Boat U.S. - May 2008 - (Page Insert-E) around the race course for the day — two mer camp is with its cuisine, which I would loops around Cabbage Island. describe as upscale-Downeast Maine. The pre-race meeting held on the open Definitely not camp food. There’s plenty of lawn would have disappointed any and all hearty fare with great seafood selections “Type A’s”. Nothing was taken seriously each evening, but Linekin’s culinary team except safety. This was all about having a also struts its feathers with selections good time. After a long fog delay, the fleet such as gorgonzola was off beating upwind in light air to make its first rounding of the island. Warned of rocks lurking below, some strayed too close. But it was a simple matter of cranking up the Rhode’s heavy swing keels and moving on. The boats, while heavily used, are fairly bullet proof. The week before our visit one Rhode’s Tboned another, crunching a rail. Ross expects those kinds of things to happen — his winters are spent repairing the boats. Our last downwind leg found us near the top of the Racing hazards such as fog and sea pole until a group of octogemonsters are big topics at Waterfront narians snuck up out of Director Ross Branch's weekly resort nowhere and slipped past us race meeting, above. as though they had a motor running. They had maintained The twice-weekly lobster feast sprawls “radio silence” by cutting out on the great lawn, right. down on their cockpit chatter in hopes of overtaking us, which they did. Can’t trust those sneaky old and caramelized onion folks. We ended up finishing sixth — not tarts, and pomegranate bad for amateurs. Like summer camp, my glazed game hen with crew and I became friends immediately and sage apple bread pudboth families later met for drinks at the ding. resort’s West Lodge. For dinner there’s two main course Some guests, who range from doctors selections, a “surf” and a “turf,” as well as and engineers to school teachers and truck vegan. Ingredients are sourced locally. The drivers, have been coming for years, but main gastronomic events of the week are newcomers and loners don’t stay alone too Tuesday’s and Friday’s Lobster Feast complilong. Someone will invariably invite you to mented with steamers, mussels and blueberjoin in on an activity, and on my second ry cake served outside on the great lawn night I was summoned to heated game of overlooking the waterfront. Sunday’s dinner Trivial Pursuit and instantly became part of buffet features a raw bar — a production a group of a dozen sailors from the Bronx. unto itself. There are a total of five lodges with All meals are served during set hours in accommodations of which four are waterthe dining room, with a massive fireplace front. These offer the best bet, as well as a and spectacular views of the Maine coastline few waterfront cabins. If you’re strictly on a from every seat in the house. Our server budget, the cabins in the woods provide stayed with us all week long and quickly good value, but these haven’t yet been picked up on my family’s likes and dislikes. upgraded. No matter what you choose, you All of the staff, which largely hails from can expect clean, comfortable rooms with a Europe, was friendly and accommodating. cabin-like feel, with many offering picture You can do as little or as much as you windows and porches or decks to soak up want here. A daily kids’ camp for those 3 to the mountain pine air. 10 — included in the price — gives parents Where the resort definitely bests sumsome time alone. While sailing is great, 22 BoatU.S. Magazine March 2005 those who do not share the passion can swim in the heated saltwater pool, perched just above high tide line. There are two tennis courts, shuffleboard, and a half basketball court. Spread around the resort’s grounds and lodges are nooks and comfy chairs for a good quiet read or just to watch the lobstermen check their traps. In the evening it’s board games galore in the true summer camp fashion. The local environs offer a lot, too. The weekly “Oompah” bands at Boothbay Library feature child conductors. During our stay an 80-member chorus took the stage for a concert performance of American music at a nearby church. Boothbay holds the usual collection of kitschy t-shirt shops, ice cream parlors, and art galleries, but its unique candlepin bowling alley is a throwback to earlier times. Two must-see’s for the family are the local aquarium and the narrow-gauge railroad. There’s also plenty of hiking and whale watching. While Boothbay is still a working harbor, recreational boats make up most of the 500 vessels that crowd it every summer. If you come to Linekin by boat, the resort offers free moorage. When our stay was over, it was like the teary, last day of summer camp. I said goodbye to many friends, not just acquaintances. And while I may be a grown-up now, Linekin let me experience much of that summer camp feeling I missed long ago. — By Scott Croft Rooms start at around $100 per person/per day with kids under 3 free. All meals, sailing, lessons and kids camp are included. Alcohol and babysitting are extra. For more information, visit Linekinbayresort.com or call 866-847-2103. http://Linekinbayresort.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.