Solitude of running in the morning....

I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.
                                                               - Bart Yasso

 
It's been a decade since I started running. It's something I do first thing in the morning, and almost every day no matter where I am. But there is something special about running on Ogunquit beach and the Marginal Way in the early morning.

The beach is flat and hard packed sand. The roaring ocean waves crash while seagulls forage for food. There are more birds than people on the beach at sunrise. The beach is long and cathartic. It is almost mesmerizing. People are running, walking, fishing and doing yoga.

On the other hand the Marginal Way is a bit different. The winding path has sharp turns and the scenery changes every few feet. The trees on the Marginal Way are twisted from years of whistling wind of the Atlantic The craggy cliffs make for an interesting view.

There is something special about running early in the morning in this little town of Ogunquit. The fresh salt air wakens the senses and the rising sun warms the soul. The solitude of the beach and endless sea are good for the psyche.

Special thanks to Rick Barber for capturing me on my morning run this week.

Ogunquit Fire Company Museum

Ogunquit is known for the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the Ogunquit Heritage Museum,
but there is one museum that is in plain view that people often overlook.....

The Ogunquit Fire Company Museum is located on the corner of Shore Road and Cottage Street next to the Fire Station.  This miniature museum houses an antique fire engine and other accoutrement from a bygone era.

The engine is a horse drawn steam boiler from 1883 called Little Lulu.  Little Lulu was manufactured by the Button Fire Engine Company of Waterford New York. The Engine was made for the Reading Massachusetts Fire Dept. In 1966, the steam engine was given to the Ogunquit Fire Company by retired Reading Fire Chief Hugh Ames.  Ames retired in Ogunquit and became a member of the Fire Company.

The engine was coal fired, and three horses were needed to pull the steamer. Lulu could pump 500 gallons per minute with the piston pump. The original cost of the steam engine was $500 in 1883. The estimated value is now @ $1,000,000.

Also housed at this micro museum, is a collection of firemen's hats from days gone by; a collection of trophies from fire musters that Ogunquit Fire Company has participated in, and other fire related apparatus. The museum is located in Firemen's Park next to the Fire Station.

Today's firefighters in Ogunquit are trained professionals that serve a four square mile town with up to 50,000 visitors a day. The Fire Department and Company respond to medical, rescue and fire calls. The Company also sells unique Ogunquit Fire Company Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts for $15.

Ogunquit Square in flames.

Lilacs in Ogunquit....

Spring is natures way of saying "Lets Party" - Robin Williams

The scent of the sea is always omnipresent in Ogunquit, however in the month of May,  the town is awash with the fragrant smell of lilacs! This year the lilacs have bloomed early. Lilacs usually bloom in late May around Memorial Day Weekend, this year it was early May, about three weeks earlier than normal. Lilacs are one of the first smells of spring.

There have been lilacs in Maine for over three centuries. The British introduced them to New England. They originally came from Asia via Turkey. The Lilac shrub/tree can live for over 100 years and are quite hardy. The common lilac in Maine is the purpler Syringa vulgaris.
On east side of  Ogunquit Beach Inn, a  forest of  lilac bushes stands up to 12 feet tall.  The flowers are so heavy that they hang down from the tree.

The early bloom of lilacs signals us that it is time to plant the annuals, window boxes and hanging baskets! Mike spent the morning planting and  preparing the hanging baskets.

Springtime, opening weekend.....

Springtime in Ogunquit! The beach is beautiful with pristine white sand.  The ocean is wild  and turning. A dawn chorus of chirping birds signal another day has begun! The chirping also signals us that its time to bake muffins, banana bread and other items for breakfast. This is opening weekend for Ogunquit Beach Inn.

The Weeping cherry has blossomed and birds are busy building nests at the Inn's birdhouses.

Temperature will be 70 degrees today ( 21c). Springtime is beautiful in this quaint town!

Ogunquit Beach Dunes & Dories

Ogunquit beach is basically a barrier island, and subject to incredible north Atlantic weather. Throughout history, the Ogunquit dunes have shifted and changed. The dunes on the beach are known as parabolic dunes. These cone shaped dunes or parabolic dunes are formed from northwest winds, which pushes the dunes up several meters. In the past six weeks there were three record-breaking storms. Two of these storms had hurricane like winds, which pushed and changed the geolandscape of the dunes.

There is a mix of vegetation and animals that live in the dunes. This ecosystem is essential and protects the dunes from further erosion.

There are land bridges which stretch over the dunes from the Atlantic side to the Ogunquit river estuary. Notice how the sand has taken over the land bridge. There is now a two foot drop from the bridge to the beach!

King George II recognized how sensitive the dunes were and issue a statement in 1757 banning the grazing of cattle and livestock on the Ogunquit Dunes.

The Ogunquit River, which is essentially a coastal lagoon between the mainland and the narrow ever-changing peninsula known as Ogunquit Beach.
Two Ogunquit Dories sit in the coastal lagoon. The Ogunquit Dory is a unique fishing boat that the Ogunquit fisherman would use for lobstering and trawling. These dories were designed to handle the rugged coast and the dramatic Atlantic tides.

