After visiting Somerset, it was time for us to head to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island(MDI) to locals. Many others are more familiar with the port city of Bar Harbor.
After a quick bite in Wells, Maine, we stopped overnight at Cabela'a in Scarborough. This was a first for us. But they have a very nice area for RV's and truckers. Also convenient for a little shopping and looking at the giant fish tank and the lifelike stuffed animal displays.
The next day we travel a bit up Route 95 to Augusta and then east on Route 3 to Belfast and /Route 1 north to Ellsworth. These classic buildings are in Searsport, on the water. Both have large grounds with the first being the Homeport Inn and the second being the Captain A.V. Nichoils Inn.
These links are interesting for the history and pictures of the buildings.
Click on the history tabs and room tabs to see pictures of the 1800's in Searsport and rooms
The inns are on Penobscot Bay.
If you have not been north in a while the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory are an impressive new addition.
You can access the Observatory by heading for Fort Knox.
Jan and I love Acadia. This view from Jordan Pond is but one of many in the park.
We hiked around the pond again , 3.5 miles.
Along the way , a nesting loon.
We stayed one night in Blackwoods National Park Campground. That was all we could get since we don't make reservations. Acadia is a very popular national park attracting visitors from all over the world. The rest of our stay we enjoyed at Bar Harbor Campground(no reservations-first come first served) which was great. It was also only 2 miles from the visitor's center where we could take the free park buses to Jordan Pond and Bubble Pond for hikes. We also could easily park Lady Blue in the Visitor's parking lot for a great bike ride around Witch Hole and Eagle Lake. If you visit with an RV, you might want to park here and take a bus into Bar Harbor rather than fight the traffic and parking.
The first half of our hike was mostly on boardwalks.
We appreciate the work it took to build them , Bailey!
Continually impressed by the clarity of the water.
Kayakers enjoy Jordan Pond.
We thought Emilie, Madison, and Lucas would enjoy this unusual twisted tree trunk.
Another view of the Bubbles mountains
The picture on the home page of our blog was from the beginning of our retirement
13 years ago(can you believe it?).
Still a great stop after the hike for the Jordan Pond popovers and strawberry jam.
Check this link for Jordan Pond House info Jordan Pond House
There are 45 miles of carriage roads in the park. Most are just for hikers and bicyclists. Some are also for horses and wagons. None of the 45 miles are for cars. John D. Rockefeller Jr spent some 30 years building these carriage roads from about 1913 to 1947. He loved engineering and hired the best road engineers. The roads have three feet plus of gravel, they are set for perfect drainage. We never encountered a single pothole or ditch created by runoff. Amazing. This was around Eagle Lake.
A number of active beaver lodges.
Just one of many great views along the way. Many of the hikers and bicyclists would stop at various views such as this to rest and take in the view , sometimes have a snack or lunch.
You might be able to tell that this picture is taken from a fair height considering the size of those good sized sailboats. Jan and I are not ashamed to admit that we walked a few hills.
Our hike from Bubble Pond to Jordan Pond was about 5 miles. Again, beautiful views all along the way. And a nice encounter with one of the wagon rides.
Close by Jordan Pond is this Jordan Pond Gate Lodge. We believe the road engineer lived in this house
while the roads were being built. It is still occupied .
A pleasant and quiet beach at Seal Harbor
Beach roses are in full bloom at Seal Harbor
A quick peek at Northeast Harbor.
We did not visit the quiet side of Acadia or the West Side this visit.
Perhaps next time.
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