Mt Agamenticus

Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling.                                      -Henry David Thoreau

I am an "ocean" person. I love the sights, smell and SOUND of the ocean. However once in a while I like to go to the forest or the mountains.....

I decided to go to Mt Agamenticus today.  "Mt A"  is quick a 10 minute drive from Ogunquit Beach Inn Drive 3.4 miles south of Route 1 into York. Take a right on to Mountain Road and proceed for 4 miles. The Mount Agamentiucus Park is over 10,000 acres. its a great place to: hike, Mt Bike and picnic. The former Ski resort is a great place to escape and enjoy the endless views.....

Up on the "Mount" today, I noticed how quiet the wilderness is. The forest offered a quiet stillness and solitude. The only sound I could here was the ruffle of my own feet as I walked through the brush. Some people are dog people; some people are cat people. The same is true with ocean/beach vs mountain/forests people. I am definitely an ocean guy, but once in a while I like being on a mountain surrounded by the woods.

Mt Agamenticus is a habitat for many species of birds and wildlife. Hawks, bald eagles and falcons also stake claim to the mount. Snow flurries fell as I hiked along "Witch Hazel" trail. Snow is odd even on a mountain in Maine this late in April. Its quite a novelty.  The old ski trails are now hiking and Mt bike trails. When Ogunquit gets busy with summer people, I will ride my Mt Bike to the mountain and explore the trails.

The old ski lodge has decks for viewing.


The Detalils:
Where: Mountain Road York.
There is a paved road to the summit. Map trails are available.
The Park is open dawn to dusk. There are "port-potties" on the mountain.
Admission: Free
No camping or campfires are allowend
For more info:
http://www.agamenticus.org/recreation.html

Michael Phelps typical day of training

I like Michael Phelp's practice ethic. He is quite regimented about his schedule. These clips are presented by his sponsor, Speedo.

Earth Day 2010 - Long Sands Beach

Happy Earth Day! What is Earth Day? How should be celebrate it?? Why is there so much fuss?

I think the best way to celebrate Earth Day is to get out there and enjoy and appreciate nature.

Virtually every day I am on Ogunquit Beach. I run it, walk it, and just plain beach it. Today, a buddy, and I decided in honor of Earth Day, we would try another beach. In neighboring York Maine, there are a couple of worthwhile beaches. We decided to check out Long Sands beach in York.

Like the name implies, Long Sands beach is over a mile of sandy beach. The north side of the beach has beautiful views of the Nubble Lighthouse. There is ample metered parking on the road. Long Sands has that familiar New England kitsch feel: retro motels, dotted soft serve ice cream stands.  The beach seems endless at low tide.......

Everyday is Earth Day, so get out, enjoy the beauty and the drama that is earth!

Nubble Lighthouse

Lighthouses in Maine. The two go together like, Florida and oranges! Many people come to Ogunquit, Maine every year and want to see the dramatic coastline, and the lighthouses that dot the seashore. There are a couple of lighthouses in the Ogunquit area.  One is the fabled Nubble Lighthouse.

I decided to take a quick drive over to the "Nubble" and check it out today. My buddy, John and I drove down scenic Shore Road into Cape Neddick. The Cape Neddick Light station grounds are maintained by the town of York as a park.  Built in 1879, lighthouse sits on a small rocky island or "nub” in the ocean, hence the name Nubble Light. The island was formed from the last ice age. The rocky seascape is dramatic. It’s a favorite spot for divers, sightseers, kayakers and people sunbathing on the rocks like Atlantic seals.

The ocean air is intoxicating as the 180 degree ocean views. I decided I need to come out to this point more often! With Fox's Ice Cream stand re-opening for the season, I have another reason to drive over!
Access to the island is from a small cable trolley system. The lighthouse keeper would transport groceries and other supplies to the island on a basket that would be trolleyed over on the cable. It almost looks like a ski lift.

