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Tranquil Retreat on Woods Pond
| Sleeps | 3 |
| Bedrooms | 1 |
| Bathrooms | 1 |
| Half Baths | 1 |
| Space | 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Property type | house |
| Minimum Stay | 4 - 7 nights |
Overview
House, 1 Bedroom + Futon bed, 1.5 Baths, (Sleeps 3)
A gem for the couple that appreciates tranquility. Looking through the trees to the pristine pond that's home to loons and other wildlife you are surrounded by the natural world.
Though only a mile from town and a 40 minutes from Mt. Desert Island and Acadia Park, the setting is far from neighbors and has with walks along the shore or on the gravel roads in the neighborhood. Consider this a perfect place for a second (or first) honeymoon.
A spiral stair leads up to a cozy bedroom under the eaves. Lie in bed and watch the clouds or eagles through the skylights. Listen to the mysterious, haunting sounds of the loons who swim around the lake all summer.
Granite counter tops grace the kitchen and radiant heat keeps the hardwood floors warm on a chilly morning. Across a little bridge there is a 12' x 12' screened gazebo with three Adirondack chairs and a view of the pond -- a nice spot to sit and watch the sun set.
From the dock you can slip your canoe or kayak into the water or take a swim. Woods Pond is quiet with few outboard motors and no jet skis.
Utilities are in a separate building so only the refrigerator makes any noise to disturb your silence or creative play.
There's wi-fi access for those who wish to stay in touch. Cell phones get good reception here. A washer/dryer make vacation life simple!
Once featured in the New York Times travel section, this place is for those who want something special.
Please book Saturday to Saturday.
Keywords: House, retreat, quiet
About Vicki Pollard
I'd like very much to introduce you to our Woods Pond Retreat. It's a place that I absolutely love and treasure the days spent here, often alone, just bathing in the silence or in the cool waters of the pond. Sharing the retreat with others has proved to be a rewarding adventure, trusting people I don't know in advance with something deeply precious to me.
Vicki Pollard purchased this house in 2002
Why Vicki Pollard chose Acadia
We built this house close to where we live because we wanted to be able to retreat regularly -- slip away from the pressure of our busy, committed lives. Being near the pond, the presence of loons and other wildlife, and the simple quiet that sometimes descends made this location just perfect. It's easy to slip a canoe or kayak into the water, and there aren't any jet skis or big power boats.
Now I choose to share this idylic spot with others, realizing that this sort of place doesn't exist very often in our cynical, difficult world. I hope you will join others who have found this beautiful place a place for new intimacies -- with yourself, with your partner, with the natural world. Welcome.
What makes this house unique
Personally, I spend a lot of time either reading or just looking out the windows, letting my being settle into the moment. Quiet inside, quiet outside. It takes a little time, a day or so to let that happen, and it's so delicious.
I take walks, go for a paddle, talk with my dog and sometimes take the peace with me on a trip to Bar Harbor or to visit a friend, returning in time to slip into bed and listen to the loons talking to each other.
Guestbook comments from the owner
The week we spent in 2007 at the retreat was absolutely everything we wanted -
- quiet, even serene. We walked a lot near Acadia and then came 'home' for
candlelit meals and often sipped a glass in the gazebo watching the sunset.
Climbs up Blue Hill and dinner out once in town were local faves. Thanks, Vicki!
Amenities
Blue Hill House Accommodation and Amenities
- house
- Guests provide their own meals
- 1000 sq. ft.
- 2 stories
- Check-in: 4:00 PM /
- Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Max. occupancy: 3
- Max. adults: 2
- Children welcome ...
- Parties/events not allowed
- Pets considered ...
- Non smoking only ...
- We are a shoes-off house. Please bring slippers or indoor shoes.
- Lake View ...
- Lakefront ...
- Mountain View ...
- Adventure
- Away From It All
- Romantic
- Tourist Attractions
- Basic Soaps
- Broadband Access ...
- Clothes Dryer
- Firewood
- Hair Dryer
- Heating ...
- Internet
- Linens Provided
- Living Room
- Local Maps
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Parking
- Parking Off Street ...
- Telephone ...
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Wireless Internet ...
- Wood Stove ...
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Freezer
- Grill
- Kitchen ...
- Lobster Pot
- Oven
- Pantry Items ...
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Stove
- Toaster
- Dining ...
- Dining Area
- seating for 4 people
- 1 Bathroom,
- 1 Half Bath
-
Bathroom 2 -
toilet
,
Washer and dryer too.
Bathroom 1 - toilet , combination tub/shower , jetted tub
- 1 Bedroom, Sleeps 3
- Queen size Beds (1), Full-size foam mattress (1).
- Audio Tape Player
- CD Player
- Music Library ...
- Radio
- Stereo
- Balcony ...
- Boat Dock
- Gazebo ...
- Kayak / Canoe ...
- Outdoor Grill ...
- Outdoor Grill Gas
- Porch / Veranda ...
- Screen Porch / Veranda
- Unscreened Porch / Veranda
- Walkway to Water
- Wood Deck
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- Low Allergen Environment
- jetted tub ...
- arboretum
- autumn foliage
- bay/sound
- botanical garden
- churches
- cinemas
- coin laundry
- forests
- health/beauty spa
- library
- live theater
- marina
- museums
- playground
- pond
- restaurants
- zoo
- antiquing
- bird watching
- boating
- horseback riding
- miniature golf
- scenic drives
- shopping
- sight seeing
- walking
- whale watching
- wildlife viewing
- ATM/bank
- fitness center
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- massage therapist
- medical services
- cross country skiing
- cycling
- golf
- golf privileges optional
- hiking
- kayaking
- mountain biking
- mountaineering
- sailing
- swimming
- tennis
- wind-surfing
Reviews
Exceptional!
