We've returned from a final epic Northeast adventure! Acadia National Park was one of the last places on our checklist that we wanted to go before leaving the East Coast. Tim's birthday and our 5 year anniversary (theme = wood, perfect for camping in the woods!) were the perfect opportunities.
We departed in our powerful Ford Focus rental car (which the employee insisted was extra powerful to get us up those windy Acadia hills) and arrived Thursday afternoon to Bar Harbor, Maine. First stop, blueberry soft serve and a burger and blueberry beer for the birthday boy.
Another fun coincidence of the trip is Dinah and her friend Allison from VT were planning a trip at the same time, so we met up each day, starting with a walk at low tide across the harbor to a small island. Don't get stuck there after 7pm though, or you're swimming back! Be sure to check out the slideshow for more way wacky pictures.
We then checked into our campground in time to discover a cool lookout over the Atlantic, including an impending full moon rise over the eastern horizon!
Friday we headed to the "bubbles" and Jordan Pondhouse. We hiked from Jordan Pond straight UP the South Bubble, which was awesome, and took this "bump on the bubble" picture to commemorate Karate Kid's 19th week:
(the bubbles are in the distance)
I've been feeling baby movements for the past couple of weeks which is really weird and fun!
Then we descended to Eagle Lake, back around and up the Nubble, and the North Bubble. We were hoping there were stubbles to hike somewhere but only bubbles and nubbles. Finally we ended back at the Jordan Pondhouse for their famous popovers (hollow muffins). The raspberry lemonade was super yummy, and it was fun to meet up again with Dinah and Allison who had been biking all over the island. We ended the day at their campground instead of ours for dinner.
Saturday we intersected again at the top of the tallest peak on the Mount Desert Island, Cadillac Mountain. We think it's called that since a Cadillac could make it to the top. Dinah and Allison ascended via the most vertical route - bouldering straightup - while we took a more leisurely ridge route. So when we happened upon each other again at the top (islands are small!), we rescued them from their treacherous descent by inviting them along our route and then driving them back to their car. They added to the fun with interesting yoga poses. More pics to come...
Saturday ended with more blueberry soft serve and pizza for dinner in town. That night the clouds rolled in and a huge thunderstorm woke us in the middle of the night, but it was kind of cool. It was gone by the time we had planned to get up and watch the sunrise, but lingering clouds definitely hid and muted the effect we were imagining. It wasn't too difficult to go back to bed though:)
Sunday we checked out of our campsite and finished adventuring with a final hike up the Beehive (iron rungs bolted into the boulders!) to the Bowl trail by a lake. This place needs more creative names we decided.
After lunch (Tim had to try lobster tail!) in Bar Harbor (and double ice cream!!), we drove the 5+ hours home, both refreshed and exhausted. It was totally worth it, although we think it doesn't beat the Northwest's beauty. We are blessed to have enjoyed all of these adventures!
We departed in our powerful Ford Focus rental car (which the employee insisted was extra powerful to get us up those windy Acadia hills) and arrived Thursday afternoon to Bar Harbor, Maine. First stop, blueberry soft serve and a burger and blueberry beer for the birthday boy.
Another fun coincidence of the trip is Dinah and her friend Allison from VT were planning a trip at the same time, so we met up each day, starting with a walk at low tide across the harbor to a small island. Don't get stuck there after 7pm though, or you're swimming back! Be sure to check out the slideshow for more way wacky pictures.
We then checked into our campground in time to discover a cool lookout over the Atlantic, including an impending full moon rise over the eastern horizon!
Friday we headed to the "bubbles" and Jordan Pondhouse. We hiked from Jordan Pond straight UP the South Bubble, which was awesome, and took this "bump on the bubble" picture to commemorate Karate Kid's 19th week:
(the bubbles are in the distance)
I've been feeling baby movements for the past couple of weeks which is really weird and fun!
Then we descended to Eagle Lake, back around and up the Nubble, and the North Bubble. We were hoping there were stubbles to hike somewhere but only bubbles and nubbles. Finally we ended back at the Jordan Pondhouse for their famous popovers (hollow muffins). The raspberry lemonade was super yummy, and it was fun to meet up again with Dinah and Allison who had been biking all over the island. We ended the day at their campground instead of ours for dinner.
Saturday we intersected again at the top of the tallest peak on the Mount Desert Island, Cadillac Mountain. We think it's called that since a Cadillac could make it to the top. Dinah and Allison ascended via the most vertical route - bouldering straightup - while we took a more leisurely ridge route. So when we happened upon each other again at the top (islands are small!), we rescued them from their treacherous descent by inviting them along our route and then driving them back to their car. They added to the fun with interesting yoga poses. More pics to come...
Saturday ended with more blueberry soft serve and pizza for dinner in town. That night the clouds rolled in and a huge thunderstorm woke us in the middle of the night, but it was kind of cool. It was gone by the time we had planned to get up and watch the sunrise, but lingering clouds definitely hid and muted the effect we were imagining. It wasn't too difficult to go back to bed though:)
Sunday we checked out of our campsite and finished adventuring with a final hike up the Beehive (iron rungs bolted into the boulders!) to the Bowl trail by a lake. This place needs more creative names we decided.
After lunch (Tim had to try lobster tail!) in Bar Harbor (and double ice cream!!), we drove the 5+ hours home, both refreshed and exhausted. It was totally worth it, although we think it doesn't beat the Northwest's beauty. We are blessed to have enjoyed all of these adventures!
2 comments:
Awesome.
Looks like a great trip.
Best wishes for your next sequence of adventures!
Paul
What a great way to end your new england adventure! You'll look back on these few years with SO many memories.
Miss you both, and can't wait for the next phase to kick in gear!
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