Imagine being picked up in the small fishing village of Port Clyde, Maine, riding just 3 miles out to sea, and arriving on a magnificent 90-acre private island. As you step into the buildings, you find them filled with artifacts and furnishings from the early to mid-1900s. While there are modern amenities such as electricity and running water, there are no TVs, no radios, and no landline phone service (n.b., there is cell reception and Wi-Fi). The lack of these distractions, combined with the beauty of the Maine coastline and the plethora of possible activities, naturally result in people engaging in one or more of the many possible group activities.
Feeling active? Grab a kayak or paddle board and go for a paddle around the rocky coves and beaches of McGee and neighboring Barter Island. Take a hike or comb the water’s edge in search of small treasures that the ocean deposits on the shores! If you like to swim, plunge into the refreshing salt water and then warm up in the waterside sauna or outdoor shower.
Want to relax? Sit back in a rocking chair on the huge, wrap-around porch with 180º views of the ocean and neighboring islands. You might see an osprey, a bald eagle, a seal, or other wildlife, with little but your own conversation to break the tranquility. You might decide to play the baby grand piano, nap in the hammock, read a book on the porch swing, or explore the many rooms of the historic buildings.
Enjoy competition? Gather a group together for a friendly game of croquet, volleyball, or badminton. You can up the ante with a little wager – the loser has to wash the dinner dishes! For a slower-paced option, there is a closet full of board games for all ages.
Hungry? Try gathering food from the island. You can fish off the dock, collect mussels from the ocean, pick raspberries and blackberries that grow wild on the island, or take the easy route – buy lobsters from a passing lobster boat. You can work together with your friends and family to create delicious culinary dishes in the fully equipped kitchen.
Want a night time activity ? Gather for dinner in the Cook House built in the late 1700s and then retire up to the living room in the Main House. Start a roaring fire to provide the perfect backdrop for board games, reading, and socializing. Or head outside to the porch to watch an extraordinary moon rise or some incredible star gazing !
