Migis Lodge Midas Touch

View of Sebago Lake, about 8:30 p.m. 

Photo of chair, Dan Hurley.

After our delicious dinner.

One more.

H. and I went to bed about midnight and woke up at 6 so we could hit the road early for Maine. We left, with Punch and Sug in tow, at 7:29 a.m. No pets allowed at Migis Lodge, so we dropped the fur ball at Clover Acres Kennel in Windham and got to the lodge by 3:15.

Migis [pronounced my-giss with a hard "g"] Lodge is 100 years old. I would love to come every year! But the cost per person per night is hundreds of dollars. I would still consider it if we could. Three meals a day included; for tomorrow's lunch, we all take a boat out to an island for a cookout. And I've never been to a place with "camp" and programs for kids included in the price. Around dinner time, you see couples strolling to the dining room in nice clothes....the kids can go to the "Zoo Program" for free. You drop them off at 5:55 p.m. for dinner and dessert on the dining room deck, and then they have play time indoors and out with counselors. Pickup time is 9 p.m. So H. and I were able to take a leisurely swim in the lake and savor a five-course dinner, then sit on the porch and watch the sun set. Punchy, for her part, loved it.

Sparkling sunset rubies:

• Dinner in the dining room. I chose Maine lobster, already eased out of the shell [so I wouldn't have to wear a bib] with drawn butter; a fluffy baked potato with sour cream and chives; and green beans amandine. A definitive yum. The chocolate cake earns applause.
• Cottage decor. Mission lighting, wood paneling, handmade quilts, gorgeous new bathroom with a deep tub for bubble baths, and buttermilk & shea butter soap from Greenwich Bay Trading Co., beautifully wrapped in yellow and blue toile paper. I generally don't care about keeping hotel soaps, but this tiny treasure is my souvenir for sure.
• Excellent taste. People retire to the porch after dinner to watch the sun go down. H. ordered a Maker's Mark, which will be charged to our cottage [no credit cards taken, pay by check or cash only]. A huge cheese tray was set out for everyone to savor. Incredible riches.
• That lake. So refreshing after that hot, sticky car ride with no working A.C. So beautiful. There are kayaks for your use, and you can learn to waterski, too.
• The friends. Within minutes of arriving on the property, Punchy spotted a handful of camp kids and two counselors and said she wanted to be friends with a girl she saw. By 5:30, that nice girl and another girl [one who has been coming here 8 years, one who has been coming for 10] were at our screen door, looking for Punch. Out she zipped. 

I love it here. Time to rest. Good night, sweet dreams.

Old-fashioned tradition. Today's arrivals, posted in lobby.
We are seventh on the list.