Maine's slogan when you enter the state is "Vacationland" and I think that is a perfect word for it especially in the summer. I have traveled up to Maine several times since I have been on the North Shore with it being just slightly over an hour from Salem, Mass it makes an easy day trip. Ogunquit, Maine is just an hour and fifteen minutes from here and on the recommendation of a friend, I spent a day exploring the little town.
I booked a trip on a sailboat because there is no better way to explore a coast line than from the ocean itself. The Gift is a nice sailboat and I sat by and chatted with a lovely couple who had been coming to Ogunquit every summer for 20+ years. They raised their families with fond memories of the town and it was fun to get their perspective and advice for places to see. Our sail was about an hour and a half long and it was so peaceful listening to the wind in the sails and the gentle lapping of the water against the boat while dreaming of the stately homes along the shoreline.
I don't know what it is about the water that always creates quite an appetite but as soon as the sail was over I headed straight for the lobster roll! There was a little stand with no seating right next to the footbridge serving lobster rolls with huge chunks of lobster meat and you can choose if you want mayo, plain or butter... I went with butter and it has been, hands down, my favorite lobster roll since I got here. I took my little basket to a nearby picnic table with a view of Perkin's Cove and watched boats come in and out and the little drawbridge on the foot path be raised as the taller boats sailed in and out. It was a perfect setting for lunch!
Perkin's Cove is where the boat left from but is also a great spot if you are looking for restaurants and shops to visit. I strolled in and out of the shops looking at the little treasures. There was an entire shop dedicated to jewelry made of sea glass that had some unique and intriguing pieces. I bought a few things at Maine-ly Drizzle, a fun store of specialty olive oils and flavored balsamic vinegars. I've been enjoying a vanilla balsamic vinegar drizzled over strawberries for a healthy dessert since then!
The couple I sat next to said to make sure I take the Margin Pathway along the ocean and leading past some fancy homes and hotels with views of the town and the rocky coast. The path led from Perkin's Cove to the main section of town and down to the beach. There are benches along the way that I occupied for bits of time to just sit and enjoy the view along the way. People would bring chairs and set them on the rocks farther out enjoying their own impromptu parties with friends. While shopping in town, I couldn't pass up a pair of earrings that have a little bit of Ogunquit sand in them as a sweet memory of my time here.
On my way home I made a stop at the Stonewall Kitchen flagship store. I had actually made a quick stop there in the morning on the way into town but since I had a reservation for sailing I couldn't spend much time and had to make a second stop on my way home. Stonewall Kitchen makes all kinds of specialty jams, jellies, mustards, salsas and such. It reminds me of Harry and David but had a lot more options to choose from and the best part of going in the morning was there were lots of tasting options too! It is definitely worth a stop if you are in the area. The Maple Champagne Mustard has been classing up my ham and cheese lunches the last few weeks and I have been really enjoying the extra addition!
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