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VERY BRIEF WRITE-UPS: THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO!

THE FAMED DOWNEAST COASTLINE IS BUT AN HOUR AWAY: Along the rocky coast, we can direct you to a delicious oceanside lobster meal, whale watches, schooner trips, lighthouses and scenic harbors. These day-trips give you the restful tranquility of the central Maine lakes, yet with easy access to spectacular Acadia National Park (two scenic hours from our door), and many other coastal locations. The "quiet" of our rural location, makes us a peaceful place to stay while exploring the more populated, and oftentimes, busy coastline.

5 STAR BELGRADE LAKES GOLF CLUB: Just down the West Road is, what many rank as, "New England's finest public golf course." With spectacular views overlooking the lakes, the fabulous "Clive Clark" course design, and some of the most professional course maintenance in the business, it's no wonder so many golfers flock here. And then we seem to see them again, and again. Glacial rocks, scenic overlooks and remarkable landscape, make a visit to the club fun for even those of us who don't know the woods from the irons.
For a recent article about the club, please select here.

US POSTAL MAILBOAT: Captain Norm provides guests with tall tales (all true of course) of the lakes region, while delivering letters to dockside mailboxes. With scenic Great Pond as the backdrop, dogs and children on the docks, in the water and along the shorelines, this experience represents the last remaining lake mailboat in the United States. We will be glad to make reservations for you in advance as seating is limited. Lots of fun!

KENNEBEC HIGHLANDS: HIKING, BIKING, AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: 20 miles of trails for undisturbed enjoyment of beautiful central Maine. There are five undeveloped ponds, one which is known for trout fishing. Select here for an article on this scenic land preserve.

EVENTS: With a penchant for cultural, natural and historic activities, we keep our "ear to the ground" when it comes to special events, summer garden tours, white water rafting, kayaking, summer stock stage performances featuring Broadway stars, bluegrass music festivals, mountain biking races, and wildlife occurrences (such as the nearby nesting of the Black Terns during July).

Always memorable, The Common Ground Fair, is presented by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (of which we are a member). In 2008, the fair takes place September 19, 20, and 21. What a remarkable event this is each year. We highly recommend this event. Find out more at: www.mofga.org

There are 25 other fun agricultural fairs in Maine. From July through early October, there is a fair operating, almost every day. Please select here to find information about each. Fairs.

We are near to the Maine International Film Festival, Fort Western Museum (the oldest wooden fort in the United States), and the Maine State Museum which is rated the most interesting one in the United States.

MUSIC AND ART AND THEATRE AND FILM AND HISTORY: There are far too many daily and special activities to describe here. Please just let us know when you plan to visit, and we'll send you a list of special events.

Here are a few examples:

The Maine State Music Theater, Lakewood Theater (the oldest summer stock theater in the United States), and Monmouth Theater each offer a fun and entertainlng selection of shows and events all summer long.

If you enjoy music, Colby College hosts many special musicians and groups year-round. In summer, there are wonderful free outdoor student and instructor concerts at the nearby New England Music Camp.

When the famed Gawler Family (each one more musically talented that the next) pulls out their fiddles and banjoes, everyone finds a place to sit down to listen. What fun! They perform in posh halls as well as local hayfields.

The Blistered Fingers Music Festival takes place twice each summer. This outdoor entertainment runs for a couple of days. You will likely remember it for a long time. We will be glad to loan you some folding chairs.

The Maine International Film Festival attracts filmakers from around the world each July. We can help you purchase a pass to events. Even when the festival is past, the Railroad Square Cinema offers quality international and locally-created films

HISTORIC AND CREATIVE HALLOWELL: The Kennebec River was once the trading route into the lakes region. The ocean tides turned at Cushnoc in Hallowell. The original Farmer's Almanac was published in what was then the tallest building north of Boston. Evidence of shipping and textile manufacturing remain. Off Water Street many examples of fine 19th century architecture are fun to view. There is even a tiny "Doctor's Office" as well as an early hotel, an 1840 row house and an old cotton factory. The Governor Joseph R. Boswell House built in 1875, may have been remarkable inspiration for "The Addams Family" house (for those of us old enough to remember).

"A Midwifte's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard Based on Her Diary 1785 – 1812," is a Pulitzer Prize winning account of life in Hallowell, Belgrade, Sidney and Augusta. Vividly descriptive of the travails and joys of life along the Kennebec River, locations from Martha's record, can be visited and enjoyed. Most do not relate to Martha, but rather to the wealthy men and families whom she served. We have a diagram with locations marked which you may visit. We wonder if perhaps Martha birthed any of the Yeaton children who were born from 1794 to 1803, as Martha delivered 60% of the babies during some years, a known total of 813 known deliveries during the time of her diary. This incredible account has also been made into a PBS special.

When you visit, be sure to "look up" to enjoy the numerous Eagles. Often easy to spot, they sail and soar windborne over the wide Kennebec River. With its merchant homes, Hallowell is an antique-shopper's dream with one of the most amazing lantern shops we've ever seen. This quaint village is a favorite close destination for our guests due to the fascinating historic architecture and the charming shops on Water Street along the old brick and granite sidewalk.

