New experience

Grilled chicken sandwich on patio at Lucerne Inn

Outdoor Dining at The Lucerne Inn, Dedham Maine

by Deb C September 9, 2020

This is a followup to the post about the Lucerne Inn during the winter. On a lovely summer day we stopped for outdoor dining at The Lucerne Inn, Dedham, Maine.

Outdoor Dining at The Lucerne Inn

The Lucerne Inn offers indoor and outdoor dining during the summer season. As our visit was during the Pandemic, we opted for the outdoor dining in their back patio area.

You access the patio by walking to the left of the building and following a paved path from the front parking lot. There aren’t any stairs to navigate. (If you want to go into the building, a sign on the door had a telephone number to call for service. This was due to COVID19 regulations.)

The patio is attached to the back of the Inn and is shaded by a large white awning. Depending upon the weather, and occasion, especially weddings, the sides of the patio may be enclosed by white panels with clear window like inserts.

When we arrived, we were asked if we were there for “the fundraiser.” We weren’t but we were welcome to stay. We opted to take an empty table along the pathway and a few yards from the patio area. It was perfect as we could enjoy the live music and murmur of the other diners while staying at a distance. While we didn’t have any shade, it was later in the day. The sun was nearing the distant horizon while a slight Maine breeze made for a comfortable experience.

As you can see, the patio has plenty of room for a “fresh air” wedding reception or other celebration.

Light and Casual Dining

The Inn has a separate and casual menu for the patio versus their restaurant and pub menus. We opted for a grilled chicken sandwich

and grilled veggie kabobs with black bean dip and yummy corn bread. Both came with Miss Vickie’s chips. It was like picnicking as we had paper plates and plastic utensils and sat at a wooden picnic table.

The Lucerne Inn features craft beer from local Maine breweries along with Bud, Bud Lite, and Coors Lite. When we visited in the winter, we enjoyed craft beer on draft. For patio dining, our beer was served in cans. Our table was decorated with a mock buoy, a nod to Maine’s seafaring culture. Tantalizing glimpses and views of the ocean and inlets can be seen while driving that stretch of Rt. 1. (If you like the buoy idea for table markers or decoration, you can find them on Etsy or eBay.)

Mason’s Brewing Company is located in Brewer, Maine, which is adjacent to Bangor. The Lucerne Inn had a selection of beer from Mason’s. You can take a virtual tour of Mason’s on their website: https://masonsbrewingcompany.com/

Mason’s has some edgy beer names such as: Ghost Reaper, Liquid Rapture, Mushroom Cloud, and Hipster Apocalypse with “zombie” and dark artwork on the cans to match the names. The Hipster Apocalypse can features a skeletal figure with a t-shirt that says “Stephen King Rules.” (Author Stephen King lives in Bangor.)

The Lucerne Inn also had beer from the Airline Brewing Company, located in Amherst, Maine. Airline also has a British style pub on Main Street in Ellsworth, Maine. “Airline” is a reference to the name of the stretch of Rt. 9 from Bangor to Calais that the brewery is located near.

Summer Views at The Lucerne Inn

The Lucerne Inn overlooks Phillips Lake and Bald Mountain crowns the landscape in the distance. A small gazebo graces the area by the outdoor pool. Unfortunately closed due to the Pandemic.

The Lucerne Inn is a popular place for weddings. A larger gazebo offers a lovely platform for outdoor weddings.

The building to the left is The Overlook, part of The Lucerne Inn complex, and a venue for weddings and receptions. White folding chairs for wedding guests can be set up by the gazebo.

The Way Outdoor Dining Should Be

Social distancing, or not, outdoor dining in the patio area at The Lucerne Inn was a great experience. The table, the views, the weather, the music, the food and drink all came together. There weren’t any bugs, either.

Some may prefer a wider menu. You may be able to ask for the pub or restaurant menu, or dine inside and still enjoy the peaceful views.

If you like craft beer, there was a variety of styles from two local breweries to choose from. You can enjoy them at the Inn when you don’t have time to seek out the breweries themselves, or want to limit your stops.

You can read more about The Lucerne Inn on Rt. 1 in Dedham, Maine, here.

You can read these posts about other Maine Craft Breweries: 2 Feet Brewing, and Maine Beer Company.

If you want to keep more detailed records of where you went and what beer you enjoyed, you might like Keeping Up with Craft Beers: A Journal for Your Tasting Adventures. You can list up to 100 beers, as well as list breweries and brew pubs you liked as well as beer festivals.

