I’ll have to find adequate words to express my love for Maine.
It’s cold. Even in the Summer.
Kinda my prerequisite for love.
They have beautiful trees, pristine beaches, rocky coastline, free flowing lobster and clams, friendly people and did I mention it’s cold enough to wear sweaters in July?
We first visited Maine a few years back, just Jess and I, when I tagged along at a conference he had in Rhode Island. I had to cross Maine off my visit list, so we headed to the cute little southern coastal town of York. There we found Cliff Walk, a gorgeous trail behind stately, super impressive homes and right on the ocean. It’s only about half a mile long but it’s an awesome way to explore the coast line.
I knew we had to return!
So fast forward a couple of years and we decided to book a VRBO in Ogunquit, Maine. Close to York but featuring more of a Sandy beach vibe. My parents and my Aunt Anita rounded out our vaca troop.
We hit the ground running upon our arrival- lobster rolls for all! I had seen a segment on the Today Show (I love Hoda and Jenna!) about a little lobster shack in the Perkins Cove area of Ogunquit. It was aptly named Lobster Shack, an unassuming, fabulously quaint stop for the freshest lobster rolls we had ever had. You place your order then settle in to the long, wooden tables to await your feast. They even let the girls handle some of the live lobsters. I didn’t mention to the girls that we were dining on a few of their friends…
Downtown Ogunquit is lined with all of the sweet little small businesses and inviting shops that make your New England trip well, New England-y. We loved getting our coffee and pasteries from Bread and Roses Bakery, an easy walk down the hill from our rental. My girls were impressed with their huge chocolate chip cookies. A very well equipped toy store, Village Toy Funatic, provided a few cute souvenirs to take home.
I can’t recommend enough taking a sunset cruise around the Ogunquit coastline on Finestkind Scenic Cruises. Magical! With a fully stocked bar, and Shirley Temples for the kids, we learned that Maine’s coastline is very similar to Ireland’s and I mapped out a few houses that I’d like my kids to knock on their front doors and see if they have any sons who will be ready to get married in 10-15 years. I’m looking at you, helipad owning homes.
While the water is cold, we found the tidal pools around Ogunquit beach to be just the right temperatures to play around in. Our mission of finding sea glass was rewarded handsomely. So much so that Jess made the girls sea glass necklaces once we returned home from our trip. I found a website that talked about the different glass colors and how some were almost impossible to find, red being the rarest color. Who knew?
For a relaxed, after beach lunch we enjoyed the fire pits outside of BeachFire Bar & Grille. The BBQ and fries were outstanding and the customer service is second to none. My youngest daughter Hadley was complaining to me she was cold and our server overheard and brought her a big t-shirt to warm up in. Super nice and thoughtful!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my oldest daughter, Brooke’s, obsession- Loveshack Juicery. Very chill, amazingly fresh smoothies and bowls make this a great place to feel healthy while strolling around town. It’s in a little beach cottage which adds to the charm. Try the iced coffees as well!
We traveled a few miles south back to York to do some hiking at Mount Agamenticus, a huge wild life park and sanctuary with miles of easy to difficult trails. It was beautiful and a great way to work up a sweat among the trees. We took a moderately difficult hike and learned that it was once home to a ski slope! We have some great pictures from our hike.
Our last dinner to celebrate the end of our stay was on the ocean front at Barnacle Billy’s Original. The famous Rum Punch was worth the trip alone- yum!! The seafood was beyond fresh and you have a bird’s eye view of the ships coming and going from the docks. It was bliss!
I’m always looking at real estate and, not too long ago, I saw a breakfast restaurant with an attached residential space in downtown Ogunquit. So I figured I need to learn how to cook and get myself back there soon. Stay tuned as I hone my hash brown slingin’.
Until next time!
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