Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Maine-ly For Fun, Part 4 - Acadia National Park


Once we were settled in the cottage, we headed to the coast to Bar Harbor (or Bah Hahbah, if you're a native speaker ;-)




We looked out in the harbor and saw an enormous cruise ship. We have been on both sides of the cruise ship crowd in town. We were the crowd a few years ago. When we were in Hawaii the last time, we could see the ships from our Bed and Breakfast - and would decide NOT to go to town that day - just too many people. The crowd was tremendous in Bar Harbor, so maneuvering around town was difficult.




We decided to escape the madness of all the souvenir hunters and headed out for some sight-seeing in Acadia National Park. It was a perfect weather day, and it was a beautiful place to be. The guys wanted to hike up Bee Hive Mountain. I headed the other direction, down a hill to a nice "facility", if you know what I mean. Imagine my surprise when I found a beautiful sand beach down those steps - a sandy beach surrounded by forest, something I'd never seen before.















These kids were having a great time - the water in this part of the ocean never gets any warmer than 50 degrees - I think this little guy could have used a few more clothes!




Here's proof positive that there is actually a lifeguard - chained up for the winter - so some people actually brave those 50 degree waters in the summertime.




I loved watching the crashing waves, and trying to catch them at just the right moment.











The rocks on this beach reminded me of the lava rocks on the beach on the Big Island - the rocks where I have slipped and hurt myself the first day of each of our trips. I was really really careful to not have a repeat of those mishaps on the seaweed-slippery rocks.




There were crowds from the ship everywhere we went, but we managed to find some spots that were not inhabited --






How'd you like to inhabit this house??




Or this one??




We thought this guy was pretty nuts in view of all the tourist buses that were on the rather narrow road. To each his own madness!




We visited Thunder Hole again - we were there last November when we went to see Kevin - it was a cold and foggy day, and the sound of the crashing water was proof of the name of this popular tourist site. Back in August, 2009, Hurricane Bill was wreaking havoc up the coast and this article tells of the horrific result: Three Swept Out to Sea at Thunder Hole. This day, the water wasn't quite as loud as last year, but still worth the stop.













It was so great to be spending this beautiful day in this beautiful place with Kevin.





This little guy was used to being fed, me thinks. We didn't have anything to give him, but he stuck around in hope.






It was a great photo op day --




Maybe this will be our Christmas card picture (if I get Christmas cards out this year - I'm doing the community choir again, plus the church one, so have to get busy around Thanksgiving Day, if I plan to do that this year).




Finally - a couple more shots of one of my two photo obsessions (cemeteries and crashing ocean waves) --







I'll close with this funny story. We went back to Bar Harbor and decided to have a light, early dinner. We went to a place called "Rupununi" - it was named for a river in Argentina. The owner had done a research project down there and fell in love with this river, or at least its name. How he ended up with a restaurant in Maine remains a mystery, even to him. The menu consisted of typical seaside food, plus a few interesting South American treats. We ordered empanadas with crab, cheese, and corn, as an appetizer. And I ordered a bowl of clam chowder for each of us. We had prefaced our order with the fact that we just wanted a light meal, and the waitress had a great sense of humor, telling us that wasn't okay and we needed to leave. She gave me the funniest look when I placed the order and I wondered why. Soon she appeared with the empanadas, 3 spoons, and one bowl of chowder. I thought maybe she hadn't been able to bring all 3, but she left and came back with coffee and no more soup. I said, "You did get that we wanted 3 bowls of chowder, right?" "No,", she said, "I thought you wanted one to share!" We had such a good laugh over that - she must have thought we were really really cheap!

It was good and a great day ended with a wonderful, restful evening and a good night's rest in the cottage.


Stay tune for Part 5 - The Rainy Season


23 comments:

Diane said...

What a beautiful time of the year to capture these beautiful photos.

AND, YES....I like your choice of photos for your Christmas Card!

