Guest Field Guide

Question

Map of the area

Answer

Here is an interactive map, with various attractions and points of interest between Portland and Small Point: https://felt.com/map/Small-Point-Guide-Map-ctOk3VdWT9BebLm281sJYtD?loc=43.7714,-70.0256,11.22z&share=1

Question

Community Rules and Guidelines

Answer

Most of the rules and guide are easily followed by being polite, respectful, sensible, and safe. Pretend you're staying with an older relative you've only met a few times. Here are the less intuitive things important to the community hosting the shebang: - Do not geotag the specific location online (thinking all you instagrammers). Be creative and make one up, tag 'down east', or 'maine coast'. - Do not start a fire without permission. Or shoot off fireworks. This is a classy event anyways. - LNT The natural environment of Small Point is exceptionally beautiful, in our opinion and the community's. Hopefully you will agree. Even if you don't, don't disturb plants or animals unnecessarily, even the little pipers on the beach. Think LNT (leave no trace) or the strip club rule of 'look but don't touch'. I guess LNT applies to strip clubs as well. A snack for thought.

Question

Connectivity

Answer

Hopefully we've set the scene appropriately, but in case not - you shouldn't expect to have much connectivity on the point. So plan accordingly. Generally, there is no cell service shortly after you leave Bath. Although the coverage creeps farther every year... but don't count on it. There usually is wifi at houses/the club, very slow and won't be able to handle the device load.

Question

Driving, Roads, Parking

Answer

Small point roads are private roads. They're small dirt/gravel, wind through the forest and community houses, and are not optimized for speed or safety. E.g. once you turn off the main peninsula arterial, you're free. Free to drive on the roads in accordance with a few simple rules: - Top speed is ~15 MPH. There can be folks walking bare foot on the road, golf carts, wildlife/young children, etc. Tight turns, potholes, trees, etc. Aside from safety concerns, there's really no need to rip around. Roll down the windows and enjoy the surroundings. Vacationland baby! - If you drive, do not park willy nilly. There are designated parking areas and the roads are very tight. If the parking spot looks like it might be a private one, it probably is. If you can't find one, don't say fuck it - talk to someone who can help you do so. - Beach parking Worth emphasizing further, there is not publicly accessible parking right by any beaches. That land is private. So far, the landowners have no interest in turning their land into a parking lot. The best parking lot for general beach access and most things is the club tennis courts (you'll know what I'm talking about).

Question

The Natural Environment - Dangers

Answer

For every beautiful element Small Point offers, there is approximately 0.35 dangers. Here are a few of the biggies: - Poison Ivy. If you don't know what it looks like, you should find out before you traipse around the bushes. Poison Ivy is one of the most well adapted elements on the point. Perhaps, second only to Dark and Stormys. - Mosquitos. Generally not a danger, but can ruin festivities if not accounted for. Bug spray, nimble eyes, and quick hands are usually enough to hold the line. You should be ready for a few itchies the week following. - Ticks. The big winner of a warming ecosystem, they are out and about more now. In the fall, Lyme disease carry Deer ticks are unlikely to trouble you. Lone Star ticks are less abundant and easier to spot - they still pose a threat (Alpha-gal syndrome). Generally, if you've been in the woods, perform a tick check after. Or grab a partner, a magnifying glass, and a bottle of wine - and help each other out. - The Ocean. September has the warmest ocean temps all year, should be a balmy 58-60. That's still cold. The tides in Maine are large swings, amplified by the submerged mountainous terrain (think about sloshing water in a bathtub). The tidal current is strong and poses potential danger to even strong swimmers. If you're going into the open ocean, be aware of what the tide will be. - The Tidal River on Small Point Beach. Specific to the small point beach (referred to as little beach and big beach). There is a tidal river that as the name suggests, changes with the tides. The river changes from weak and walkable to very strong and only swimmable at different times. You'll be able to see or feel the current - just be aware the river and beach will change with every tide. Find tide charts at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions

Question

Activities and insider tips

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We're going to assume you can cover the generally accessible info (e.g. bicycles are a nice asset). The interactive map of the area includes many items in these categories. The following is meant to be an addition to the map. Tennis courts - Are located on Club road and at the Summer School. Open provided the court is open. The courts are clay (very rare!), so only should be played on when dry. And sweep the court when you're done playing. Water Craft - Small Point is a great place for water craft. Equal opportunities for kayaks, surf/boogie boards, canoes, life rafts, wooden planks, etc. Feel very welcome to bring and use, just don't leave them in the way of other beach goers or the tide. General practice is to drag them up into the woods bordering the beach. Small Point Harbor - Folks are very welcome to use the community dock (Sprague road/Small point harbor). It's also a neat place to check out from the land. Folks are not welcome to use open moorings unless previously authorized (we can facilitate this conversation for you). If you do boat around the harbor or anywhere off the point, there were scores of ship wrecks along the Maine coast back wooden boat days for a reason. Make sure you know what you're doing. Sebasco - Is a resort type thing, with fun attractions for daytime visitors in a beautiful setting. Restaurants, libations, ice cream, a dock, golf course, bingo on some nights, candlepin bowling (I think they still do that?). Local Seafood - If you drive down the main road, there usually are signs between Bath and Small Point for those who like to live off the fat of the sea. Two places that are very good bets for lobstahs and seafood, plus cool to check out are North Cove Lobster and Small Point Fisheries in West Point, and the store on Hermit's Island. Check the map for more details.