September 9, 2020 0 comment

New experience Travel outside the United States

Snorkeling and Some Life Lessons in Cozumel, Mexico

by Deb C March 15, 2020

Sometimes life lessons come when you least expect them. Mine came while snorkeling in Cozumel, Mexico as part of a cruise excursion. Snorkeling may be easy for some, but not for me.

If you told me I would do such a thing a few years ago, I would have been very skeptical. While I can swim, I’m not a fan of beaches, or ocean water. I resist putting my face and head under water. I tend to do worst case scenarios, too. (As in shark, or Barracuda.)

While I’m not exactly working on a bucket list, I am plucking up my courage to overcome some of my reticence about things not in my comfort level.

After looking over the list of available excursions while our cruise ship docked in Cozumel, it was more my choice, than my husband’s. The description explained that we would be on a glass bottomed boat. I figured that if I really had misgivings about snorkeling, that I could still see sea life while on the boat. It turned out that we could also see fish while walking along the pier from the ship.

Fish seen from pier at Puerta Maya in Cozumel — Here’s a picture of a fish we saw while walking along the pier from the cruise ship.

Booking the Cruise was “Rewarding” in more ways than one

My husband is a member of the Choice Hotels Choice Privileges Rewards Program. He had received an email with a cruise promotion through Cruises for Choice Privileges. For his birthday we decided to book a cruise on Carnival as the price was competitive, plus we would receive rewards. We will definitely use the rewards on our hotel stays. Plus we would receive other rewards with our credit card. Seemed a double win.

How we found the snorkeling excursion

Once we booked the cruise, we also received notices about excursions that we could book through Choice Privileges, rather than through the cruise lines. After mulling over the choices and prices, we chose a combo “adventure” in Cozumel: Reef Snorkel and Beach Break, which included a boat ride, snorkeling, refreshments on the boat, and time at a beach resort after the boat ride. According to the description we could enjoy a fresh-water pool, showers, beach lounge chairs and ambient music after snorkeling. All this was about half of the price of a different snorkeling excursion offered through the cruise line. Although we left the “safety net” of booking through Carnival, we thought if it didn’t work out, we wouldn’t lose much.

hatchtags for a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel

Making the Snorkeling Excursion Connection

As our excursion was in the afternoon and we docked in Cozumel in the morning, we had plenty of time to do some exploring and locate where we needed to be for the snorkeling. Printed tickets and directions in hand, we took our time walking through the port area and resisting the calls from the salespeople trying to get us into their shops.

We missed a turn, but someone at the visitors center booth near the pier got us on track. We also checked to make sure our watches were in sync with local time. Someone had told us that Cozumel was an hour ahead, but that wasn’t the case when we were there.

Horse and carriage ride in Puerta Maya Cozumel

Per the directions, it was a 10 – 15 minute walk from the pier, once we knew where we were going. It turned out that, due to it’s height, we could see the hotel/resort, El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel due North and left, pretty much the whole way. Along the way we got a taste of Cozumel traffic, which was brisk, with lots of scooters, taxis and tour vans, and the occasional horse and carriage rides.

El Cid Resort in Cozumel seen from the pier

We reached the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel in about 10 minutes and found where to check in, which was out front. Everyone was very friendly and we felt comfortable. As it was still before noon, and the excursion wasn’t until 2:30, we decided to wander. We walked back along the other side of the street, which was lined with restaurants and shops with more sales people vying for our attention.

A Snorkeling we will go

We ambled back to El Cid La Ceiba when it was close to time for our boat ride. We were warmly greeted and given arm bands which gave us free access to the resort’s amenities once the snorkeling and boat ride was over. While we were told to put on sun block, we were cautioned to use it sparingly and only on our head and arms, as it can affect the coral they have been trying to protect. We were glad that we had some cash with us as they collect a $5 per person pier and Marine Park fee and it has to be in cash. (I had forgotten about that and it was a bit buried in the instructions.)

In the description of the snorkeling excursion, the literature said they tried to keep to under 75% capacity for best enjoyment. Well, it turned out that there was only one other couple going. Feeling almost like we had a private charter, we set off. We were offered drinks as we made our way to our first stop. A woman named Mari and a gentleman we called “Bro” equipped us with flotation vests, masks, snorkles, and flippers. If ever I wore flippers, it may have been when I was a kid. I decided to just go with the flow. We went to the end of the boat. Mari said, just hold onto your mask and step off, and so I did.

