Hope Cottage on Peaks, secluded & quiet, sleeps 6+

*Professionally Cleaned *Hi-Speed WiFi *Sparkling New Bathroom Remote Downeast island experience just two hours from Boston ... Renovated home in the tranquil Tolman Heights section of Peaks offers a modern kitchen and sparkling new bathroom. Sleeps 6-plus comfortably in bedrooms all equipped with ceiling fans. Spacious home is a short stroll to Spar Cove and the Back Shore, where you can overlook all of Casco Bay and the open ocean. Great biking, kayaking, walking, and swimming on the island. Away from the more crowded, hustle and bustle of other island areas, this peaceful three-bedroom, beautifully renovated island home sits at the top of Tolman Heights. It stands on a prominent grassy rise surrounded by conifers, birch, and oak trees, with plenty of lawn, a covered porch, and a sunny deck for sitting in the summer warmth. In the morning, you might see horses going by while sipping your coffee or tea and listening to the birds sing. Ease into your vacation. Enjoy the quiet — occasionally a car will drive by on the country island road, but mostly walkers, bikers, or no one at all. The house features a large modernized kitchen with a flat-bottom coffee maker (filters included), toaster, gas range/oven, and full refrigerator, Weber gas grill, a fully renovated bathroom with large glassed-in shower enclosure, also an enclosed outdoor shower (great hot water/pressure on both), towels/linens provided, beds with good pillows, comforters, and high-quality mattresses, a large living room with comfy couches, Rinnai heating system for chilly spring/fall nights, and polished pine wood floors throughout. Also included are high-speed wifi and flatscreen digital TV ... ... all of it surrounded by a large lawn, well-groomed grounds, and classic Maine island woods and conservation land. Take the Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks Island from Portland's working and historic waterfront — a breathtaking, stress-reducing 17-minute journey — and be transported to a place of beauty, serenity, and joy. (Peaks is three miles offshore.) Check the ferry schedule online for times and prices. You can bring your car and bikes. You also can rent bikes and golf carts on the island. Guests have access to entire property, except outbuildings and marked storage areas. Also, please no tents and other temporary structures in the yard. And NO FIRES, tiki candles, fireworks, candles, smoking, or any other flammable activities allowed anywhere on property. Thank you! We are always available to help. We want to make your stay as enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. If you need travel tips, parking options on the mainland, cost-saving ideas, or what to do while you're on the island or in Portland, do not hesitate to ask. Certain specific instructions we can discuss via phone, text, email, or Air BnB messaging. Tolman Heights is a peaceful and serene island enclave of mostly summer homes in the heart of the island’s conifer forest. Artists, writers, musicians, and families have been drawn to this area of the island for decades and generations. It is a magical spot -- quiet, peaceful, and soulful, so if you like loud and boisterous, it won't be your speed. Just up the hill from Spar Cove (with a raft you can swim to), the Back Shore, and open ocean dotted with Casco Bay's majestic outer islands, Tolman Heights is one of the last "true Maine” Peaks enclaves. Time has not altered "The Heights" much in the past 100-plus years. Bikes are best. Bring your own or rent them on the island at Brad and Wyatt's Bike Shop near the public library and police station. Brad and Wyatt will also do repairs. Walking and running around the the island is popular. You can rent golf carts on the island, too. Bring good walking (and water) shoes. If you don't bring your car, you'll need to contact Peaks Island Taxi in advance and arrange pickup at the ferry on the island. Easy enough. Cottage is too far a walk from the ferry with luggage and gear. If you do bring your car, there is designated parking for one vehicle to the left of the pine tree at the rear of the cottage. Also, drive slowly—the island has a maximum speed limit of 20 mph. For on-island activity ideas, an internet search of “Things to do on Peaks Island” will yield plenty of results. You'll need transportation to get to Hope Cottage from the ferry landing on Peaks. You can bring your car over (check Casco Bay Lines web site for schedules and ticketing). There is parking for one car at the house. If you don’t want to bring your car over, you can call Peaks Island Taxi in advance to arrange pickup and transportation while on the island. You also can easily arrange to have your luggage brought to the cottage by the taxi, and you can ride your bike (10 minutes) or walk (15 minutes). If you'd like to work out, play tennis, sail, or enroll your child in a day camp, check out the Trefethen-Evergreen Improvement Association's web site. It features a fitness center, tennis courts, sailing programs, and kids' day camps for relatively nominal prices. Memberships