Georges Pond
Franklin, Maine

Things To Do Out and About The Pond
an incomplete listing and need to check the links
(semi-updated 7/4/2017)

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What's a body to do in and around Georges Pond besides relaxing and enjoying the usual quiet pond life? Of course, there are more things to do than listed below so find some on your own and let me know about them. You can email me at 

First of all, try to get a copy of "Out and About"  which covers the MDI/Ellsworth area and more. It's in the first of the month  (or last of the month) issue of the Ellsworth American or try to find one in local stores or at the Information Booth in front of Reny's (and Shaw's) in Ellsworth. Also, look for a copy of "Acadia Weekly". Both of these are FREE.

Acadia Info - Bar Harbor, Mt Desert Island, etc.

Mainers in Exile

Music for a great time check out the local steel drum band playing in many towns over the summer. Check their site Flash in the Pan 2017 schedule. Be prepared to get up and dance! As Jordan's Snack Bar closed I doubt the one in September will be happening.

And free music also at Tidal Falls in Hancock on Mondays in July and August. Bring a picnic lunch, camera, and bug spray (of course). The July 10 Flash concert begins at 7:30, get there early, it'll probably be packed!

Nearby:

Acadia National Park/Bar Harbor - compreshensive link at http://www.acadiamagic.com/

MDI (Mount Desert Island) - what's happening on MDI  click here!-need to find good link 2/2010

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden Tours - by reservation only on-line or by phone (click on link). Beautiful garden of the rich! Not sure the best time of the year to go but early August was amazing. Tours scheduled on Thursdays at either 9-11 or 11-1.  Hard to find driveway (unmarked): from Somesville towards NE Harbor and turn onto Rt 3 towards Bar Harbor; look for Allens Way and take next left into unmarked driveway. If coming on Rt 3 from Bar Harbor it is on your right just after Dodge Point Rd.  Lat/Long of unmarked driveway is 44.293900, -68.248160 . Lat/long for the actual garden entrance is 44.29892065600454,-68.25215578079224 (+44° 17' 56.12", -68° 15' 7.76"). Use these with your GPS or enter them into Google Maps or Google Earth.

Belfast - check out these reviews  Lots of artisans, great natural foods store from grains to meats at Belfast Co-op, lots of other stores (book, toy, ice cream), the old walkable fishing bridge, Reny's outside of town, and all an easy (hilly, tho) walk around downtown. Even a street band when we got there Thursday night but we just missed it. Haven't checked out the movie house yet. Pick up a growler at Marshall Wharf Brewery or get some at Three Tides restaurant and oyster bar next door. And a return to 3 Tides is definitely in order. Also, check out an article from the Bangor Daily News about the Bounties of Belfast.

         Ray Murphy, chainsaw wizard, near intersection of Rt 182 and Rt 1 in Hancock. Here's a recent article.

Fort Knox, Bucksport - a Civil War era fort. Bring a flashlight. Near the junction of Rt 1&3 and Rt 174.   469-6553 Fort Knox website

Penobscot Narrows Bridge - located next to Fort Knox (see Fort Knox website for additional info on the bridge) Observatory offers spectacular view.

Buck Monument, Bucksport - across from the Shop & Save. Park in the small parking lot. The Buck monument has a grisly story that kids seem to like. You have to take a right hand turn when you leave - I usually quickly go into the Shop & Save lot and then turn around to head on up to camp. Also, note the large white foot up on the rock cliff as you come off the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge going south...

The Big Chicken Barn Bookstore - 1768 Bucksport Rd (Route 1), Ellsworth, 207-667-7308 Open seven days 9AM-5PM.

