Laudholm 5km Race at Wells National Estuarine Reserve

Today I did the Laudholm 5km Trail Run. This race is held at the National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells Maine.

I forgot how beautiful the National Estuarine Reserve is. The  reserve is 2250 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, estuaries,  seven miles of trails, rivers, salt marshes and beaches along the southern Maine coast. The Wells Reserve is part of a system of 27 Reserves around the country. The Laudholm Farm campus serves as headquarters. The historic buildings have been renovated and restored to serve the education, and stewardship goals of the National Reserve.

The race was unique because it was an "off road" race.  Traditional races are on the street, but this race was through fields, woodlands and dirt roads. There was a small part of the race that was on asphalt.

The views were amazing! The 5 kilometre race started on a hill with distant views of Mt Agamenticus. From the hill we ran down a dirt road, an asphalt road and then a field. The race ended on top of the hill at historic Laudholm Farm.
My time was 21.15, not my best, but OK for running on trails. The picture to the left is the finish line. Ogunquit's elite runner Bobby Winn organized the race and kept time with help from Diana.

 










I came in 17th overall, and third place for my age group. The 5 kilometre race was also part of EcoSports day at the reserve. Sports by land, sea and sky with kayaking, mt biking, kite flying and yoga. Entertainment was provided by a reggae band on the Laudholm campus.

The Details:
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
at historic Laudholm Farm
Laudholm Farm Road
Wells,  Maine
The reserve is located off of Route One north, @ 6 miles north of Ogunquit Beach Inn
Telephone 207 646 1555
http://www.wellsreserve.org/
This 2250 acre reserve has over seven miles of trails, spectacular views and a visitor centre with exhibits and information.

Summer Continues......

                                           September days are here,

                                           With summer’s best of weather

                                           And autumn’s best of cheer

                                                      - Helen Hunt Jackson

Pumpkins, cornstalks and mums populate Ogunquit in early autumn, but summer temperatures reign today, so its beach chairs and sunbathing!



With extremely warm weather today, I decided to take a stroll on the Marginal Way.  The path is only a couple of minutes walk from Ogunquit Beach Inn, and meanders the rocky coast for over a mile. This mornings temperature is 74 degrees ( 23 Celsius) at 8am, and daytime highs will be 82 degrees ( 28 Celsius). Summers breath runs deep this year, and plants continue to bloom and sustain. There are lilac bushes in bloom along the Marginal way.....usually the lilacs bloom in May.

The best time to walk the Marginal Way is in the morning. The vistas of the barrier island, Ogunquit beach are amazing. At low tide the beach can stretch for an extra 200 metres.

Plants along the Marginal Way continue to entertain the eye.

The rock formations are amazing with different types of boulders, stones and cliffs. The smooth stones along some of the small coves reveals the the constant tidal changes of tens of  thousands of years.

A variety of stone cairns populate the Marginal Way and watch the ebb and flow of the constant tides.......

Summer's Last Day - Ogunquit Beach

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.
                            - Henry James

Today was the last summer day. Autumn starts in the northern hemisphere at 2309 hours tonight. The weather was incredible with temperature highs in the 80's ( 27 Celsius). Beach is enjoyable with the absence of August revelers and children. Surf is modest due to tropical storms out at sea....

The lifeguard chairs may stand empty; but nature consumes the barrier island that is Ogunquit beach. Birds, plants and marine life takeover, and call Ogunquit beach home. Tropical storms at sea stir the ocean floor and delivers quahog shells on the shore. Aquatic birds feast on the quahog bounty. Sea roses stay in bloom with goldenrod standing tall on the parabolic dunes.....

Locals call September the best month. Warm sunny days, cool nights and adults consume the Maine shore.

The setting sun west of the dunes signals the end of another perfect day in Ogunquit, and the end to the summer of 2010. Autumnal equinox signals the start of fall, and a harvest moon rises as I head home from the beach....

 Just because the calendar reads autumn, the weather in Maine has a mind of its own, and the weather will continue to be pleasant for some time!

Blogger/Runner/Innkeeper Greg enjoys the last summer day on Ogunquit beach....

Maine Diner

We have made breakfast everyday for the last 120 days. This is what you do when you have a busy Bed & Breakfast in Ogunquit Maine. However, today we went out for breakfast at the Maine Diner!

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The wait to be seated at this popular diner is too long in the summer time, and the drive is too congested on US Route One. This time of year, the traffic is less congested. The Maine Diner, is located in the town of Wells Maine. Wells Maine is quintessentially roadside America. The town is full of seaside attractions, putt-putt golf, campgrounds and golden arches.

The best part about the Maine Diner is that it serves breakfast all day. I decided to get a three egg omelet. The omelets are thin and tasty. The Maine Diner uses red bliss potatoes. Since I do not get out for breakfast too often, I decided to overload on carbs and got a side of pancakes!! The pancakes were large and fluffy and tasted perfect! The Maine Diner has complete array of diner food using local fare and locally grown produce.



The diner has been owned by the Henry family since 1983 and has served over 5 millions visitors. The Maine Diner has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Channel, The Today Show, and The Phantom Gourmet just to name a few.

The Details:
The Maine Diner
2265 Post Road ( US Route One North)
Wells, ME
Telephone 207 646 4441
http://www.mainediner.com/
Youtube Clip from Food Channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD6-RMIPeN4
Open 7 am to 9pm
Maine Diner is 7 miles north on US Route One. Perfect place to stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you are heading up to the Kennebunks or Rachel Carson Wildlife refuge.
Service is good with excellent staff. Food is tasty and fresh. Maine Diner is a place where locals and tourists frequent.

