After the guests went home and Christmas decorations were put away, the Maine Stay Inn got a fresh heaping of snow – pretty typical for Maine in January. We just couldn’t resist 
going outside to play. As you probably know, the coastline is constantly changing and the ocean’s color during and after a big winter storm is dark and brooding, its incredible power fully evident. A trip to the beach was in order! Instead of heading to our favorite winter escape, Parson’s beach, we decided to check out unfamiliar territory in Wells, the Laudholm Trust.
It was a snowy morning, and upon driving into the parking lot, we found one lonely car sitting there. A few deep footprints disappeared into the woods, so we followed, on our way to Laudholm Beach. A good trek, knee deep in powder, through snow covered thickets and past an icy salt marsh, led us to the sea. I can’t say beach, because there was nothing left! 
The surf was so high it crashed over the steps leading down to what would have been a spectacular stretch of shoreline. Instead, we watched the icy water crash over sea walls and into small mountains of rock, and, when the wind left us chilled to the core, turned inland to explore untrodden paths leading to overlooks of the coastal marshland. On our walk we encountered only one gentleman, clearly a comic artist, leaving snow sculptures for others to enjoy.
As we trudged through the thick powder, we read about the watershed, native wildlife and invasive species. The unspoiled snow provided a glorious canvas for animal tracks, little and big alike. While we didn’t catch a glimpse of any moose, their tracks were fully evident. Desperate for a sighting in Maine? Head to Laudholm for the best chances of a wild glimpse.
Laudholm Trust was formed in 1982 to protect historic Laudholm farm, settled in 1642. This property was occupied by only 4 families in the ensuing centuries, and in the 1960s 199 acres were sold to the Maine Department of Conservation. Later, to prevent the remaining land’s sale to developers, neighbors joined together to protect the area. Eventually the trustees joined with the state of Maine, the owners of Laudholm Beach, to get National protection for the estuaries and marshes, and the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve was born.
The day was nothing short of spectacular, as were the land and the views. We are so privileged that these 1600 acres have been preserved for wildlife – and for our enjoyment. Make sure not to miss a visit to Laudholm Trust, less than 5 miles from the Maine Stay Inn, your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn.
