I’m tempted not to post this because then everyone will know about it. At the end of the month (220 hours from the time of this writing, but who’s counting?), we’re going on a big Griswold-style family vacation to my favorite vacation spot in the whole world. How good can it be? It so good that whenever I do a guided meditation and have to picture the most relaxing place I can think of, I think of this place.
This place? Is Linekin Bay Resort in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The first time I went to this resort I was 9 months old and not allowed to eat in the dining room. At the time, Mrs. Branch didn’t like little kids running around the dining room, which I can sort of understand. These days, they have a huge supply of high chairs for kids of all sizes.
Linekin is most decidedly not for everyone. The accommodations are rustic. breathtakingly beautiful but rustic. It’s cabins and lodges and still has the feel of the girls’ camp it was in a past life. There are no locks on the doors and only 1 phone in the whole resort. There’s a pool, some shuffleboard and sailboats. That’s about it.
But there are beautiful quilts on the beds and knotty pine everywhere you look. You get fed 3 fresh, square meals a day. Lobster bake on the lawn twice a week. They added WiFi about 4 years ago and installed a full-service bar in the old TV room. Everyone brings board games and makes new friends in the lodges in the evenings. It’s a 20 minute walk (or 10 minute drive) to town, where there’s fresh ice cream and tchotchkes as far as the eye can see.
In short, there’s is plenty to do, but nothing you *have* to do. No schedule (aside from the ringing of the meal bell in the dining room). Bring books, board games and bathing suits and have a ball.
Our family loaded up the minvan many, many summers while I was growing up and headed off to Linekin. It was there that I learned just how much I like sailing (turns out it’s a lot!) And learned how much I like lobster (also, a lot!) I found out that I could very easily go a whole week with NO TV. I know! The shock, the horror!
To say that I’m excited about bringing Abby to my childhood “spot” is a bit of an understatement. Emily’s coming for the first time, too, and we’re having a bit of a family reunion while we’re up there. I am beyond excited and Mom has accused me of already being there in spirit if not in body. She’s right. I promise to take a bazillion pictures and give a full report when I get back.
And If you don’t have plans for next summer yet, you should think about heading up north for about them most relaxing vacation there is.
I totally get this. We go to a place in West Virginia calling Capon Springs that is very similar. There is no sailing, but there is a pool that is fed from the spring on the property. No locks, no AC plenty to do and nothing to do at the same time. It is the kind of place that I could send my 5 year-old out with his 9 year-old cousin and not worry about them. He can have freedom for a few days. Enjoy your vacation!