ARCHITECTURE: If you are interested in historic architecture including homes, barns, farms, lighthouses, schools and old villages in Maine, we can provide you with a self-guided driving tour. We also offer a self-guided driving tour of architecture in Hallowell.

ANTIQUES: We love antiques. We will gladly share our tips for the best places to search for them. You may notice more than a few of them here at the Inn. With such rich history of shipping nearby, local familes, even more than a century ago, were able to acquire quality cultural and functional artifacts and furniture from Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

We get a particular enjoyment as we live with hand-crafted, locally made practical furniture and items. Likely made during the winter months, these one-of-a-kind mostly wooden items, embody a quality of care which is heartwarming.

YEAR ROUND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: During the white season, cross-country skiing, ice skating, showshoeing, snowmobiling and ice fishing are very popular and very close. Photographers and artists take advantage of the ever-changing light and reflections. For many, winter is one of the best "creative times."

Personally, I just love to view the Northern Lights during those "white season nights" when they are visible. With no major lights or villages nearby, the rich darkness over the Inn makes the famed Northern Lights vividly viewable right here in the dooryard. The scale of this natural event tends to make one feel "awestruck." Even if you are not here during the cloudless winter nights, at any time of year, when the weather is clear, the vividness of the stars and planets, can be breathtaking. During daylight hours, the panorama above us and the atmospheric conditions, produce ever-changing environmental delights.

TRAVEL NORTH THROUGH TIME AND HISTORY: Not too distant from here, the Kennebec-Chaudiere Corridor to our north, leads directly to Canada through one of the most historic and scenic roads in the United States. This road, northbound, was passage for an estimated half a million slaves as they traveled about 150 years ago. Traveling south during the same time, were an estimated 2 million European Immigrants. The drive through the remote mountains to Quebec City, is about four hours long.

The Underground Railroad ran through Belgrade. Evidence points to two local farmhouses, and possibly to our Inn.

EVEN MORE EARLY HISTORY: The Yeaton Farm Inn is proud to be a lodging partner to Fort Western Museum, circa 1754, which is the oldest remaining wooden fort in the United States. Built downstream in pieces and rafted northward so as to avoid attacks from the locals, the stories surrounding this wonderfully informative museum, make a tour fun and enlightening. Also, the famed "Dead River," traveled by Benedict Arnold and his men, is a reasonable drive from our door.

SHAKER VILLAGE: Open during certain times for visits, the last remaining Shakers live their traditional lifestyle in Gray, Maine. Known for their quality craftsmanship and dedicated, loving lifestyle, songs and seeds, and even mechanical inventions (such as the circular saw which one of the women designed), the Shakers have made a large impact on our lives today. With the motto, "Hands to Work; Hearts to God," they danced and sang wildly as part of their early worship. Their property is about 45 minutes from The Yeaton Farm Inn. We will be glad to point out an original Shaker Box on display here at the Inn. It may date to 1820.

COLBY COLLEGE: This excellent college is situated on a campus which presents all the attributes of traditional New England architecture. Their reflecting pond with birds and wildlife, turns into the student ice skating rink in winter. From logging games, to the US championship Girls Crew Team, to quilting and craft shows, we often send guests to their special events. The Colby Art Museum and Galleries present some very fine visual exhibits. Our favorite group appears at Colby. The Portland String Quartet is the longest-playing group of musicians in the world today. They have exclusively played with each other all over the world for some 30 plus years. Their musicianship is remarkable. Each member seems to breathe in unison with the others. You may be lucky enough to experience one of their concerts at Colby or you may hear one of their recordings at the Inn.

SPECTACULAR AUTUMN LEAVES: What Colors We Have! The vibrant colors of autumn change daily. The West Road is a designated scenic drive which leads directly to the traditional village between the lakes. Leaf-peeping is one of the loveliest seasons, as the foliage is simply spectacular. When viewed with the sapphire blue waters of local ponds, lakes and streams, … well… those memorable views are splendid. The white clapboard historic famrs and churches, seem to take on an even whiter shine, during "Color Season."

A GREAT PLACE TO CREATE: Over the past centuries, great creatives have lived locally. Classic works of literature and film were created here in our Lakes Region. This tradition continues today.

For example:
—Academy Award-Winning "On Golden Pond" took place at a lakeside cottage on Great Pond.

—Reportedly, EB White wrote his childhood tale of a little mouse Stuart Little. "Charlotte's Web," another of his famous stories, was written about a Maine farm.

—The Pulitzer Prize winning, "A Midwife's Tale," edited by Laura Thatcher Ulrich, is the diary of a midwife who lived in Hallowell from 1777 to 1812. This remarkable account, one of the very few written by a woman's hand, details the dynamics of rural Maine life.

—Empire Falls, written by Pulitzer Prize Winner Russell Russo, was written about our region. Starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ed Harris and other talented actors, it was filmed locally during the autumn of 2003. It is now available on HBO.

—Screenwriters, writers, artists, actors and technical creatives from Hollywood/Burbank, spend time here each year.