20th Century Painter, Edward Hopper, The Dories, Ogunquit.  Edward Hopper painted in Ogunquit, and his work can be found at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

The beach is always changing. The waves bring in treasures from the sea that wash on to the shore. Various creatures comb the beach to claim prize to nature’s bounty. The air is fresh and clean, with winters breath fading away......I enjoy this beach immensely in the bright springtime!

Innkeeper/Blogger Greg of Ogunquit Beach Inn April 2nd, 2010, 6.30pm

Goodby Fort Lauderdale; Hello Ogunquit Maine

Goodbye Palm Trees; Hello Pine Trees!
Goodbye Cuban Sandwiches; Hello Clam Rolls!
Goodbye Egrets; hello Chickadees
Goodbye Florida;  Hello Maine!
The journey of a thousand miles (or 1553 to be exact) starts with the first step! Mike packs the Subaru for the annual migration!

The journey is about 24 to 27 hours of driving time. We take Route 95, which hovers the east coast. It's a journey I've been doing since I was a kid in the 70's with my parents for our annual trip to Florida. Many things have changed: vehicles, telecommunications, entertainment, etc. However, one thing has not changed: finding a clean restroom, its still a challenge!

Like all migratory birds, we arrive back to our home for the start of another season of Ogunquit Beach Inn
Like many returning birds, I am eager to get to the beach and comb the white sands of Ogunquit beach!

The Russians are Coming (and the Bulgarians, Serbians, and Moldovans)

Every year Ogunquit opens its arms to tourists, and seasonal workers. The seasonal workers names may sound exotic to most people, but not to the people of Ogunquit: Ivan, Natasha, Boris, Dimitri, Katarina, Sergay, etc. Many of  these students come from the former Soviet block countries. They are part of the new Europe. They are eager to practice English, and work as many jobs as possible. They do the jobs that need to be done in a bustling resort town: make beds, scoop ice cream, clean boats, mow lawns and wash dishes. Some stay, some get married to locals. Most move back to Europe. Over the past decade it’s been a pleasure to get to know these kids. Many lifelong friendhsips have resulted. They have become part of our lives and our community.

One such student is Aleksander from Bulgaria "Alessio" (his nickname) speaks Bulgarian, Russian and flawless English. He is a University student in the UK. He has produced a short Youtube video as one of his projects. The message is clear. Save electricity for one hour on March 27th 2010. Please watch this video and rate it.  This spring, like the return of migratory birds,  a fresh batch of eager eastern Europeans will arrive, and you'll hear Dobre doshli v Ogunquit Maine! (Welcome to Ogunquit Maine! in Bulgarian).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmIz2nD8TtU

October 1st....

Today is October 1st 2009, and autumn is here! My morning run was a bit later. It was a nippy 39 degrees at 7.30 am. Cold enough to run with gloves, but warm enough to wear shorts. Not quite cold enough for a frost. I am sure that a "Mr" Frost is on "his" way back to Maine!

The summer season is short. Sunflowers barely had enough time to pop open, and it seems that the flowers are already tired and wilted.

Today's guests are enjoying the "New England" style autumn: touring, walking the Marginal Way, and visiting Kennebunkport...


Ogunquit Beach Inn

Marginal Way.....

The Marginal Way is an attraction in Ogunquit. Its one of the most beautiful walks in Maine, and a must see while you are in Ogunquit.



The Marginal Way starts on Shore Road ( about a three minute walk from the Inn ). Its an old Indian tail that meanders along the rocky coast of Ogunquit.

From the start of Marginal Way you can see the dramatic coast line of Ogunquit Beach. Ogunquit Beach is unique because of the soft white sands and the dramatic tides. The beach is actually a barrier island. The contrast of the Carribean like beach and rocky coast is awesome!

Marginal Way showcases the rocky coastline of Maine. Jagged cliffs reach out into the Atlantic, where waves crash against the majestic rocks.




Along the path, there is native Scrub Pine, Beach Roses and Cedar trees. In the summer the path has a pungent scent of Honeyscukle.






The cliffs were formed by glaciers from the last ice age.







The walk is one mile and a quarter long and leads to Perkins Cove. Sometimes after I run on the beach, I will do and extra "Marginal Way Loop" to my running route, especially if its early.








Hikers, birdwatchers, runners, and lovers all enjoy the Marginal Way. There are small tide pools, little beaches, and benches along the path to enjoy.



Ogunquit Beach Inn

You say tomato, I say.....lets eat 'em!

We don't have much room for vegetable garden but we do grow some tomatoes. This was the wettest June in Portland history with more rainy days than sunny days. This was a challenge for tomatoes! The vines were moldy in July and the the growing season was a bit delayed. August weather was warm and sunny and September has been surprisingly nice. Here is the batch of tomatoes that I harvested today! I guess Mike will be making some sauce for pasta!

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!