|
Frequently Asked Questions Q – How would we bring everything we need to the
island? A – There
is a private (passenger only) ferry service that will handle your
transportation to the island. There is long-term parking at the ferry
terminal in Rockland near where the ferry departs. The ferry can accommodate
6 passengers &100 lbs of luggage per person at no additional charge.
Extra freight & Bikes are extra. Dogs are free. For more info, please click: "MATINICUS EXCURSIONS" FERRY Q – The cost in getting to the island seems a bit
“pricey” to me … why is that? A – You need to realize that Matinicus Island is not
your typical “tourist destination”, so it is not regularly serviced
by commercialized ferry services. A trip to Matinicus Island involves
a 22-mile journey across beautiful Penobscot
Bay & is definitely an exciting,
adventurous part of your vacation experience. Q – Are there carts available for transporting
luggage to the cottage? A – No,
it is suggested that you bring 1 or 2 fold-up luggage carts for
bringing your supplies to & from the ferry. There is a TAXI service available if you need it. The distance from
the island’s pier to the cottage is only about 100 yards, but you
should have a good-sized load including food & clothing for a
week (or 2), etc. Q - What kind of emergency medical service would be
available? A – There
is an AIRSTRIP on Matinicus than can be used for transporting
medical emergencies to the mainland HOSPITAL in Rockport. (via helicopter “medi-vac” or
airplane). The ferry that you use runs 7 days a week (especially in the
summer) if the medical need for medical transportation is less of an
emergency. Matinicus Island is a township with a board of assessors, etc
… there are many residents available for any type of assistance. Q - Would someone be on call in the event of a
medical emergency? A - There is always at
least one EMT resident on Matinicus that is always “on call”. Q - How would we get to the hospital on the
mainland if necessary? A -
“911” is a functional emergency number at our cottage and serves to alert
local residents of your emergency so that they can take appropriate actions.. Q - What about less serious medical care, say if
one of our children starts running a fever? A - The boats or planes can also be used to transport medicine from the mainland, but it is suggested that you prepare for a possible child’s fever by bring some children’s fever reducing medicine to save you time & money. There is also a first aid kit available at the cottage. Q - Are the beaches swim-able and child-friendly? A – Yes,
the beaches are very swim-able & child-friendly. The beaches are composed
of fine white sand and there are also several children that live year-round
on the island. Matinicus Island natives are well known for their friendly and
easygoing demeanor.
Q - How cold is the water? A - The
water is cold, but it is about 5 degrees (or so) warmer than the mainland due
to the warm offshore water currents coming up from the Gulf of Mexico ...
similar to those found on the east side of Cape Cod Q - How far of a walk are the beaches? A –
There is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach about a 7-minute walk from the
cottage. A larger crescent-shaped beach is a 20-minute walk (or a 10-minute
bike ride) and features gorgeous views of another nearby island, “Criehaven”
... or “Bennett’s Island” for you Elisabeth Ogilvie fans. Q - What is available in terms of food on the island … besides
lobster and baked goods? A - There
are no other sources of food on the island, except for the occasional
church supper, and lunch at the “Farmer’s Market” on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Wild
strawberries and raspberries are plentiful.
Q - Should we shop for the whole week (or 2) on the
mainland? A – Yes,
you should pack enough perishables and dry goods to last the week(s), besides
what you think you will be eating in the way of lobster, cakes, pies, etc
from local sources. Extra provisions, (including beer & wine) can also be
flown in at a reasonable cost (~$8 extra for about ~3 bags of groceries) from
the mainland grocery store using the Post Office FAX machine not far from the
cottage Q - What about drinking water? A - The
water at the cottage is drinkable and perfectly safe, but it does have a
light brown tinge & taste due to its high iron content. We filter it at
the source and again at the kitchen tap to reduce this, but you may want to
bring some extra jugs of fresh water with you, if that is your preference. Q - We like to play musical instruments and we'd love to bring our instruments on vacation ... and they are not very loud. Do you think we would disturb anyone? A - This as a problem at all. In fact, music would be
welcomed & probably encouraged to be the live entertainment at the nightly bonfires at the beach, etc. Q - How close are other houses to the rental? A - There is a cottage
about 50 yards away, but it is not always occupied and it is screened by
trees. The next nearest cottage is over 100 yards away (& out of site) Q – I have heard that cottages for rent on
Matinicus, and on other Maine islands, are “camp” style and may require the
use of “out houses”, or "incinerating toilets". Is this the case
with your cottage and will it be suitable for those used to more
“comfortable” accommodations? A – Our cottage is a fully
furnished “Summer House”, not a “Summer Camp”. The interior has been fully
finished complete with insulated sheet-rocked walls and all the modern
conveniences … including a fully plumbed bathroom with a flush toilet,
full tub, and shower. |
