuffing and Orange-Maple Glaze. Now I don’t know about my readers, but I would certainly order one of each. Maybe two. Either way, the food was a success, and the dessert- Mousse with fruit topping in an edible chocolate shell- was a perfect topper for the delightful meal.             We here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn would like to thank the folks from the Downeast Yacht Club for their patronage. There are lots of choices in Boothbay Harbor, and we appreciate you choosing us. We are looking forward to serving you next year.  

               

                Our first event went off without a hitch- except for a leaky water tap, fixed with a rubber band and dish rag – and the guests were happy. We can only hope the success of our first event in 2010 is a precursor of better things to come. We know that the slow economy and state of the world these days leave people a bit leery of traveling. We here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn invite you to come join us this summer for a relaxing escape to the rocky coast of Maine. We will do our best to provide you with reasonable prices, friendly staff, and memories that you will treasure for a lifetime. That is our goal, and we aim high. We open May 21^st for the hotel and May 23^rd for the dining room. Give us a chance and I am positive you will like what you fin.

                

The pieces are falling into place

Though it is a day late, happy Cinco de Mayo! The deadline for opening is rapidly approaching. We here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn are hard at work, preparing the inn and grounds for our 65th season. Decking is being replaced, carpets are being cleaned and refreshed, and a good number of rooms are getting some much needed upgrades. I was handed the new dinner menu just the other day, a clear sign that are approaching the season. Our executive chef, John Reed, back from another successful season at Sugarloaf, has done some adding and some subtracting- all in efforts to please your palettes and delight you stomach. I am most looking forward to the Macaroni & Cheese, with penne pasta, lobster and white truffle oil. And to be honest, I am not sure what white truffle oil is, but it sounds delicious. This will be my first stop on the new menu. I will hold out on you for a little while on the rest of the new items- this is in hopes that each and every one of you that is reading this will take the time to come and sample it for yourself. I know we will appreciate it, and I am sure that your tummy will too.


If you had not heard yet, our own Laura Honey took home another award. She was honored, justifiably, by the Rotary for Lifetime achievement. This new award has taken its place with the many other honors that have been bestowed upon this wonderful lady. If you have never had a chance to meet her, stop in at the Fisherman’s Wharf. You are sure to find her busy coordinating a rehearsal dinner, greeting guests in the lounge, or perhaps if you are lucky, you can take a peek behind the curtain, catching her unwinding with a quick game of solitaire. She is, as they say, living history- she could fill volumes, I am sure, with her knowledge of the Boothbay Harbor region, the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn and Maine in general. For forty five years, Mrs. H has toiled away within the walls of the Fisherman’s Wharf- lending her heart, soul and intellect to the operation. I would daresay that Mrs. Laura Honey is as much a part of the Fisherman’s Wharf, as the Wharf is a part of her. Mrs. H and all the staff at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, invite you to join us during the upcoming season to experience Maine at its finest. Call now, 800-628-6872, for reservations.