Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-07-18
WV by THE SEA.


In these midsummer days, when heated air
and scorching sun make us inland valley
jewellers long for the breezy heights of the
mountains, or for the celebrating smell and
touch of the salt sea waves we are irresistibly
reminded of n few notes about delightful
spot down on the Maine coast, where a few
Bnttleboro people, and we among them,
have at one time or another found comfort,
unalloyed enjoyment and renewed life and
strength, during n summers brief vacation.
We refer to the place known as Ocean Bluff"
at Kennebunkport, Me-, and just ut the mouth
of the Kennebunk river.
Could we go infinitely into the history of
this resort and its outlying country, it would
take us back, even in comparatively recent
years, to a time when the town of Kennebunk,
few miles up the river, was one of the lead
ing ship-buildng places in the United States,
and the seat of large and thriving trade with
the West Indies, while what is now known rs
Ocean Bluff" was covered with the best of
ship-building timber Gradually, however,
the change in the course of trade caused the
business of Kennebunk to decline, the town
settled down into state of elegant and sub
stantial responsibility, and the building
interest removed down the river to Kenne-
bunkport neat and thriving village one mile
from the mouth of the river an d itself pop
ular and attractive place of summer resort.
10 us, however, there is no place like the
bluff, which, as we have said, lies at the
mouth of the river and has the whole broad
ocean on the southwark and miles of green
and rolling country inland aud on either hand
Tor room few years ago n company of
boston and Kennebunkport gentlemen dscov-
cred the great natural advantages possessed by
this place, and soon after bought up the whole
tract of country along the coast, the property
now owned by them having water front of
upward of five miles, and covering between
SIX and seven hundred acres of land. I'M
provements were Immediately begun. and a
fine hotel, with all neodful accessory buildings,
was erected on high land within a stones
throw of the rivers mouth. The hope Of the
gentlemen owning the property was to see it
gradually grow up into Il city of cottages by
the sea, such as its location admirably fits it
for, and to this end some 2lO acres on the
east or hotel side" of the river were carefully
streets and avenues. The panic and hard
times soon followed, however, and in conse-
| quence but few cottages have been built, al
though the Bluff has constantly grown in
favor with large class of people to whom a
summers vacation means rest, quiet and real
refreshment.
The great attraction of the place is in the
remarkable variety of scene, entertainment
and amusement which it affords. On the east
ern side of the river one may wander for miles
along shore wonderfully diversified with
pebbly beaches covcs and rocky points, and
catch at every step some new unfolding of the
beauty and grandeur of the broad ocean
which lies spread out before him, while, with
world of natures own freedom around him.
he feels the cool salt breezes filling him with
fresh life in every fibre. From some of the
more elevated points in this long ramble, the
ocean view is Of almost unparalleled magnif-
cence, while natural curiosities by the way
like the ''spouting rock" and blowing cave, g"
| give point and a centre of interest TO a half
days stroll
On the west side of the river the country is
less rolling and the shore hardly so diversified,
but here is the long beach which affords un-
rivalled opportunity for safe and delightful
surf bathing. For full mile this splendid
beach stretches away, ten or twelve rods wide
at low tide, sloping gradually down to the wa
ter, smooth and hard as a floor, and entirely
free from rocks, pebbles and rubbish. Be
You'd this beach, again, one may wander for
still other miles in a search for sea-anemones,
| caa atar oh nj
wonders of the sea.
Sailing, boating and fishing facilities are
ample-on the broad ocean for those who pre-
fer it, and on the river for those who like still
water and less excitement In every direc-
ton are woodland and country roads, where
one may walk or drive at his own sweet will 4;
and everywhere and all around are messy
rocks and the greenest and softest of green
grass, with wild flowers and berries in variety.
For halliday or days excursion, one may
row up the river for a distance of seven or
eight miles, with new delights opening at
every turn in its winding course. During a
week, fortnight or a month, there is always
some new thing to do; and, when the whole
programme of quiet amusement and recrea-
ton has been gone over with, the visitor turns
back to the beginning with unalloyed zest and
pl assure.
From the broad hotel piazzas the White
Mountains are seen in the far and dreamy
distance, while near by are Mount Agamenti-
Gus the famous York hubble" and other
lesser heights seven miles across the water
is Wells beach, with its hotels and other
buildings plainly defined little TO the east
is Boon island, whence at night come the
glnting and shimmering rays from its light,
house tower across the ten miles of watery
distance and here on the piazzas the visitor
sits for hours as the day wanes, and watches
with a lazy delight the varying aspect of cloud
and SUM- the stir of the wholesome life about
him, the white sails of the fishing boats, oil
lr track of the schools of menhaden, as they
make the surface of the water boil" some
tim, sfor space acres in extent, and theI
disappear as suddenly as they came.
We have not intended to picture an earthly
paradise-and Just here let us say that he who
goes to Ocean Bluff expecting to see thai
phase of seaside life which delights him a
any of the thronged and populous resorts
like the Vineyard, Newport, the New Hamp
shire beaches or Old Orchard, will meet will
disappointment. In the season, the Bluff il
by no means lonely or destitute of bright ant
animated life the large hotel is filed will
gay and well-dressed guests, and the cottage
are occupied, But the place is mainly sough
by quiet, intelligent people who desire res
and genuine recreation, rather than excite
ment and fashionable display. The pictur,
of the Bluff which presents itself to our mind
and which we desire to convey to our readers
is simply that of roomy, airy, seaside re
treat where a ooast-line wonderfully diversi
fled with sand, pebble and rock beaches, broa'
green fields, an open, rolling country will
wooded slopes, and winding, picturesque
river, give scope for very unusual variety o