A few final images as my re-cap of our weekend in Ogunquit comes to a bittersweet close.
We won’t return to this Beautiful Place By the Sea until next May – which means a long winter stretch before our feet touch the sand again.
I’m hoping for some residual restoration folllowing such a perfect weekend – and that such restorative enchantment lasts…
For our last dinner in Ogunquit, we went to Provence. Though we’ve been coming to Ogunquit for eleven years, we had never made it to this landmark French Bistro, but the wait was worth it, as it was easily the best meal we had the whole long weekend.
It may be politically incorrect, and the thought of a cooked baby animal does give some people pause, but when it tastes this good I throw all guilt all the window and just enjoy. This was my first time trying lamb osso-bucco, and I’m glad it was here. The meat was moist, tender, and just dripping off the bone.
And any meal that ends with creme brulee is a winner in my gastronomical book.
As I may have mentioned, the weather last weekend in Ogunquit was amazing. It reached into the 80’s on Sunday, so we headed to the beach.
Since we were well into October, there weren’t the usual summertime crowds, though the sun and warmth did bring out way more people than customarily take to the shore at this time of the year. This must be one of the joys of the residents – being able to make the most of a gorgeous sunny day without the hubbub of a crush of tourists.
Mom and Andy set up beach chairs and laid in the sun, while I wandered far along the shore, just barely dipping my feet into the water, which remained frigid.
There’s something about walking along the shore – or being at the beach in general – that builds the appetite, and by the time I returned to where I began, I needed something to tide me over until dinner.
Mom felt the same, and ordered the mussels, while I opted for one more helping of lobster. It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon, and our last full day in Ogunquit.
While we usually make our walk along the Marginal Way in the late morning, I actually find the light of late afternoon sometimes more dramatic. It comes from behind then, switching things up from the overhead all-encompassing light of mid-day, and creating pockets of shadow, and recesses of dim shade.
The roses glow more beautifully at the close of the day, and it is quieter now too. Most of the tourists are preparing for dinner or taking the tail end of an afternoon siesta, so the path is not crowded, and the way is not bustling.
Spoiled Rotten is one of my favorite gift shops in Ogunquit, and one of the best places to get lost among objects of beauty, whimsy, and art.
Filled with all sorts of gifts, glassware, and one of the best collections of candles in town, it always inspires and delights the senses. Add to that the friendliest owners and staff in town, and it’s a must-stop destination.
We are at the dawn of summer, though our long holiday weekend has come to a close. In the early morning, no matter how beautifully the day is dawning, there are no crowds on the Marginal Way. A runner or two, some lingering souls left over from the sunrise and still wrapped in blankets and bleary-eyed wonder – but for the most part it’s a quieter, lonelier affair.
With Andy still in bed, I am alone one last time in Ogunquit, staring out at the ocean, looking in the direction of Europe, where our honeymoon will finally take place next Spring. Eleven years ago we gazed out at the same ocean, in the same direction, not knowing where we were headed or what our lives would bring. Though we say good-bye to Ogunquit for another summer, the adventure continues, and another journey commences. For now, though, I take in this jewel of a moment at the start of the Marginal Way, and then it’s off to meet Andy.
As is our custom, we have a quick breakfast nearby before hitting the road. One last bit of lobster in the form of this incredible lobster benedict makes a fitting final meal. My dear sweet crustacean, I think I may miss you most of all.
The lilacs will see us out – their fragrance carrying on the breeze. Another chapter of memories and magic is almost finished, and when we return to Ogunquit it will be Fall. We won’t get to see the summer fully bloom – not here.
I will remember the ocean,
I will remember the sun,
I will remember this beginning of summer,
And I will remember the lilacs.
We are at our best when we are in Ogunquit. We’re more careful with one another. More kind, more considerate, more easy-going, more laid-back. I suppose the same is true for most married couples on vacation. Being here is always a joy. And after each visit, I think we manage to bring a little bit of the magic back with us. Until we return in October, we will miss you Ogunquit.
Andy, looking toward London…
Ever since Suzie shared her fried clams with me on the day we saw Mary Poppins I’ve been hooked. Traumatic and harrowing fingers-in-the-automatic-window episode notwithstanding, it was a magical, life-transforming day. From that moment onward, I was a fried clams fiend. Of course, give most kids a fried dish and they’re perfectly happy – and I was no exception.
To this day, fried clams are a comfort food, and a seaside treat. Granted, given the superlative selections that the town has in abundance, we don’t usually have time (or stomach room) for the roadside stands that beckon and line the way into and out of Ogunquit. Every once in a while, though, we make the time to take that special trip – and it’s always a happy throwback to my childhood, and our summer vacations, and that first time Suzie and I saw Mary Poppins.
While on a food kick, it should be noted that the lobster roll has come very close to stealing that fried clam thunder, and it’s always a menu dilemma when these two are battling it out. Would a fried clam/lobster roll combo be too much? Even on vacation? I’ll have to let you know.
{The last entry of The Ogunquit Chronicles coming up next…}