Peaceful Week in Maine
Review Submitted: August 23, 2011
Date of Stay: August 2011
PROS: This is a charming house--the owner's love of nature and handcraft gives it lots of personality. It had plenty of room for us and our 2 kids. The lakefront setting is beautiful. The lake is clear and clean, and small enough to easily explore in a kayak or canoe (provided by the owner). The resident loons were a big plus! The photos accurately depict the home and its setting. Appliances worked well and were clean (funky washer/dryer location in the basement, but they worked just fine).
Another huge plus--Acadia National Park is about 45 minutes from the house, and you can easily reach other coastal destinations via route 1.
CONS: The owner did not clean the house between guests, but asked the guests to vacuum. We cleaned the bathrooms ourselves; not sure if anyone cleaned them before we got there. We've never rented a vacation place that was not cleaned before our arrival, and thought that this was an odd arrangement. The house was certainly tidy when we got there, however.
The owner provides bicycles, and the road around the lake is pretty. But cars drive fast on that narrow road, and there are no shoulders. So we didn't think it was safe for us and our kids. Too bad--we would have enjoyed a bike ride. There is a rails-to-trails path close by, but you have to bike the narrow roads to get to it, and it is also used by ATVs.
TIPS:
Do your grocery shopping in Ellsworth before you get to the house--there are no stores in Franklin.
There is no cell phone service at the house (unless you go out into the blueberry fields across the street). You may use the house phone for a nominal charge. (If you're there in mid-August, as we were, make sure you get to those blueberry fields and feast!)
We ate breakfast at the Riverside Cafe on the main street in Ellsworth a couple of times--delicious and a real nice atmoshere.
My 12-year-old son wants me to mention the go-kart track at Wild Acadia Fun Park, on Route 3 heading toward Acadia. There are also several tasty ice cream stands along that stretch.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this house for a peaceful family vacation. Just be prepared to do some housecleaning when you get there and when you leave.
Recommended for:
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
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Helpful votes: 3/3
