Best Western
It was another lovely day for our visit to the Acadia National Park. We were up reasonably early for the adequate but not very exciting breakfast at the Best Western and the short drive into Bar Harbor. Being early, we were able to get a parking place reasonably close to the pick up point for our half day tour of the National Park. We had about an hour to wait, wandering about the small park overlooking the harbour.
Kayakers |
The sand bar across to Bar Island |
Fountain and Testa's Restaurant |
Sue and Chris waiting for the start of the National Park Tour |
Tree in the park near Town Pier |
Shade in the park near Town Pier |
The Harbor |
Chris and Mike walking back from the restroom |
The tour bus was a rather ancient school bus without air conditioning. It was extremely hot waiting to start, but surprisingly pleasant when moving with the windows open. The driver was an interesting local, who had a habit of turning round to talk to us and gesturing with both hands, while driving along.
The Tour Guide - Roger |
Tour Bus at Thunder Cover |
Mike in the Tour Bus |
To start the tour, we drove from Bra Harbor into the Acadia National Park, along the road overlooking Bar Harbor itself.
- Acadia National Park Tour
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The sand bar to Bar Island |
Bar Island |
The Harbor and end of the causeway to Bar Island |
One of the Porcupine Islands |
View from the Tour Bus |
View from the Tour Bus |
View from the Tour Bus |
View from the Tour Bus |
View from the Tour Bus |
Otter Pool |
"Cottage" now used as dormitory for research students |
The Precipice |
Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
The Coastline to the South East |
The Coastline to the South East |
Our first stop was at "Thunder Hole", so-called because there is an inlet in the rock where waves roll in an in rough weather sound like thunder. When we were there, the weather was pretty benign. There were some impressive views in both directions along the coastline. Our driver fancied himself as a photographer and busied himself taking photos of his passengers with the coastline in the background. This was supposed to be a comfort stop, but queues did not allow it.
Thunder Hole |
Thunder Hole |
|
Rocks near Thunder Hole |
Thunder Hole |
Thunder Hole |
Thunder Hole |
Thunder Hole |
Rocks near Thunder Hole |
Plants near Thunder Hole |
Rocks near Thunder Hole |
Rocks near Thunder Hole |
Wild Rose near Thunder Hole |
Sue Mike & Chris near Thunder Hole |
Plants near Thunder Hole |
Coastline to the North East of Thunder Cover |
Mike at Thunder Cover |
Coastline to the North East of Thunder Cover |
Plants near Thunder Hole |
From "Thunder Hole" we drove around the coast ..
Otter Cove |
Houses at Ingraham Point |
Carriage Ride from Wildwood Stables |
Carriage Ride from Wildwood Stables |
.. stopping at Jordan Lake for a drink, the loo and a short walk along the shore of the lake.
Gatehouse at Jordan Lake |
Jordan Lake |
Jordan Lake |
Flowers at the restaurant at Jordan Lake |
Flowers at the restaurant at Jordan Lake |
The Bubbles |
The Bubbles |
The Bubbles |
Mike and Sue at Jordan Lake |
Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in the National Park. The road winds its way to the top, giving glorious views in all directions.
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
Chris on Cadillac Mountain |
Mike on Cadillac Mountain |
Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
Mike Sue and Chris on Cadillac Mountain |
Mike on Cadillac Mountain |
Phone masts on Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
Mike on Cadillac Mountain |
The top of Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
Mike and Sue at the top of Cadillac Mountain |
Mike on Cadillac Mountain |
Mike on Cadillac Mountain |
View from Cadillac Mountain |
The top of Cadillac Mountain |
At the end of the tour, it was hot and it was lunchtime. In Plymouth, we tried the "Lazy Man's Lobster". In Bar Harba, we had the real thing, the "Baked Lobsta Dinna", complete with decorated plastic bibs. (The locals seem to have some problems with spelling).
Lobstah lunch |
Lobstah lunch |
Lobstah lunch |
Lobstah lunch |
Lobstah lunch |
After lunch, we got into our car and retraced our route into the National Park, so that we could stop at one or two of the interesting places we drove past in the morning. Our first stop was a lay-by on the side of the road overlooking the town of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands. Chris was getting tired and did not get out of the car!
Porcupine Islands |
Porcupine Island |
Porcupine Islands |
Chris's feet |
Grasshopper |
Next stop was "Sandy Beach", a fine gravel rather than sand, but a fair imitation. It was very crowded with people and seagulls. Parking was a bit of a problem, but we found somewhere by the side of the road and walked down to the beach.
Seagull above Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
Sue at Sand Beach |
Mike at Sand Beach |
Sue at Sand Beach |
Rocks at Sand Beach |
Island just off the beach |
Chris and Sue at Sand Beach |
Chris and Sue at Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
Mike at Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
Seagull on Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
Seagull on Sand Beach |
Seagull on Sand Beach |
Seagull on Sand Beach |
Sand Beach |
Cliffs at Sand Beach |
Cliffs at Sand Beach |
Mike and the Rental Car |
In the morning we drove past Otter Point and were told that there were great views in both directions. In the afternoon, we stopped to look.
Otter Point |
Flower at Otter Point |
Otter Point |
Otter Point |
Sue at Otter Point |
Otter Point |
By this time it was mid afternoon and we were pretty tired, so we drove back to the hotel for a bit of relaxation before going out for dinner and another game of mini-golf.
Sue in the Best Western Hotel Room |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Crazy Golf |
Mike at Dinner |
Mike and Sue at Dinner |