Back to Florida-Without Sandy!

Once again, a freak storm surprised the northeast with wild winds around the last weekend in October. You may remember that a freak snow storm paralyzed much of New England and the northeast during the same weekend in October in 2011....

Ogunquit experienced winds, and tidal dune shifts, but not too much damage. Hours after Super Storm Sandy hit New England, we decided to leave for our annual trek to Florida.

 

We arrived in Florida, and was surprised to see that Fort Lauderdale beach coast was hit "super" hard by Super Storm Sandy!

 

Most people know that parts of the NY coastline and New Jersey were hard hit. However, many people didn't realize that Sandy socked the coast of Florida first.

For a decade I have ran along the coast of Fort lauderdale beach. The beach is long and not too wide and the sidewalk sits next to the beach-perfect for my daily run.  However, Super Storm Sandy punched Fort lauderdale pretty hard, and shifted sand on to Route A1A. About 2500 feet of Route A1A is closed down.  The sidewalk, street, palm trees and beach have been washed away.

That time of year....end of season.....

Our season at Ogunquit Beach Inn roughly ends around the Halloween celebration.

Halloween weekend is usually a fun time. Many repeat guests re-visit Ogunquit to see the village-by-the-sea shine int its autumn colors.

It's a time for merriement and commarerderie as guests piece together their halloween costumes.

This year halloween celebrations were on the eve of Super Storm Sandy. Super Storm Sandy raged up the east coast and devistated parts of teh Jersey Shore and New York. Ogunquit was spared. Ogunquit received high winds, but little damage. Notice how high the sand it!

Sunfish on a foggy day

The fog this morning was as thick as pea soup. Warm air arrived after evening showers. This type of fog on the beach always makes my morning run a challenge.

While running on my usual beach route, I literally stumbled up this rather large marine creature. The "fish" was about four feet long and probably weighed about 300 pounds. I almost fell over it while I was running in the thick fog. I stopped and looked at it.
Was is a baby whale or Sea Cow?  I had no idea.

After my run, I went back home and got my camera and took some pictures. I needed to know what this creature was. After posting this picture on Facebook, many of my friends identified it as a Ocean Sunfish.

According to wikipedia:
The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, or common mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. It has an average adult weight of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The species is native to tropical and temperate waters around the globe. It resembles a fish head with a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally. Sunfish can be as tall as they are long when their dorsal and ventral fins are extended.

You never know what you'll find running on this long beach: Whales, large tropical fish, ghost ships. or lobster traps!

Tremblement de terre

Autumn is a special time in Maine. I, like many Mainers, take advantage of Adult Continuing Education that the local school district offers in the fall. This year I am taking French.

French is an important language in Maine. Maine borders two Canadian provinces: French speaking Quebec, and bilingual New Brunswick. Many of our visitors to our community are French speaking. Franco-Americans also make up the largest population in Maine. The first European settlement in Maine was by the French in 1604 on Saint Croix Island, by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, 16 years before the pilgrims "landed" on Plymouth Rock.

While sitting in French Class last night going over "ER" verbs,  the floor started to shake.  First,  it was the floor,  then the walls, and then furnace pipes. Not being in to many earthquakes in my life, I had no idea what was happening. The shaking lasted for about 10 seconds, but seemed longer. I thought something smashed into the building. It was an odd feeling, like being on a fast moving train going over an old bridge.

The French Professor started saying:  tremblement de terre, tremblement de terre. Not knowing what this phrase meant, we quickly learned the meaning!  I guess this is a new one we need to know: Earthquake!

Earthquakes are  extremely rare in Maine.  Reports show that moderate earthquakes take place in Maine once every few decades.  This earthquake registered at 4.6 on the US Geological Survey. The earthquake was located in Waterboro.  I was in a classroom in Wells Maine, about 22+ miles from the epicenter.

Needless to say, this French class was memorable!

Lobster Shack of Ogunquit. Restaurant review...

It takes an American lobster 6-7 years to get to an edible size, but that is just the beginning. Lobsters are long-lived animals, and are thought to be capable of living over 100 years.

                                                     -Lobster Facts

It's the place where local folk and visitors frequent in Ogunquit. The Lobster Shack is THE quintessential Maine lobster shack. If you are visiting Ogunquit, this is a must. It's lobster in the semi-rough.

The Shack, once a lobster bait shack located deep in Perkins Cove near the wooden draw bridge, offers a simple menu: fresh Maine lobsters, Steamers, lobster roll, crab sandwiches, hot chowder and cold beer. It's a very casual where you place your order at the counter and the server brings to you. Seating is limited: tables with benches. Lots of napkins,  and fresh drawn butter.

I went to dinner with my buddy, Ogunquit Selectman Bobby Winn, and Diana. We wanted something easy and not too fussy. 

Owner Jason Evans, mans the counter and greets guests. I picked my lobster, a pound & halfer! Jason's family has owned and operated The Shack since the 80's.

We feasted on steamers, lobster, chowder and sandwiches!

The Details:

The Lobster Shack

110 Perkins Cove Road

Ogunquit, Maine 03907

Telephone 207 646 9800
http://www.lobster-shack.com/

MasterCard/visa accepted

Reservations not needed. Casual dining.

