Our three adult children rented the Forbes Cottage in Wells Beach for a long weekend family gathering that included our four grandchildren. It was the perfect place for a fantastic get together.

The Forbes Cottage is one of several cottages owned by Lafayette Oceanfront Resort which is close by, as is the beach and lots of outdoor activities. We were all excited on Sunday morning to spot a huge right whale swimming back and forth quite near our beach.

We enjoyed the walk on Marginal Way in Ogunquit, a favorite oceanside walk for Linda and me. The trail is handicapped assessable trail and follows the ocean for about a mile. I used a walker for the first time and it was very helpful.

We also did a hike around the wonderful Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. And here’s more really good news – Congdons donuts are only about a mile from the cottage! Wow! Those donuts great. Of course, our three-year-old granddaughter enjoyed building sand castles while our 11 and 14 year old grandsons kicked a soccer ball up and down the beach.

There are lots of great hikes including at Laudholm Farm nearby, many miles of beach, and lots of outdoor activities. We also enjoyed the indoor pool and hot tub in the nearby Lafayette Resort and the playground just down the street. Son Josh even got in some fishing nearby before we headed home on Sunday.

Linda and I wrote many travel columns about the Lafayette’s resorts and inns, and each and every one is a special place. We did in fact stay at and write a column one time about their Wells Resort. You can read that and all the other columns that we wrote on my website www.GeorgeSmithMaine.com. Choose Best of Maine and a town, and you’ll get all the columns we wrote about inns, restaurants, and events in that town.

time to enjoy Maine!