I can’t wait to show you the pics from our recent trip to Acadia National Park, located just minutes from the lovely town of Bar Harbor, Maine. I don’t know why it’s taken us our entire lives to visit this beautiful part of the northeast, but now that we have, it’s one of the few places I can say I would love to revisit someday.
Drop dead gorgeous scenery? Check
Fabulous food? Check
Tons to do? Check
What’s not to love??
After spending the weekend in Chester, Vermont, we drove to Maine with BAM, where we had reserved an oceanfront site. Unlike many oceanfront sites, we had complete privacy on both sides and, of course, in front.
Here’s what we woke up to every morning. The tide would change constantly, and this shot was taken when it was in the process of going out. When it was in, you could no longer see the rocks that are visible in the water.
Notice the rope tied around the tree on the left? That came in handy when we decided to climb down (and up) the steep slope and visit the birds near the shore.
On our first full day there we were greeted with the ubiquitous fog this area is known for, so we decided to go into the town of Bar Harbor and have a look around at the pretty shops and have lunch. I’ll show you those pics another time, along with some from the quaint town in Vermont near where we stayed. For now, I invite you to bask in the grandeur of Maine’s awe-inspiring, rugged shoreline.
Tuesday we went to Acadia and had lunch at Jordan’s Pond, the only restaurant in the park, famous for their popovers (shhhh, mine are better).
The view is spectacular! A lovely lake framed by two mountains called ‘The Bubbles’ and a dense cover of pine trees.
Tuesday night we had a wonderful dinner at a lobster shack, complete with bibs, sticky fingers and dripping butter. We then attended an improv comedy show in town which was actually quite good.
Wednesday the weather was just about perfect, in the low 80’s, low humidity and sunny. We decided to hike one of the many trails at the park, and I must say I think we chose well. The name of the trail was ‘Great Head’, and it was truly magnificent. Majestic views were at nearly every turn, and other than a few places where some rock climbing was necessary, it wasn’t difficult at all.
We were surprised that the water was just about as clear as any you might find in the Caribbean.
We accessed the trail via Sand Beach, which is the only beach in the park and was visible along the trail.
The ocean in Maine is known for its frigid temps, but if you look closely you will see some people were actually swimming on this day. If I had my bathing suit I may have joined them!
Later that afternoon we drove up to Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in the park and known for its sunrises and sunsets. (Unless our house is on fire, you will never catch us up at the crack of dawn, so we opted for the sunset.) From one side of the mountain you can see a view of the town of Bar Harbor. On this particular afternoon, a cruise ship, which I think was Grandeur of the Seas, was departing. See that small vessel all the way to the right? We learned when large ships leave the harbor, an experienced seaman accompanies the ship until it’s safely off shore and is then picked up by a small boat and brought back.
And now for my favorite shots! These photos are pretty much straight out of the camera. Pretty awesome, right?
As we drove away, we stopped so I could get these other shots from a different vantage point.
Thursday we drove to the mainland side of Acadia, about a 30 minute drive. This area was less touristy than Bar Harbor and it’s the only place I ended up actually picking up a souvenir (a very pretty blue handmade shawl).
This area was known as Winter Harbor, and that’s Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain straight ahead.
This was our view during lunch, while eating lobster and cheese sandwiches. It looks like a postcard, doesn’t it?
Thursday night we attended a star gazing event on Sand Beach. Hundreds of people were there, and once again, we were lucky to have clear skies. Rangers talked a bit about the constellations and some of the stories behind them. It was magical.
Maine has a character all its own. Its rugged shores are both inspiring and mysterious, its homes are both quaint and elegant, and its people both friendly and authentic.
Maine’s motto is ‘the way life should be’.
I have to agree.
In other news…
Where do I begin?? Temps have dropped drastically these last few days, cool mornings with sunny and slightly warmer afternoons, so we’ve been cleaning up our planters, working on the rock garden and generally trying to get as much outside stuff done as time will allow. As soon as we’re finished with the rock garden, we’ll be dividing up some hostas and planting them along the side of the house, then we hope to replace some rotting boards and paint. I also built a small flower bed where I placed some of the concrete leaves I made and a few other decorative items, but eventually I’d like it to be an herb garden.
I’m way behind in decorating for the season, but I’m not going to stress about it. Sarissa & Josh are coming for a few days just after Columbus weekend, so that will be motivation for us to have everything look nice. Nothing like company coming to get the house in order, right? I don’t know if I’ll have the kitchen wall painted by then though. Probably not. I’ve been testing out some colors, and have narrowed it down to a milk paint mix of Marzipan and Ironstone or ASCP Old Ochre and Pure White.
