Road Trip! Part Two -- Mount Desert Island (Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor)

July 21

Henry and I took a trip out to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. I stopped, briefly, along the way to pick up a rain jacket and a flashlight at the LL Bean outlet in Ellsworth, then headed toward the park.

I must say, the park was so beautiful I was moved to tears! Here are a couple of the first scenes to greet me:

The town you see across Frenchman Bay is Bar Harbor.

  

My first goal was the Thunder Hole, which is an amazing phenomenon of nature, especially viewed as the water is moving toward high tide. As waves roll in, they enter a narrow inlet, at the end of which is a small cavern. When the rush of a wave arrives, air and water collide to sound very much like distant thunder. Apparently, a lot of other people had the same idea to arrive at high tide, and I wasn't able to get near enough to the Thunder Hole to witness and hear this phenomenon! So I parked the car just south of the Thunder Hole, hoping to find another vantage point from which to view the incoming tide ...

... and, despite my careful preparation when leaving the house, discovered that I had forgotten Henry's leash. There was no way in the world that I would deny my adventure-loving pet the opportunity to enjoy the Maine coast, so I did a thing that would be completely crazy with most dogs, but not with my well-behaved and gentle Henry-Dog: I used a saxophone lanyard as his lead! This next series of photos was taken from a rocky outcropping where we spent considerable time just listening to the crash of waves and the occasional cry of seagulls.

I think we both could've stayed out there forever! Henry seemed completely relaxed and happy. But not wishing to press our luck, we loaded up and headed into Bar Harbor for some sturdier dog gear, which was found at a place called ... get ready for it ... Bark Harbor.

After securing a proper leash, we decided to walk along the Bar Harbor Shore Path, for a different view of Frenchman Bay.

Then we took a spin in the car through the town, because town seemed overly crowded for us to have much fun walking. Beside, we were eager to get back out to the park.

Leaving Bar Harbor, we headed out toward Seal Harbor

before turning back in toward Cadillac Mountain. The day had been very foggy, but as we climbed toward the top of Cadillac Mountain, we climbed above the clouds for some pretty spectacular views. Though this grouping of photos has a number of very similar-looking scenes, I was fascinated by the landscape which shows evidence of long-ago glacial activity, so I've posted almost all of the photos taken before reaching the summit.

We spent a fair amount of time on the summit, though clouds interfered with seeing any great views or taking any great photos.

Coming back down, there were some more thrilling views:

Then we chose to go back toward Thunder Hole, simply because we'd enjoyed our time there so much.

But to go to the actual Thunder Hole overlook, I decided to leave Henry in the car. Although he is not the least bit disturbed by actual thunder, or other sudden loud noises like fireworks, I was afraid that, should he get spooked or a big wave washed on top of us, there could be tragic circumstances. Having been down there, I now know my instincts were correct. The walk was a bit slippery ... and what's a dog going to do with a handrail? I know he wanted to go, because he likes going everywhere with me. But ... just not safe for him.

This is the inlet that I'd described earlier. Water rushes through this inlet toward the cave, which is unseen but toward the lower right portion of the photo.

And this is the actual cave. I really would've liked to take a little video of what actually goes on, because even when it's not the high tide coming in, it's pretty dramatic stuff. However, every time I started getting some decent footage, someone came into earshot and started chatting. I was a bit disappointed -- I'd really rather listen to the sounds of nature than my own voice! -- but I recognize that everyone's not that way. Guaranteed, next visit I make to this park I will be at the Thunder Hole at a not-popular-for-tourists time, and get that recording! Poor little Henry will still have to wait in the car, as this place is barely safe for adults, let alone kids or dogs.

One last view of Frenchman Bay, before heading back toward Belfast.

What a spectacular day! I discovered a little something about myself, too. I have always loved the mountains, but I've always loved the sea as well. On the one day in my entire life that I had the opportunity to enjoy both, I actually chose to spend more time by the sea. That was a very interesting personal revelation.

Road Trip! Part One -- Meandering to Maine

Sit down with a pot of tea -- this is a long one!

I've recently come home from a meandering trip to Maine and back -- the first "real" vacation I've had in several years.

