Day 4 ~ on to Bar Harbor - Acadia National Park

Thursday, September 10th

Since the weather was questionable and rain was predicted for the next day we changed plans and drove straight to Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island. We drove along the Park Loop Road.



Our first stop was Sand Beach. A beautiful sandy beach nestled between the granite mountains and the ocean. The sand is unique in that it is comprised mostly of sea shells that have been pounded by the surf over thousands of years into sand. The ocean here rarely gets above 55 degrees in the summer. It was cold!


Sand beaches are rare in Maine because the cold water traps gasses that dissolve the shells. Here, the off shore rock called "Old Soaker" diverts the strong current.



We continued along the Loop Road stopping to climb on the rocks. It is great that visitors are allowed to interact with the environment ~ at our own risk of course.






Even though it was overcast it was still beautiful and we were thankful that we decided to come here today.








Next was Thunder Hole. Nothing shows the power of Acadia National Park like Thunder Hole. When the waves enter the naturally formed inlet a thunder sound is heard. Since it was low tide we weren't expecting much but as we descended, we heard a loud thunderous noise.


As the wave starts to retreat, just enough air enters the pocket and creates the sound.


We waited for the biggest one. At high tide the area we were standing in would be covered and the spray from the waves covers the whole area. Very exciting.




It was getting late so we continued on to Cadillac Mountain up Cadillac Mountain Road
Green Lake on the way ~


Cairns pointing the way ~ there were many signs telling not to touch the cairns ~ they point the way for hikers.





View from the top ~ we knew there was a ridge trail and we started hiking ~ down, down ~ wait, why are we going down. Thankfully John realized we were on one of the descending trails so we headed back up and around the ridge trail.


Overcast but beautiful!


John at the highest point along the Eastern Seaboard!


The geolocation of that point ~



The view~



Bar Harbor below ~


The Porcupine Islands ~



It was getting late so we headed back down the mountain to find the Atlantic Oceanside Inn. The view from our balcony.


Next ~ in to town for something to eat.

Day 3 ~ part 2

Wednesday, September 9th

Happy Birthday John!

Now for the main event of the day ~ the Cabbage Island tour.
We walked over the footbridge to pier 6 .



We boarded the Bennie Alice and headed for the island. The excursion included a tour of the harbor on our way out to the island. The weather was perfect and it was a beautiful day to be out on the water.





A private home on an island in the harbor. We could see this island from our room so it was fun to go past it up close.



One of the many, many lighthouses ~ we love every one!



Another ~ each a little different and sad to know it is an era gone by. Light houses are all electronic now so no need for the keepers.



The "pea pod." A small boat provided for the light house keepers to go to the store for groceries.



Cabbage Island on the left and little Brussels Sprout on the right. The island got its name from the crop grown there ~ cabbage, fertilized with kelp from its shores.


In 1986 the Moore family purchased the island and reestablished the traditional clambake.


What a process!



The first grill is potatoes, corn, and eggs. The second is lobster and the third clams ~ all wrapped in seaweed. Traditionally the egg was the "timer." When the egg was cooked, everything else would be ready too ~ now it is just tradition.



We all sat at picnic tables (there were tables in a lodge also if needed) and then the fog horn blew and everyone lined up ~ (so funny)


They loaded us up ~


Happy Birthday John! First course, fish chowder. Next, two lobster, one dozen clams, one corn on the cob, one baked potato, one hard boiled egg and dessert ~ Blueberry cake! He enjoyed every bite.


Thankfully we sat with locals that knew what to do with these things.


And after ~ the sea gulls moved in for the leftovers!


Right on the hot grill.



We felt exercise was in order after all of that so we hiked around the island. It reminded us of Chapel Island.



And at the gift shop, none other than 94 year old Bennie Alice herself.


The return through the harbor was beautiful ~ lobster boat checking traps



Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ most photographed church in Maine


Our B&B from the water ~ the smaller white house in the middle



We certainly weren't hungry for dinner so we drove out to Ocean Point ~
This old stone church is beautiful, the Wilson Memorial Chapel



And watched the sun set over the bay.

Day 2 ~ part 2

Tuesday, September 8th


We continued on stopping in the city of Portland. What a great little city. Of course our favorite part was the waterfront area ~ very busy. This is a shipping port but also a hub of social activity ~ shops, restaurants, bars, cruise ships, excursion boats ~ you name it.

The "locks of love"



One of the beautiful piers ~



We had some lunch and watched the activities.



Driving through Freeport we had to stop and check out the LLBean flagship store ~ store ~ it's a whole city block! We couldn't believe it. There is a huge hunting and fishing store, a huge boating and ski store, a huge home store and the huge retail store that must carry every item in the catalog.



We noticed the "free wifi" sign so we sat outside the home store trying to publish the good ol' blog.



Continuing on to Booth Bay Harbor we found our B & B and were very pleased. Our room is the two windows right over the porch roof.



We arrived in time for cheese and crackers~


The view from our window ~ right out to the bay.



We arrived in time to watch the sun set ~


Beautiful ~



Then walked across the harbor on the footbridge to the village.



The bay was beautiful at this time of the evening.



Peaceful and quiet ~


The harbor ~



The Tugboat restaurant ~



Then back over the footbridge to our B&B.


It was a beautiful warm evening so we sat on the porch for a while looking at the harbor and had a glass of wine ~ yes even Lynn had a glass!