Rock Gardens Inn Blog

SnowShots

Rather than a typical blog entry, today we would like to bring you a photoblog! Posted below are six photos of various parts of Rock Gardens under the cover of snow. Sadly, these pictures are not currently representative of the Inn's grounds, as we have had fairly scant snowfall this year, but they should give an idea of how the Inn looks when the winter weather cooperates. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solstice Sunset

Although a little late in the posting, we wanted to show you the sunset on the Winter Solstice here at Rock Gardens Inn. The picture below was taken around 4:05pm on December 21st, 2009.  As you can see in the picture we were in the midst of some flurries.  For those of you who remember sunsets from the summer, or even looking at the sunset picture in our post from October 15th, it is interesting to note how the sunset moves across the horizon from Northwest to Southwest.  We hope that you enjoy the picture and that the New Year finds you well and warm!  Check back soon for news on the 2010 Art Workshops, as well as more pictures of Rock Gardens Inn in the winter months.

 

Fall Projects

Fall at Rock Gardens is a quieter time, but certainly not one devoid of labor.  After the Inn closes we set to work, making sure the cottages and grounds are ready for next summer. Painting, roofing, and redecoration are all on the list at the end of the year, along with any minor repair that might be required.

In addition to the work on the cottages, we have to make sure that the gardens are protected with layers of pine branches. The overlapping needles diffuse the effects of frost and offer a framework for layers of protective snow later in the year. We also drain the plumbing system, as well as the pool, to prevent freezing damage.  And we take advantage of the lovely fall weather for all our projects, including Julie's race to paint as many decks as possible before it becomes too cold.

One of the biggest projects this fall was Randy's focus on repairing the roofs, with help from Chris, and from Rob Stevens. They worked atop Cool Ledge, Broadview, the Main House, the 19th Hole, and Trail's End.  We are thankful both for the good help, and for the long stretches of beautiful fall weather, and now both the cottages and the grounds are ready for next year.  We are looking forward to next summer, when you can see the results for yourself.

The Last Great Hurricane

The last decade or so of hurricane seasons have been fairly uneventful here at the Inn; however, that was not always the case.  In August of 1991 Maine saw one of the most severe summer storms to make landfall here in the last half a century. Hurricane Bob was the first major storm to hit since Gloria in 1985. By the time it reached Maine it was technically at Tropical Storm, with gusts of up to sixty one miles per hour recorded in Portland, and a storm surge of almost three feet. It had swept a path of destruction through coastal New England, and police were warning anyone on the water to head inland.

It being the middle of August we had a full house, and the question quickly became whether or not we should evacuate to the Bath emergency shelter.  Sebasco began vacating immediately. We decided to wait out the storm. We knew the storm was going to hit the east side of the Phippsburg peninsula, opposite our shoreline, making our cove and shore fairly safe. Of course we offered to help any guests who wanted to go, but we had no takers. So that evening we served dinner by candlelight, passed out flashlights and lanterns, and battened down the hatches.

As the storm drew closer winds howled across the property, rain poured down, and waves crashed over the rocks and onto the lawns. Safely ensconced in their cottages, guests built up fires and gathered round to play cards, talk, or simply to watch the sea and storm. We woke the following morning to branches scattered across the grass, buoys and traps sitting atop the ledges, and one or two fallen trees. Everyone came into breakfast un-showered but elated with the feeling of shared danger passed. Power, and Sebasco's guests, returned a day or so later.