Wow! After the cool and cold waters of New England, the warm water was a surprise. And a happy one. The salt water is so much easier to float on. After blowing the water out of my snorkel after bobbing to the surface and getting the hang of breathing through my mouth, I put my head in the water and started floating among the gentle waves. Bro was in the water nearby with a life preserver to assist and guide us.

Maybe because there weren’t many of us, fish appeared and kept swimming by. Small, and medium, colorful and some not so colorful. Slowly moving along the surface, I could see to the bottom which had a variety of plants and coral with fish gliding in and around them. And there were so many different fish to see. Just when I thought I was starting to just see repeats, I’d see yet another different one. And different plants, too.

All of a sudden Bro got very excited. Slowly and majestically, three rays, he called eagle rays, appeared making their way across the bottom of the ocean beneath us. Magic!

It was also neat to see the other people submersed in the water. The sunlight shining through the beautiful blue water and their swim suits and flippers lent color to the scene. It’s one thing to see a photo or video, but to actually live it! Awesome!

We gradually returned to the boat and Mari offered us drinks: water, iced tea or Coke while the boat moved to another area. This time I had no hesitation at all stepping off of the boat. I was more relaxed while floating and slowly moving among the waves to see even more fish and plant life. After a while, Bro said we are going to swim over to a deeper part. I followed him and saw how the bottom changed and dropped off quite a bit. More to see. Suddenly Bro was excited again, as an eagle ray glided below. Another excursions boat, loaded with passengers had come by and he was calling out to their excursion leaders about the eagle ray. As he was doing that, I looked around and noticed that I was the only passenger from our boat in the water, so they missed out.

Snorkeling boats guide to fish that may be seen off Cozumel — View from the snorkeling boat. I was trying to avoid photographing the other couple on board with us.

Before we headed back to the dock, the crew offered to wash the salt water off, and drinks were handed around. They had Corona beer in smaller bottles. Kind of cute.

Back at the resort there were restrooms conveniently located as we left the dock and walked towards the resort. The El Cid resort was right on the water and had a white sandy beach. There were plenty of lounge chairs with palm trees and thatched umbrellas for shade scattered among them. We could swim in the ocean or the pool, or make use of the hot tub. Some people were jumping off the dock.

Pool and beach at El Cid resort, Cozumel

We eventually found our way to a table with an umbrella poolside that was also overlooking the ocean. It was near their open air bar and restaurant. We took advantage of the Happy Hour specials and tried some of the frozen tropical drinks, which were 2 for $5. Not a whole lot of alcohol but tasty and fine for the price. We enjoyed the view and the warm breezes and the relaxing atmosphere. It was a little overcast and there were a few raindrops here and there, but not enough to make us move under cover.

Things to know about the snorkeling part of the excursion:

Why choose this excursion with Safe Snorkeling Cozumel:

Cruise along Cozumel’s coastline aboard a glass bottom boat
Ideal for first-time visitors with limited time – about 2 hours and not far from most cruise ships
Snorkel at underwater reefs with a guide; snorkeling equipment included
Beautiful and clear waters
Interesting vegetation along the bottom with the Minecraft wireframes for reef restoration
Beer, soft drinks, and bottled water included
Glass bottomed boat allows those who don’t go in the water to enjoy the sea life
Choose from multiple departure times to easily fit this tour into your schedule
Departs from a well-maintained shore side hotel with convenient restrooms near the dock
The meeting point is walking distance for most of the Cruise ship passengers (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and others)
You can take a pedal car or horse and carriage or taxi for a quick tour of nearby sights before going to the meeting point to avoid walking in the heat.
Because the meeting point is relatively close to where the cruise ships dock, you don’t lose a lot of your shore time getting there.
Most travelers can participate (Minimum age 5 to be on boat. Ages 8 to 65 can snorkel.)

Important details:

Confirmation at time of booking
Maximum age to participate is 65.
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Guests with asthma, diabetes and/or epilepsy will be unable to snorkel.
This tour is not suitable for people with difficulties being in enclosed spaces.
A minimum of 2 adults per booking
Arrive 30 minutes before the departure time
Recommended items: shoes that can get wet, biodegradable sunscreen, bathing suit under clothes, extra t-shirt to protect yourself while swimming, towel and dry changing clothes
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum drinking age is 18 years
$5 USD cash fee per passenger for the pier and Marine Park fees
Near public transportation
If you are coming from mainland or your cruise ship will dock in downtown (NCL, Disney, MSC and others), you may need to use a taxi
This experience requires good weather. If poor weather, you can select a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

What we didn’t know:

What wasn’t clear from the description was that where we were to check in for the snorkeling excursion was also where we would be spending the beach resort part of the excursion. We might have planned our day a little differently. Also, we hadn’t noticed the maximum age. No one asked our ages, but you don’t want to be disappointed.

