The Dawson Family, owners since 1980, loves to share the beauty of Mount Desert Island with their guests. Ask owners Nancy and Jon for recommendations on restaurants, shopping, hiking trails, and secret swimming spots. We 'winter' in nearby Bangor Maine, about 45 miles Northwest of Mount Desert Island. Nancy is a Bangor native and we have an extended family there. But the beauty of the 'Island' draws us year 'round.
We spend weekends in Southwest Harbor through out the four season!
Things get ver quiet in January and February but there are still great restaurants and winter activities that keep us busy.
Jon Dawson purchased this house in 1980
Clark Point neighborhood is unique, rich in a variety of offerings and activities withing minutes by foot, boat, bike or auto!
Being on the Harbor provides and ever changing visual experience. Heavily populated in the summer with an incredible array and variety of wantercraft, from the fleet of vintage Friendship Sloops to luxury Hinckley sale and power boats, to the commercial fishing fleet of lobster boats and scallop draggers.
This property is 'south facing' which makes it a warm and welcoming place for us during the 'off season'... Our 'winter' home is Bangor where we work in real estate and insurance, 46 miles away, but spend nearly every weekend during the fall, winter and spring seasons!
Our property and location is great because there is a mix of summer residents and year 'round residents... there is an active community here in the 'off season'
During the summer the bus stops at our doorstep providing free transportation around Mt Desert Island. But when its not we are within a short distance to the Causway Club, which has nine hole golf course, clay tennis courts and a salt water heated pool.
On the other side of the Club is the Park with supurb hiking. One fantastic hike is Flying Mountain which is only about 250' in elevation and takes only 20 minutes to climb. The reward is a fabulous view East overlooking Somes Sound, Northeast Harbor and the ocean and islands off shore. The trail continues down to Valley Cove on the Sound and there's a fire road returning you to the point of beginning.
The proximity to the vibrant village 'down town' adds to the location. The village offers a great library, Harbor House a community neighborhood organization offering 'YMCA' type of programs for folks of all ages, a great bakery, specialty wine store, a gormet food market, bike shop, pharmacy, and an array of fine restaurants.
Personally, the property provides access to the harbors and islands around Mt Desert Island.
Mount Desert Island offers the most spectacular vistas on the East Coast of the US.
A visit to the 'Island' and this part of the Maine Coast would not be complete without a visit to one of the 'outer islands'... Ilseford the village on Little Cranberry Isle is minutes away from Southwest Harbor by ferry where the pace of life is of another generation. It's where a small year 'round population of hardy folk who look to the sea for their sustanance, swells with the 'summer folk who come from 'away' to occupytheir waterfront homes and cottages. So check the Ferry schedule at the Upper Town Dock and treat your self to a visit to Ilseford.
And if you want a great 'shore luncheon' visit the Dock Restaurant (www.isleforddock.info) Tell Dan or Cynthia that Jon & Nancy sent you! Dining at the 'dock' is even better in the evening especially if you're lucky enough to see the sun set... its a site to behold!