Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4 – Day 5 – Day 6 – Day 7 – Day 8 – Day 9
Mary had to wake up the chickens this morning because they slept too long. I mean, someone had to do it, right? And I didn’t walk her to school because, let’s be honest, I needed to save my energy for all the important stuff I had to do later, like deciding what to have for lunch. I puttered around the room and finished off Day 2 of this grand adventure, which mostly involved figuring out where I left my ticket to ride the bus.
The bus wanted me there at 9:30, so I departed at 9:00 am and walked to Testa’s Restaurant to pick up my tickets. As I mosied to the pickup point, the tide was noticeably higher than last night!
I caught the bus at the end of the street.
The Tesla restaurant was empty, so I got some bacon and eggs, as the bus tour did not include dining. I could watch the bus so I would not miss it.
It’s time for bacon and eggs before the ride.
We were off on time at 10:00 am and headed to Acadia National Forest. The first stop was “The Wild Gardens”. The Wild Gardens of Acadia is located in the Sieur de Monts area of Acadia National Park. The entrance is on Route 3, approximately 2 miles south of Bar Harbor’s Village Green.
First stop: wild gardens.
How many shades of green do you see? The vegetation was lush!
It was a bit foggy.
The paths were made of tiny rocks, which helped with the rain. Annual precipitation in Maine averages 40 inches in the Northern Division, about 42 inches in the South, and 46 inches in the Coastal Division where we are visiting.
The pathways were easy to walk.
There were many rivers, streams, and lakes in the area.
The water looked like a mirror.
The Beaver Dam was built so well that no water left the lake. Beavers build watertight dams made of woven sticks, reeds, branches, and saplings caulked together with mud and rocks. The dams form low-moving ponds that reduce stream erosion and provide a brand-new habitat for small fish and other aquatic wildlife. Rocks make up a large part of dams.
The state installed an overflow system.
There were many stairs, so I stayed up on the top.
We saw this from the boat last night.
Ancient geological forces and the passage of time long ago formed Thunder Hole and the surrounding rocky coastline that characterizes Mount Desert Island today. Clara Barns Martin’s 1867 ‘Guide Book for Mount Desert Island,’ mentions ‘Thunder Hole or Thunder Cave, a deep chasm into which with every returning wave the water rolls and swirls, and when wind and tide conspire, the wave is thrown against the overhanging rock with a blow that makes the whole cliff shake and the air tremble as with the crash of thunder.
Solid Granite.
Reds and greens, who has some Christmas lights??
All it needs is Christmas lights.
The road was blasted out of solid rock in the 1930s. The winding road from the Park Loop Road at the base of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park to the summit is approximately 3.5 miles long.
The road to the top was blasted through this rock.
From the top, you can see the five islands near Bar Harbor. Lying directly east of the Bar Harbor Public Pier, The Porcupine Islands consist of a chain of five islands: Bar Island, Sheep Porcupine, Burnt Porcupine, Long Porcupine, and Bald Porcupine.
The five islands adjacent to Ba Haba
It is supposed to look like this (when the Sun is out):
Thanks to Post Cards!
The bus returned to Bar Harbor around 12:30, and I returned to the hotel before waiting for Mary to leave class. The flowers were beautiful, and I could not resist this one with its shades of blue.
These flowers bordered the conference gall all along the main street.
I sat and waited inside the conference center and talked to the coordinator, who remembered us from last year.
I sat patiently for just a few minutes, and the door broke open, and people were escaping the conference.
We passed by the hotel and wandered to the Mexican restaurant Jalepeno’s, but it was closed. A sign stated, “Thanks for a wonderful season; see you next year!” We were hoping to have Mexican food before we departed.
We stumbled back, and Mary made me stop at every store to pick up goodies for her friends. Finally, we ended up at this super fancy, avant-garde restaurant. I’m unsure if I was more excited about the food or the chance to finally sit down after all that walking!
The Loft was just that—all upstairs with a fantastic view of the harbor. It is a contemporary Seafood experience. Dishes are prepared in three areas: the main kitchen, Our Raw Bar, and the Seafood Shack. The Loft serves dishes designed to be shared or enjoyed individually.
We watched the ships come and go into the harbor.
Loaded Guacamole: Chopped & Smashed to Order, Hass Avocados, Heirloom Tomato,
Vidalia Sweet Onion, Jalapeno, Fresh Squeezed Lime, Maine Sea Salt served Alongside Home Made Flour Tortillas.
Sushi Burrito: Just like a sushi roll served as a burrito. Flash-fried j bo shrimp, tuna poke, tobiko roe, eel sauce, wasabi aioli, cucumber, carrots & pea greens
I managed to devour most of it but I needed space for Blueberry Pie!
We finally made it back to the hotel at the early hour of 7:00 pm, feeling like true party animals. To cap off our wild evening, we decided to live life on the edge and watched ‘Grease’ before calling it a night. We’re just rebels without a cause, I tell you!
Tomorrow, Mary goes in at 7:00 am again, but she is out at 12:30, and we head to Colleen’s house down in New Hampshire.