 
	"Well, if you don't mind it being a wee-bit messy, often chilly, kind 
	of out of the way, and the fact that the building was a former 
	slaughter house, you might want to give the "Big Chicken Barn" a 
	try.  They have an enormous stock (I believe they bill themselves as 
	the largest used dealer in NE), with a pretty good turnover from 
	what I can tell.  The people are nice, and the prices seem fine 
	to me, and I don't mind mulling through the stacks while the 
	floorboards creak.  Some people might get turned off if they are 
	expecting cafes and finely finished book shelves."  The books are in 
	the upstairs, which reminds me of a sort of poor man's version of the 
	Long Room at Trinity College in Dublin.

on the right on Rt 1&3 about 5(?) miles after Bucksport. Great selection of old books and stuff.

Campobello - kind of stretching the "nearby", but FDR's summer home on Campobello Island, Canada, makes for a nice visit. Bring your passport as it is required

West Quoddy Head Light - in Lubec. Quoddy Lighthouse is accessible by climbing over rocks and up and down ladders in between the tides. Don't get caught on the wrong side when the tide comes in! Most easterly mainland point in the US.

Lunaform - interesting pottery in Sullivan

Local Calendar of Events (movies, music, plays, etc.) - link had been broken

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Movies and Plays 

The Grand - on Main St in Ellsworth offers artsy movies, music, and theatre.  667-9500

Milbridge Theatre - currently being renovated for the foreseeable future (2017)

Reel Pizza Cinema - in Bar Harbor at the back of the Commons. Get there early and get one of the front row seats - stuffed chairs, couches, etc. - or get there late and get a table. Tremendous pizza and topping selection, salads, sandwiches, beer and wine (I think) and popcorn with reel (real ;-) ) butter. On rainy days, they might have an impromptu matinee, I think. No necking on those couches ;-)   288-3811 

The Alamo Theatre - in Bucksport. Features classic films including silent films! 85 Main Street,  469-0924 

Criterion Theatre - 35 Cottage St., Bar Harbor. Most movies at 7:00pm and 9:30pm unless otherwise noted. Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm. There will be rainy day matinees Wednesday - Friday at 2:00pm if it is raining at noon on that day. 288-3441 Click here for schedule  

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Beer, Wine, and Rootbeer and MUSTARD

Maine Brewers Guild and Beer Trail

Bartlett Maine Estate Winery - off Rt 1 in Gouldsboro. Go for a free tasting.  Also check out more info on Bartlett. Call for hours   207-546-2408

Bar Harbor Brewing -  Source of the Cadillac Mtn. Stout.  Tour, Taste & Talk Beer (Free!) with award winning brewer, Tod Foster. Check their homepage for tours and tastings. Taste with co-owner, Suzi, on Fridays (Tod's busy brewing). Taste Cadillac Mtn. Stout, Thunder Hole Ale, Harbor Lighthouse & Bar Harbor Peach Ale, the beers that beat Guinness, Sam Adams, Newcastle and more! There's homemade Bar Harbor Root Beer or Blueberry Soda for the kids, so bring the whole family.

5 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor. From Main Street follow Rte. 3 East towards the village of Otter Creek. We're at 135 Otter Creek Drive (which is also Rte. 3), 3 miles south of Jackson Lab and 1 mile north of Blackwoods Campground. Look for the 3 burgundy red maple trees in front.

Atlantic Brewing - 15 Knox Road, Bar Harbor.  Beers, sodas, and BBQ - go for a tasting and tour.

Catherine Hill Winery - 661 Blackswoods Road, Cherryfield. Grape and berry wines. Do a tasting, buy a bottle, continue into Cherryfield to look at some of the houses.
Raye's Mustard Mill Museum Outer Washington Street, Eastport, ME 207-853-4451
The last working stone-ground mustard mill in the United States, in operation since 1903. When the yellow flag is flying outside, they're grinding mustard! Worth the trip. Also a whirlpool that can be visited by boat. And a nice dockside restaurant by the ferry dock.