According to some reviews we found when we returned home was that you can buy an all day pass at El Cid La Ceiba for around $22 per person. The pass includes a meal credit in the restaurant and snorkeling gear in addition to using the beachfront facilities, pool, and hot tub. You can use the credit to have the bar staff deliver your drinks to you as you enjoy the beach and lounge chairs.

Cozumel uses flat rates, based on the number of people for taxi rides from the piers to points of interest. If we had known a little more about where some of the local attractions were we might have taken a pedal taxi or horse and carriage ride or taxi there and then to El Cid La Ceiba for our snorkeling excursion.

It’s important to carry cash, especially small bills. The restaurants and bars prefer cash, and you need it to pay for the $5 pier and Marine Park fee. We had forgotten about that fee. Luckily we had enough cash to pay it, with a bit left over for a tip for the boat crew. Some of the smaller vendors may not take cash. It’s also safer than using a credit card.

Puerta Maya, where our cruise ship docked, has its own small beach with complimentary beach chairs under palm trees.

What we learned about booking excursions:

Do more research. We were stuck on thinking of booking either through Carnival or the Choice Rewards program instead of casting a wider net. The couple on the snorkeling boat said that they booked it through Expedia.

When you do book, then research where you are going. Then, you will know more about the place that you are going, what you might need, and what to expect. You may find details that will add to your experience and reduce any anxiety or regrets.

What I learned from snorkeling:

Don’t think too much. (about jumping into strange waters.) They are warm, buoyant and will lift you up.

Follow simple directions.

Put on or gather the simple tools needed: flippers and mask. (Or, for example, computer and software)

Hold onto the mask. (Your inner self.)

Step off the boat. (Start your project.)

Relax and bob/float to the surface. (Clear your mind of fears.)

Blow out the sea water/impediments out of your snorkel. (Ignore small distractions.)

Put your head in the water and start to breath naturally. (Proceed with your project. You can go back and make corrections later.)

Relax and float naturally. (Relax and go with your flow. Let your instincts lead you to new discoveries.)

Look around slowly and carefully appreciating small details and not just looking for big “wow’s. (Keep going with sometimes less fun tasks that will still create satisfaction along the way to achieving a goal. Like all the mundane steps it took to get man on the moon. They had to be done.)

Let things flow or swim to you. (Wait, relax and let ideas come to you without struggling or flailing.)

When one area has been explored, move to the next and give yourself time to absorb and appreciate details. (Moving too quickly, or expecting quick results can make for missing the best moments.)

Patience and different vantage point can bring an “aha” moment. (Not giving up and trying another approach can bring unexpected rewards.)

Photos or videos are no replacement for the actual experience. (Get out of your comfort zone and try new things.)

Now, mind you, there are many things that I still never, ever want to do, like skydiving, or eating things like cockroaches or other such exotic foods. Snorkeling has definitely changed my viewpoint about trying new experiences.

March 15, 2020 0 comment

Craft Beer Adventures New experience

Democracy Brewing Good Beer in Boston, Massachusetts

by Deb C January 29, 2020

Democracy Brewing a brewpub destination in Downtown Boston, Mass.

One Saturday, our “good beer hunting” took us to Democracy Brewing in Boston, Massachusetts.

A night out for us is usually casual, and in the suburbs. We generally go into Boston only for company holiday events, or if we are given tickets to sporting events. So, it was a different experience for us to chose to go intown for a Saturday evening.

We decided to try out the brewpub, Democracy Brewing, on Temple Place near Tremont Street, The Boston Common, and Downtown Crossing. Our monthly parking pass for a nearby parking garage made the trip affordable and parking convenient. We went late afternoon and traffic was light, perhaps as snow was predicted later. As we live near a Mass Pike exit, our trip took about the same time, or less than if we went to a restaurant or brewpub in the suburbs.

Table with a view and viewpoints

Democracy Brewing is in a blue building with large plate glass windows facing Temple Place. We were immediately seated at a table for two by one of the windows. Our location was a little drafty, but we were dressed for winter. The plus was we could people watch as we sampled beer and munched on appetizers. At an adjacent table we could intermittently catch snatches about politics. Someone at the table seemed to work for a legislator or campaign. It seemed fitting, with Boston’s history, and with the State House nearby.

