Acadia National Park is located along the mid-section of the Maine coast, southwest of Bar Harbor.
The park contains the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast of the United States (Cadillac Mountain), exposed granite domes, glacial erratics, U-shaped valleys, and cobble beaches. Its mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows, and coastlines contribute to a diversity of plants and animals. In total, it encompasses 49,075 acres (19,860 ha; 76.680 sq mi; 198.60 km2) as of 2017. WIKIPEDIA
DAY 2 IN BAR HARBOR -Today did not start out as planned (or unplanned)! After a hearty breakfast, we were undecided whether to drive to Acadia or take the free shuttles. But since the Visitor Center guy told us yesterday that the shuttle buses did not go up Cadillac Mountain we decided to drive. However, I forgot to go online to make a park reservation in advance and Ileft my National Park Entrance Pass at home! When we arrived at the entrance, I explained to the park ranger that I forgot my park entrance pass and showed him my VA Disability card. He said, “that’s fine but you still need a park entrance reservation!” So we exited and drove for a half hour stopping by to take photos of the picturesque trees and valleys.
Finally, tired of driving we went back to our hotel and parked the car and took the shuttle to take us to Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor where all the different shuttle routes converge. The free shuttle system is very organized and there is always someone at the bus stops to help you with your questions or make recommendations as to how to connect to the next shuttle. All the drivers of the different shuttles we took were friendly, funny and witty – really made a difference when you seem to be lost or confused as to where your next destination is.
Throughout the day, the weather was windy and cold! At least we were prepared. Initially, we planned on getting off in one of the hiking trails (woods, coast, hills) but after a few stops we realized that walking up and down trails and stairs was already tiring for these seniors! We quickly changed our minds!
After experiencing the park’s grandeur and majestic sceneries our disappointment at not being able to go to the summit of Cadillac Mountain went away. Having visited many other national parks around the country, especially, in the West Coast I can say that each one of them have their own unique beauty and character – green forests to rocky coasts to mountains to rivers – they are all magnificent in their own way!
Way past lunch time, we decided to call it quits. Fortunately, we brought along snack bars and of course water, this kept us going for a while! We caught another shuttle that took us to the north side of the park where there was nothing interesting to see except campgrounds. At least the drivers were chatty and engaged us in conversation until we reached our final destination in the Village Green.
Trini wanted fish and chips and we found this cozy bar and restaurant adjacent to the open bar where they have a live singer. By the way, fish and chips has long been considered a British staple. Chips is NOT the American chips like potato chips, the British chips is what we call in the U.S. french fries. Trini ordered the fish and chips with chardonnay and I experimented with a duck burger and a glass of amber beer. Besides the popular beef burger, I’ve tried turkey, plant-based burger, buffalo, pork belly, and many others but this is the worst non-beef burger I’ve ever tried! I thought I was chewing the bartender’s leather shoes! I think I broke my molar!
We walked to the supermarket (sam one yesterday) and bought a couple of reds to bring to Mike and Barbara’s barbecue party. On the way, we passed by the Visitor Center where we stopped yesterday to inquire about the Northern Lights and where the best place to view it. The gentleman at the desk was very nice and at least he was honest to admit that in his 35 years in Maine he has NEVER seen the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)! Since we were able to see it last night we stopped by and I showed it to him. He said that a couple of other tourists also showed him the photos they took. I think we turned him into believing that the Northern Lights do exist!
Tomorrow we’re driving back to Dresden and will be taking the shorter route….
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