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Nature

Tidal Falls - this reversing falls located off Rt 1 on East Side Rd just before the bridge and Cardinal Restaurant (heading north) is now owned by the Frenchman Bay Nature Conservancy and is open to the public free of charge. Picnic tables and grassy grounds. The Tidal Falls Lobster Pound Restaurant closed its doors after the 2008 season sadly, however. Fun to watch the water no matter what the tide but always best on an out-going one about 1-2 hours before low tide. Tide Chart - choose Bar Harbor Seals often seen as well as kayakers playing in the waves (1.5 hours after high tide is best for kayaking).

Sunrise Trail - 85 miles of mixed use (bicycles, hiking, ATVs, XC skiing, snowmobiles, horseback riding) rail trail from Ellsworth to Ayers Junction. There is a parking area in Franklin and a side trail to Franklin Trading Post/CITGO. See the map or get one at the Information Bureau in Ellsworth in front of Reny's. From Franklin to Flanders Pond is a great ride - and head down towards Flanders Pond and see the Octopus or whatever! You can cut over to the Schoodic Mountain access trail but some of it is very rough (walk your bike!).

Schoodic Mountain - this bald mountain is a fairly easy climb although it does require a walk to get to the trailhead from the Franklin side off Rt 200; you can also approach it by car from Rt 183 (bring your swimsuit as you will park near a beach on Donnell Pond if you go the Rt 183 way) but the last time I took that road it was pretty rough. Beautiful views of Bar Harbor/Frenchman Bay and Tunk Lake and most of Georges Pond. To reach the trailheads from US Route 1, turn onto Route 183 in East Sullivan, and follow it for about 4.5 miles. After the railroad tracks, turn left onto the gravel road at the Public Lands sign.  After about 1/4 mile, turn left for the trailhead for Schoodic Mountain, Black Mountain Cliffs, and the trail to Schoodic Beach

Black Mountain - a companion to Schoodic Mountain, it is best approached from the Rt 183 entrance (bring your swimsuit as you will park near a beach on Donnell Pond). We liked Black even better than Schoodic. See the directions above for Schoodic Mountain.

Donnell Pond -   On Donnell Pond, two long sand beaches and many small ones invite picnickers and swimmers. Popular day use areas at Schoodic and Redman's Beaches have picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Visitors come by boat (launch off Rt 182 access in Franklin) to most of the beaches, but they can also walk the half-mile trail from the parking lot to Schoodic Beach by coming down Rt 183 (see Schoodic Mountain above).  For map and info see Donnell Pond website

Schoodic Point - not to be missed. This rocky outcropping takes the Atlantic's full fury during a nor'easter and is spectacular. But even a normal high tide produces nice breaking waves. Be cautious. Everyone enjoys climbing over the rocks, checking the tide pool during low tide. Picnic area and toilets. Approached on a one-way road from Winter Harbor. Plenty of places to stop and admire the view before getting to the Point.

Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mtn

Sand Beach

Hiking

Jordan Pond Area
 

 Great Wass Refuge - From Route l take Route 187 to Jonesport, crossing the bridge over Moosabec Reach to Beals. Go through Beals to Great Wass Island follow the road (it turns to dirt) to Black Duck Cove (about three miles from Beals) where there is a marked parking area on the left.    Another Great Wass website  Try Tall Barney's for a great meal on Main Street in Jonesport

College of the Atlantic - nice museum of natural history of the Atlantic. On the road to Bar Harbor.

Oceanariums - have fun picking up sea creatures. Oceanarium Bar Harbor, Route 3, Thomas Bay, Bar Harbor  288-5005    and     Oceanarium Southwest Harbor, Clark Point Road, Southwest Harbor   244-7330

The Lobster Museum and Hatchery - 1351 State Route 3, Bar Harbor  207-288-5005

Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery -  in Orland.   469-2803

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Golf

Clinton - this home-built 9-holer would be on your way up off Exit 138 on the Maine Turnpike. A beautiful, challenging course with amenities you don't find elsewhere - you'll have to play it to find out. Incredibly friendly and accomodating staff. Tee times on weekend are 30 minutes to prevent crowding!!! We drive up from Massachusetts to play it on Wednesday on our way to the Schoodic Scramble but usually only have time for 9. I almost hate to tell people about it so I can have it all to myself. Worth a trip from Ellsworth or Georges Pond. 510 Hill Road, Clinton, ME    tee times (207) 426-8795