Mural at Democracy Brewing — This dramatic mural covered the wall near our table. It’s part of the Brewery’s decorating theme of celebrating Boston’s revolutionary history from the 1700s to the present.

Brew and Grub in the pub

Democracy Brewing beer menu in Jan. 2020.

Democracy Brewing offers a variety of beer styles. We both opted for flights – 4 samples of 5 oz. for $11. We liked them all, but the 1919 Strike Stout was our favorite.

The food menu was brief, but has enough variety. The prices seemed fair, especially since we were in the city.

Democracy Brewing Beer List and plates setup

Reasonable pricing is part of the theme and goal of this worker-owned business, which pays their employees $15 and hour plus tips. The Worker’s Pint, a golden ale, is priced at $5, the low end for a glass of craft beer. The idea, according to brewery founder and head brewer Jason Taggart is, “Just because your boss doesn’t pay you enough doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a delicious and fresh brewed beer.”

We decided to order a pretzel and a veggie and hummus plate to split.

Pretzel and mustard at Democracy Brewing

The pretzel was the most unusual one we have had. It was more like a bread and was on the sweet side. The mustard was rather like a dressing, in that it was thinner than most mustards we have encountered at breweries. It was tasty, but not as dense as most pretzels we’ve enjoyed at other breweries.

Democracy Brewing beer flight, pretzel, and

The raw veggie plate with black bean hummus was different and tasty. The veggies had been marinated in a light dressing. They were delicious with and without the hummus. The charmoula baked flatbread that rounded out the plate, well, frankly fabulous.

Democracy Brewing is on a Boston Bus Route

As we sipped and dipped we people-watched. There’s a Silver Line SL5 Bus Stop opposite Democracy Brewing and people and busses were constantly in flow. A digital sign shows bus arrivals and departures. At this writing, the bus ride is free. The SL5 route is between Temple Place (across from Democracy Brewing) and Dudley Square along Washington St. There are several stops along Washington St. You can see the bus route here. The MBTA runs other Silver Lines, including one into Logan Airport.

Location and Experience = Recommended when looking for good beer in Boston

We were glad that we went when we did. The brewpub started filling up about 20 minutes after our arrival. Next time we hope to be seated more centrally to enjoy more of the ambiance.

While their beer menu was limited, and some selections sold out/kicked, we enjoyed all the samples. That isn’t always the case for us. So, if you are looking for a craft brew experience in Downtown Boston, give Democracy Brewing a try. Easy to find, good food and beer, and modest prices for a city establishment.

Yes, if you are looking for some good beer in Boston, go to Democracy Brewing.

January 29, 2020 0 comment

Craft Beer Adventures New experience Travel in the United States

The Lucerne Inn a Maine attraction on the way to Acadia

by Deb C January 14, 2020

One of those “Some day we will have to go there” places

The Lucerne Inn is a year-round Maine attraction on the way to Acadia . If you’re traveling to Bar Harbor or Acadia, you’ll pass it on Rt. 1A between Bangor and Ellsworth. It’s a great place for a meal as well as a room, no matter the season. We stayed there in early January and loved it.

The Lucerne Inn is one of those places that is located along a main route to a “destination.” In this case, it’s between Bangor and Ellsworth, Maine, the major cities in that part of Maine. You also have to pass it to get to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Other than the golf course, which is by and across the street from it, there’s not many reasons to stop.

We pass it all the time on our way to our place in Lubec. We often break our six hour drive by staying overnight at a chain hotel in either Augusta, Waterville, Bangor, or sometimes Ellsworth. Usually, we pick a hotel based upon rewards and price. This time we opted to splurge a bit and try the Lucerne. We were delighted to find a discount online. We also liked that we didn’t have to leave to find a place to eat, like we do for the chains.

A little bit of “Wow” along a tree-lined highway

You will find the Inn as you reach an open area on top of a rise overlooking Phillips Lake. You can’t miss it. It has a fantastic view of water and mountains beyond. The main building is flanked by separate and complimentary buildings all white and all well kept and enhanced by seasonal floral accents.

While it looks large from the outside, it has a cosy atmosphere within it’s historic walls. It’s origins date back to shortly after the War of 1812 when it became a stagecoach stop between Bangor and Ellsworth. The inn celebrated it’s 200th anniversary in 2014 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The hallways and dining room are enhanced by vintage and antique furnishings and paintings.

