We took the scenic route up the coast on Wednesday... stopping for lunch at a favorite brew pub in Brunswick, ME, reminiscing as we strolled around Camden, then marveling at the scenery as we ventured farther north into unfamiliar territory. After arriving in Bar Harbor, we took a quick look around the town before selecting a "lobster pound" overlooking the harbor for dinner.
The next morning was drizzly and overcast, but that didn't stop our planned visit to Acadia National Park or drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain... where were were greeted by dense fog and very strong winds. It was a struggle to stand upright and we couldn't see a thing!
The next day was bright and sunny, so we decided to try again. Same spot on the summit, much better view!
Both Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are located on Mount Desert Island. We also explored the rest of the island... there are several smaller, less commercial towns, as well as a lighthouse at Bass Harbor.
(Our Summer Adventure - Part 1 is here.)
I'm really enjoying hearing about your trip, JoAnn. The pictures are really beautiful and of a part of the country that I've never seen (except in books - does Stephen King count? - ha!). Thanks for sharing them with all of us!
ReplyDeleteKay - Of course Stephen King counts! ;-)
DeleteSo lovely! I don't think I've ever been that far north in Maine.
ReplyDeleteAngela - We've been all the way up to the end of route 1 on the Canadian border, but never this far up the coast. It was so beautiful!
DeleteWhat a lovely journey! Great photos, too. I've never been anywhere on the East Coast except for a weekend trip to Boston and Cape Cod several years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Laurel-Rain Snow - And I've never been anywhere on the west coast... other than a couple of trips to LA/San Diego and one to San Francisco. There is so much to see in this country!
DeleteLook at those (mostly) blue skies...and your smiles! I'm glad you had such a wonderful adventure. :)
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Except for that one morning in Bar Harbor, we really lucked out with the weather!
DeleteLooks like you are having a marvelous time. I've never stopped in Bar Harbor but hope to someday. I do love Maine, but it seems every year we tend to frequent the southern coast. I have been way up to The Forks, Maine for some white water rafting and moose sitings LOL
ReplyDeleteDiane - We never got beyond the southern coast for years. Started venturing farther north when the girls were looking at colleges (they all ended up staying in NY though). When my husband was in residency, we spent a couple of weeks way up in Fort Kent (the first mile on US route 1!) where he was moonlighting.
DeleteOMG! I love that you love the way up parts of Maine.
ReplyDeleteWhat you really need to do is go from Bar Harbor to Bangor...to Black Harbor catch the Ferry and go to Grand Manan...it’s awesome! Whales, puffins, an an artisanal French Bakery! Den and I went to whale school there and loved it!
ReplyDeletePatty - What a great suggestion. Thanks you!!!
DeleteI love your spirit of adventure!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I'll try just about anything once ;-)
DeleteI love all of your pictures. It makes me long to be there. Acadia is one of the few national parks we have not seen. It looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMargot - Thank you. We're trying to visit most of the National Parks, too. Acadia is a favorite!
DeleteVicki - It really was... glad you enjoyed the photos!
ReplyDeleteOh it looks like a beautiful time.
ReplyDeleteBonnie - We had such a great time!!
DeleteKen and I, early in our married years, made a number of trips to Bar Harbor, Acadia, etc. Loved it, and usually traveled in September or late May.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your adventures!
In September, Ken and I are going for 5 days to Monhegan Island, which is 10 miles off the shore of Port Clyde in Maine. We want to go other places, but still haven't nailed down our other plans. I've always wanted to go, as it's an artist's colony, among other things. Ken, the man born in Maine, has been but is eager to return.
Judith - We're already talking about visiting in September next time. The weather should still be good and I'm sure it won't be quite as busy. Haven't heard of Monhegan Island, but just looked it up and am intrigued! Hope you'll write a post about your adventures, too. We've also enjoyed spending time in Camden and Brunswick. Visited Freeport years ago, too...before there were LLBean stores anywhere else ;-)
DeleteYour photos remind me of the one and only trip we took to Maine, including Acadia N.P. and the famous Jordan Pond House inside the park, the beautiful beaches, and above all the lobsters that are so delicious! Wish you had taken me along!
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - I don't know why I didn't take pictures of our food, but there was a lot of lobster consumed! We all love Maine!
DeleteWow, that weather was something, huh? No weather here but hot hot hot.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos you shared. So pretty.
Ti - I've never had such a hard time standing upright as I did the first day at the top of the mountain! SO windy!! Sure hope you get some relief from that heat soon...
DeleteI am so pleased you continued to enjoy your road trip, even with that pesky rain! I have not long got back from my own adventure to Norway - You have inspired me to do my own post with photos about it :-)
ReplyDeleteJessica - I'd would LOVE to see your photos from Norway! Already looking forward to your post :)
DeleteWonderful photos! You are really making me want to visit Maine. As you said in another reply, there are so many places to see in this country. We're hoping to see as many National Parks as we can in our travels. Next month, the Grand Canyon!
ReplyDeleteLes - You'll be at the Grand Canyon in September? We are tentatively planning a trip in early October... most likely to Arches NP, too. Any chance you'll be at the Grand Canyon in late September?? Maybe we could move things ahead a little...
DeleteWe will be there Sept. 14-17. I would love to be able change our dates a little bit in order to see you, but we have set plans to visit friends in TX and we have other stops before we get there.
DeleteI assumed your plans were pretty well locked down at this point, but we still have a little flexibility. Unfortunately that time frame is a little too early for us... my mother's birthday is the 17th. We may cross paths at another National Park one of these days :)
DeleteAnd I was pretty sure that would be too early for you, but yes! I'm certain our paths will cross one of these days. Speaking of National Parks, you may enjoy the book I've just started. It's called Dear Bob and Sue. You can find the link in my sidebar. I've only read the first few pages, but already have several sticky notes on the pages and have been chuckling quite a bit at some of the letters. I would love to visit all of the National Parks!
DeleteI remember being interested in Dear Bob and Sue when it came out. Just checked amazon and it is a free download for prime member, so now it's on my kindle. Thanks! I'd love to visit all the National Parks, too, so maybe our paths will indeed cross at one :)
DeleteSomehow I missed this post before. Fabulous photos! Thanks for the tour of Maine. Really sounds like a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. We love Maine!! Hoping to return next year :)
DeleteLoved the whole post but my favorite bit is in the first paragraph where you say you took a quick elk around the town - love that visual!
ReplyDeleteLisa - LOL!!! How in the world did I miss that?? Thanks for the best laugh I've had in a week!
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