Chapter 668

May 27, 2024

2024 York Beach

family gathering birthday

link to photo album

The family was literally jumping for joy at the family gathering to celebrate Colleen's birthday at the Maine coastline. Two daughters and spouses.

I teased, challenged, bribed Chef Greg into an attempted jump over the Ogunquit River Estuary. The chasm was wide and the footing was on loose wet sand. There were many things that could go wrong. A misstep would result in a messy smelly dunking into the tidal muck below. Even a successful jump might end up in ooze on the landing or falling backward on his ass (which I was hoping for). I started with a $10 prize, then upon hesitation had to up it $20 success or fail. As he pondered on the starting point Karissa warned in a stern calm voice,"Greg, don't do it. Theres no hospital nearby and we have to catch a flight to Florida in an hour." I thought the deal was off, then all of sudden here he comes down the take off lane. You'll have to watch the video in the photo album to see if he makes it.

We all lodged at the quaint and homey 400 year old York Harbor Inn. Just wonderful charm, friendly staff wanting guests to be happy in every way. Included breakfast was home cooking delicious.

The Cliff House at the Bald Head Cliff was a major highlight for me. Just grandiose in a good way. Thoughtfully architected. Sold out for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

Cocktails on the outsideTerrace with the warm sun, far left, was the cat bird seat one afternoon before we ventured down the steep cliff to explore.

In one of Maine's worst maritime disasters, the Isadore cargo ship with 16 sailors aboard sank nearby these 50 foot cliffs in an 1842 Thanksgiving Day gale with no survivors. Wreck of the Isadore song tells the story.

Ogunquit Beach is a 3 -1/2 mile sand bar gem. Flat and super wide. We all walked some of it. On the day the others ventured into Portland sightseeing, I opted out and walked the northern segment from the Moody Beach into Wells where the beach houses are right on the beach. With water temperature at 50 degrees (this is Maine) and a strong onshore breeze one day required two longsleeve pullovers.

On another foggy misty rainy afternoon, Ben, Col & I chanced the beach walk just for the exhilaration. 

We did the first night at the Norseman Inn right on Ogonquit Beach. After a bowl of fine Clam Chowder, fried soft shell clams, scallops and scrod platter we went out at dusk to sit on Adirondack chairs as the full Flower Moon was arising.

Perkins Cove was one of our first destinations, where we boarded a lobster hawling tourist boat. Yes, the captain caught one keeper.

 Several times we walked the Marginal Way, a small path that winds along the coast for a mile up to the Ogunquit village. It's advertised as a prime tourist attraction and it lived up to it's billing. We survived the crowds with only minor cuts and brusies. They do have an excellent 24/7 online web cam that pans and zooms routinely.

A visit to the Ogunquit Museum of American Art was OK for a rainy day. Painting was not of the heterogenous kind. Harbor on the left is Perkins Cove. 

On the last evening after warm Blueberry Pie ala mode, we moseyed up to Nubble Light on this windswept vantage point.

In 1972 I had visted this same place when brother in law Jammer Pete's Peninsula Band played at the York Ancient Mariner (now Inn on the Blues). Yes, it's still jamming.

OMG