migis.com

Welcome back to our visit with Guy and Tatiana McChesney, the heart of the wellness experience at Migis Lodge.  We had a nice chat recently in Portland where they shared with me what brought them to Migis and what keeps them there.  They also demonstrated their newest offering, ashiatsu massage!

Remember, you can now book your appointment on line.  Just use this link. http://mainebodyworks2.fullslate.com/

Guy, sorry about your head in this beginning clip!  I couldn’t quite seem to repair it despite many tries, which makes this our Saturday blog instead of our typical Friday offering.

Fast Tube by Casper

See you all soon.

Mary

In Raymond, Tassel Top Park about 3.5 miles from Migis on Route 302.  Just take a right out our driveway and look for the sign opposite the Raymond Shopping Center.

Tassel Top Park in Raymond

Hacker’s Hill on Quaker Ridge  5 minutes

There is a stunning view nearby!  A must when visiting our area.  Cross 302 at the end of our driveway and proceed up Quaker Ridge Road about 4 miles.  Pull over past Hall’s Funeral Home, or on some days you can drive up the steep road on the right and admire the area from up above.

Quaker Ridge in Casco, Maine

Pondicherry Park 20 minutes away, in Bridgton

The beautiful new covered pedestrian bridge to get you started is right in the heart of Bridgton, alongside the Magic Lantern Theater.  Be transported from charming town to woodland walk in just moments.

Pondicherry Park in Bridgton

the Maine woods

Eastern white pine

Jugtown Forest in Casco

Miles of marked trails on Hancock Lumber’s 5000 acres crossing Casco, Naples and Otisfield.  Learn about Maine’s historic lumbering industry, or just enjoy the forest!

Jugtown Forest

Girls on the footbridge.

These are just a few of the many outdoor opportunities for recreation nearby.  And there are, of course, our own marked trails right on the Migis property.  Tie your shoes and go enjoy yourself!

Mary

Wellness and comfort are an integral part of the Migis Lodge experience.  Have you booked your Sebago Lakeside massage yet?  You can do so right at migis.com.  Then, relax!

Fast Tube by Casper

Mary

Bridgton Books, on Main Street in Bridgton

Although many Migis Lodge guests never venture out of their vacation retreat, some like to explore a little.  I recently promised another visit to Bridgton, Maine, the place my brother calls ‘the land of the missing E’.  Here’s a picturesque Main Street (yes, called Main Street) where you can walk, shop, snack, wade, antique hunt, beautify, read, and film watch, all from locally owned and operated businesses.  What better way to while away an afternoon!  And then, you may want to come back later (can’t miss a Migis dinner) for a night at the drive in.  So fun!

Bridgton Drive-In; 2 screens!

The Magic Lantern the charming indoor motion picture house

the Magic Lantern movie theater

Kathleen of Bridgton

 Kathleen of Bridgton

skin care specialist and aesthetician

Reny’s Maine owned department store

Reny's Department Store

and a number of other interesting diversions, including a beautiful nature walk through the covered bridge (behind the Magic Lantern) to Pondicherry Park.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Come discover!

Shorey Park in the middle of Bridgton, Maine

Mary

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about rolling over 302, onto Quaker Ridge Road, and seeing what there was to see within 15 minutes of Migis Lodge heading to Casco, almost to Otisfield.  Now it’s time to take a left at the end of the driveway.  Ready?

Since it’s right there, Blacksmith’s Winery gets another mention.  Take a look.  Had you thought of this use for Maine blueberries?  Don’t you wish you had?

Blacksmith's Winery

A little further, on the right, is SPECS.  Sebago Primary Eye Care, a handy place to have nearby.  Dr. Gordon and his staff will help you if you have a problem with your eyes or your corrective lenses while you’re in town.  Stop and say hello to Judy!

Coming up on the left is the Clyde Bailey Drop In Center, a neighborhood gathering place for folks in recovery programs.  Soon thereafter, Old Homestead Creations, with plenty of country accessories for your home.  Nearby is Dan’s Barber Shop, complete with striped barber pole and abundant neighborhood chatter.  Dan is right next to the South Casco Post Office, where you all have been getting your mail from us at PO Box 40 for all these years!

