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.
I went for the salmon, bagels, and cream cheese!
Robin and I selected a private tour this morning. There were only four people today, so we had all the room we needed! The driver/guide was outstanding.
Off we went in a cloud of dust! The first stop was Acadia National Park, which is the smallest but most visited national park!
- Location: Mostly on Mount Desert Island along the Atlantic coast.
- Known for: Rocky beaches, forests, mountains, lakes, and ocean views.
- Famous spot: Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the U.S. to see the sunrise.
- Activities: Hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, kayaking, and scenic driving.
- Wildlife: Deer, foxes, seals, seabirds, and many other animals.
- Popular road: The Park Loop Road, which takes visitors past many major sights.
- Best time to visit: Summer and fall, especially when the leaves change color.
In short, Acadia National Park is known for its dramatic coastline, mountain views, and outdoor activities.
We meandered through a small portion of an area made to represent the remaining part of Acadia.
We continued walking for about 30 minutes, and the displays of plants and flowers were amazing. The signage was excellent, easy to read and quite complete.
From the reserve/preserve, we traveled to Thunder Hole, which is a famous shoreline feature in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine.
It’s a small inlet carved into the rocky coast where incoming waves rush into a narrow channel and partially submerged cave. When conditions are right, trapped air and water are forced out with a loud booming “thunder” sound, and spray can shoot high into the air.
A few useful things to know:
- Location: Along the Park Loop Road, between Sand Beach and Otter Cliff.
- Best time to visit: Often 1–2 hours before high tide, especially when the surf is strong.
- Safety: It can be dangerous during rough seas. Stay behind railings and off wet rocks—unexpected waves can sweep people off their feet.
- Experience varies: Sometimes it roars dramatically; other times it may just gurgle if the tide and waves aren’t right.
- Nearby sights: Sand Beach, Ocean Path, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff are close by.
It’s one of Acadia’s classic stops because it combines dramatic ocean views, rugged granite coastline, and a bit of natural sound effects. Robin went all the way down, but I was favoring my leg, so I sat at the top watching people.
Thunder Hole often gets closed because the high waves hit the shore and make everything wet, including the various stairways to/from the actual rock formation.
From Thunder Hole, we went to Beaver Lake and got out to stretch our legs. Because of the upcoming storm, it was quite windy! The beavers were nearly hunted to extinction in this area, but Rockefellow and friends brought them back.
The next stop was short but refreshing.
We found a nice park bench, and Robin decided to go into business.
Then we went to the mountain, Cadillac Mountain, to be precise! It was 2,700 feet tall and the highest point on the East Coast!
Cadillac Mountain is one of the most famous places in Acadia National Park, Maine.
It is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast, rising about 1,530 feet(466 meters) above sea level. From the top, you get wide views of Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands, Frenchman Bay, and the surrounding mountains and coastline.
- Famous for sunrise: Cadillac Mountain is known as one of the first places in the U.S. to see sunrise during parts of the year.
- Summit road: You can drive to the top on Cadillac Summit Road, but in busy seasons you usually need a vehicle reservation.
- Hiking: Popular trails to the summit include the North Ridge Trail and South Ridge Trail.
- Views: The summit has short walking paths with excellent panoramic views.
- Weather: It can be windy and much colder at the top than in Bar Harbor, so bring a jacket.
It’s one of the must-see spots in Acadia, especially if you like sunrise, photography, or scenic mountain views.
Now, it was time for lunch, and we stopped at a small restaurant. I had their chicken sandwich, and I got a glass of vino.
From there, we returned toBar Harbor and rested, awaiting the arrival of Dr. Mary. She got out of class at 2:15 pm. Robin got cleaned up, and we headed for Lobster Ice Cream.
Lobster ice cream is a real novelty dessert, most famously associated with Maine, especially around coastal tourist areas.
It’s usually made with:
- A butter-flavored or vanilla ice cream base
- Small pieces of cooked lobster meat
- Sometimes a hint of salt or extra butter flavor
The taste is unusual: creamy, slightly sweet, buttery, and a little seafood-like. Some people love it as a fun Maine experience, while others try it mostly for the novelty.
It’s not a common everyday flavor, but you may find it at specialty ice cream shops in Maine, especially near places like Bar Harbor or other coastal towns.
We strolled down the street looking at all the goodies and taking pictures in the park
The fall colors are coming on strong, and things change daily!
A leaf usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks to change from green to orange, depending on the tree species and weather.
- Cool nights and sunny days speed up color change.
- Shorter daylight hours trigger the process in autumn.
- Drought, frost, or stress can make leaves change faster or turn brown instead.
- Some trees change gradually over 1–3 weeks, while individual leaves may change noticeably in just a few days.
- The orange color appears as the green chlorophyll breaks down and pigments called carotenoids become visible.
It was 4:30 pm when we stopped at Patty’s for a drink!
We headed to the hotel as we were all pooped out, and the rain was supposed to start in about an hour.
We crashed EARLY, and tomorrow we pack up and leave for New Hampshire.
