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I
can still remember the beautiful June day when I first fell in love
with Deer Isle. Driving over the bridge was slightly terrifying, but
in the ensuing years I have come to appreciate the work of art that
it is.
Some people say they have a love-hate relationship
with the bridge; mine is a love-love relationship. I love it in all
kinds of weather, night and day, rain or shine. I marvel at its structure,
and the way it makes noises in the wind. I love approaching it on
a foggy night; suddenly, it appears out of the fog, and I feel a twinge
of fear as I think “I wonder if it’s all there.”
Then, as I drive on, more and more of the structure emerges from the
fog, and before I know it I’m on the other side and speeding
towards home. Most of all, though, I love its height and length –
the very real (and yet symbolic) connection between our island and
the mainland.
Your drive to Deer Isle really begins once
you have made it over the bridge (it’s OK, you can breathe now!).
Stop at the information booth at the curve in the road and look for
more information on things to do and see. When you leave the information
booth, take a right and head down to the end of Little Deer Isle to
the Eggemoggin Colony, and a great view of Pumpkin Island Lighthouse.
As you begin, stop at Michele Billings Studio & Gallery, next
door to the Little Deer Isle post office.
Make sure to watch for the sign for Wilson
Forge on your right as you drive; Doug Wilson does beautiful functional
and architectural iron work.
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a PDF of the Deer Isle Drive here (1.1 MB). |
After
that little side trip, turn around and head south again on Route 15
towards the village, located about mid-island. As you cross the causeway
and head uphill; at the top of the hill, take a left onto Old Ferry
Road to visit the Ronald Hayes Pearson Design Studio – featuring
his gorgeous designs in gold and silver. After, continue down to Ferry
Landing for another fine view along Eggemoggin Reach, with Sargentville
on the other shore.
Returning to Route 15, the next side trip takes a left at the Reach
Road. About 2/10 of a mile on your right you’ll see Greene-Ziner
Gallery. Melissa Greene makes beautiful earthenware pots and Eric
Ziner creates sculptural metalwork.
Returning again to Rte. 15, and just before you get to Deer Isle village
(about 5 miles from the bridge), watch for Susan Hutton’s sign
on the left. Susan makes really beautiful jewelry – affordable
and appealing to many tastes.
After Susan’s, you’ll see Frederica Marshall’s studio
sign on your left. She exhibits her watercolors and Asian brush paintings,
offers classes for kids and adults, and her husband, Herman Kidder
carves name seals in the Asian tradition.
Just beyond, you’ll find Turtle Gallery on your left. Owner
Elena Kubler’s eye for fine art and contemporary craft is reflected
in her rotating shows. Be sure to visit the sculpture garden.
Take another side trip onto Dow Road and stop at Deer Isle Artists
Association’s Gallery. DIAA member artists display their work
in rotating shows. At dowstudio, just beyond DIAA, Ellen Wieske shows
her funky wire and metal jewelry, baskets, and utensils alongside
the beautiful pottery of Carole Ann Fer.
The village of Deer Isle is home to the Lester Gallery, at the corner
of Route 15 and Main Street, featuring Terrell Lester’s beautiful,
original photos, as well as work from other fine Maine photographers.
Red Dot Gallery, a cooperative featuring the work of its 10 artist/owners,
plus jewelry by other artists, will open for its second season on
the corner across from the Lester Gallery.
Just two doors from Red Dot, Fibula features beautiful jewelry by
owner Laura Giverts and others, as well as photography. As an added
bonus, you can stop in here for a great cappuccino, espresso, or latte
and light pastry!
And, of course, another not-to-miss place: Neva Beck offers cards,
gifts, newspapers, and books at the Periwinkle, across from Harbor
Ice Cream.
If you have time, plan to have dinner at the Whale’s Rib Pub
at Pilgrim’s Inn, offering a range of delicious food from casual
to more upscale daily specials.
Continuing through the village on Route 15A (a.k.a. Bridge Street),
watch for Ray and Frankie Bradley’s sign on the left for their
little gallery. Ray makes amazing whirlygigs and if you’re lucky,
Frankie’s paintings just might be on the walls too.
After that, turn right onto Pressey Village Road. On the right, after
the turn, Carol Wainright’s River Horse Rugs studio is open
by appointment.
A little further, on the left, you will find Bunzy Sherman’s
barn gallery showing her own salt-fired pottery, as well as interesting
work by her late husband, Irving.
If you stay on Rte. 15A towards Stonington, you will come to Marie
Palluoto’s Red Door Pottery about a mile further on towards
Sunset. Marie’s work is beautiful.
