Put Away the Snow Gear

Saturday was the last hurrah for a big source of local winter fun -- the final day of skiing at Ragged Mountain. Kids -- with packs on backs -- were the first on the lift for the 9am mountain-wide Egg Hunt. The place was loaded with eggs -- enough that the kids could take several runs and still find eggs. Who was responsible for this bounty? Reports of a white creature with fluffy tail and ears could not be verified, however an anonymous source was able to capture this image from the early morning hours:

How the Easter Bunny delivers in Maine!

Last look at Lookout for 2009 season

Incredibly, we're not quite ready to say goodbye to our winter gear. Maybe one last day at Saddleback before the tourist season begins? But then finally away will go the snowpants, helmets, boots and skis in favor of the bikes and the kayaks. We'll pull out the deck chairs, plant the begonias, rake the lawn and hang up our shingle to receive guests at the Birchwood Motel. April is just about here. We're looking forward to catching up with our regular guests and welcoming new folks who want to discover the beauty of our small town and coastal Maine. Call us about our great Spring rates: 207-236-4204.

Let the Spring Season Begin!

Just a few weeks ago, March came out like a lion

Welcome Spring Equinox. The sun shines today at the Birchwood Motel in Camden. The days are blessedly longer. Oouf!--the skunks stir. Patches of lawn begin to show through the snow. Signs of change.

Ignore the cynics labeling Equinox as just the kick off to the "fifth season" -- Mud Season. Hang a towel at the back door for muddy paws and boots and look for signs of hope. Signs like: awakening to birdsong; the pup losing her winter coat to the grooming shears; the begonia tubers planted in boxes scattered around the sunny lobby; the hollyhocks greening up our garden; getting the motel rooms ready for the season. All these things call out "Spring is coming."

Hollyhocks on the way

Roxy's new coat

Enjoying the day with a walk along Beauchamp Point

Come see for yourself. Even Camden Maine's "mud season" has its offerings. There's still spring skiing at the Snow Bowl. The 30th Annual St. George River Canoe Race next weekend should be quite a sight. Restaurants and shops are offering great deals. And so are we at the Birchwood Motel. Now is a peaceful time to explore the coast, sight see, hike, shop, dine, relax. Give us a call 207-236-4204 or send us an email birchwoodmail@roadrunner.com and we'll be happy to suggest an itinerary.

Make the Most of Maine

A well-planned Maine vacation can be a luxury for your soul without being a burden on your wallet. As owners of a cute little motel in Maine, we're often asked for advice on how to best experience Maine. Let us share with you some vital tips.

Start in the Midcoast!

Choosing Midcoast Maine as your vacation home base is an important strategy. Why? The Midcoast area alone offers enough to keep you plenty busy during your stay. Even better, most attractions and events are extremely affordable and many are free! And, if you desire a visit to Acadia National Park or the expansive beaches to the south, popular sites are easy and reasonable daytrips from Midcoast.

Economize with Longer Stays

Another consideration: spending your nights in one place will economize both time and money. Many lodging owners offer discounts for longer stays, especially midweek. Great rates on longer stays may open your budget for that favorite restaurant, a unique handcrafted souvenir, a sail on the bay, a lake or sea kayak and more. It also means having more time to relax and enjoy your trip. Changing lodging places multiple times over a trip -- pack up, drive around, search for a place, check in, haggle, unpack, get your bearings on the local scene and where to dine -- chips away at precious vacation time.

Finding the Right Lodging

How do you find a good place to stay? First please consider locally-owned lodging. Clean, comfortable, well-maintained accommodations of all levels are plentiful in Midcoast Maine. At the Birchwood Motel we're very proud of our loyal following and favorable reviews. And by supporting small local businesses like us, you help preserve our town's character and sense of place. Visitors to Camden consistently comment how they adore our small town charm, "Camden looks like an old-fashioned movie set!"

For reliable lists of area accommodations try either the Camden or the Penobscot Bay (Rockland) Chamber of Commerce. Both chambers are well-staffed with knowledgeable local folks who are happy to answer questions and provide information.

Midcoast Must Sees

Stay tuned...in the coming days and weeks we'll post our TOP FREE THINGS TO DO in the Camden area, along with our picks for great eats, best views, serene spots, favorite parks, sweet walks and challenging hikes, most beautiful gardens, etc. In the meantime, start thinking on your future visit to Camden and Midcoast Maine.

Already a fan of Camden, the Midcoast, the Birchwood Motel or all of the above? Join our discussion. We welcome your insight. Please post your positive comments, appropriate links and any suggestions that might be helpful for potential visitors to Camden.

BEST DEALS

Any time of the year, our motel -- the Birchwood -- offers unbelievable rates for the area. Spring months offer the greatest savings. (The weather may be hard to predict at that time of year, but our views and local beauty remain constant.) Midweek stays in our standard rooms offer the greatest savings. For every extra night you add, we increase our discount. Take 5% off a two night stay; 10% off a three night stay; 15% off four night stay and 20% off a 5 night stay. There are also great deals for weekly stays in our cottage and our vacation apartment rental. (Please remember this offer excludes Friday & Saturday nights and prime festival weeks).

Oops, there goes the bell. Hope to see you at the next posting or at our front desk soon!