Back to Ogunquit!

The ride to Maine was much easier this year with stop-overs in Savannah, and Rehoboth Beach, DE. Nevertheless, it's good to be home and out of the car.....It's good to be back home in Maine!

With morning lows of 30 degrees ( -1c) and afternoon highs of 50 degrees (10c) , you know it's April in Maine. Like other migratory birds, we have returned to our beloved little town-by-the-sea, Ogunquit Maine! Our endless summer is stalled, while we have a brief visit of Spring ( a Maine Spring, that is!).

Beautiful crisp days with bluer than blue skies, wild ocean waves and a dawn chorus of cackling birds! It's great to be home!  The sign is up to welcome guests to our 17th year as the owner/innkeepers of Ogunquit Beach Inn!

Michael has made the first batch of our famous Blueberry muffins for our guests this weekend!

If you are thinking of coming up, give us a shout at 1.207.646.1112 or email us at: ogunquitmaine@gmail.com . www.ogunquitbeachinn.com


Panoramic view of King Suite, a two room suite that sleeps two.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Squares.

Eating Gluten Free can be a challenge. I really enjoy power bars or snack bars.  However, the Gluten Free power bars that are sold at most stores are lacking flavor and substance. So I asked Michael to come up with a culinary solution. Mike's solution is  a tasty recipe that can be enjoyed as a breakfast item or as an energy bar anytime of the day. We occasionally add this item to our continental breakfast at Ogunquit Beach Inn.

Ingredients:
4 - 5 Banana's mashed
3/4 Cup of Sugar
1/2 Stick of unsalted Butter
1   Egg
1.5 cups of Gluten Free Flour (we use Bob's Red Mills)
2  Teaspoons of Xanthan Gum
1  Teaspoon Baking Soda
1  Teaspoon Salt
1  Cup of certified Gluten Free Oats (Bob's Red Mills brand)
1 Cup of shredded coconut
1/4 cup of Craisins
1.5 cups of GF Chocolate Chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes (check with toothpick).

We use a 10" x 13" inch greased pan.

In a large bowl, mash bananas. Add sugar, egg, melted butter and mix. Mix the dry ingredients (GF flour, xanthan, baking soda, salt). Add oats, coconut, chocolate chips, and craisins (dried crannberries). Scoop into 10" x 13" inch pan.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes (when toothpick comes out dry). Let cool. Cut into squares and enjoy! These energy bars are chewey and packed with energy!

Aerial Veiw of Ogunquit

Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.

                                                                                     -Charles Lindbergh

Aerial photographs of Ogunquit have been a favorite subject for photographers since the first airplanes flew over this small spit of land on the Atlantic. The above photo was taken by Ogunquit's Craig Capone. Capone is a member of Ogunquit's Planning board and had the opportunity to fly over Ogunquit and take some interesting aerial shots. Some of these photos will be used to determine land use.

The above shot is an aerial of:  Mt Agamenticus, Cape Neddick, Ogunquit and the Berwicks. Southern Maine is unique because this is where southern and northern forests meet. It is the most biologically diverse area in Maine. Notice how the forest converges on rivers, and estuaries and the Atlantic.

This photo is East Village of Ogunquit. Ogunquit Beach Inn is located on School Street. School Street is the centre street in the photograph ( notice the red school). The next photo shows the barrier island, Ogunquit  village, and the forest which stretches to the New Hampshire mountains.

Perkins Cove is quite unique. The sheltered cove protects fishing and lobster boats. On the headland side of Perkins Cove the waves are dramatic against the craggy coast.

In May of 1938, the first air mail plane landed on Ogunquit beach. The vintage photo below shows the police chief Cecil Perkins, with the Postmaster, Byron Adams. There was a celebration that day on Ogunquit beach, and children had the day off from school to see the event.
Charles Lindbergh first sited Ogunquit on his transatlantic voyage from New York to Paris in 1927.

Open for the Season!

The new entry way signals the opening of Ogunquit Beach Inn. This is our 14th season and we are open for the season.

We decided to have a new craftsman styled door installed. The door is solid mahogany, and features beveled glass.  Jerry Dehart of Coastal General Construction installed and finished the new door. The new entry way is perfect example of craftsman design, which is in concert with the spirit of the house.
The vacancy sign is up. The rooms are ready, and banana bread is in the oven! here we go year 14.....

