Rocks, sand and salt water

     Last week, I was fortunate to spend Monday through Friday in Ogunquit, ME. I had not been there in 3 years. Part of the reason is although it is not a great distance to drive from Buffalo, NY- the traffic when you get near Boston, Mass is a horror. It used to take 8 1/2 hours about 5 years ago. Now it took 10 1/2. And it crawls along the expressway. We try to find alternates, but there it is.
     One of the best things about Ogunquit is that it has sandy beaches for miles to the north and rocky coast paths to the south. The hotel we stayed at, The Beachmere, sits on the boundary between both. So, you can walk the beaches for many miles, or take the Marginal Way along the rocks to Perkins Cove to see boats, shops and eat. All without driving. The views are stunning and the salty air clears up my head. I took about 250 photos and did a lot of sketching. I also caught a gorgeous sunset I will show another time. 
    The sketches after the photos are done in watercolor and pencils, about 5 x 7, on location. I don't like to paint outdoors because the light changes so much, so I do sketches and take photos to paint later. I had a crazy experience with people wanting to buy the sketches and asking a million questions.

Our room was just below the 2 blue umbrellas, where the line of flowers are. Photo taken from beach towards rocks. At the green bush level is The Marginal Way path.

The coast where the inn is on the rocks.

The view from the inn towards the beach north to Wells

Parts of the beach are crowded, but the further out from the parking, the less people and unbrellas. I only like walking on the beach.

End of Marginal Way, Perkins Cove coming into view.

From rocky coast, looking to beach to the north.

The ocean, how calming

A little beach area off the Marginal Way.

 

 

 

 

Away, but not forgotten

     For the past six days, I was on vacation in Maine- Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, which is about a 10 1/2 hr drive from Buffalo (we stop and stretch a lot). Long drive, gorgeous places. The ocean is indescribable. I took sewing stuff with me (even the featherweight), but was so busy walking and looking, that I only managed to handquilt (more on that in another post). I was able to keep up with email and read blogs, but not able to post from my iPad from Blogger. 
     The salt water air is such perfume to me. The skies are fantastic. We just stared at the ocean for extended periods of time. I visited two quilt stores and one needlepoint store. I was looking for thread and thimbles. Found thread, no thimbles anywhere. Here are some highlights of what I saw. There was so much I should have take photos of, but I was too hot or tired to take out the camera.
    We stayed at the Beachmere in Ogunquit and at Captain Jefferds Bed and Breakfast in Kennebunkport- both of which I highly recommend and we had been there before. I could spend blocks of time in Ogunquit- just walking the beach and the Marginal Way. Too bad it is such a far drive.

We stayed in the top room, River Green at Captain Jefferds (the trapezoid windows).

View from the room roof. My husband just loves to sit and stare there.

Sunset in Kennebunkport from the bridge

The harbor in Kennebunkport. The large ship is a restaurant. 

Along one of the Kennebunkport beaches, early morning.

Me enjoying the seabreeze at Ogunquit

The Footbridge in Ogunquit 

Ogunquit beach at low tide

Nubble Lighthouse

Love the rocks along the Maine coast- this would make a great quilt!