the Loft and the Ledge

The Loft and the Ledge are two self contained units at the Soo Hoo family’s home at 12 Highland Avenue, on a granite-covered rise presenting breathtaking views of the Stonington Harbor, the Deer Island Thorofare and the Greenhead area, with its daily parade of fishing boats, windjammers and pleasure craft. We are located in an established residential area, within an easy walk to the village of Stonington and all the coastal Downeast beauty and charm that it has to offer.

The Loft is a 15' x 20' airy, open-plan studio, above the detached workshop/garage, featuring a spectacular view of the outer islands, and offering high pitched ceilings, a queen bed and a full size sleep sofa. The small bathroom has a stall shower, sink and flush. The kitchen area has a sink, small refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, coffee maker, dishes, flatware, cooking utensils and other amenities. The panoramic view is out to Isle au Haut and from Greenhead to the east end of the Stonington Harbor.

The Ledge is a 3 room efficiency apartment, at the ground level below the main house, featuring a picture window in the sitting area with a commanding view of Isle au Haut, many of the outer islands and the Deer Island Thorofare. There is a full size bed and sink/vanity on suite in each of the two small bedrooms, which share a stall shower and flush. The nicely equipped kitchen area has a full size refrigerator and electric stove, microwave, coffee maker, and all the amenities of the Loft, with the addition of a covered veranda facing the shore, and overlooking the front lawn. All rooms but the “john” have amazing harbor views.

Guests of the Loft and the Ledge share parking in the “dooryard” beside the main house. Domestic nationwide calling is free, otherwise by prepaid calling card. For us, the view is our favorite form of entertainment. We do not have DSL, cable or television in our units this year; we do have books, cards and board games available. We thank you for not smoking in or around our units.

The island of Deer Isle is in "Downeast Maine", or, coastal Maine, about 265 miles from Boston's Logan Airport. It is connected to the mainland by a suspension bridge and a causeway, and is southwest of Bar Harbor in the Penobscot Bay area. Deer Isle is approximately 12 miles long, and the island's population triples in the summer season.

To reach the island, there is bus service from Logan to Bangor International Airport (BGR), but from there you would have to rent a car, or take a cab. It is about the same distance (less 10 miles or so) from Manchester, NH, which is serviced by Southwest Airlines. The most convenient is to fly into Bangor International Airport, which is serviced by American Airlines, Northwest Airlines (by a local carrier, Mesaba), US Airways and Delta. Then, it is approximately a 2 hour drive to the island from BGR.

There is excellent local sailing, kayaking, hiking, boating, fishing, beachcombing, antiquing, sightseeing, and the like. It is a very popular destination in the summer. Buckminster Fuller developed the electric car here, and his family had a geodesic dome house in Sunset, a village on the island. There is also the Haystack School of Arts and Crafts, seasonal local art studios, galleries, forges and jewelers, farmer's markets and fine local restaurants.