Marginal Way Redux

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Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce claims "Ogunquit is New England's most walkable resort".  Ogunquit offers three great walking venues: village, beach and Marginal Way.
The Marginal Way is an old Indian trail the meanders from the village centre and hugs the rocky coast to picturesque Perkins Cove. The Marginal Way starts at Shore Road after the Sparhawk Hotel. From the inn, walk to the end of School Street on to Shore Road, and the entrance is just a few feet to the east.
Winter is a great time to hike the Marginal Way. A stroll on the Marginal Way is "must do" while visiting Ogunquit, and an added benefit to partake in the winter! Gone are the throngs of tourists.  During winter the Marginal Way is quiet and serene with beautiful views.

Today, Mike noticed a seal sun bathing on the rocky coast. (notice at the bottom of the picture). During winter seals will periodically luxuriate on the smooth rocks and nap during the winter's day.

The views from Marginal Way are amazing: the long immaculate stretch of sand known as Ogunquit beach to the north; to the south the rocky fragmented coast with small quiet beaches and tidal pools.

The Marginal Way is approximately 1 1/4 mile each way. At the end of the Marginal Way sits Perkins Cove. Perkins Cove is a harbor for lobsterman and fisherman. Boats sit safely in the cove against the headwinds of the Atlantic. The "Cove" features a unique wooden pedestrian drawbridge; harbormaster's shack, fine dining, artist's galleries and shops. During the winter, just a few restaurants are open ( Jackies Too, and MC Perkins). The Cove is a working harbor with lobstermen and fishermen bringing in their catch of the day!

Glacier movements from the last ice age created  the cliff formations along the Marginal Way. The rocky cliffs and rocks jutts out to the Atlantic surf. During winter the air is freash with seasalt. A walk during winter on the Marginal Way is good for the body and the soul. There is always something to see, smell and taste!

Soon the town will awake from its winters nap, snow birds will migrate back, tour buses will truck though the narrow roads, and presidents will be dining at Barnacle Billy's for lunch.

Winter in Ogunquit......2010

Even though I spend winters away (Florida, Costa Rica, south America), I have spent many winters in Ogunquit.  There were many winters that we've kept this craftsman style B&B  open.

There is a quiet beauty with the fresh snowfall.  The air is crisp, and clean. The sky is bluest of blue. Flocks of birds compete with squirrels for food. The tourists are few, and so are the residents. Winter is a time to take stock, reflect, and work on some inside projects. Its also the time go away to warmer environs and recharge for the upcoming season!

My partner, Michael went back to Ogunquit  this week to do some projects in the house. This picture of the front of the house is from today's snowstorm. Typically we get snow in February. This year the weather is quite seasonal for February: freezing at night, and hovering above freezing during the day.



The ocean reflects with the winter sky a kaleidoscope of colors at sunrise and again at sunset. Even during a cold wintry day, the sky is a deep blue.

School Street  toward Shore Road.  To the right the magnificent Marginal Way, to the left the beach. On that thought, I will stay right here in Fort Lauderdale until the snow melts......Soon it will be April, and like many of the migratory birds I will return, and Ogunquit Beach Inn will reopen!

The Marginal Way before the yesterday's storm.......

Its now its time for Mike to relax next to the wood pellet stove for the evening, and watch the sun melt into the snow...

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies,....OBI style.

One of my earliest memories of fall was the smell of my mother baking cookies. Summer we had peanutbutter cookies,  oatmeal  cookies in the fall, and  sugar cookies around christmas time.
Every Saturday from May to the end of October, I make cookies for guests. Over the years, I have developed this recipe. Hope you like it:

2  sticks of unsalted butter
1  cup of brown sugar, packed
1  cup of white sugar
2  eggs
3  teaspoons of vanilla
3  cups of sifted flour
2.5 Cups of quick oatmeal
2 Tablespoons of peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 Cups of choclate semi-sweet morsels


optional: 1 teaspoon cinanmon,  M and M's

Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add sifted flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda and mix well. Add oats and mix. Add chocolate morsels and blend. Drop by tablespoon on cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes ~ and then enjoy!

Baked on 10/03/2009

Staying Green in a Craftsman B&B

Ogunquit Beach Inn is a four square 1926 craftsman Bed & Breakfast. Mike & Greg bought the Inn in 1997, and there were many challenges with updating and re-modelling. All the windows were replaced with eco-friendly double pane, windows that allow natural light and keep out ultra violet rays.
The yellow plastic siding was replaced with wood clapboard and a eco-friendly stain was used.

Many rooms have the original hardwood floors that were restored with period oriental rugs.

Lighting was replaced with energy effecient lightbulbs. We also participate in the "Clynk" recycle program. This past winter, we traded the Jeep SUV, and got a Subaru Forester. I think the Subaru just makes more sense!

Ogunquit Beach Inn, a 1926 craftsman B&B located in the village centre in Ogunquit Maine.

This blog contains random thoughts, ideas, happenings and things to do in Ogunquit village!