If you long to feel the wind in your hair, and to fill your lungs with bracing sea air without leaving dry land, I have just the place for you: Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s Pott’s Point Preserve. To my mind’s eye, this “pocket preserve” has just about everything you could want if you love Harpswell for its stunning coastal scenery.

Follow Route 123 south along the spine of Harpswell Neck to the very end and park safely on the side of the road. Do not block the pier or access to the town landing at the end of the road. A short walk on the private Pott’s Point Road takes you through a pretty neighborhood of cottages to a short tunnel of vegetation. You’ll emerge on the two-acre preserve.

Potts Point Preserve (Curt Chipman photo)

The Preserve is best enjoyed at low tide so you can explore the extensive tide pools. In summer, you can break out the beach towels and work on your tan here. In the absence of waves, you can carefully make your way over the rollicking rock formations, exploring tidal pools for marine treasures.

Standing at the southern tip, you can enjoy an unparalleled view of a number of islands that make Casco Bay so special. Follow the compass points around from the northeast and petite Pinkham Island, then across Harpswell Sound to the east is Bailey Island. Haskell Island looms directly to the south, with Eagle Island in the distance. Then turn to the west to see postage stamp-sized Thrumcap Island, then further to Horse and Little Birch Islands. To the northwest stretches lovely Pott’s Harbor, offering shelter for fishing and recreational boats when the winds get up on open water.

This pretty spot was once owned by the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Portland. Residents of Pott’s Point donated funds to HHLT to acquire the land in 2000. The Preserve ensures permanent public access.

If you are looking for solitude, you can find it here. Sit down with a good book, or work on your latest sketch or painting. I have yet to visit Pott’s Point when I didn’t see a wide variety of wildlife on all sides. At low tide, exposed shellfish offer a meal to gulls and eiders. Shorebirds work the beach and tidal areas. If you are lucky, harbor seals or even dolphins may catch your eye. You cannot spend time here without feeling connected to the water that defines our beautiful community.

If you have yet to visit this tiny Preserve, please take a friend and enjoy this unique place. Your trip to Pott’s Point may not give you an aerobic workout, but your time there will surely leave you refreshed.