But wait! Let’s not get away from the village too far just yet
– you’ll want to check out Bruce Bulger’s workshop
and gallery, on the first floor of the Seamark Building on Church
Street (Rte. 15). Also, on the second floor of the Seamark Building,
Holley Mead’s Deer Isle Designs offers interior design services.
And, of course, for those of you with young children looking for fun
things to do, there’s the Seamark Workshops. This great non-profit
provides summer arts workshops for children and adults.
Just up the road from Seamark, John Wilkinson opens his sculpture
studio and garden in the lovely yellow Mansard house across from Heanssler’s.
Watch for his open sign, or call ahead for an appointment …
Don’t miss a trip to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts; take
a left onto Sunshine Road across from the Irving station. Every Thursday
at 1 pm, there’s a walking tour of the studios. If you’ve
never been out there, it’s well worth the seven mile drive.
Not only is it fun to see what people are creating in the studios,
but also to walk down the 100 or so steps to the flagpole at water’s
edge and admire the view. Haystack also offers evening slide presentations
by faculty and staff, as well as end-of-session auctions every second
Friday (check our online Calendar).
On the way to Haystack, keep an eye out for signs for a few off-the-beaten-track
galleries:
Your first stop is Blue Heron Gallery. Watch for the sign on your
right just after you turn onto Sunshine Road. Following the same road
as Mariner’s Park, bear right at the end to visit the gallery,
with all the same fine art and craft, and now located at owner Sue
Wilmot’s home.
Next, watch for Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies on your left.
This funky little place is a must-stop for anyone visiting Deer Isle.
Peter Beerits’ whimsical sculptures, made from salvaged wood
and found objects, are scattered everywhere.
Just a little further on, Christine York Studio, on your right, features
Christine’s abstract watercolors, plus jewelry, textiles, and
sculpture.
Less than 2 miles more and you will see a sign for Conary Cove Glass
Works on your left – where Joleen Dodge creates and shows her
beautiful lamp worked beads and jewelry.
After that little jaunt, get back on Rte. 15 and watch for Carolyn
Caldwell’s studio about three miles south of town on the right
across the street from the old Mt. Warren church at the top of the
hill. She paints some of the most luscious, beautiful pastels I’ve
seen in a long time.
For a relaxing picnic away from lots of people, there’s Mariner’s
Park, located on the Sunshine Road just after the turn from Route
15. The park is maintained by the Evergreen Garden Club, and provides
only the basics – there is no restroom or running water, just
open, rolling fields, a simple boat launch, and picnic area. Please
respect this little haven – it’s maintained by volunteers.
Shore Acres Preserve on Greenlaw District Road, off Sunshine Road,
offers a 1.5 mile trail loop through woods and along the shore. This
beautiful little preserve is maintained by the Island Heritage Trust.
There’s also a nice hiking trail on Goose Cove Road. And, watch
for signs along Route 15A that indicate hiking trails. They should
have trail maps available, and all the trails offer easy, scenic hikes.
Whatever your game – miniature golf, or regular, or even tennis
– you can do it in Deer Isle! For the golf or tennis buff there’s
a place for you at the Island Country Club on Route 15A.
And for the mini-duffer, there’s the Round the Island Mini Golf
Course, located behind Finest Kind Dining on the Center District Cross
Road.
Maybe you’d like to rent canoes, kayaks or bikes. All are available
at several locations on the island, including Finest Kind, Granite
Island Guides, and Old Quarry Ocean Adventures. The islands and waters
here are some of the most beautiful in the state for sea kayaking.
How about some lunch?
There aren’t many places to sit down and eat lunch
in Deer Isle, but one of the busiest local spots is Harbor Ice Cream,
right on Main Street in the village.… and, of course, you can
always get a cold ice cream!
At Press time, we discovered that Madelyn’s Drive In is opening
where Lodi’s was located on Rte. 15 about 2 miles north of the
village. With a full array of takeout from hot dogs and hanmburgers,
to ice cream, this is a welcome addition to the summer choices.
Oh my aching bones…
When all is said and done, vacationing is hard work. If you
need a little T.L.C., you can get a massage from “Auntie”
Charlo Davis, or a reflexology session with Maureen Farr of Deer Isle
Reflexology (460-2329 for appointment).
Whether you like to shop, gallery hop, dine, hike, swim, kayak, or
sail – there’s plenty to do here. If this is your first
visit, we hope you enjoy it, and plan to come back another year. |
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Let’s
go for a drive… Deer
Isle