Dan's Barber Shop

South Casco Post Office

We’re only two minutes from Migis, still, and coming up on the right is a blue state sign with arrows directing us to Camp Sunshine on the left.  Call ahead for a tour of this life-affirming camp whose mission is to serve the families of children with life threatening illness.  Our Migis Lodge blog several weeks back (February 24) will give you a brief look.  A driveway shortly thereafter, also on the left, is the entrance to Point Sebago‘s golf course.  Ask at our front desk for preferred rates and special consideration for tee-times.

You’ll pass the State Park Road on the left, then roll on down the sloping road en route to Naples and presently you’ll see the local Raymond Casco Museum on the left, alongside the Dingleys’ corn field.  Maybe you’ll stop for an ice cream, really homemade custard.  Still less than 5 minutes from the lodge driveway.

Raymond Casco Museum

Raymond Casco

Next we’ll be seeing Aubuchon Hardware on the right, and over the hill into Naples where there is a little supermarket (Tony’s Foodland) and a RiteAid pharmacy.  You’ll also find the Antique Revival, crammed with great finds, including lots of record albums that I particularly enjoy.

Antique Revival

Time to head over the still-under-construction new causeway–looking good!–, visit Wayne’s new shop on the left, maybe take a ride on the Songo Queen.  More ice cream opportunities (we like the Lakeside Dairy Bar, on the right after Steamboat Landing).  Naples is a great place to get out and stretch your legs, admire the views, and take in the few shops.

We have to go just a bit beyond the 15 minute limit for the next, but is 17 minutes worth it for a trip to the Bridgton Drive In?  Of course it is!  Pack the kids and the mosquito repellent and head on out after an early-ish dinner.  Fun!  Two screens, four movies!

Bridgton Drive In

Okay, we’ve definitely used up the fifteen minutes.  Who knew?  The extra time to explore Bridgton is more than worth it, but we’ll save that for another blog.

Happy exploring!

Mary

Gentlemen of Migis

Even during the quietest weeks, our talented year round staff is developing projects large and small that make Migis Lodge unique.  Here’s Ian, finishing up  a front desk enhancement.  Please pardon me; the audio drops out at first, but resumes a minute later just fine.

Fast Tube by Casper

Here’s a few more samples of Ian’s work.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Tanner’s taking advantage of this sunny day, painting the Cry of the Loon shutters.  Colby is replacing the floor at the fitness center, and all hands on deck at the tennis courts.  New fencing and irrigation coming soon!

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Hope you’re having a productive spring.  Only a month until we greet our first wedding arrivals!

Mary

Winter was a mite confused this year.  Here I sit, a week into spring, looking out at a snow covered field.  Last week a ride around Maine’s Lakes Region would have netted you sightings of bicyclists in shorts, kids wading into beach edges with sheets of ice still within yards of the shore, daffodils and lilies poking up looking a bit surprised at their earliness.  80s!  We had 80s in Maine, in March, for three days!  Out came the rakes and brooms for a few days of spring cleaning.

79 degrees? Really?

Back to snow today, perhaps the last of the year.  Before winter is really over, I always like to take a ride around shotgun in the plow truck.  Come along, and see how some of your favorite spots at Migis look at this time of year.  It’s a different kind of beauty!

Fast Tube by Casper

have you chosen your table yet?

Migis driveway, March 2012

perfectly plowed

Do you have your 2012 reservation yet?

Have you ‘liked’ us on Facebook?

And remember your traveling mug photos!  We’d love to see them!

Mary

Firewood still awaiting winter.

On the way to the lodge this morning, I stopped to look at Mount Washington from Quaker Ridge.  See it, barely, all the way back there?  It’s about the only snow left to see around here!  These folks still have plenty of firewood left, it appears.

I spent a little time “on campus”, gathering a few tools; battery charger, a traveling mug (where is yours?), a folder of photos including a 1964 Maine Tourism promotional beauty. Paused to take a couple of shots of those as-yet-unnamed plants so high on the Facebook discussion list yesterday. They are teaching me a valuable (and not just botanical) lesson! Don’t pose the question if you are not quite certain of the answer when there is friendly competition involved!

