A few years ago, a dental implant rep named Dwight, from the state of Maine, challenged me. “If you have never visited Maine, add it to your bucket list.” As he described his native home I mentally did just that.
Traveling by air to Bangor for a long July 4th weekend we headed to Southwest Harbor for a reservation at Acadia Cottages. A very quaint cottage with everything you could possibly need, and attentive owners available to help or leave you alone to vacation. Using the Island Explorer, a free shuttle service around the Bar Harbor area, was a treat. Tall, green and plentiful spuce and fir trees greeted us as we navigated the area.
At the visitor center of Acadia National Park, I picked up a small driving guide for Park Loop Road. This turned out to be the best idea! This guide took us thru the park on a 27 mile road with stops and explanations of each area. Sand Beach, that consists mainly of crushed shells and marine animals, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond House and Cadillac Mountain… where at 1,530 feet, you are standing on the highest point of land on the Atlantic coast. If you watch the sunrise from here, you are among the first in the United States to see the sunrise during certain times of year. The sunshine, clouds, water and skies all blended in hues of blue. Sailboats, lobster trap buoys, granite rock and a sunset on Cadillac Mountain were highlights of our day.
Spending the 4th of July in Bar Harbor, the day started with a town parade. Sunny and warm with a low humidity, we watched among people of all nationalities with their young families and dogs. Accents and other languages all come together to cheer and celebrate America’s freedom. The local Rotary club hosted a full day event at the YMCA park complete with food, local crafts, lobster races (yes! a lobster race!) and music. The shops in Bar Harbor offer such interesting artisan work. Jewelry, pottery, wood, glass, and photography of all different shapes and sizes and so rich in colors and representative of the area. In the evening after dinner we watched fireworks over the Atlantic ocean.
Wonderland Trail, a short easy trail to the tip of the Maine shoreline was our next morning find. We sat on beautiful granite rocks, soaking up the view and breeze. The tide touched our feet and we absorbed the color and size of the Spruce trees along the beach and listened to the water crash against the rocks. Seeing the miracle of the horizon where sky meets earth, or in this case where sky meets water, as far as you can see. So amazing, peaceful, and beautiful.
We had lobster late in the afternoon at Thurston’s in Bernard, right on the coastline where boats deliver to their restaurant. As fresh as it gets! Picking our lobsters and choosing clams, we also ate on the pier, made a mess and enjoyed it all. This experience gave new meaning to the shirt slogan, “Save a shirt, eat lobster naked.”
College of the Atlantic held a Native American Basket festival the next day, which included fried bread tacos, demonstrations, dancing and beautiful baskets. The Abbe Museum introduced us to the Wabnaki Tribe, the people of the dawn. Several tribes were represented at this festival.
Ending our trip at the Seawall, we searched thru tide pools with the hope of returning here. New discoveries, sights, tastes and memories. Yes, add Maine to your bucket list. Pristine beauty awaits.
Let us know if you take a trip to Maine!
Happy Trails!
Beverly Alice
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Wonderful story!!