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

25 Things to Do in and around the Kennebunks

• Drive Ocean Ave - view the rock-bound coast, watch the waves crash into the blow holes, and see the impressive shingle-style "summer cottages" including Walkers Point - President George Bush's summer estate.
  
• Visit Kennebunk Beach, Goose Rocks Beach, Mothers' Beach and several other beautiful area beaches.
  
• Shop Dock Square and its vast array of fabulous boutiques and craft shops, located just three short blocks from the Mansion.
  
• Ride the In Town Trolley for a fabulous narrated Tour of the Kennebunks.
  
• Tour the Nott House and visit The Kennebunkport Historical Society.
  
• Walk the Kennebunkport Historic District and view the period architecture.
  
• Visit The Landing Boat School and see classic wooden boats being constructed.
  
• Visit Cape Porpoise, a classic Maine fishing village and view Goat Island Lighthouse from the Cape Porpoise Pier.
  
• Tour Federal Jack's Brew Pub and watch how micro-brew beer is crafted.
  
• Visit the Brick Store Museum in downtown Kennebunk.
  
• Tour Laudholm Farm, a 1600-acre research, education, and public recreation facility.
  
• Visit the Seaside Trolley Museum - Home to the National Collection of American Streetcars, it is the world's largest and oldest museum of mass transit vehicles. Ride the trolley's four-mile circuit and drive one of the 20-ton trolleys yourself.
  
• Go Horseback riding.
  
• Ride a bicycle around Maine's most famous town (your own or rent locally).
  
• Go Sailing on a Windjammer from the docks of the Kennebunk River.
  
• Go on a Scenic Lobster Boat Tour, view Walkers Point, see seals and pull lobster traps from the Atlantic.
  
• Go on a Whale-Watch Trip.
  
• Go on a Sea Kayaking Tour.
  
• Rent a Canoe and paddle the Kennebunk River, once the launching site of large ships and now home to an impressive fleet of personal yachts.
  
• Play Golf at Cape Arundel Golf Course or The Webhannet Golf Club, both celebrating over 100 years of golfing tradition.
  
• Play Tennis.
  
• Cross-country ski or snowshoe through Maine's beautiful fields, woods and snowscapes.
  
• Dine at one of dozens of fabulous area restaurants.
  
• Visit the Portland Museum of Art, an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts dating from the 18th century to the present.
  
• Shop at world-famous LL. Bean in Freeport or Kittery Outlets in Kittery.