Day 3 – 9/26/2026 - We Toured; Mary Worked! (Daily Diary)
We were up early so we could have breakfast with the schoolgirl, but alas, Mary wanted to make a good impression and went to school early (…and she has a highly polished apple in her possession) Robin and I had breakfast before our tour began. We ate at the hotel since that is where we're getting picked up.
It is definitely fall!!!
Mary went to her class early so robin and I dined n the hotel before being picked up by our limo!
"Yummy!"
Ready to go!!
Zoom!
Paul is at the heart of Acadia National Park
The garden were well taken car of!
The Wild Gardens of Acadia are a small, peaceful botanical garden in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine.
They are located near the Sieur de Monts area, close to the Abbe Museum and Nature Center. The gardens showcase native plants found throughout Acadia's different habitats, including:
• Forests
• Meadows
• Wetlands
• Mountain areas
• Coastal zones
It's a great stop if you want to learn about Acadia's native wildflowers, shrubs, ferns, and trees in one easy-to-walk location.
Location: Sieur de Monts, off the Park Loop Road
Best for: Native plants, quiet walking, nature photography, short educational stop
Nearby: Jesup Path, Hemlock Path, Nature Center, Abbe Museum, Great Meadow Trail
The walkways were excellent!
Forest covers 84% of Maine
"Sweet Water of Acadia" likely refers to the freshwater environments of Acadia National Park, including its ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands, and springs. These waters are an important part of the park's ecosystem, supporting plants, fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife.
Acadia's freshwater areas were shaped by glaciers and are valued for their natural beauty, clean water, and recreational uses such as hiking, canoeing, and nature watching.
They also need protection from pollution, invasive species, heavy visitor use, and climate change. In short, the "sweet water" of Acadia represents the park's clean freshwater resources and their importance to both nature and people.
The waters are crystal clear
Do you see the frog??
The signage is well done!
Each region has its own area.
Love the flowers
Health plants have their own space.
The protect the small trees from the varmints!
It was like looking into a mirror!
They protect even the little plants
Dinner anyone?
An interesting wall
A wattle fence is a traditional fence made by weaving flexible branches, twigs, or saplings between upright stakes driven into the ground.
It is often made from materials like willow, hazel, or other bendable wood. Wattle fences have been used for centuries to mark boundaries, contain animals, protect gardens, or create rustic-looking barriers. In simple terms, it's a woven wooden fence.
Thunder Hole is a famous coastal spot along Park Loop Road where ocean waves crash into a narrow rock inlet. When conditions are right, the trapped air and water create a loud "thunder" sound and sometimes spray shoots high into the air. Best tips:
• Best time to visit: about 1–2 hours before high tide
• Best conditions: when there is a strong ocean swell
• Location: along Ocean Drive / Park Loop Road, near Sand Beach and Otter Cliff
• Safety: stay behind railings—large waves can be dangerous
Just us! Robin and Paul
Robin walked down, I stayed put!
Otter Cliff is a 110-foot granite headland on the east side of the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine, offering sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. It marks the highest point along the Ocean Path and sits near Thunder Hole and Otter Point, where granite slabs and rounded boulders have been shaped by waves and weather over time. Visitors typically reach the overlook from a small roadside parking area or by hiking the Ocean Path, climbing a short granite staircase onto a walkway that parallels the road, and the site is frequently chosen for sunrise viewing and coastal photography.
Paul tried hitch hiking bit no takes, too ugly!
Robin and Paul
Robin and Paul; hikers!
Jordan Pond is one of Acadia's most popular and scenic spots. It's a clear mountain pond with beautiful views of the Bubbles, two rounded mountains at the north end of the pond. Highlights:
Jordan Pond Path: an easy-to-moderate loop around the pond, about 3.3 miles
Jordan Pond House: famous for popovers and tea
Views: great photo spot, especially looking toward North Bubble and South Bubble
Swimming: not allowed because the pond is a public water supply
Boating: no motorboats; rules are limited to protect the water
Parking: can fill up quickly in summer, so arrive early or use the Island Explorer shuttle
It's one of the best places in Acadia for a peaceful walk, classic views, and lunch or snacks at Jordan Pond House.
It very windy today; probably 35 MPH
Bubble Mountains in the background.
The Bubbles are two rounded mountains near Jordan Pond:
• North Bubble — about 872 ft
• South Bubble — about 766 ft
They are famous because they rise above the north end of Jordan Pond and create one of the most classic views in Acadia. South Bubble and Bubble Rock South Bubble is especially popular because of Bubble Rock, a huge glacial boulder sitting near the edge of the mountain. It looks like it could roll off, but it has been there since the last Ice Age.
We took a small walk around the area.
Robin really liked the leaves!
Robin establishes a new business!
Cadillac Mountain is one of the most famous places in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine.
It is the highest point on the U.S. East Coast, rising to about 1,530 feet above sea level.
Cadillac Mountain is best known for its sunrise views. During parts of the year, it is one of the first places in the United States where you can see the sunrise. From the summit, you can see:
• Bar Harbor
• Frenchman Bay
• The Porcupine Islands
• Mount Desert Island
• The Atlantic Ocean
• Other mountains in Acadia
It was windy on top!
We had a 360 degree view of the local areas!
Bar Harbor is directly below us.
We could see our hotel and conference center from the top!
Miles of miles and miles!
We stopped for lunch!
It was a huge lobster roll!
Robin and Lobsters have a thing for each other!
First we rested!!!
PAul and Mary are wise!
Mary and Robin toted bags all over town.
Mary and Paul always pass by the park!
The Lobster Girls (Mary and Robin) wanted something special so.....
Lobster Ice Cream!
Lobster ice cream is a real novelty dessert most famously associated with Maine, especially around Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
It is usually made with a butter-flavored or vanilla ice cream base mixed with small pieces of cooked lobster meat. The idea is to combine Maine's famous seafood with a sweet frozen dessert.
What does it taste like? Lobster ice cream is often described as:
• Sweet and creamy
• Slightly buttery
• A little salty
• Mildly seafood-like
It is more of a tourist curiosity than an everyday dessert. Some people love trying it for fun, while others find the combination unusual.
Where is it famous?
One of the best-known places for lobster ice cream is Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium in Bar Harbor, Maine. It became a local attraction because visitors wanted to try something unique and "very Maine."
Is it popular? It is popular mostly as a novelty food. Many visitors try a small sample just to say they've had it. It is not as common as regular Maine treats like:
• Blueberry ice cream
• Whoopie pies
• Lobster rolls
• Wild blueberry pie
Fun fact: Lobster ice cream was partly created because tourists kept asking if Maine had lobster in everything — so some shops decided to actually make it.
Paul and Mary enjoying the scenery!
We all walked back to the hotel for a well deserved rest as tomorrow we ride to Colleen's home in New Hampshire.
I love this girl!!
