Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, ME ~ Where are the Jays

Perkins Cove in Ogunquit ME

Ogunquit

Ogunquit is a picturesque New England town with two distinct districts. Perkins Cove whose harbor hosts a fleet of fisherman, sailing tour boats and a few pleasure craft is surrounded by a few restaurants and tourist shops. Ogunquit's town center is set apart from Perkins Cove. It is filled with tourist shops, inns, restaurants and a small market. The two are joined by a footpath called Marginal Way that includes a pedestrian draw bridge.

Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove Draw Bridge

I can't say enough about how wonderful Perkins Cove is. It has a very comfortable and easy going nature, despite being dependent on tourist dollars. It's small and has a less crowded feel than the Ogunquit town center. I suspect many visitors to Ogunquit, don't realize its nestled to the south of town.

The draw bridge has controls on the walkway to raise and lower the draw bridge, should a sailboat or fishing boat need to pass. There is a dock on each side of the bridge where a crew member could disembark, should there not be someone about to raise the bridge for you.

Marginal Way

on the way to walk the beach

look carefully you can see how far the tide is out - all of the muddy area is underwater in high tide

Carol in front of a cherry tree that is being supported

Marginal way is a 1.25 mile asphalt path whose name refers to the margin between land and sea. It is a curvy and hilly path with many benches and private turn outs that provide gorgeous views of the rocky coast. On our first journey down the path, we saw steps leading down to the ocean with signs warning of rip tides and educating people on the green, yellow, red and double red flags we see on our beaches on the Gulf Coast. What was missing was a sandy beach, only rocks could be seen. One spot had a very large life guard stand but again no sandy beach. On a later walk the tide had gone out to reveal a brown sandy beach.

Low Tide

It's amazing how much difference there is between high and low tide. With time the ocean draws back to reveal a large beach next to town. We enjoyed a walk on the beach, but only put our feet in the water for a few minutes as the water temperature was in the 50s. Brrr. The cold water didn't deter North Easterners. We saw people floating down the Ogunquit river as well as wading in the surf. Hundreds brought their beach chairs and blankets to enjoy what we thought was a cool day. Offshore there were 5 surfers, clad in dry suits making the most of the small waves. The beach itself was devoid of shells, ghost crabs and other marine life we are accustomed to. There were a few sea gulls who were focused on handouts rather than fish.

Ogunquit Museum of American Art

View out to the coast from the central gallery

Just south of the cove in a very small inlet lays a small art museum, The Ogunquit Museum of American Art. The gardens surrounding it are pieces of art themselves and adorned with many contemporary pieces. Indoors there are multiple exhibits both permanent and rotating that celebrate the Ogunquit Art colonies of the past.

South Freeport

We had lunch with another distant Jay cousin descended from a common great grandfather. We enjoyed wonderful Lobster Rolls at the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company while sharing stories of our Jay parents who knew each other and our current families. These are her grandchildren in the picture above. On their own, they went to speak with a crew of an Oyster boat. The crew spent a substantial amount of time, answering their many questions. I was very impressed with the kids initiative and eagerness to learn about a life far different from their own.

Freeport

LL Bean makes their presence known in their home town and throughout the state. Downtown Freeport has several LL Bean stores for different aspects of their offerings. Apparel and Camping, Home, Bike & Ski. Exploring the stores was like walking through one of their catalogs. For you shoppers, downtown Freeport is like a mall set in a small town's main street with many familiar stores. LL Bean also is a sponsor at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the Island Explorer, which you will read about in our next post.

Kennebunkport

Bush Compound

We couldn't pass up an opportunity to see a place you heard referenced during the George H Bush presidency. Walker's Point Estate (aka Bush compound) has been the Family estate for the family for over 100 years and still is today by new generations of the family. For George H Bush, this was his summer White House, where he hosted many foreign dignitaries.

Saint Ann's Church Consecrated in 1892 was a wonderful surprise on our drive. About a mile from Walker's Point, lies this small Episcopal Church. Besides being a gorgeous church, the parish also has wonderful outdoor pews that face the ocean.