MaineBusiness.com

If you have ever dreamed about spending the night at a remote island lighthouse, your dreams are about to come true. After eight long years of restoration work, the volunteers at the historic Little River Lighthouse, on Little River Island, in Cutler, Maine, beginning July 21, are making the lighthouse available for overnight guests for the first time in history.

"You will get a million dollar view and the chance to spend the night in an historic light-station and relive the history of yesteryear," says Hal Biering, co-chairman of the Friends of Little River Lighthouse, which cares for the historic property as a chapter of the Maine based American Lighthouse Foundation.

From the grounds of the 15-acre wooded island lighthouse station, which overlooks the Bay of Fundy, you can see Cutler's rocky Bold Coast in one direction, Grand Manan Island in another, and in the distance, on clear days, Machias Seal Island Lighthouse.

The keeper's house at Little River has all the amenities of home, except television. However it's not a fancy B & B. You will need to bring your own linens, towels, food and beverages and share the kitchen and bathrooms with other guests.

Some of the volunteers who have worked on the lighthouse have spent the night and they have all commented on the peaceful feeling of watching the light revolve at night, the bright sky and pounding surf. Although the foghorn never stops, most have said that the sound of the foghorn is soothing, and puts them to sleep. Others have said that after a while, you become so accustomed to the foghorn, you don't even hear it.

Since this is the first year the group is offering overnight stays at the lighthouse station, which dates back to 1847, the rates are pretty reasonable, at only $75.00 per night, double occupancy. "Next year the rates will go up," says Biering, "this year we will be working out the kinks. So you might say, that this year's guests are our teachers."

Because of the dramatic tides in the area, arrival and departure will take place from mid to high tide; at low tide you cannot get on or off the island. The Friends are providing free boat transportation back and forth. They do have some rules; no smoking, no pets and no campfires, but those types of rules are to be expected on a remote island.

Tim Harrison, co-chair of the group, says money raised from the overnight stays will help pay for the ongoing care of the lighthouse station. Naturally, you can't just drop in unannounced, reservations and payment in advance is required, which can be made by calling 207-259-3833. You can also visit their web site at www.LittleRiverLight.org.