At night I’m spending some time organizing a lifetime of photos. It’s a HUGE undertaking and super time consuming, but it will be worth it.
Speaking of photos, I took about 400 pics in total of our week away. Obviously I can’t show them all to you, but next time I’ll have some of Vermont and of Bar Harbor, where you can get a look at some of the lovely, quaint towns and homes.
Thinking about visiting Acadia someday? You should! In the meantime, don’t forget to ‘PinIt’ to your travel board!
Sharing At
Lyn says
I have never been to Maine but your pictures made me want to add it to my list! The rock formations, clear water and gorgeous sunsets – WOW! Thank you for sharing!
kim says
Wow Doreen, Acadia is so beautiful. I know Tim and I would love it there.
I especially liked the cute pic of you and your hubby, did a bear take that one for you?
Your weather is sounding a lot like ours, except we been having a lot of rain here.
Have a wonderful time with your company. I’ll be looking forward to more photos of your trip!
Amy says
I haven’t been to Maine since I was a teenager, and we did not go to Acadia. I’ve always wanted to, but now that I see you pics, I REALLY want to! Those sunsets, oh my! All beautiful shots, Doreen! How wonderful that Sarissa and Josh are coming! Enjoy every minute with them!
Rita C at Panoply says
Oh yes, we loved Acadia, too! Our trek up Cadillac Mountain was very windy once at the top, and we hiked Bubble Rock (800′ above sea level at its peak!). You stir up wonderful memories for me with your recount, Doreen, and yes, we also would enjoy going back there. I’m sill drowning in photos from our trip across the country in August, so don’t feel badly for being behind. It will still be inspiring to see when you’ve gone through them. Most people will plan months ahead for a trip that special anyway, so taking your time to point out your favorite things will be helpful. So glad you had a great time. Have a restful weekend.
Rita
D says
Just breathtaking. Favorite spot honeymooned there many MOONS ago. Thanks for the memories…best photo is you hugging the man. xo
tammy j says
I love it when you travel. you could be a travel writer you know. you’re good.
but then I love it when you stay at home! LOL.
and never worry. I would enjoy all 400 photos. feel free to share them here.
you wouldn’t bore me at all.
as much time as I’ve spent northeast I can’t believe I’ve never been to maine.
remember the line in one of my favorite movies? Baby Boom.
she’s in the local little store trying to get the owner to sell her applesauce.
two yuppy types from NYC are standing picking out a little kid outfit…
the wife says “this is cute” and the husband says “the whole STATE is cute!”
LOLOL
I like your word ‘grandeur’ better.
the strains of ‘moonlight in vermont’ are wafting through my mind now.
love ya! glad you’re back home safe and sound.
xoxo
Jane says
Bar Harbor has been on my Bucket List forever. Other than rocky shores and lobster traps, I never saw much of Maine when I visited the east coast for the first time. Now that I see there are mountains and hiking, I know hubby would love it. Me, I’m in terrible shape but it would be an incentive to work out. I’m looking forward to seeing your pics of the towns. Looks like you guys had a ball!
I have a lot of clean up outdoors, too, but we’ve had rain for the past 5 days. That’s okay cuz we needed it. You would think I’d take this time to clean up inside, get rid of the starfish and summer candles and look through my fall bins but nooooooooo…just watching Hallmark mysteries over and over!!
Jane
Jemma says
Doreen,
I have traveled quite a bit in my lifetime but never to the Northeast.
Your trip looks positively magnificent and breathtaking, I cannot imagine having that beauty near me.
Thank you for sharing your journey, photos, viewpoint and the joy you felt when you were in Acadia.
I will look forward to more of your travels and photos right here!
xo
Jemma
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Nature looks absolutely fantastic there!
Emily says
Doreen, I can almost breathe in the fresh air from here! Yes, your scenery looks like a postcard, just breathtaking. I want to visit the area some day during the peak season. Your photos are amazing and I look forward to more. Thanks for the tour.
Mary-the boondocks blog says
And I do have a travel board on Pinterest. So there! Gorgeous photography Doreen and such a lovely place. I love it up there in the northeast with its lush greenery combined with the blue of the ocean, and those majestic views. I’ve never been up that far north but I used to go to Long Island all the time, near North Fork. Now get that house cleaned up… lol. That’s how I am too, don’t clean till you are threatened with a guest.
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Doreen your Acadia photos are just wonderful!! I enjoyed seeing them very much.