5/5 -
(24 traveler reviews)
Happy Place
For eight seasons in a row we have called Woods Pond Retreat our "happy place." We look forward to returning to this idyllic spot every summer and long during the year for it's tranquility. The spaces, inside and out, are beautiful and calming. At night you hear the loons and lying under the skylights you can marvel at the stars. The Pond is in view from most windows with pine trees rimming the house. One would never know the Retreat is only a few minutes from the town of Blue Hill. Every year we browse the well known bookstore, savor the wine and cheese shop, visit the large library, and meander the surrounding towns. The hosts, Vicki and Howard are personable and helpful and respond in a very timely manner. Their love of the Retreat will fuel anyone's experience which makes it an even happier place.
Heaven
Remarkably beautiful in every detail, with thoughtful and sensitive owners, this place is my ideal cabin in the woods. Quiet, peaceful, spacious and well lit. It's wonderful to be right on the lake for a tranquil afternoon swim if you're not keen on the boisterous scene at the local beaches. The setting is gorgeous and it's surprisingly close to town for shopping & meals. I even appreciated the *lack* of such modern "conveniences" as a microwave, TV, AC and dishwasher. One thing: it's really better for singles or a couple, as the second bedroom is really small. A great place for a romantic getaway, absolutely.
Beautiful private retreat in the woods
I had the opportunity to stay in this unique and lovely home for a week in May, just as the weather was turning. I have been to Blue Hill dozens of times, and always enjoyed staying here, but this was indeed a retreat - both the setting and the house are situated in a private slice of woods and pond that make you feel like there is no one else around for miles. The charm of having a screened in area near the pond to sit and read or just listen to nature, the availability of being able to canoe or kayak right outside your door and the thoughtful design of the house itself with so many windows and views and soaring ceiling height in the main room was great. I really enjoyed coming back after a long day out, cooking and listening to music and watching the sun set. Highly recommend - it is also super convenient to town and any of the major roads through the area.
Great place for a quiet, out of the way stay.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at this property. The owners were great and got back to me quickly when making the reservation. Howard met me upon my arrival and showed me around. I enjoy cooking and the kitchen was set up great. I live in Boston and very much enjoyed the peace and tranquility of Woods Pond. Next time I plan on renting a kayak and exploring. I will most definitely be coming back.
Woods Pond Retreat
Woods Pond Retreat welcomes you with a deep, silent, loving embrace. This is a place of concentric circles of loving kindness. Woods and Pond embrace this dwelling whose curved walls, folded ceilings and 30 windows embrace you and the woods and the pond. Outside in. Inside out.
The stillness and quiet begin to work their magic on you the minute you get out of the car. Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, greets you on the front porch. Awanadjo, "Small Misty Mountain", Blue Hill, is the Guardian Spirit watching over this place.
The wind finds its many voices by gently and sometimes not so gently blowing through twisted and gnarled cedars, balsam firs, high bush blueberries, and low growing shrubs of all kinds.
Bullfrogs, loons, coyotes and crickets sing the nightway chant. There are dragonflies of all colors.
By the dock, pickerelweed and lilies bloom. This the best place for dragonfly viewing. Kayaks and canoes are the only water craft plying the pond.
The bedroom is shaped liked an origami crane. Sleeping in the warm bed, the heart of the crane, one is surrounded by the starry night shining in through all the windows above and around.
In the main room sitting at the round cherry wood table, looking out the third window from the west, there by the pond, stands a tree. I called it "tuning fork" tree. It is a cedar. Be prepared to be re-attuned.
The Pond and these Woods speak softly, slowly and clearly. Be prepared to weep.
Remember to ask about the secret of the Kitchen Kannon.
Woods, Pond, Cottage and So Much More
My wife and I could not have picked a better place for our vacation in Blue Hill. Vicki and Howard made us feel most welcome on our arrival. Their cottage is nestled among the trees, but offers an open design with great natural light and a tranquil view of the pond. We enjoyed many hours at the cottage and on the pond -- a porch for reading and daydreaming, abundant bird life (including loons), comfortable swimming, pleasant paddling.
The cottage is just minutes from the markets, restaurants and shops of Blue Hill as well as the fabulous chamber music performances at Kneisel Hall. Short drives took us to other beautiful ocean side towns, farmers' markets and the nearby parks including Holbrook Sanctuary.
Map
Visiting Acadia National Park is simple and you return to Woods Pond, avoiding the mobs in Bar Harbor. But don’t underestimate Blue Hill itself with its Kneisel Hall Summer Music Festival and Down to Earth Pottery. Barncastle and Arborvine provide great cuisine and for breakfast or lunch, stop by the Mill Stream Café or the Blue Hill Co-op. In our opinion, the very best lobster roll can be procured right here at the Fish Net.
The arts flourish here and there are galleries aplenty within easy reach. Don’t miss Randy Eckerd’s paintings on Pleasant Street. On Deer Isle, in addition to many galleries, you’ll also find the renowned Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Nearby villages include Brooklin, Stonington, Deer Isle, Sedgwick and Brooksville.
Last we mention Blue Hill itself, a great climb on a clear day with fantastic views. One trail up and the other down and the car’s not too far away…. Don’t miss getting up the mountain.
Photos
Rates & Availability
- Available
- Unavailable
Additional information about rental rates
| Cleaning Fee | $100 |
| Damage Deposit | $200 |
No cats please. Dogs should be in crates when guests are not in the house.
Owner's Cancellation Policy
- 100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
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