are available by the week — ideal for renters. Nearby is a nice sandy beach, with calm water, which is great for all ages. Yoga classes are also held at a private studio on the island — check bulletin board at Peaks Library for details. A handful of massage therapists also offer their services on the island. Check out Maine Island Kayaks and Horse Island Camp online as well. Rent a kayak or get a guided island trail horse tour. For hiking trails do an online search for "Peaks Island, Maine, hiking trails." The “Indian Trail” travels along the interior spine of the island and is a serene walk through nature. The "Peaks Island Community website" is also full of island info and activities. Sandy Beach, at the southwest tip of the island (take a right up Island Avenue as you come off the ferry), is, ayuh, a sandy beach accessed by a long wooden ramp. Children can play at the shore, hardy souls can swim to Catnip Island, and you can grab some shade under one of the oak trees that are hugging the rocks. And jump in the water — chances are it'll be bracingly cold — but oh so worth it and something you won't regret. We have beach chairs available, but be sure to bring your own beach towels. You can also check the community bulletin board on the top of the hill on right from ferry for talent shows, yard sales, community pancake breakfasts, and other "islandy" things to do. ***Be sure to note location of Fire/Police Station at 129 Island Ave. adjacent to library in case of emergencies. It is staffed 24/7. In case of emergency, dial 911.*** The bulletin board at the newly renovated Peaks Island Library also offers ideas about activities such as yoga classes and free weekend movies. Also, bring bug spray — this is Maine, after all. :) Sunscreen is always a good idea. Consider packing water shoes for wading in rocky coves and exploring tidal pools. Of course, check the weather in advance to pack appropriately. Never hurts to bring a small umbrella or two and raincoats or pocket ponchos. (There are a couple of umbrellas at the cottage.) For good coffee, tea, breakfast, lunch, and a dose of island scuttlebut, go to the Peaks Cafe near ferry — opens early and is really the heart of the island "scene." Be courteous to owner Lisa — and she may flash you one of her warm smiles when she hands you your breakfast burrito or blueberry muffin. For ice cream, candy, Peaks/Maine apparel and goods (think t-shirts, postcards, coffee mugs, and refrigerator magnets) visit the "Down Front" store. For the higher-end consumers with more refined tastes, next door is the more upscale — and slightly pricier — “Take a Peak” shop, which has a fine selection of island/Maine merchandise. For dinner, the Inn at Peaks and the Cockeyed Gull are consistently good with great seafood, salads, steaks, burgers, nachos, cold drinks, etc. Sit on the terrace and deck and watch the blaze-orange summer sun sink over the Portland skyline across the bay. (Call to make reservations.) Hannigan's is a fully stocked grocery store, with pizza, chowder, and subs available to go. Good selection of meats, fish, and produce, too. Order the Maine Italian! (It's also not a bad idea to shop at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or any other grocery store on the mainland before you head out to the island, because you'll pay more at Hannigan's.) For history buffs, the 8th Maine building includes a museum and library, displaying authentic Civil War artifacts, primary documents, and other Civil War information, much of which is directly related to the 8th Maine Regiment. The 8th Maine also regularly sponsors community events, musical concerts, art shows, and Peaks Fest activities. Gas for your vehicle is available at Plante's down front, which also features a laundromat. Hours vary. Best to fill up your tank on the mainland. You can rent bikes at Brad & Wyatt's Bike Shop or bring your own. Bikes are highly recommended as a great way to get around the island. (Brad and Wyatt also are expert at repairs — and bone-dry Yankee wit.) One of the unique and alluring aspects of Peaks is that, if you want a vibrant urban scene or it is a gray day on the island, you can easily head "Uptown" to the great city of Portland and its myriad restaurants (named the “2018 Restaurant City of the Year” by Bon Appetite Magazine), bakeries (for carb-lovers, Standard Bakery across the street from Casco Bay Lines cannot be beat :)), cafes, live music, galleries, bookstores, retail stores, and museums. The Portland Museum of Art is well worth the trip. For those with little ones, the Portland Children’s Museum right next door is excellent as well. (A simple internet search of “Things to do in Portland, Maine” should yield plenty of results.) If you go over to Portland in the evening, check the ferry schedule for returning ferry times. If you miss the last boat (11:30 p.m. on summer schedule), don't worry, you won't have to swim. Search online for "water taxis and Portland." Cost is typically $85-$100 for a one-way crossing to Peaks, and a taxi will take groups of six. Water taxis also take reservations in advance.