Fall Foliage in Kennebunkport

Fall is My Favorite Time of Year in Maine

Although fall doesn't officially arrive until September 21, the crisp, cool evenings here in Southern Maine tell us that fall has arrived! Bev and I were driving some back roads this weekend and were slightly surprised that there are already a few trees showing some areas of bright reds and yellows. Wow; summer flew by!

In the fall, colorful country drives, clear blue skies, warm days and cool evenings draw travelers to the Captain Lord Mansion and Maine to view lots of beautiful foliage. In fact, we have several printed itineraries to help you maximize your foliage viewing. The photograph at right is from the Maine Department of Tourism website and was taken by Paul Strasenburgh. That website will keep you appraised of the color levels in each section of the state.

As I write this blog, I can almost taste the freshly-picked apples or apple cider. There are several delightful family orchards nearby where you can purchase fresh vegetables, different variates of apples and cider. This website gives you a list of nearby apple orchards.

Let us help plan your fall trip to Kennebunkport and southern Maine. Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Kennebunkport Offers You Excellent Fishing!

Do You Like to Fish?

Fishing in the waters off the coast of Kennebunkport offers you terrific opportunities to catch striped bass, bluefish, cod, haddock, mackerel and even shark. Local fishing outfitters will give you customized four, six or eight hour guided trips. No license is required and all bait and tackle is provided. You just need to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, warm clothes (offshore breezes can quickly chill you), and a hearty desire to catch fish. There are three local fishing-charter companies that are represented by these pictures. Tidewater Fishing Charters, Cast-away Fishing Charters, and Lady J Sportfishing. Each captain is USCG licensed and each has his favorite fishing spot and great fish stories!

If you call the Captain Lord Mansion, we can assist you in scheduling a trip. We'll never forget the morning Bev was making breakfast and a guest came into the kitchen to apologize for putting his fish in the Mansion's refrigerator! He had caught several sizable bluefish and put the cleaned steaks in our refrigerator the previous night. That was the day we served bluefish for lunch to both staff and guests! We look forward to helping you catch some memories! Rick Litchfield, Your innkeeper

Kennebunkport Beaches Are Delightful!

Kennebunkport and Beaches are Synonymous!

Summer fun in Kennebunkport, Maine includes a trip to one of our local sandy beaches. Goose Rocks Beach is about 6 miles east of the village of Kennebunkport. It is a crescent shaped, white sandy beach that offers tolerable swimming in Maine's cold waters. The beach is fairly shallow so the water warms up quite nicely in the hot summer sun! Personally, Bev and I enjoy walking the beach; our grandson was recently here and we helped him search the beach for seashells. He filled a bucket with beautiful iridescent shells that he took home as Maine treasures. Occasionally, you can find beautiful sand dollars; however, the day we went to the beach, we found none.

At the Captain Lord Mansion, we'll help with your trip to the beach by providing beach towels and beach chairs. However, be sure to stop by the Kennebunkport Police Station to buy your parking pass! Parking tickets tend to spoil your day of fun. Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper

Kennebunkport Lighthouse Tour

The Captain Lord Mansion of Kennebunkport has printed itineraries to assist you with a tour of local lighthouses from Cape Neddick in York to Portland Head Light in Portland. These historical buildings are situated along the coast only a short drive from our B&B and they offer you a great opportunity to tour the picturesque rocky southern coast of Maine for terrific sight-seeing and picture-taking. Pictured here is the famous Nubble Light located in York. We also offer a picnic lunch package to accompany your tour. Bev and I enjoy visiting several of these lighthouses every year. Last fall we had a pleasant day touring Fort Williams Park. There were many families enjoying picnicking, relaxing and flying kites in the brisk breezes flowing off Casco Bay. When you come to visit Maine, we encourage you to avail yourself of this tour. Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper.

Art Guild of the Kennebunks "Salute to Summer" Art Show

Kennebunkport Art Show
This Weekend!

The Art Guild of The Kennebunks represents over 75 artists. It was founded in 1980 by a local group of artists led by Ron Goyette to foster camaraderie, mutual support and professional stimulation. In 1981 Barbara Bush cut the ribbon at the opening of the first annual summer membership exhibit held at the Chapel Gallery on Route 35. Each summer since then, the AGK has held exhibitions at various locations in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. The 2007 Art Guild of the Kennebunks summer exhibit opens tonight, Friday, August 10 at The Community House which is locate on Temple Street, across from the Kennebunkport Post Office. The show will run Friday, 2-7pm, Saturday, 10-7pm and Sunday, Noon-4pm. The public is invited and admission is free.

Bev and I enjoy visiting these shows to see the wonderful variety of pictures and terrific group of talented artists that reside in this area. Also, we have our personal collection of paintings from some of the artists on display at the Captain Lord Mansion. I look forward to seeing you at the show!

Your innkeeper,

Rick Litchfield

What is "Certified Maine Lobster"?

If it’s not certified, it just might not be authentic Maine Lobster.

The Maine Lobster Promotion Council developed the Certified Maine Lobster (TM) program so that customers can be sure they are getting the authentic Maine Lobster that they want. If customers don't see the Certified Maine Lobster(TM) brand on their lobster, they can't be sure of what they are receiving.

The criteria for a Certified Maine Lobster(TM) are:

• Harvested off the Maine coast by licensed Maine lobstermen who adhere to strict conservation methods
• Sold by licensed Maine lobster dealers
• Processed by Maine seafood companies and distributors

At the Captain Lord Mansion, we recommend several different types of restaurants that serve these succulent Maine lobsters. Whether dining elegant or casual, on your next visit, allow us to recommend one of Kennebunkport's great restaurants. We and our staff are pleased to share our favorites with you. Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper

Where Can You Rent Kayaks in Kennebunkport?

Captain Lord Mansion staff goes for a "Sunset Paddle" at Goose Rocks Beach!

Sunday evening, July 22, 2007 several of our staff together with Bev and I gathered on the beautiful white sands of Goose Rocks Beach. We felt excited and eagerly anticipated our "Sunset Paddle" with Seth Kenneway, the owner of a new business in Kennebunkport, "Port Paddle", which is associated with Cape Able Bike Shop.

Seth was accompanied by his wife Alison and their two young children. They were responsible for making the campfire we were to enjoy after our kayaking tour of the harbor.

Seth is a registered Maine Guide who has worked for the famous Maine outdoor outfitter, L.L. Bean. Seth brought us his brand new sea kayaks together with carbon fiber paddles, as in very light! There were seven of us sharing two double and three single craft. Bev and I do not paddle together, so she paddled with someone else, while I had a single kayak! Double kayaks are known as divorce boats!

Before dragging each of our kayaks into the water to begin our paddle, Seth spent time instructing us in the fine points of kayak paddling. Our actual 2 hour kayaking tour followed the curved lines of the beach about 200 to 300 yards off-shore. Before completing our trip, we paddled into the "Little" river which flows into the harbor on the north end of the beach. It was fun sort of surfing the swells into the river! As we headed back to our take-out point opposite the Tides Inn, we marveled at the beautiful sunset of pinks, roses and purples. The photos accompanying this blog are by Robert Dennis.

At the completion of our paddle tour, we dragged the kayaks up the beach and gathered around the campfire for fellowship, fruit shortcake, smores and sharing stories about our adventure. As darkness descended, we headed home feeling tired, but refreshed and grateful for having had the opportunity for such an enjoyable adventure.

If you are coming to Kennebunkport, we sincerely recommend taking this sunset tour with Seth.
Your Innkeeper,
Rick Litchfield