ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Several years ago, Barbara and I had a sorta 1-day cruise ship/bus-trip excursion through the Park, and we have wanted a re-visit.  From that first visit we remembered our guide talking about “Thunder Hole” – a cut out in the rocks that magnified the sound of waves crashing against the rocks at high tide.  We remembered the panoramic view from the top of Cadillac Mountain, and, of course, the moose on top of one of downtown Bar Harbor’s finest drinking establishments.  Just for the record, we didn’t hear thunder either time.

A curious fact about Acadia is that private homes and privately held lands are interspersed within and surrounding the National Park, and local citizens permitted “carriage trail” hiking paths to traverse across their private property that are open to the public.  This was negotiated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in the 1920s.  Rockefeller loved the Park; he was quite a horseman, and he wanted a place to ride undisturbed by motorized vehicles.

The majority of the Park is located on Mt Desert Island.  Hop in or on your favorite vehicle and ride leisurely along the 27-mile Park Loop Road.  There are some substantial elevations that prohibit hiking by most of us amateurs; however, while driving the Loop Road, stop and take some time to hike a short trail or just stop and admire how truly beautiful this park is.  You’ll find the 27 miles goes by pretty quickly.  Thunder Hole and Cadillac Mountain  are part of  your journey, but visit sand beach, and take the (mostly up hill) half-mile hike to see Bubble Rock.

I hope you’ll not be tempted to spend too much time in Bar Harbor and with the attractions of the Park Loop Road.  There are a few more spots not to be missed.  As you leave Mt. Desert Island to the west you pass through Southwest Harbor, past the cobblestone seawall, and you are then on your way to Bass Harbor and Seal Cove.  Consider visiting the lighthouse at Bass Harbor and climb amongst the rocks to get the best view of the rocky craggy shoreline.  Consider stopping to admire the very pretty inlet at Seal Cove as well.

There is one rather cool thing to do.  Low tide occurs in the morning, and at low tide you can actually walk the sea floor from Bar Harbor to Bar Island.  Might be a little too early for some of you, but bite the bullet for a once-in-a-lifetime activity.  You have 1 1/2 hours to complete the maybe 2-mile hike from the town to the top of the trail on Bar Island and back.  There are notices all over Bar Island about calling for a water taxi should you be stranded.

Barbara and Brian