Feeling a little scattered today. Heading out in a couple hours for a few fun girlfriend days, not sure what to pack, the weather’s iffy. Or which story to write here. I was thinking of telling you about The Time I Played Piano for Mass. And that’s certainly a very interesting story. But since I’m actually headed to Ogunquit, Maine and I’ve got Ogunquit on the brain (poet: me!), I’ll go with Engaging Bagpipes and save the other for a rainy day.

Love Ogunquit, Maine.  Shortly after moving here to New Hampshire in 2004 some of my southern girlfriends came up for a visit. I was told by locals here the places I should take them to visit. Ogunquit was at the very top of the list. Ogunquit, a quaint little upscale coastal town in southern Maine, is right over the border, near Portsmouth, NH. (Also adore Portsmouth, yes I do.)

There are some striking things about Ogunquit. It’s gorgeous. Perkins Cove is where it’s happenin’. Lots of uppity boutiques and fine dining in this delightful little slice of New England. Waterfront dining where you watch the fishermen motor into the cove with their catch of the day. FRESH! Homemade ice cream and gelato. And just off Perkins Cove, a beautiful paved walkway along the jagged, rocky coastline called the Marginal Way. Yes, the Marginal Way, about a mile long. A feast for the eyes, easy on the feet. Incredibly beautiful, I think I’ve walked it in every season except the dead of winter.

So one July 4th it was sweltering and humid around here. The bigger boys were away at camps, but Jon, Hudson and I were looking for relief from the heat. We headed north to Ogunquit and the Marginal Way. Unfortunately it wasn’t much cooler there, even at twilight, but we did walk the Marginal Way. So glad, because a very unique thing happened that evening.

As we strolled along, we heard running feet behind us. We quickly moved aside, and who should race by but a man with bagpipes. We were so curious (read:nosy) what was going on, as was everyone else strolling on the Marginal Way. And because it was a holiday, foot traffic was extra heavy. Out on the water, a lovely sailboat was tacking back and  forth in the harbor.

We continued walking, eyes peeled.

Lo and behold, we saw that bagpiper sit on a bench out on a rocky point. And wait.

Then he quickly jumped up and this is what happened next. (Play the clip above.)

The story trickled out along the Marginal Way. A couple was getting engaged out on the boat. The bagpiper was serenading. The timing was precarious. The boat sailing by the point at just the right moment, the song and the groom popping the big question. So romantic. When the bagpiper finished the song, all the people up and down the Marginal Way clapped and cheered, echoing out over the water. What a magical shared moment, though we didn’t even know the couple on the boat. (Or anyone else for that matter.) Perhaps what being in a flash mob feels like. (Never been in one.)

That’s all she wrote folks! (‘Cuz that’s all she knows!) Off to pack. Who knows what I’ll see on the Marginal Way this time around.

Enjoy your weekend!!!

The post Engaging Bagpipes appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.