Blink Bonnie- in Sorrento, beautiful views, slowest and softest greens you'll ever putt, lots of blueberries, play preferred lies!   inexpensive and all day green fee, 9 holes. No carts, one steep hill, exciting X on holes 4&5 but usually not crowed enough to matter. Play all day fee, I believe.  Bring cash as often no attendant so need to leave money in slot or envelope. 207-422-3930  call ahead since some times are reserved from members; Wednesday night scramble open to all, call for details. I think there is a Friday night Seniors (55+) scramble now.

Grindstone - Winter Harbor, 9 holes, no carts, some beautiful ocean views, interesting holes. 207-963-7760

Bar Harbor (in Trenton) - Trenton, 18 holes, somewhat expensive but the senior discount helped last year. Like to play it at least once a year.  667-7505

Kebo Valley -  classy, 18 holes, Eagle Lake Rd., Bar Harbor, Pro Shop 207-288-3000  Club House 207-288-5000   Kebo website

Bucksport Golf Club -  Rte 46, Bucksport, 9 holes, nice course, good snackbar, not expensive, we play here as often as we can. And get a red hot dog from the grill. 469-7612

Traditions - in Holden. Short but fun 9 hole course, inexpensive, nice lounge with Pat's Pizza. Long ball hitters will have to rein it in on some holes. I play there at least once a year. Usually not crowded but might want to check with club house if any event going on. One Main Road, Holden  207.989.9909 pro shop

Bangor Muni - fairly inexpensive but very nice, 27 holes, 278 Webster Ave, Bangor, 941-0232

Lucerne in Maine - 843-6282, hilly so consider a cart, 9-hole golf course Rt 1A towards Bangor

Belgrade Lakes -  very classy 18 holes, pricey, directions to Belgrade Lakes Golf Club From Interstate 95: Take Exit 31, follow Route 27 North 12.5 miles, turn left at Sunset Grill, Belgrade Lakes Golf Club is 0.4 miles on left.  

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Tennis and Pickleball

Ellsworth High School - free outdoor courts

Ellsworth Tennis Center - indoor tennis, 35 Eastward Lane, Ellsworth, 667-0400

Check the Tennis link on the homepage for pickleball info.

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Shopping in Ellsworth

Main Street - Ellsworth: lots of great shops and restaurants

Reny's - A Maine Tradition! on High St next to Shaw's in Ellsworth (and a few other towns throughout Maine) 175 High Street  207-667-5166

LL Bean's outlet store - at 150 High St across from Reny's and Shaw's in Ellsworth  207-667-7753

John Edwards Market - local, organic, and natural foods; breads; wines; beers; coffee and pastry; herbals  158 Main St, Ellsworth  (207) 667-9377

Mill Mall - craft store, Willey's outdoor store, Sylvia's restaurant, and much more

Shopping Away from Ellsworth

Bar Harbor - all the tourist items and more you'll ever need, always fun, sometimes crowded, lots of good restaurants but you probably know all that!

Bangor Mall - in Bangor, all the shops you had at home...

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Water Park, Minature Golf, and Go Karts

Seacoast Fun Park - on Rt 3 in Trenton: water slide, miniature golf, go karts, pool, paintball(???)

Pirate's Cove Miniature Golf - on MDI on Rt 3 half way from Trenton bridge to Bar Harbor   288-2133     Pirate's Cove website

Miscellaneous

Lumberjack Show - on Rt 3 in Trenton, as seen on ESPN!  667-0067  

Eastward Bowling Lanes - 25 Eastward Lane, Ellsworth, 667-9228, candlepin bowling, pool tables, virtual reality golf, arcade

Acadia Air - Bar Harbor Airport, Trenton,  667-5534, sightseeing, glider and biplane flights

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