It was not the best display of the Aurora Borealis but were lucky to view it again (for the second time)! Our first sighting was in Norway last February 2023 while cruising with Viking. Actually, tonight the entire northern United States was able to see this amazing phenomenon!
Julia loaned us her Subaru Forrester (thank you, friend!) instead of renting a car!
We decided to take US Route 1 to go to Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park) even though it would take us longer to reach our destination….and what a decision we made! The drive took us along canopied tree-lined two-lane roads watching golden leaves departing from their branches; slowly rolling through tiny towns and villages lined with colorful antique stores adorned with multi-hued buoys hanging on the walls. The only thing that annoyed me a little bit were the numerous road repairs going on turning the two-lane roads into one and being stuck in traffic for several minutes. I learned later that the state’s Department of Transportation is rushing to complete these road repairs before winter since they would not be able to work after that!
We finally arrived in Bar Harbor Holiday Inn but too early to check in so we took the free shuttle to take us downtown. The reason the shuttle is free is because parking is very limited. We walked around this quaint little town watching fellow tourists crisscrossing busy streets toting the souvenirs they just bought. We stopped and listened to a performer entertain customers sipping cocktails nestled with their partners in wooden benches. Others stayed close to the fire ring savoring its warmth.
I asked Siri for the closest supermarket and my sexy assistant willingly obliged. I followed the instructions while Trini chatted on the phone with a friend, she lagged so far behind I had to occasionally pause for her to catch up.
Like all the other boutique shops, the stores in Bar Harbor have slashed their prices to dispose of their inventory before shutting down for the winter. I, of course, bought another magnet, ball cap and a shirt!
The temperature was quickly going south as the breeze was starting to pick up so we decided to catch another free ride to our hotel to finish checking in. We got into the bus with a very nice elderly gentleman who loved to chat.
Going back to the Northern Lights story, Julia texted me and said that she saw the lights in her place and told us to go out quick as it might disappear! Trini, already in her pajamas quickly put her shoes on and grabbed her jacket. I was still in my sweat suit so I just put on my jacket and off we went! I opened my compass app to determine where NORTH was. Hallooo! All we saw were trees and glaring lights from the vehicles. I ran back and grabbed the car key and drove heading north towards Acadia National Park! After driving several miles in winding dim road, we noticed several cars parked in the narrow shoulder of the highway. I pulled over, turned on the flasher and got out but I could not see anything! I took off against Trini’s advice and drove further with no success so I drove back and parked behind the others and waited for about 20 minutes. I was getting impatient so I got out and peered in the hazy part of the sky when I noticed some discoloration happening. I pointed my iPhone and snapped a few shots and that’s when I noticed that the Northern Lights has appeared albeit not very clear.
After conceding that the lights are not getting any more vivid we decided to drive back to the hotel and so did many of the hopeful onlookers!
What a night….
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