40 acres hosted by Lisa P.
1 lodging site · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 toilet
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Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.
All to yourself
98% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.
My step Dad Bob ‘discovered’ the island in the 1970’s when he was escaping the rat race and looking to get ‘back to the land’. Over the course of three years he built the island house by floating cedar logs across the bay, using a come-along to bring the up to the land, debarked and prepped them for building and set about constructing his off-grid, solar powered home. All without power tools.
Both my Mom and Bob were ardent environmentalists and peace advocates. For 20 years they lived year-round on the island and only left when their ages made it difficult to continue cutting/splitting/moving/burning wood and just the ordeal of living so remotely. Most visitors to the island agree the peaceful vibe continues and that is important to us.This is not for everyone!
This property is a 40 acre private island in midcoast Maine situated between Bath and Wiscasset in Hockomock/Brookings bay(s).
A causeway allows for vehicular access but there’s still a ~10 minute walk to the home.
Mosquitoes galore in the summer months in the interior woods, but thankfully we have plenty of Off and head nets.
There are deer, so there are ticks. Tuck in your pants and use repellent.
No indoor toilet, but a nice outhouse out the back door.
There could be mice, and spiders but there’s a generator and vacuum if it gets to you.
This is tidal - which means there’s mud. About 3 hours before and after a high tide the water is accessible and there are several water craft for use (kayaks, SUP). Water is gentle and perfect for slow and peaceful exploring and swimming. And there are very few bugs out on the water!
No A/C, unreliable internet and a 10 minute drive to civilization.
(So if you’re still reading, maybe this could be the place for you?)
Indoor ‘domestic’ water for cleaning and bathing (shower) and potable water brought in for drinking and cooking.
Cookstove is used for thermosiphon method of heating and moving hot water. About 30 minutes after lighting a fire you will have hot water for cleaning/showers. And the water stays warm for up to a day after the last fire. You have to pump water daily, via a switch to trigger basement solar-powered pump, to fill the holding tanks on the second floor (repurposed beer kegs) from a cistern of rain water.
40 year old solar panels still run the pump (for water) and small LED lights inside.
(Still interested?)
It is gorgeous! In that very natural, rugged beauty of Maine and ‘back to nature’ way.
Completely private. Except for some homes that can be seen from the north end, there are no buildings in sight from this south end house. All surrounding areas are ‘protected’.
There are two buildings on the island about a mile apart, the south end house which is available for rent and a small north end cabin that is not. One side, the marsh side, has a narrow channel and at a low tide it resembles mainland making one question the definition of island. On a very high tide the marsh and even the causeway can flood. The opposite side is mud (low) and water (high).
There are worm and clam diggers who use the island for jumping off points to the flats. These are hard working and colorful locals who have our blessing to use the land to get to their workplaces.
This is ideal for lovers of nature. In addition to deer, frequent animal sightings are porcupines, raccoons the occasional mink/weasel. For birders there are a wide variety of land/sea/marsh birds.Outdoor enthusiasts will have a blast exploring the tidal pools and hiking trails and when water allows an endless variety of paddling excursions.
The house is an off-grid log home built in the ‘70’s with kitchen, living room, bedroom and 2 entry areas. Large picture windows (old and showing it) from the kitchen/dining area and from the upstairs bedroom overlooking water. Living room with larger Garrison woodstove and two bench couches for additional sleeping.
Kitchen is ‘fully equipped’ in that camping kind of way. The kitchen cookstove can be used for cooking and there is also a small propane powered cookstove (salvaged from an old sailboat) with oven. Essential cookware, dishes, utensils etc.; espresso pot; corkscrews!
It’s important to note there is nothing fancy or polished with this property. The natural setting makes it what it is. If you want hot water, you must be comfortable/safe lighting a fire in the cookstove. If you’re sensitive to bugs, this isn’t the place for you. There is no high speed internet or air conditioning or even conventional electricity. But if you’re looking for private, natural, peaceful rest and relaxation this might work for you.
Bath is the closest town (10 minutes) with a eclectic collection of bars, restaurants, coffee shop, boutiques, farmer’s market, museum. Two State parks (Reid & Popham) within half an hour and a fresh water lake (Nequasset) a few miles away. Portland, in one direction, and Boothbay Harbor in the other direction both 45 minutes. Brunswick (south) and Wiscasset (north) 20+ minutes.
(Note, this is not near Bradbury Mountain or Sebago Lake or Lake St. George. I don’t know how or why the listing is saying this!)