Parts of the front hallway at The Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine.

Front hallway of the Lucerne Inn Dedham Maine — Parts of the front hallway at The Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine.

For the 200th anniversary, the innkeepers added new amenities to the rooms, including a gas-fired fireplace, whirlpooltub, towel-warming bar, furniture, and custom curtains and comforters. The complimentary toiletries are Beekman’s 1812 goat milk brand. The towels are thick and the mattresses comfy.

Some amenities at The Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine.

In the back of the inn is a patio, large swimming pool, and a gazebo where seasonal wedding ceremonies are held with Phillips Lake and mountains as a backdrop.

view of back of Lucerne Inn in winter — Views from the back of the Lucerne Inn overlooking the patio, swimming pool, Phillips Lake and beyond.

Views from the back of the Lucerne Inn overlooking the patio, swimming pool, Phillips Lake and beyond.

Dining Options at the Lucerne Inn

The Lucerne Inn has both a restaurant and a pub serving dinner to the public as well as guests. The restaurant menu reflects fresh local and seasonal ingredients and an experienced chef’s touch. Sample menus are posted on the Inn’s website. Dinner is served seven days a week from 5 to 9 p.m. A sumptuous Sunday Brunch Buffet is served from 9 to 12:30.

The dining room at The Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine.

Rian’s Pub is open from 4 to 9 p.m. with happy hour from 4 to 6.

Bar in Rian's Pub at Lucerne Inn — Bar in Rian’s Pub at Lucerne Inn

Rian’s Pub has a separate pub menu.

Appetizers served in Rian's Pub at The Lucerne Inn — Scallops wrapped in bacon

It also has a special menu during their happy hour. That is the time to go, as they reduce the prices on the finger foods, but the quality is high. (Note that the links to the menus are for what is currently posted on the Inn’s website.) They offer a couple of Maine craft beers on draft. When we were there they had beer from the Airline Brewing Company of Amherst and Ellsworth and Geaghan Brothers of Bangor and Brewer, Maine.

Views of Rian's Pub in The Lucerne Inn — Fireplace in cosy Rian’s Pub in The Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine

On Fridays from mid-January until May the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat seafood dinner. All the courses have fish or seafood and dessert is included. Past menus are posted on The Lucerne Inn website.

Guests at the Inn will wake to enjoy a continental breakfast served in the dining room. You can enjoy egg and sausage “boats”, fresh fruit salad, pastries, English muffins, yogurt, juice and coffee and tea while enjoying the morning sun reflecting off of the lake and rolling hills seen from your table.

Winter view from Lucerne Inn Dining Room

The Lucerne Inn is Pet Friendly

You might be greeted by the owner’s golden retriever. The Inn allows pets for $25 per day. There are a limited number of pet-friendly rooms, so keep that in mind when planning your stay.

More to know about why The Lucerne Inn is a Maine attraction

Special Occasions

The Lucerne Inn offers Romantic overnight or weekend specials which include a room, champagne or cider, dinner for two including dessert, and chocolate covered strawberries, plus breakfast or Sunday brunch if you stay on Saturday night.

The Lucerne Inn also is the site for special events and business gatherings. It offers specialized seating, break out rooms, and catering packages.

Weddings

The Lucerne Inn offers the romantic Overlook Room or a tented patio for wedding venues. There’s a lovely gazebo with white folding chairs for ceremonies. There’s a wedding planner onsite and the catering staff will work with you on customizing a menu. The staff also offers planning assistance for off-site wedding party outings, recreational activities and local tours. Room Blocks at a discount are available for wedding guests staying at the Inn. You can see photos of the gazebo and patio and request a proposal via their website.

The Overlook

The Overlook Room is in a building separate from the main building. It features four chandeliers, a gas fireplace, an area for a dance floor, and a little alcove that faces Bald Mountain and Phillips Lake. It holds up to 120 people with tables/chairs and dance floor or 140 people with tables/chairs and no dance floor.

Tented and lit Patio with lake and mountain views

A brick patio attached to the back of the main building provides an outdoor feeling while having an elegant ambiance. Roll up the tent sides and there’s a beautiful view of Phillips Lake and Bald Mountain and starry Maine nights. It holds up to 195 people with tables and chairs and there’s plenty of room for dancing.

