Boating, kayaking, canoeing, biking, fishing. The public boat launch is at the Old Ferry Landing located at the bottom of our hill. There is no fee to use it. If you bring a canoe, kayaks, or bicycles there is storage space in our barn. There are plenty of roads on the island to explore by bicycle. There are also several places on the island or just across the bridge to rent bikes, powerboats, sailboats, canoes, or kayaks. One renter, Eggmoggin Landing is beside the bridge. Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, info@oldquarry.com, is on the island. When we took the grandchildren on their lobster boat excursion we all caught fish and the children got to band the lobsters we pulled from the water! They also rent bikes. The trip to Isle-Au-Haut (which is part of Acadia National Park) on the mailboat “Miss Lizzie,”is a special treat, www.isleauhaut.com. You can go in the morning, explore the island and picnic, then return in the afternoon. This is only a sampling. There are several other places on the island to rent or plan excursions, fishing or sailing trips.

Swimming: The island has a fresh-water swimming pond where you can sit on the grass and watch the children play in the water and take a cool dip yourself. It’s less than ten minutes away from the house. Written directions are in our Visitors Information Booklet in the house. The causeway beach is a five-minute walk and we often see brave folks playing in the ocean water there.

Jogging, Walking, Beachcombing. The Island is full of roads and paths along the shore. My mornings in Deer Isle begin with a walk to the Old Ferry Landing and along the beach and the causeway. The lobster boats have begun their morning rounds, the gulls are searching for their breakfast and the smell of beach roses drifts through the salt air. It’s a perfect way to begin the day. The island has many special places waiting for you to explore. We keep a map of island trails for you at the house.

Shopping, Galleries, Antiquing. The villages of Stonington and Deer Isle Village are lined with shops and galleries and the entire island is full of gifted artisans who display and sell their work. The internationally known Haystack Mountain School of Crafts welcomes visitors. On Old Ferry Road a two-minute walk away from our house is Ronald Hayes Pearson Design Studio, where you find some exquisite designs in silver and gold jewelry. A short distance down Route 15 is Hardy’s Carving. Mr. Hardy, whose family has lived on the island for generations, is a true folk artist whose work is highly regarded in many places far from the island. And if you’re into antiques, Deer Isle, like much of Maine, has many antique shops for browsing for that special treasure from the past. There are so many shops and galleries on the island that you will be hard-pressed to visit them all!

Restaurants. Our island has several restaurants well worth tasting and accommodating a range of tastes and pocketbooks. Fisherman’s Friend in Stonington has great fried seafood dinners. We favor the fried clams and their soup and salad bar. Lilly’s Café on Rt.15 in Stonington is open all year and has a creative flair. Look for their cookbook in local shops, too. Goose Cove Lodge does Sunday brunch and wonderful dinners. Sisters at Eggmoggin Landing is also very good. This is only a beginning. A more complete listing is available at the house.

Groceries, Wine, and More. The Galley is the closest grocery store and is only five minutes away. There’s also Burnt Cove Market, Stonington Market, and Trade Winds (a large market in Blue Hill). You can buy lobsters fresh off the boat at several docks on the island. Clams, mussels, and crab are also available. You can buy wine in grocery stores in Maine and also on the island at The Clown as you drive into Stonington. Bartlett Winery is in Gouldsboro. You can buy their wines locally or visit the winery on a day trip and taste their wines; they have blueberry, apple and pear wines, to name a few. The island also has a pharmacy, variety store and a hardware store.

There are two farmer’s markets in season on Saturday mornings. The Deer Isle Farmer’s Market is in the parking lot of the Deer Isle Congregational Church (a five- minute drive) and the Blue Hill Farmer’s Market is at the Blue Fair Grounds. There you can purchase wonderful fresh produce, blueberries in season, and freshly dressed chickens.

We know you’ll find fun things to do on Deer Isle. We’re away from the hectic pace and bumper-to-bumper traffic of some vacation areas. Deer Isle will leave you refreshed, renewed and filled with good memories.