The rain in Maine falls not so gently on the Coastal Plain.....

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.   -Dolly Parton

Its springtime in Ogunquit, Maine. The weather is dramatic and always changing. One day 70 degrees (21c), and the next day ( or hour) 49 degrees (9 c) with 25 mile and hour winds. That's the weather for today. The rain on the seacoast is dramatic. The wind whips the rain into a frenzy as the waves crash against the rocks.

Perkins Cove is an interesting place to "watch the weather".  On the Atlantic side, the waves and the wind is dramatic. On the sheltered "cove" side where the boats are moored, its placid and peaceful.

Depending on the moon and tides storms can be quite intense. Today's rain is just rain, with a little wind. Its been a nice spring thus far, so an inch or two of rain is needed for the plantings.

The Marginal Way and Beach are great spots to view the tides and watch the crashing waves while it rains not so gently on the seaplain....

Blogger Greg (aka Gorio). Lives and works in Ogunquit Maine

The Last Phone Booth......

The telephone book is full of facts, but it doesn't contain a single idea.

                                                                                -Mortimer Adler

The 20th century is more than a decade ago, and certain objects from life in the last century are disappearing. There are virtually no phone booths in New York City, there may be two or three left in Manhattan. Before strip-plazas dominated the American landscape,  general stores, filling stations and farm stands were the norm during mid 20th century.  On Route One in Ogunquit about a half a mile north of the village sits a small micro-mall called Brewster's. This tiny filling-station/general store/Western Union,  has the last phone booth in Ogunquit.

When we bought our first house in Ogunquit during the 90's, people used the last four numbers of their telephone number to call each other. Everyone in the state (even today)  has the same area code of 207. The exchange for Ogunquit and Wells is 646.
Today on my morning run, I realized that, the lone phone booth on Route One standing there like a bright beacon of communication is the last phone booth in Ogunquit, complete with a phone book. Will phone books be obsolete in the near future?

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.

Lobster Rolls...The best lobster roll recipe!

We'll eat the best, the better to live
From forest, sea and dell:

but the rarest joy Nature can give,
is found in a lobster shell

It's that time of year when the warm weather brings friends and family back to Ogunquit Maine. Its also time for me to go to see the "lobster man" on the dock. Lobsters along the Maine coast are plentiful. There are numerous lobster shacks, fishmongers and purveyors. Lobster is so common, that the local health club sells lobsters in the gym!
We have our traditional authentic Maine lobster roll recipe, that we will make for family.....

The secret to great tasting Maine lobster roll,  starts with fresh Maine lobster. We get the lobster right off the dock.  Boil several lobsters. then let cool. Crack open lobsters and use the best meat: tail and claws. We don't use the knuckles for our lobster rolls, we use the best part of the lobstah! Here is what you will need.
5 or 6 lobsters
3 heaping tablespoons of Hellmann's or Cains mayonnaise
2 sticks of celery chopped finely
2 dashes of sea salt or kosher salt
dash of  pepper
1  dash of paprika

New England style hot dog rolls
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1. Mix all ingredients, except the butter and hotdog rolls; keep chilled until ready to use

2. Brush unsalted butter on each side of hotdog roll and grill in pan or on barbecue
3. Split the hotdog rolls (but not all the way through the bread) and fill with the lobster mix

Serve with chips, pickle slice and coleslaw. Enjoy!  Best to enjoy outside on a beautiful day!

Blogger/Innkeeper Greg enjoys fresh Maine Lobster rolls with friends and family at Ogunquit Beach Inn

Ogunquit Beach & Bay 5k run for AIDS. Frannie Peabody Center

“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you  travelled from where you started.”                                     
                                 -unknown

(photo courtesy of Jordan.Freedman@gmail.com)

One thing that always amazes me about Ogunquit is how philanthropic people are. There are countless fundraisers, benefits and organizations that are always competing for donations in this little village. This weekend was no different.
I participated in the  "Beach & Bay 5k Run & Walk for AIDS" sponsored by the Frannie Peabody Center. This organization does amazing work in Ogunquit and in Maine. The center provides services with people with HIV or AIDS.
Ogunquit's comedian  Kris Francis was the Master of Ceremonies at today's event. Before he officially started the race, he asked all participants "to visualize and focus on someone who has died of AIDS or HIV".

This certified race was at 11 am this morning on Ogunquit beach. Weather was great, with a modest headwind coming from the south.
Ogunquit's elite runner, Bobby Winn came in first place (again) with a time of 17.14 minutes.
The race is very inclusive with 165 runners, walkers, drag queens and even a person with a wheelchair ( which in not easy in the sand!),


Many people donated there time, money and inkind services. Normand of Maine Street had the barbecue for runners and  walkers,  Julies Provisto had great coffee and other treats. Food was provided by many of the local bakeries and restaurants.

Winner, Bobby Winn and Mark Register.

Mark is a director for the Frannie Peabody Center. Mark oversees the development aspect and assists with the planning the 5k Beach and Bay with Ogunquit's AIDS activist Jimmy Lucibello. Lucibello stated that the event raised over $21,000. Amazing for such a small town; and that does not include the inkind donations or other services provided.

I came in 7th with a time of 22.03 almost one minute off from last year's time. Not my best race, but then again, I am running on Ogunquit beach amongst friends for a worthwhile cause......

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...........