Bar Harbor and Acadia

 It was late afternoon when we pulled in to Bar Harbor. We had already had a busy day but I was anxious to get out so I walked while Dale rested. I walked to Bar Island at low tide and explored Main Street a bit until it was time to meet Dale, Chloe and Scott for dinner. I stayed at their home when I first came to Maine nine years ago. They were very good friends of Randy's and it was wonderful to catch up with them and share stories. It really touched me deeply to share the evening with them.

Chloe and Scott gave us great tips for exploring Acadia National Park the next day so we got up very early to visit the more popular places before the cruise ship crowds arrived. We set an alarm and were rewarded with an amazing sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. Lots of people joined us. It is a spectacular view when the sun touches the USA for the first time in the morning. 

 

 

 Another highlight of our trip to Acadia for me was a hike up Dorr Mountain on Emery Trail. I didn't make it to the top of the mountain but I did make it up half a mile of stairs which was pretty exciting and empowering for me. It was a gorgeous place to hike and I was grateful that my legs and lungs were up to the challenge. We didn't realize what we were starting when we took off up the stairs but I have read more and found it is the second highest point in Acadia.

 

 Acadia is gorgeous. A man we met said something about how rare for the mountains to meet the ocean in the USA. Maybe that is part of the reason that it seems so special. We did see some beautiful fall color but even without the foliage the colors, especially the blues are spectacular.

 

 

We took Chloe's advice and headed toward Schoodic Point and Corea that afternoon. It was a glorious slice of Maine. I can see why Scott and Chloe moved to Maine after vacationing there annually.

 

 

 After a day in the national park and enjoying nature we spent sometime enjoying the commercialism and tourism of Bar Harbor. It was especially fun to go to Dale's first lobster pound. Ice cream on Main street afterward was fun too and reminded me of my time there with Randy and Tom.

So many wonderful things about Maine that made it hard to leave at the end of our time. I think I'll get back to Maine and I would love to do it while I could try to climb Dorr Mountain again, now that I know more about it!