A little more about The Inn

During our stay we noticed that the first floor had rooms as well as the restaurant and pub. So, for those who avoid stairs, the floor plan is a plus. They do have rooms on other levels with stairs so be mindful of that when booking. The bathtub had a bathmat and a grab bar. Not a permanent grab bar, but still better than other places we’ve stayed.

Lucerne-in-Maine Golf course is adjacent to The Inn

A nine hole golf course, designed by Donald Ross, and separately owned and operated, faces the Inn from across Rt. 1A and also abuts it. There’s a tunnel under the road for golfers to travel to The Inn side of the course.

Local Folk and Eagles also a Maine Attraction

The people that you find there also make the Lucerne Inn a Maine attraction . Not only those who work there, but also those who drop in for a meal and drinks at Rian’s Pub or the restaurant. The night we were there several couples, in all age brackets, came in. There were often friendly greetings among friends, as well as sharing of stories of how they came to the area. It made for a cosy, companionable atmosphere. The wood stoked fire in the pub’s fireplace enhanced the setting.

As we were leaving Lucerne Inn after our breakfast, an eagle swooped over our heads. DownEast and Acadia offer an abundance of bird watching opportunities, especially of migratory birds and experiencing the eagle was an example. Whether or not you are a bird watcher, seeing a bald eagle is a special moment. There is a Maine Birding Trail with a website about bird watching in Maine. The DownEast Acadia website also has information about bird watching in the area.

January 14, 2020 0 comment

Lobster costumed man at Eastport Maine New Years Eve

Maine Beer Trail New experience Quirky Finds Travel in the United States

Quirky New Year’s Eve in Eastport, Maine

by Deb C December 19, 2019

Looking for a unique and quirky New Year’s Eve event? Go to Eastport, Maine.

Lobster costumed man at Eastport New Years Eve

Eastport Maine has International Take on Celebrating New Year’s Eve

The small city of Eastport, the Easternmost in the U.S., puts on not only a Maine, but an International spin on its New Year’s Eve celebration. Eastport and its coastline neighbors are adjacent to the Canadian border and islands. As a result, friendships, tourism, and commerce are intertwined among U.S. and Canadian residents. Due to the Time Zone boundary, Canada, on Atlantic Time, welcomes the New Year one hour earlier than Eastport. This leads to a little twist in the celebration, as Eastport celebrates twice, one hour apart.

We aren’t ones for celebrating New Year’s Eve in a big way. Usually we walk over to a neighbor’s party if we do anything. So traveling six or so hours to celebrate is an adventure for us.

We have a cabin about 45 minutes from Eastport so we know the area, but close it up for the winter. In 2012 Anderson Cooper announced that Eastport’s unusual celebration would be part of his New Year’s Eve Special. Well, that motivated us to head north to welcome in the New Year.

PLEASE NOTE: Since this was written, COVID19 impacted some of the festivities. As of Dec. 31, 2021, some of the usual activities were re-instated, with safe practices in mind. See this year’s schedule of events here.

Eastport Welcomes New Year’s Eve Revelers

Although small, Eastport has a motel and several B&B’s, plus a charming downtown with several restaurants and shops. The Quoddy Tides, the local newspaper that we subscribe to, features several articles and ads for special events and restaurant specials in Eastport on New Year’s Eve. Some of the stores stay open late and offer mulled cider or hot chocolate.

We made our motel and restaurant reservations using the information in the Quoddy Tides. The motel and B&B’s are a short walk to downtown. Once you check in, you can walk to all the restaurants and shops, as well as the New Year’s Eve countdown.

As you might expect, the celebration is in a prominent place downtown, Bank Square, which is at a wide fork in the road. Most of the restaurants either face the fork or are a block or two away.

Waco Diner in Bank Square Eastport Maine — The Waco Diner, established 1924, faces Bank Square. At past New Year’s Eve’s, the Waco Diner has offered midnight and New Year’s Day breakfasts. The owner has sponsored firework displays after both the Maple Leaf and Great Sardine Drops.

Welcoming the New Year is coordinated and hosted by the Tides Institute & Museum of Art at Bank Square. The Tides Institute’s building is the former Eastport Savings Bank, built in 1887. It’s located at the fork in Downtown Eastport and it’s location, height, and sidewalk frontage lend themselves to being the focal point of the festivities.

During the late afternoon and evening hours leading up to the last hour of the year, the city, including the Tides Institute and Eastport Arts Center, Peavey Public Library, and galleries, offers a variety of fun and family events, programs, and exhibits, free and for a modest fee.