In my area we have some cooler temps but no fall foliage or anything even indicating fall whatsover…so I am not jumping on the bandwagon of fall decor ….I’ll do it when it looks that way outside 🙂
Having been around Blogland for a few years now I tend to just ignore the jumping the bandwagon posts lol
Cecilia says
Ooo, those sunset photos are wonderful! Yes, Acadia is on my wish list. It just looks so pretty and unspoiled. How nice your daughter and sil are coming to visit! Bet you are excited! Yay! We’ve had cooler weather too – low 80’s during the day and 60’s at night. Whew so much better! I wish I was up there to see the leaves when they change. I really want to come back. 🙂 sounds like y’all are getting lots done outside…hope you can accomplish what you need to before it gets cold! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. Can’t wait to see more! Hugs,
Cecilia
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, Acadia National Park is incredible. What a pretty place to visit. I love the rock formations at Jordon’s Pond. Those little sea gulls with their stick legs make me smile every time. : ) wow, the sunset pictures are beautiful! Such deep colors in the sky. The star gazing event sounds really nice. Thanks for sharing your pics of this wonderful place.
And have fun decorating for Fall, Doreen.
~Sheri
Julie says
Hi Doreen, wow what a beautiful place to visit and I love the photos. I’ve never been to Maine and I’d love to visit sometime in the future. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to learning more about your trip and look at the pictures.
Have a wonderful Sunday and week.
Hugs, Julie xo
Cindi says
Thank you for this post!
My sister lived in Vermont and they plan on moving back when they retire.
I visited her several times and I can’t wait to see if I recognize any of the towns you were in!
I wanted to go to Maine but never made it
Now it’s on my Bucket list for sure!
xoxoxoxo
Carla TePaske says
I am so excited for your Vermont posts. We would like to have Vermont be our 2017RoadTrip!
This past week we visited South Dakota. South Dakota was our 2016RoadTrip! We went to Mount Rushmore, hiked in the Black Hills and the Badlands.
I would love to visit Maine.
Carla
Debbie - MountainMama says
So gorgeous!!!!! Maine is one of my favorite places, although I haven’t made it as far as Acadia yet!
Kim says
You guys always take the best trips and look like you’re having fun. You even managed to make your trip to Singapore look like fun when you were sick. You make the homebody want to catch a little bit of your wanderlust. I think I could deal with a trip to Maine!
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Doreen.. such wonderful scenery and photos! The rugged coast reminds me of some parts of our Oregon coast! Wish I was there right now. What wonderful views you had too… I’m a little green right now! And that lake? and the mountains? and the darling town and places to eat.. what fun! I’m anxious to see what you do with your rock garden as I didn’t remember if you had decided to make one or not.. but guess you are! I’m like you… when I go somewhere, I take hundreds of photos! Most are still on my computer, but I try to make a little photo album now and then.. but that doesn’t happen very often! Too bad we can’t magically snap our fingers and have them jump right from our computer to a nice album. Thank you for sharing your trip! Marilyn
Karen@ Beatrice Euphemie says
Oh my goodness, Doreen, your trip sounds fabulous and your photos are breathtaking! Love the sunset and the views of the rocky shoreline! Well, actually, I loved all the photos and aren’t you two just the cutest couple?! I grew up in Massachusetts and we would always vacation at a cabin in New Hampshire, but I have not been to Maine, believe it or not…..I would just love to go! Looking forward to more photos of your trip. We are having similar weather to yours, here in WA., and rushing around to get ready for winter…..Hope you enjoy this first week of beautiful October . x Karen
Vickie says
What a gorgeous place to visit! And those photos of the sunset are absolutely breathtaking. It looks like you had perfect weather during your stay. And the homes and lighthouse are so charming!
Emily says
Doreen, I’ve never been to Maine so I have enjoyed this post so much. I would love a visit there and I know we need to add Maine to our list of places we want to visit, along with Vermont. Your photography is beautiful! The shops and restaurants sound wonderful too. Great pic of you and your hubs………..Look forward to more trip pics. Enjoy your company too…….
kelly says
Oh how beautiful! It’s ironic that you posted these pics in Maine because my husband and I are trying to decide where to spend our 30th wedding anniversary next Spring. I suggested the Northeastern shoreline (such as Maine). We’ve never been to that part of the country before! So, it was fun to read about your trip and see your pretty pics.
Pinky says
I have always wanted to go to Maine and now even more! It looks so spectacular! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and adventures!!!
Judy says
Doreen, your photographs are beautiful. I would love to travel in your part of the country some day. It is really gorgeous. Growing up in a beach town on the Pacific, we have some very beautiful places along the coast, but on the Atlantic side it appears much more wild. It seems that way when we go up to Oregon also. It is a beautiful world we live in. Thanks for sharing..Happy Weekend..Judy