You may need to consider coming out of retirement and being a travel consultant! Your descriptions make me want to book a trip to BAH-HABAH!

:)

Unknown said...

Beeeeautiful photos.

I'm so glad you had this restful vacation. I love the one of you and D looking at the view. You look so very peaceful and content. I definitely vote Christmas card.

tracy said...

I really enjoyed looking at your photos, its like tagging along on someone's holiday...thanks!!!
You captured the crashing waves very well.
Those huge house sitting on the cliffs look mighty scary... even if they are lovely homes.


Tracy

groovyoldlady said...

Your writing is so compelling that I feel like I've been there... :D

Needled Mom said...

The scenery is really spectacular. I am so glad that you caught such a nice day for sightseeing and pictures.

I suppose the cruise ship was heading off for fall color viewing.

What a funny story about the soup. What was she thinking???? lol

nancygrayce said...

Such a beautiful part of the country! I've never been to Maine but would love to go sometime. It must not have been very cold as you were in shirtsleeves.

I love that beach surrounded by the forest and I too think you should use that picture for your Christmas card.

Great and obviously restful vacation!

Linda said...

It is all just magnificent Dawn. I love, love the ocean. There is something about it that, in spite of the crashing waves, speaks peace to my soul. What a beautiful, wonderful day. I'm so happy for you.

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Dawn,

I'm taking a break from painting and decided I'd catch up with your news:-) I love all of your photos taken at that beach, I get mesmerized by the crashing waves as well. Hard to believe there would be such a beautiful beach amidst all of those rocks! Love the picture of you and Kevin, that is so precious. It certainly did sound like it was a relaxing peaceful day and I'm so glad that you got to spend such a lovely time with Kevin. xoxo

Gigi said...

Another vote in favor of the Christmas card photo! I'm really enjoying your travelogue!

nannykim said...

I so love the pictures. I haven't been up that way since I was a child. It is disappointing about the cruise ship, but I guess it really helps the local economy. We get those big ships in Charleston too---it always seems strange to see something that big in a harbor. I love your beach pictures!

Hootin Anni said...

G'afternoon Dawn!! Bud and I are just getting ready to go out for our daily walk, and before I shut down the computer, I wanted to stop by and say 'howdy'!!

Wow...beautiful countryside. I fell in love instantly with the beach photos!!! That, I'd build a house there for sure. Right on the coast, in the pines and have the sandy beach as my morning view! LOLOLOL

Oh, and I ♥LOVE♥ the photo of you and Kevin. That is priceless.

Okay, I'm outta here, before I have to run to catch up with my man...he's tinkling the keys as I type. Gotta skedaddle.

grammy said...

Love your pictures
so funny we are both sharing our vacation pictures (o:
We DID share a bowel of chowder at Mystic Pizza. It was enough because it is sooo rich. You know what I mean about how hard it is to stay on a healthy food diet while away like that. It is worth it though(o:
I did have a few times I wished the girls were on a sandy beach with me...how about you?

Mary said...

Dawn, Such lovely photos of your time with Kevin. I'm so glad I stopped by. I have always wanted to go to Bar Harbor. I have visited Maine, but have never got there. Maybe one day.

Glad you were able to enjoy your time away. Thanks for stopping by the Nook and commenting. I miss all my blogger buddies.

Blessings,
Mary

A Hint of Home said...

What beautiful photos. Looks like you all had a wonderful time being together.
That's a lovely area to visit.

Glenda said...

Dawn, you took some amazing pics - especially of the crashing waves! What a beautiful place to spend time with family!!

I vote for the Christmas card, too; it would be special!

Sharon Lynne said...

Isn't it breathtaking to watch the waves crash. Whether they crash on rocks or on the sand...it's so powerful and fascinating.

Sharon Lynne said...

P.S. The homes overlooking the water are amazing. I wonder if the people who live there ever get tired of their view? I clicked on the picture and when it enlarged, it nearly took my breath away!

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