NOTE: Since this post was written, several new shops have opened in Downtown Eastport, as well as a wine bar – Phoenix Fine Wines and a craft microbrewery – Horn Run Brewing.

The Tides Institute & Museum of Art provides a schedule of events and store and restaurant hours on their website: tidesinstitute.org/newyearseve

Eastport Offers Warm Hospitality on Cold Night

We started our celebration with appetizers and a cocktail at one restaurant, since closed and re-opened under new ownership. We then walked about a block to the Happy Crab, where we’ve always enjoyed a great meal. The Happy Crab had a special New Year’s Eve menu and live entertainment. After a leisurely dinner, we walked to Bank Square to see the preparations for the live broadcast coverage by news correspondent Gary Tuchman to Anderson Cooper’s New Year’s Eve program on CNN. It was cold so we browsed and warmed up in the shops until about 10 minutes to 11.

Dropping the Maple Leaf

Maple Leaf being lowered New Years Eve in Eastport Maine

Maple Leaf lowered New Years Eve in Eastport Maine

Phase one of the festivities is celebrating New Year’s on Canadian/Atlantic time by lowering a large lit up wooden Canadian Maple Leaf from the Tides Institute Building as 11 p.m. approaches. A brass band plays “O Canada” as revelers sing.

Part of the fun is that people come with fun outfits or hats. People in moose and fish hats and someone dressed as a lobster added to the Maine flavor when we went.

Some members of the local Passamaquoddy tribe of the Wabanaki may come in native dress. In 2012 they were peacefully protesting as part of a year of global agitation about the rights of Indigenous peoples and to protect their cultures and defend the Earth.

New Years Eve Revelers in Bank Square in Eastport Maine

Wabanaki in crowd at Eastport Maine New Years Eve 2012

New Year’s Eve 2012, a “Mountie”, Brent Dakai, of the Integrated Border Enforcement Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was on hand for the Maple Leaf Drop.

Canadian Mountie with Maple Leaf at Eastport Maine New Years Eve

Canadian Mountie at Eastport Maine New Years Eve 2012

After the Maple Leaf Drop, we walked the few blocks to the Motel East to warm up and watch Anderson Cooper until it was close to midnight, Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 2021, the Tides Institute (TIMA) provided live stream video on its Facebook and Instagram pages. As of December 2023, TIMA still provides live streaming a little before and after midnight Atlantic time and midnight Eastern time.

The Great Sardine Drop in Eastport

Due to the cold, and because the shops, restaurants, motel and B&B’s are close by, people tend to stay indoors between the two celebrations. Rather like ants to a piece of candy dropped on the sidewalk, all of a sudden, people walk from all directions to Bank Square a little before 12 midnight. The 8 foot Sardine sculpture hangs from upstairs windows at the Tides Institute waiting for the countdown. The sardine is made by East Machias woodworker and sculptor Bill Schaefer. It is the third version of the sardine since the first drop in 2004. Why a sardine? The sardine was a big part of the fishing and canning industries in Eastport and nearby Lubec. Eastport was known for its sardine factories, now closed and most torn down.

New Years Eve Revelers watching Sardine being lowered in Eastport

The Sardine is slowly lowered as the Brass ensemble plays “Auld Lang Syne” and the crowd sings and cheers. Sometimes there are fireworks courtesy of a local business. Once the Sardine is on the ground, the tradition is to line up and kiss it for good luck in the New Year. During the 2012 New Year’s Eve, the TV crew provided a live feed of the proceedings to Anderson Cooper. In 2021, stickers of a kiss-print were distributed and revelers could place them on an eight-foot sardine billboard and take photos. No more kissing the fish directly, but you can still take photos and selfies.

Fireworks behind Waco Diner in Eastport Maine on New Years Eve

New Years Eve Fireworks over Waco Diner Eastport Maine

Following the festivities, a nearby restaurant may offer a midnight breakfast to close out the night.

First Sunrise of the New Year seen early in Eastport

Eastport, being the easternmost city in the United States, is also one of the first places to view the sunrise. So, if you are in Eastport, you can be one of the first people to see the sun come over the horizon on January 1st.

Motel East in Eastport overlooks the harbor and seacoast. From the rooms facing East you can see across the Bay of Fundy to the island of Campobello, which is Canadian. Sent your alarm clock and you can experience the night sky slowly brighten as the new day dawns on a new year as the sun’s rays appear above Campobello’s treeline. Priceless!

View of sunrise over Campobello Island from Eastport Maine

December 19, 2019 0 comment