Well, what is it?

Who will be the first?

Further down the sunny path heading to cookout point, I was stopped in my tracks by a wave of floral power. Not visual, but aromatic. It was so intense! Between Birch on the left, and Daybreak on my right, I slowly turned in the March morning sun, trying to identify the source of this cloud of Nature’s perfume. No luck with tracing it, so I just paused and enjoyed it. Summer and fall bring their own delightful smells to Migis; woodsmoke season-long, hot dogs (yes, I love them) on the grill, pine needles crushing underfoot, sunscreen down at the waterski dock, the first pot of coffee in the morning…but I never before have experienced quite the heady sensation of new blossoms that I did this morning.

Moonrise looking out to the Dinsmore cottage

What is that wonderful scent?

Continuing on, to make sure the ice is really out.  Must be, in the cove, with temps in the 70s and 80s the last few days.  More emerging life!

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Then back up the road to Timbers, and a little chat with Adam and Ian busy recruiting the strong of arm for April “rake week” when locals roll up their sleeves and start removing some of the debris of winter.  A peek in at Ridge, where Colby has been ripping up part of the floor, and a hello to Tanner, considering the joys and challenges of Canadian geese.

Here are a couple more images from Tuesday, the first day of spring 2012.

Sebago Lake March mirror

No place like home, even when a little messy out.

Colby is keeping in touch with the guys.

That’s the report from Migis this week, where we are all reveling in the warmth and sunshine.  Now I’m going to decide what to have when we visit Sweet William’s in Casco for Maine Maple Sunday.  If you are in Maine, I encourage you to do the same!  Those of you in the know, what summer delight does Migis make even better with Maine maple syrup?

Mary

PS  Have you Liked us on Facebook yet?  If you time it right, you could be number 1000!

Okay, okay, so green is the dominant color for March 17, but isn’t chocolate really the way to celebrate anything? How about this combination? Wow! Between Migis pastry chef Charity’s simple chocolate cake recipe, and the decadent Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Brown Eyed Baker to follow, we can all welcome the return of green buds on our trees and soon, hopefully, green lawns. Even those of you in more southerly climes, who don’t share our northern landscape of snow laden pines, can surely feel the coming of spring. Daylight savings time, geese honking overhead, spring break plans taking shape. Not to mention Cadbury eggs appearing in the supermarket.

Just seven weeks until our first Migis Lodge wedding, so some of you lucky folks can be expecting that invitation soon. Call us with your Migis questions!

Here’s a look yesterday from Cliffside lawn, across boat basin, to Cookout Point. It’ll be greening up soon!

Fast Tube by Casper

Do wrap your Migis mug in lucky shamrocks and send me a photo, okay? Perhaps filling it with Irish coffee first…

two layer version

Simply Chocolate Cake

30 minutes @ 350 degrees

1 ½ cup flour
1 cup sugar
3 Tbls cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

6 Tbls canola oil
1 Tbls vanilla
1 Tbls white vinegar
1 cup water

Combine dries in a bowl. Then add all of the liquids to the dries in the bowl. Stir with a spoon until well combined. Pour batter into a well greased 8×8 pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until done.

Let the cake cool completely then frost with your favorite icing.

Bailey’s Irish Cream frosting:
16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup butter, at room temperature
7 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
6 cups powdered sugar

Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, blend together the cream cheese, butter, and Baileys Irish Cream on medium speed until completely smooth and combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar on medium-low speed until it has all been added. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is smooth and thoroughly mixed. Use immediately. You can refrigerate the frosting, but it will need to be brought to room temperature before using. This yields enough frosting to fill a two layer cake and frost the outside, and do some basic decorations.

So maybe you could make some cupcakes in addition to Charity’s cake, to use up your frosting efficiently. Hmmm. Let us know how it comes out!

In the meanwhile, we’ve reached out for a crew to fill our April ‘rake week’ needs, Adam is staining, Ian nailing, Colby and Tanner hammering while we’re putting final touches on Spring Tonic. That’s this week at Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake! Do call if you’re still looking for openings for your Maine family vacation. 207-655-4524.