The Details:
Nubble Light.
Admission is free. From Ogunquit Beach Inn take a right on to Shore Road. Go through Ogunquit into York and follow to 1A. Go through kitschy York Beach. Before Long Sands Beach take a left onto Nubble Road. Follow to Lighthouse. Park is free.
What to bring: Camera, water, sun block. There is an information bureau, and an ice cream stand too.
There are massive rocks, perfect for sunbathing. However, walk on the rocks at your own risk.
The Nubble Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country.
 

    Blogger/Innkeeper Greg

Patriots' Day Weekend

Happy Patriots' Day Weekend! Many people from outside of New England do not know what this civic Monday holiday is all about. Its a holiday that is celebrated in Maine and Massachusetts.

My earliest memory of Patriots Day was being at my Grandfather's house and watching  the re-enactment of Paul Revere's ride down Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, MA

Patriots' commemorates the battle of Lexington and Concord, and the "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (born in Portland Maine, when it was part of Mass):

Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.

He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,--
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm."

For the rest of this epic poem click here...
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Patriots' Day signifies the start of the season here in Ogunquit Maine. It’s a traditional time when restaurants and business' re-open. MaineStreet Video and Dance traditionally opens the dance floor for the season. Patriots Day is also the running of the Boston Marathon. Ogunquit also has its own Paul Revere's ride, a Fife and Drum concert, and various Chamber of Commerce activities.

One if by land, two if by sea...........

The lure of the shore....

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.

-John F. Kennedy



From my earliest memory the ocean has been part of my life. I've always lived within a couple of minutes of the sea (except for 4 years when I went to college in Western Massachusetts). The ocean comforts me, amazes me, inspires me and humbles me. I love the sound of the crashing waves during a storm. The salt-water air is refreshing. There is something special about the seashore...

One of my favorite excursions is to exit  Ogunquit Beach Inn and go right on to Shore Road. Shore Road weaves and follows the craggy shoreline from Ogunquit,  past Perkins Cove to the villages of Cape Neddick, York Beach, and York Harbor in the town of York.

The drive is enjoyable. A favorite spot to stop is at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. The museum grounds are spectacular. This is a favorite point on the shore where the early 20th century artists painted. Continue past the Museum and you'll see piles of lobster traps, weathered houses and the rolling green hills of the Cape Neddick Country Club. Shore Road weaves around many small coves, inlets and beaches. Its the quintessential Maine that everyone loves.......

There are many photo opportunities along Shore Road....

Wiggly Bridge, York Harbor

Next to Ogunquit is the town of York. York is full of attractions. Today, my buddy John, and I went to one such attraction: The "Wiggly Bridge".

The Wiggly Bridge is located in York Harbor off of Old Mill Road. The Wiggly Bridge is a miniature steel suspension pedestrian bridge that was built in 1930’s. The bridge connects a trail from the York River tidal flow to the peninsula of Steedman Woods. Steedman Woods is a 17-acre nature woodland preserve that was given to the Museums of Old York by Charles R. Steedman to be kept forever "wild for the enjoyment for all”.

The wiggly Bridge is named the wiggly bridge, because when you walk over it, it wiggles. Local lore has that a group of Girl Scouts named the bridge in the 1940's.

The attraction is located in York Harbor, best place to park is up near the York Harbor Inn, and walk down. There are many historical buildings/Museums in York Harbor worth visiting, visit http://oldyork.org/

There are trails, and the scenery is perfect for picture taking!

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!

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.....

Beach Day, Sunday April 4th 2010

The weather in New England is unpredictable. As child my mother would make me play outside during the nice weather. Today was one of those days. I decided to go outside and play!
Weather was perfect: High of 80 degrees ( 27 Celsius), warm southwesterly breezes and very few clouds, not bad for April 4!

I Went down the beach, and it was quite busy for Easter Sunday. Sunbathers, walkers and swimmers were having a good ol' time!

I wished I wore my bathing suit. The water was, rather re-freshing........

Its the start of another season in Ogunquit! We re-open Ogunquit Beach Inn for our 14th Season this Thursdahy!

Its nice to see the village come alive in the spring!

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