Old photo of the "Lobster Shack". Building is in the middle of the picture.

Sailing in Ogunquit.....

                  Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.

-Omar Bradley

I have had a love affair with the sea as long as I can remember. The ocean fascinates all my senses. This week, my friends and I went out on The "Silverlining" sailboat out of Perkins Cove.

The Silverling is a 42 foot rigged wooden sloop built in Maine in 1939. This fast sailboat has an 888 sq ft sail with a working jib on  a 63 foot spruce spar.
 

Four to five times a day, The Silverlining leaves the sheltered harbor of Perkins Cove and sails along the ragged Maine coast.  The 42 foot spruce spar is so tall that the wooden drawbridge needs to be opened every time the sloop departs or enters the cove.

After embarking from Perkins Cove, First Mate, Beau raises the large sail.....

The Silverlining  holds up to 6 passengers. Today, my neighbor Tobias, and a guest at Ogunquit Beach Inn, Mark from Florida, accompanied me on this voyage.....

Captain Jack Gordon has been Maine waters for over 35 years.....

Captain Jack gave me a lesson is sailing...

As we returned to Perkins Cove the moon greeted us.

The Details:
Leaves from Perkins Cove Daily in season.
Call to make a reservation 207.646.9800
Sloop holds only 6 passengers
Bring a lunch, snack and you are allowed to BYOB in moderation.
Rates for 2012 $35 to $40
http://www.silverliningsailing.com
Silverlining@maine.rr.com



Ogunquit's Lobster Dash 5 miler on Ogunquit Beach

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

-Greg Gumbinner

Enjoying a pre-dawn September run. Photo courtesy of Rick Barber

Today was the 12th annual Lobster Dash 5 mile race on Ogunquit beach. This race is one of my favorites. I run this course virtually everyday for from April to October. I find it is a great way to start the day. Life is good here in Ogunquit Maine, especially if you greet the ocean everyday!

 

The hard packed sand is perfect for running. Clean air, ocean waves and beautiful vistas that are hard to beat.  It was a great way to welcome autumn.

This year's race was not my best time. But none the less, I always have a good time!

The race is in memory of Greg Gumbinner with proceeds going to various scholarships and charities.

Greg Gumbinner was a avid runner, and a lover of life. Greg passed away over 12 years ago, but his memory lives on through his countless friends that organize this annual event.

Photos courtesy of Sean McFadden

The race is five miles on the beach at low tide. Finishers receive a medal, lobster roll and a tech shirt which features a lobster. All for $25!

Reach up for the sunrise.....

Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life

Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life

Now the fireball burns
We go round together
As the planet turns into the light
Something more than dreams to
Watch out for each other
Coz we know what it means to be alive

Reach up for the sunrise
Put your hands into the big sky
You can touch the sunrise
Feel the new day enter your life
 

-Duran Duran

One of my favorite things about living on the shore is running while the sun rises. There is nothing like it.

It's a great way to start the new day. Watch how night fades to day......

(all photos by Rick Barber)

Tastes of Ogunquit

I wanted to write in Kitchenese, the secret language of cooks, instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever dunked french fries for a summer job or suffered under the despotic rule of a tyrannical chef or boobish owner.

-Anthony Bourdain

It's here! The new cookbook from Ogunquit, Tastes of Ogunquit, the new Ogunquit cookbook features 82 recipes from a variety of contributors. Recipes include breakfast dishes, seafoods, candies, cookies, and even cocktails! All recipes are tried and true.

Five recipes from Ogunquit Beach Inn are included as well as some of our favorite Ogunquit restaurnats like: Amore Breakfast, MC Perkins Cove Restaurant and Gypsy Sweathearts.

Our favorite Baked Stuffed Haddock recipe is also featured!

Cookbooks are  $12 and that includes shipping. Proceeds benefit York College Scholarship.

To Order, send a check for $12  to:

Ogunquit Beach Inn

POB 1803

Ogunquit, ME 03907

Attn: Cookbook

Please include your mailing address. $12 per cookbook. The perfect gift for anyone who loves Ogunquit or cooking!

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.

Perkins Cove Ode

Perkins Cove Ode

Once a sleepy little fishing inlet

Colorful lobster-men mending a net!

Dories with oars! Their fishing boats

Piled with lobster traps barely afloat!

Artists with easels painting near-by

A primitive footbridge under a blue sky!

An Artist Colony established in 1898

A scenic wharf with barrels of bait!

Came the dredgers digging down deep

Enlarging the Cove with one big sweep!

Lobster boats with motors soon followed suit

Then a motorized footbridge too-boot!

Today Perkins Cove thriving with action

Multitudes of welcoming tourist attractions!

Walk the Marginal Way a leisurely rove

Ending up at our famous “Perkins Cove!

By:

Richard “W” Perkins

( The “W” is for “Wow!” )

All the beach is a stage.....

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare

The stage is the beach. The actors and chorus boys from "South Pacific" are singing, dancing and practicing en plein air.

"South Pacific" starts on June 20th at the Ogunquit Playhouse. This classic also features local actor Kirk Simpson.

Like the world stage, the beach features many characters, scenarios and life events everyday. Like the game of life, you never know what you may see on Ogunquit beach.