It was not something I'd planned to do this summer! Other than attending WNC Highlands Celtic Festival in June and a family event, also in North Carolina, in August, I had only the most vague of plans: perhaps a September visit to Western Massachusetts to visit friends living or summering in that region, perhaps one more visit to North Carolina for "Celtober." But when my friend Sue asked me to accompany her on a drive to Maine, she was very persuasive. She'd won a scholarship to the Audubon Society retreat off the coast of Bremen, Maine, and having found travel arrangements to and from the island to be a logistical nightmare, decided to drive back and forth -- would I go? The promise of a fun road trip with Sue, plus a few extra days in Maine to myself during her camp, sounded just like what I needed, so after only the briefest hesitation I said yes.

I hope Sue did not find me too bossy in planning the trip! But the truth of the matter is that, after years of traveling up and back to New England -- including Maine -- I figured I knew the most reliable route to take. We had invitations from a few friends for stops along the way, figured on a couple of brutal driving days, and left the rest up to inspiration and imagination. So on Tuesday, July 14, Henry and I set out for Marietta, GA, to pick up Sue and begin our road trip.

July 15

Got a late-ish start from Marietta, because Sue just got a brand new job! So we spent a bit of time packing up her classroom before setting out on the road. Traveled a few hours to Johnson City, TN, to the home of my friend Brad Leath. He had a pot of curried lentils and a loaf of fresh-baked Irish soda bread waiting for us. And plenty of good conversation, both during dinner and after. Brad and his family live in a lovely historic neighborhood of Johnson City. Here's a photo of Henry and me posing with Brad on the front door step:

Funny as it is to see Henry sticking his tongue out, the photo that makes me laugh is this one, of Henry giving Brad the stink-eye:

July 16

We bid farewell to Brad and Johnson City, and set out for the longest driving day, up through the Shenandoah Valley. A couple of times, backed-up traffic "forced" us onto the scenic Lee Highway, which weaves back and forth along I-81. The Shenandoah Valley is very scenic and a beautiful, even peaceful, drive, despite the fact that it's a major corridor for the trucking industry. This is a typical scene:

But we didn't pause for photo ops, because ... well, how can you choose? Each new vista is more beautiful than the one before! Plus, we had a goal: meeting my friends Gwyn and Patrick for dinner in Harrisburg, PA at McGrath's Pub:

McGrath being Greg's last name made this a very special evening for me; what a "find" by Patrick! I had looked forward to this as much as any single aspect of our trip. We had a lovely visit and a lovely meal -- Henry even got to sit with us in the pub! -- before heading back out into the night. A brief detour before getting back on the Interstate, to watch the fireflies winking out in the fields, then we sped on up I-81 to I-84 and Milford, PA, where we'd spend the night.

July 17

Last leg of our journey to Maine began with breakfast at Renee's Hot Stuff Deli in Montgomery, NY, included a side-trip to East Longmeadow, MA, so that Sue could locate her parents' former home there, and a visit to the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden in Springfield, MA:

Then another side trip into Merrimac, MA, for a brief visit with Sue's and my former student Laura Jordan. Laura recently had a baby, and it was so exciting to meet him! And to see Laura, after too many years. I've managed to keep up with her and her musical career, but I do hope it's not another 17 years before I see her again!

Finally arriving in Maine, we met up with Sue's friend Sherry, for dinner at Falmouth's Dockside Grill -- great views of Casco Bay and twin lobsters! A late night pilgrimage to LL Bean's flagship store in Freeport, then finally, in the wee hours, we arrived in Belfast.

July 18

Above is a picture of the "tiny house" where Henry and I would stay during the week that Sue was at camp.

The day started with a hearty breakfast at Northport's Hideaway Diner, then the Maine Celtic Celebration. This was a somewhat bittersweet time for me, as Greg and I used to participate in the Celebration, prior to his becoming too ill to comfortably travel. We listened to some great music

and saw some amusing things

before wandering back to the tiny house, picking up the car, and going to Maine Maritime Products for a boiled lobster and some steamers to share. (When you're in Maine and lobster is only $7.99 a pound, you should take FULL advantage of it!) Then went back to the Maine Celtic Celebration for more good music and fireworks over Belfast Harbor.

July 19

Believe it or not, we went back to Maine Maritime Products for a clam roll and a lobster roll, before heading out toward Bremen and the Audubon camp!

We briefly stopped at Lincolnville Beach

then took a detour out toward the Owl's Head Lighthouse

before finally arriving at the landing for Hog Island and the Audubon Camp. (See the boathouse on the island -- that's where Sue would be staying during "camp.")

Henry and I decided to return to Belfast via a different -- and unfamiliar to me -- route, and were rewarded with pretty scenery along the way. These pictures show the Camden Hills in the background.

July 20

Henry and I took this as a day of R&R.