Sunrise Marginal Way

The Marginal Way, I don’t think it’s marginal at all! That’s a terrible name for it. It’s got such gorgeous views of the ocean. If I had to rename it, I‘d rename it “Spectacular Way.”

                                                   -Carson Kressley

Sunrise September 20th 2010. The Marginal Way, Ogunquit Maine.

Yes, the Marginal Way is anything but marginal, it  is spectacular. I am often on the Marginal Way for my morning run. Sometimes I will walk the Marginal Way in the late afternoon before sunset.  This old Indian trail starts in Ogunquit Village centre on Shore Road ( near Cottage Street) meanders to Perkins Cove on the "margin" of the ocean.

Hurricane Igor may be several hundred miles away in the north Atlantic, but the thundering surf pounds the rocky cliffs of the Marginal Way.

The contrast between the craggy coastal rocks  and the smooth rocks in the various coves is as dramatic as night and day.....I enjoy the solitude at sunrise. Its amazing that this is public way, for all to enjoy.

The awakening red sky offers many opportunities for an great day in Ogunquit Maine!

Another sunrise on the Marginal Way, now its time to get breakfast ready for awakening guests at Ogunquit Beach Inn.

Blogger/Innkeeper/Runner/LEO Greg enjoys life in Ogunquit Maine!

The Atlantic

The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea

-Isak Dinesen

Running on the beach in the morning, next to the ocean is therapeutic. The rising sun over the ocean warms my body as I run along the hard packed sand of Ogunquit beach.  Yes, its tough to get motivated. You have to stretch and get out in the cooler autumn air, but once I start moving my by arms, legs, and feet and breath the cool ocean air, I  know it will be a great day....

Running near the ocean can cure a litany of problems. As a child growing up near the ocean, I can remember my mother telling me to "get into the salt water, It will heal your boo boos."  I believed it, and I still believe it today. The scratches, bruises and scrapes of childhood would somehow feel better after bathing in the Atlantic ocean. My mother would say this as she sat on the beach and watched the ebb and flow of the tides. Yes, the ocean does cure, and its these little lessons I learned a lifetime ago from my mother that I do cherish.

Lobster Dash 2010

"It can't be a bad day if you can run on Ogunquit Beach"

-Greg Gumbinner

Today I completed in the 10th annual Lobster Dash on Ogunquit Beach. This 5 mile race is in memory of Greg Gumbiner. Greg was an avid runner and enjoyed life. One of Greg's favorite sayings was "It can't be a bad day if you can run on Ogunquit Beach".

There were 211 participants. I came in 17th overall with a time of 35.30 at 7.06 minute per mile. Definitely not a PR for me, but a great race. The race is at low tide on the hard packed sand of Ogunquit beach. Generally speaking most people run a bit slower in sand than a traditional road or trail race. Runners were from all over New England, California, Florida and beyond.

The proceeds to the race benefit different charities and programs in Ogunquit. Ogunquit's Charlie Farrington and John Mixon make the race possible. The course is easy. Run north with the ocean on your right. Run to you can not run anymore, then run back with the ocean on your left. The 5 mile course is professionally timed and mapped. The fun part is running through the the tide pools!  The weather was perfect with bright sun, seasonal temperatures and a light head wind going north.

Ogunquit's Lobster Dash is a unique race in that participants receive a lobster roll upon completing the 5 mile run. Runners also receive a t-shirt, medal, and runners breakfast. Of course the best schwag is running on near perfect conditions on Ogunquit beach!

Lobser Roll, T-shirt, medal, breakfast, and a five mile timed race for $20 entry fee!

A trip to the Barn Gallery in Ogunquit

CAPRICCIO: (Noun) Fancy, Whimsy. A musical piece in free form usually lively in tempo and brillant in style.
                                                                      -Websters Dictionary

The air is different in Ogunquit post Labor Day. The crowds are less maddening and the absence of school age children is apparent. It is also the time of year that Ogunquit celebrates Capriccio, A two-week long celebration of the arts. Events include: performing arts, lectures, film, and fine arts. I decided to go to Ogunquit's Barn Gallery.

The Barn Gallery, is not a barn, but a modern mid-century museum type edifice, built in 1958 with a welcoming array rainbow banners. The Barn Gallery is a non-profit cultural institution that fosters artists and hosts chamber music concerts, art films, workshops, art lectures and panel discussions. The Barn Gallery is administered by the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative.

The Barn Gallery features local renowned artists like: Norman West, Jayne Adams, Ted Jaslow, Hara Harding and Russel Whitten. Artists are allowed to have two pieces of art to display. The gallery has three exhibition rooms that are well lit with an abundance of natural light.

I enjoy this "museum" type of gallery. The variety of artists and subject matter is intriguing and inspiring. All artwork is for sale, and there is also a small gallery with smaller pieces for sale from exhibiting artists.

The Barn Gallery also features a terrace with a variety of sculptures, bas reliefs and other interesting mid-century furniture.  Autumn is in the air, and its the time of year that we love in Ogunquit. While visiting Ogunquit Beach Inn, the  Barn Gallery is also worth a visit!

The Details:
The Barn Gallery

Bourne Gallery at Shore Road

Ogunquit, ME 03907

Telephone 207.646.8400

Open 11 to 5pm, Sunday 1 - 5pm

http://www.barngallery.org/

Admission is free, donations accepted.

Well worth a visit if you are a lover of art. Gallery has juried art selections, many are local renowned artists. The Barn Gallery is part of the Ogunquit Art Association, Maine's oldes artists' group, founded by Charles Woodbury.