Day 55 Visit Acadia National Park in Maine

July 13 

Visit Acadia National Park

The road leading into the park is picturesque.  Acadia Natl Park is on Mount Desert Island and resembles the shape of a lobster claw.  The park loop road is about 20 miles but to take it all in you need all day.  We started with Cadillac Mtn.  The mountain is 1530’ tall and is the tallest mountain on the east coast north of Brazil.  We got there at 10 am so parking was no problem.  There is a path around the top, 360 degree view!  When we left, 2 trolley’s and 2 buses had arrived and the parking lot was filling up.  The temperature was already 27 degrees. 

Looking down on Bar Harbor 

Traveling along the east coast we came to Sand Beach, the park’s only sand beach on the ocean.  The roads here are one way so after the parking lots are full the road is lined with cars.  We took off our shoes and walked the beach.  Wading into the water is a little cool/cold.  After all it is the Atlantic Ocean.

Just a short distance down the road is Thunder Hole.  The best time to visit is when the tide is coming in to this narrow granite channel, the air becomes trapped and it makes a thunderous sound.  We were there as the tide was just starting to come in so no thunder yet.  The next attraction was Otter Cliffs that are pink granite and rise 100 feet out of the water.

We were told that a good place to stop for a snack is Jordan Pond, the only restaurant in the park.  Jordan Pond House is famous for its baked popovers and homemade ice cream.  Most meals come with a popover, fresh baked just out of the oven.  Delicious!!  After our light lunch we walked the trail to Jordan Pond to view The Bubbles, a pair of rounded mountains to the north.

Following the coast line we came to Northeast Harbor which is an active fishing harbor.  Very nice summer homes and antique type store fronts. 

Back to Bar Harbor we found 3 hour free parking.  It was great walking around the town’s main street, checking out their shops and down to the wharf to see the boats coming and going.  Cheaper lobster dinners are offered between 4 & 6 pm so we decided to eat out on the pier for $16.99.  When our dinner arrived, it looked like a plastic lobster.  But it was the real thing!

Another great day!  To finish it off we had to get some liquor before heading back into Canada.  We found a 30 Canadian beer for $20 (at home $48) and I got a 750 ml Southern Comfort and Malibu for $14 each.

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 125 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 30 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
Wildlife:  We didn’t see anything in the park!
Campsite:  Timberline Acres RV Park
Walking:  5 km

L.L. Bean has supported Acadia Natl Park since 2002 by donating over $3 million to support the park and the Island Explorer which has 8 bus route linking hotels, campgrounds, villages to destinations in the park.  The buses are free you just need to buy a $20 Park Pass good for one week.