Have a lucky weekend!

Mary

Adam staining at Moose Point

Ian framing

Where in the world is Casco, Maine?

Now, why anyone would ever want to leave, after having checked in and unpacked and taken that first stroll around?  We’ll leave that question for others to ponder.  But should you feel the yen for a little drive, or if you perhaps have a disgruntled child who is soothed by a car ride, here’s a few things you’ll encounter if you venture out the driveway!

Let’s start out by not turning onto Route 302 at all.  Just cross 302, bearing left, and head up Quaker Ridge Road.  First, on your left, is Blacksmith’s Winery.  Did you know there was a vintner right here in South Casco?  Bring some blueberry wine home for a taste of Maine.

Continuing up Quaker Ridge Road, on your right is Thomas Pond, one of the many smaller bodies of water that dot the area.  This time of year you’re likely to see fishing shacks on the surface as fishing is a year round pastime in this neighborhood.  Give Registered Maine Guide Brooke Hidell a call during the season if you’d like to try your line in Sebago or any one of a number of other lakes.

Keep heading northeast.  Your car is climbing steadily now, and within minutes the vista will open up and you’ll arrive at Hacker’s Hill on Quaker Ridge.  Take the driveway up the hill on the right.  The panoramic view is incomparable; you brought your camera, didn’t you?  Spend a little while on top, walking around or throwing the Frisbee or just admiring the view.  Generations of lake region residents have treasured this very special place.  If you are a little short on time, go past the uphill driveway and pull over on the left, after Hall’s Funeral Home.  The view from here is almost as majestic, particularly when sunset is approaching.  See Mount Washington out there?  On winter evenings, we can see Shawnee Peak’s illuminated ski trails.

Quaker Ridge in March

Casco from the sky

Back in the car, continue along until the road ends, then turn right at the stop sign onto Route 11.  Next, left at the blinking light.  The main Casco fire station is on your right, as well as the temporary Town Office.  Wave at the horses in the field!  The next body of water on your right is Parker Pond, where there are a couple of scenic turnouts to enjoy if you wish.  In a mile or so you will be rolling into Casco Village.  The Grange Hall is on the right, as is the Casco Village Church UCC.  The Green is in the center, the public library and Community Center on the left.  Basketball courts and a little playground around the back!  The wide open area on the left is Casco Day Park, where thousands come annually from miles around to benefit the fire department for the weekend surrounding “Always the Last Saturday in July”.  Visit the Village Gift Barn across the street for a unique item for your home, crafted by Joanne, queen of repurposing!  Then pull into Pear’s Ice Cream for a cone (right next to our fitness trainer Lisa’s year round business BKD Fitness) and carry it down to the little beach on Pleasant Lake.

"Always the Last Saturday in July!"

Now all this, if you didn’t stop, is just 10 minutes from the Migis driveway.  A little alternative; pass Casco Day Park and take a right onto Mayberry Hill Road.  There’s one of the little Casco public beaches there on the left, on Pleasant Lake.  Continue on around the bend…on the right there is Lord Road.  There’s a bakery operating in that house there during summer.  Yummm.

Up the hill, pass Hoop Camp up up up, and left at the top.  Just around the bend up there on the right is a great spot to stop for a walk of a mile or so, Mayberry Hill Preserve.

So far we’ve kept within our 15 minute constraint, but if you have just a very few extra minutes, stay on this road traveling past the preserve.  Just a couple minutes more and you’ll have arrived at Seeds of Peace, a remarkable summer camp operating since 1993 whose mission is to bring together young people from global conflict areas and help them acquire the skills of negotiation and leadership.  Their first teen campers were from Egypt, Israel and Palestine and their numbers and participating groups and countries have grown through the years.

Seeds of Peace in Otisfield

Well, it’s time to make a U-turn now and head back over the Otisfield/Casco line en route to Migis Lodge.  Who knew there were so many interesting features so close to our home away from home?  And that’s without turning off!

Have you had your reservation confirmed yet?  Call 207-655-4524.  And don’t forget to Like us on Facebook if you haven’t already….

Bye for now!  I’m feeling ready for a little drive.

Mary