Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Coffee with A View

It's the first cool, crisp morning in many mornings. The humidity has broken, the fog's gone elsewhere. It was a perfect morning for coffee on the deck.

Yesterday, we ventured to the mid-coast to look at a couple of "camps"* that are for sale, and we discovered a new favorite place--Damariscotta Mills. It's the quintessential, sweet New England village. In yesterday's heat, the small bridge near the mill was packed with kids and teenagers diving from the bridge, while others floated on inner tubes or sat on the edge of the lake.

We saw a few properties that are financially 'doable' for us, but now, Retired Guy and I have to negotiate the salt water versus fresh water question. I'm leaning lake, he's pulling for ocean. Ocean isn't swimmable (too cold); lake is. Ocean isn't fit for water skiing; lake is. Retired Guy points out that the camp on the lake is very much like "Ohio". Both are great for kayaking; the lake has loons. The ocean has Bald Eagles and Osprey. It will take the wisdom of Solomon to decide this question.


*Camp-the Maine term for a summer cottage, usually on a lake.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having lived within walking distance of the ocean my whole life, I'd go for the lake, Melissa-less picturesque, probably, but a lot more user-friendly.

mainelife said...

Thanks. I'll let him know your thoughts. It might have some impact with him, as he agrees with your thoughts on the Sox far more than he agrees with mine....:)

Anonymous said...

Our lake has both Osprey as well as Bald Eagles and if one is lucky Moose. You also get beavers, mink, otters, great blue heron and bitterns as well (at least we do).
I'm with you on the swimming thing, the only time it would be better ocean wise is in the winter, you ahve a changing view, with a lake once the ice is on, it's on until ice out.
Also, you will have to consider dock in, dock out, dock in, dock out, depending on how the ice out on the lake of choice is.

mainelife said...

jo you're situation does seem ideal, from the posts and things you've shared on the blog. I really want lake but I do love the smell of the ocean. And we live at the ocean.....

Anonymous said...

If you don't mind a few observations from a local real estate Broker; Damariscotta Mills is an exceptional spot with a small village feel, friendly neighbors, local swimming hole and a resident pair of eagles. Lakefront is a lot less expensive than ocean front and there are far more recreational opportunities (I swim at Pemaquid Beach about once every third year, it's just too cold).
Calling "camps" cottages came into vogue about 10 years ago and trickled down from Bar Harbor through Camden as brokers and sellers realized buyers would pay more for a "cottage" than a "camp". To my mind a camp is a seasonal property with no insulation and nothing for heat except maybe a wood stove. A cottage on the other hand is more of a year round property that is used for summer vacations but also for weekends in the winter.
Good luck with your search, either way you can't go wrong!

Cindy said...

My Dad had a "camp" on the Narraguagus River- it was pretty rustic. I never got to see it and he has long since sold it. Me, I'd vote for the ocean, just because I miss it so.

Kindler said...

There are pros and cons both ways for sure, and as Jim said, we can't lose either way, really. Jim-thanks for your comment. It's a small world. My favorite listing is one offered by your company, but it doesn't look like I can convince my husband to buy it. So we'll keep looking!