Diversion a.k.a. #68 Cottage

Be one of the lucky guests to rent this completely renovated cottage directly on the shore of eastern Casco Bay. The cottage dates back to the early 1900’s and has a 180 plus degree view of the ocean, which includes seven islands. This idyllic Sebasco Estates location in the Town of Phippsburg, Maine has remained largely unchanged for over 100 years, in sharp contrast to what has occurred along much of the Maine coast.

This WiFi equipped cottage has closed cell foam insulation with finished walls and has thermostatically controlled heat on both upper and lower floors, although no heat is typically required during the summer months, except perhaps when showering. The totally new bathroom has a vanity with lavatory and mirror, a low water consumption toilet, 36” fiberglass shower, towel racks, towel shelving and a dedicated built in wall heater. There is a spacious living room that opens through a large arch onto a glassed in sun porch with openable screened windows, providing a spectacular view of the water to the n., w. and s. The living room has a couch convertible into a queen bed, a table, chairs, cable TV with Blu-ray DVD player, a phonograph/CD player/radio, a grandmother clock and sliding patio door leading to the deck. The modern, well lit, all new kitchen has a double basin stainless sink, custom maple cabinetry and a birch “bar” topping the peninsula behind the sink, providing anyone at the sink a view of the ocean. This bar can be used as such or for dishes going to or from the dining table to the sink area with its associated custom counter tops. There is a large refrigerator with a top freezer as well as a microwave, blender, Keurig and regular coffee makers. It is fully equipped with necessary dishes, cutlery, cooking pots, pans and utensils, including a lobster and clam cooking pot.

The dining area, adjacent to the kitchen and bar, has an expandable table with 6 matching chairs, but can seat 8, and provides a view through 2 picture windows, each with openable, screened side windows. Anyone sitting there or standing at the sink has a direct view of the water and the infamous Malaga Island, the backbone of the book “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy”.

There are three upstairs bedrooms with beds sleeping a total of 6 people. The large “master bedroom” has a queen bed, a cedar lined closet, bureau w/ mirror, full length mirror and spectacular view of the ocean. The “middle” bedroom has a full bed, small bureau with mirror, cedar lined closet and south facing windows overlooking the ocean. The “small’ bedroom has a set of bunk beds, two windows with a "woods" view. There is a small "youth bed" available if needed. All windows have privacy shades if desired.

Through the living room patio door there is a spacious (8’X16’) open deck with a spectacular ocean view, an electric grill and 2 benches that can be put together forming a picnic table seating 6. Continuous with this is a smaller (9’X10’) covered but open deck with 2 permanent benches offering shade and an equally spectacular ocean view.

The main livelihood of this community is fishing, now principally lobstering. During the spring, summer and fall you will hear the purr of the boats leaving early morning to tend their lobster “pots” and throughout the day you will see them coming and going, with some of them hauling their traps directly in front of the cottage. You will also see and hear various species of gulls and ducks, an occasional eagle, osprey and great blue heron. There may also be an occasional seal passing through.

If so inclined, at high tide one can throw a rock from the deck of the cottage to the water, eat meals on the deck and just bask in the ambiance of the “real” Maine coast. Depending on your inclination and theirs, fish such a striped bass ("Stripers", "Rockfish"), mackerel, Pollock, flounder and cunners may be caught directly from the shore in front of the cottage. (On the inside cottage wall there is a plaque with mounted colored prints of most of the indigenous fishes and relevant information.) There are also two locations in front of the cottage where kayaks, canoes and other small watercraft may be hand launched. It is also a safe place to swim, walk the shoreline, hunting for shells and just exploring the inter tidal zone.

From the cottage it is a 15 minute drive to the state-owned Popham Beach State Park (for which you will be provided a free pass-no dogs allowed). A couple miles farther down the road is Spinney’s Restaurant, more beach, the 1800’s Fort Popham and other historical sites. Also available is the privately owned Head Beach at Small Point, which has a nominal admission fee. There is also a smaller town owned, “pet friendly” Totman Cove beach in West Point, which is a 7 minute drive from the cottage, for which you will also have a free pass. This sandy beach has a very gentle slope, no swells, no rip currents, is very safe for young children and pets. It is best used near the high tide, because there are “clam flats” (mud) exposed at the lower ends of the tide cycle.

In addition to Spinney’s Restaurant at Popham, there is the Water’s Edge Restaurant right in Sebasco (5 minute walk from our cottages—especially convenient if one wants to enjoy adult beverages and not have to drive!). Unfortunately, it is traditionally open only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is also The Lobster House Restaurant on the road to Head Beach in Small Point. There are also several restaurants in Bath and environs.

The cottage has two "traditional" wired telephones, one downstairs and one in the master bedroom, from which local calls may be made and received. Long distances calls may be received but not made because they are blocked. Cell phone reception is now quite good from the cottage, but to be on the safe side, you may want to bring a purchased calling card with you which will enable making long distance calls on the "traditional" telephones.

The cottage is pet friendly with prior approval for an additional fee. A dog "crate" is available for use if you decide to leave your pet at the cottage for a day of "touring about".

Smoking is not permitted in the cottage for several obvious reasons!

Parking is limited to 2 vehicles without prior approval, so the cottage is NOT suitable for large groups such as weddings, reunions, family gatherings, etc.

For extended families and friends there is a neighbouring cottage, subject to availability. Please call to check about this at the time of your booking.