Acadia National Park, Maine
This is one day I was really looking forward to. Jim and I are huge fans of National Parks, and Acadia is a beautiful one. Rather than look for ourselves (which was very unlike us), we took the word of a visitor center employee who said it was probably a couple hours up there.
Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit New England at Last 2012
Had we thought about it more and realized it was really closer to four hours from Rockport, we would have gotten an earlier start or planned an overnight. Instead we felt rushed through the whole day, which was really unfortunate. Acadia National Park covers about 75% of Mount Desert Island and we only saw about 30% of it on our one day trip. Obviously more time is warranted on a return trip to explore this beautiful place more fully.
We took Park Loop Road, which gave us a great overview of the eastern portion of the Park and took us in south of Bar Harbor. We caught our first glimpse of Frenchman’s Bay – named after Samuel de Champlain who first charted these waters for France in 1604. This area became a staging point for the French as they prepared to fight the English.
We continued south on Park Loop Road past a beautiful marshy area (pictured above) and on to a wonderful overlook. The rugged coastline was very impressive and the water very clear. It was a beautiful clear day, which was all we could ask for after the rainy weather we had been experiencing on this trip.
A great place to stop if you have more time (and it’s warmer than today) is Sand Beach shown in the distance in the next two photos. Folks looked to be having some fun there! I wonder if I’ll ever get to the point in my vacations where we can just spend a whole day laying on the beach. I think we are doing something wrong!
We continued south past Thunder Hole. Although I don’t have any pictures because the waves weren’t crashing the day we were there, here is some info you may enjoy:
“Nothing symbolizes the power of Acadia National Park as much as Thunder Hole does.
When the right size wave rolls into the naturally formed inlet, a deep thunderous sound emanates. The cause is a small cavern formed low, just beneath the surface of the water. When the wave pulls back just before lunging forward, it dips the water just below the ceiling of the cavern allowing air to enter. When the wave arrives full force, it collides with the air, forcing it out, resulting in a sound like distant thunder. Water may splash into the air as high as 40 feet with a roar!” – READ MORE
Another beautiful lake and a beautiful bridge over Otter Creek. And I don’t know whose house this is, but I want it! Can you imagine the views? I’ll be right back, I’ve got to go buy a lottery ticket!!
Next stop was Jordan Pond – an absolutely perfect stop – with a beautiful Pond of crystal clear water. We stopped at Jordan Pond House for afternoon tea and popovers, strolled the grounds and sat for a while.
“The Jordan Pond Shore Trail circumvents the pond. A Carriage Road passes the restaurant and pond on the west side running north and south. Wildwood Stables, to the southeast, offers carriage rides for a reasonable price. The Island Explorer Shuttle Bus has a pickup and drop-off point at the restaurant.” – READ MORE
What a splendid day. Makes me want to go back just thinking about it.
Next up: Rockland and Vicinity
Happy trails,
Barb
You guys are amazing. All of the places you have been. Thanks for sharing them.