When we read that Yankee Magazine named the picturesque town of Ogunquit the #1 Beach Town in all of New England in their July/August 2012 edition, we decided to take an early morning stroll along the town’s Marginal Way. The paved and winding path hugs the rocky coast and connects Perkins Cove to the center of town. Our last couple of days have been steamy so we decided to walk the walk before the morning sun had burned off the ocean fog. Perhaps some of the spectacular views were obstructed by fog but temperatures and breezes kept us cool on the mile and a quarter walk.

Parking is always an issue in these small coastal villages and a parade of tourists in cars move slowly in and out of tight spaces. Locals must have a love/hate relationship with them, failing to remember these vacationers provide the funds for their thriving economy. We witnessed an altercation with one impatient local, sounding her horn and uttering a few choice words for an indecisive driver. Signs in Perkins Cove, an old fishing village, were proof of parking shortages and rules to follow.

We began our walk right here at Perkins Cove, the home of the only pedestrian operated draw bridge in the country, we were told. And if you arrive very early as the lobstermen return from sea, you can purchase a fresh, live lobster. Maybe next time….

The pathway winds beneath wind-twisted cedars then opens to paths lined with large pink and white sea roses (Rosa rugosa). About 30 benches along the way provide respite where you can sit and enjoy the vista or read a book as we saw some doing.

It’s a winding trail, up and down, following the contour of the rocky shoreline. We saw walkers of all ages, all very friendly, and many greeting us with good mornings and hellos. We even heard a few different languages being spoken. Our only negative were the joggers who appeared behind us from nowhere causing us to jump to the berm.

At low tide, we saw beach goers taking advantage of temporary beaches the retreating water provided.

We loved checking out the homes along the way, some spectacular, others average-sized but all were tidy and well-kept.

Back in Perkins Cove, we walked through the once thriving fishermen cove, now home to quaint tourist shops filled with crafts, jewelry ice cream, candy, clothing and restaurants.