A second cabin, called Bayview because its picture window and sliding glass doors give an expansive view of the water and islands of Casco Bay, has been rented by several people. One person renting the cabin was McKinnon, who comes down to Freeport because he likes the area. The wooden cabin would not be everyone's idea of luxury. In the summer, its gas stove is operational and water runs from the tap in the kitchen sink. But the gas and the water are turned off in the winter, and there's only a small wood stove for heat.
Visitors bring portable camp stoves to cook, or use an outdoor pit.
They bring their own wood, hiking it in themselves if they can't get their vehicles over the road into the campground, which usually doesn't get plowed. Visitors have to carry in water, too, and carry out their trash. But McKinnon said it's all worth it, to be able to stay inexpensively near a beautiful bay, getting in touch with nature. I guess it's just a nice getaway. We'll be having a live moderated discussion with the governor at 4 p.m. on Sept. 12.