When we heard there was going to be a solar eclipse and everyone was heading south or west, we thought let's go NORTH and have Acadia National Park in Maine all to ourselves. We were wrong about that, but it was still an amazing adventure. We (with Nancy and family and my mom) rented a house in a fantastic location on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island, off the main road between Bar Harbor and right near several park entrances. We were so lucky with the weather and got to hike and swim (the most daring and least affected by cold of us) and kayak and bike and eat popovers and lobster and see the partial solar eclipse at Sand Beach and walk to Bar Island during low tide and take a nature cruise (the waters were a bit too rough for us for whale watching). What we did see was just fantastic and there was still so much we missed. I think Mike and I could happily spend a few more weeks there. One day!
Here we are, on the Holiday Road again!
First day there we did a hike around Jordan Pond with its beautiful views and afterwards we tested out the famous popovers at the Jordan Pond House for lunch.
The next day was the solar eclipse day and we started the morning on top of Cadillac Mountain - at 1530 feet it's the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. We did not see a sunrise (next time?) and we left before the eclipse, but we enjoyed the view and bouldering.
Later, we viewed the eclipse from the beautiful sand beach, where the water was frigid, but Jacob didn't seem to mind. It was fun to be at a national park for the eclipse, even though it was just partial for us, they gave out the special glasses and set up a few ways to view the eclipse safely.
Our friends the Thorners, who live right up the street from us in MD, happened to be in the area the same week so we met up and did a bike trail together in Bar Harbor. L to R: Jake, Jacob, Ben & Owen. Not to forget Millie and their baby girl Abby in the trailers in the back. Amelia ended up needing to hitch a ride with Abby when the trailer she was in broke off from Mike's bike! Yikes.
Mom was a huge trooper when we found ourselves on a slightly more difficult hike than we expected. It really was very deceivingly easy and then suddenly bam! boulders. But she did it. Amelia did too, she loved all the hiking we did, especially the challenging parts. I believe this was the Ship Harbor Trail...should mom ever want to do it again.
I have about 15 attempts of this picture. One of us just COULD NOT bring himself to eke out a smile...
That is, until he was free to climb rocks instead of sit still in a restaurant. This was a quick side trip to see Bass Harbor Head light house. Unfortunately we were in a rush but this view was amazing and one day I'd love to go back.
This was along the Seawall area, another place I'll visit again, a little longer, next time.
In a belated celebration of our dear mother's birth, we went back to the Jordan Pond House because of THIS. YUM!!!
What a great trip. 'Til next time!
