We set off on our adventure at the crack of dawn, a.k.a. 4AM, because apparently that’s what sane people do. Our destination? Acadia National Park, a place of natural wonders and breathtaking beauty. Despite a friend’s brilliant suggestion to take Route One instead of the highway, we decided to embark on this epic road trip with an extra hour added to our journey. Who needs sleep or logical directions anyway? Let the scenic drive begin!
With traffic, it was much longer than Google said. It took us about four and half hours from Portland. Most of the way was not that scenic and I would next time just take the Highway. We did stop at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, which was impressive. The bridge observatory is 42 stories tall, making it the highest bridge observatory in the world! Unfortunately, when we went through, it was too early and the observatory was not open yet, but I hear the views are magnificent.
I downloaded this app, Parkwolf, before we hit Acadia and let me tell you, it was a lifesaver! Even in signal-less areas (gasp!), we could still navigate our way through thanks to the handy-dandy maps. And let’s not forget those wildlife maps – they were absolute beaver-loving gold! We embarked on an epic quest to track down those elusive beavers, and boy did that app come through for us. We didn’t lay eyes on any of those adorable creatures, but hey, we did stumble upon some impressive beaver dams! Maybe those sneaky beavers were simply playing hide-and-seek with us. Guess their shyness got the best of them!
Our grand adventure began at the visitor center, where we indulged in some retail therapy and stocked up on park swag. The park rangers were a fountain of knowledge, doling out tips and recommendations for our day of exploration. And hey, did I mention they even have these magical free buses called “Island Explorers” that whisk you around the park? It’s like having your very own chauffeur, but without the fancy hat. We decided to roll with the wheels this time because our dear Layla has a tendency to turn green on buses. But boy, finding parking was like searching for a needle in a haystack throughout the day!
We embarked on the legendary Park Loop Road, on a mission to snag some juicy blueberries. These delightful little berries were scattered all over the park, just waiting to be devoured. Let me tell you, wild Maine blueberries are a whole new level of deliciousness – they’re like regular blueberries, but turned up to 200%! Layla had her eagle eyes on them from the car and we simply had to stop and snatch handfuls of these fruity treasures. I must confess, I indulged a bit too much and ended up devouring quite a few treats throughout the day.
So, we decided to continue our wildlife adventure and look for some beavers. Unfortunately, no luck on the beaver front. However, we stumbled upon some deer tracks in the muddy stream. Clearly, the deer were too busy playing hide-and-seek with us. And if that wasn’t enough excitement, we also spotted some adorable ducklings having a splash party! We couldn’t find their mom anywhere though… let’s hope those little quackers were holding their own!
Now, hold on tight because our next destination is the Wild Gardens of Acadia! These gardens are so serene, you might just forget that there’s a whole world out there. With over four hundred native plant species all found within Acadia, it’s like a botanical paradise. And get this – they’re even organized into thirteen different habitats. It’s like a little ecosystem extravaganza! Prepare to have your mind blown! The botanical wonderland is adorned with labels on every plant, so you won’t mistake a cactus for a fern (unless you’re really bad at reading). And get this – they’ve even thought of human comfort too! Benches are scattered throughout the gardens, giving you the perfect opportunity to take a seat and contemplate life while surrounded by nature’s beauty. Oh, and did I mention the stream? As if plants and benches weren’t enough, there are also fish swimming gracefully in the stream. It’s like an all-inclusive resort for flora and fauna!
So, we continued on our adventure along the Park Loop Road and made a stop at Thunder Hole. The crowds were multiplying faster than rabbits in a magic show. The parking lot was bursting at the seams, but luckily we managed to squeeze our car onto the side of the road like a sardine in a can. Now, my friend, let me tell you about Thunder Hole itself – it was less than spectacular! I mean, I had imagined roaring waves that could rival Poseidon’s bathtub, but instead, we were greeted by some measly ripples that wouldn’t even make Nemo flinch. Talk about a thunder dud! Rumor has it that show was a real banger the day before. If you want to witness some seriously impressive booms, make sure to time your visit right before high tide. That’s when the waves and explosions will be doing their synchronized dance for maximum impact!
After exploring, we headed into Bar Harbor, we thought it would be a great idea to grab some lunch. Little did we know, the whole town had the same idea! We drove around like lost puppies, desperately searching for a parking spot. Turns out, finding Nemo would have been easier than finding an empty space. Lesson learned: always be prepared for crowds because they can turn any simple meal mission into an action-packed adventure!
After throwing in the towel, we made our way to Northeast Harbor, all excited for an afternoon adventure with Sea Princess Cruises to visit some adorable seals. Now, you know I’m usually a forgiving soul when it comes to restaurants, but let me tell you, our first lunch choice was an absolute disaster – like a comedy of culinary errors that I won’t soon forget! The Nor’Easter Pound and Market. The restaurant wasn’t exactly buzzing with people, which seemed like a positive sign. They were seated without any delays, but then the waiting game began… and went on… and on. Finally, their waitress arrived to take their drink order – two Diet Cokes with lemon. After a while, their drinks arrived, but alas! The lemon was nowhere to be found. No worries though! The waitress promised to bring some right away… hopefully before we finish our meal! A runner delivered our delicious fried pickles. Alas, our poor waitress never returned with lemons or bothered to take our order. We desperately tried to flag her down like sailors signaling for help in the middle of the ocean. But alas, she remained elusive, leaving us hungry and lemon-less. As panic set in because we were running out of time, with just an hour left before our cruise sailed away into the sunset, we decided to savor every bite of our fried pickles before rushing to settle our bill. Although I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment, since I had been daydreaming about sinking my teeth into a divine lobster roll. Ah well, sometimes life just hands you pickles instead of lobsters!
Don’t worry, folks! Just when we thought our hunger was unstoppable, along came The Bucking Lobster to save the day. This mighty food truck was on the verge of shutting down for the day, but the owner’s kindness prevailed. Despite being ready to call it quits for the day, she graciously whipped up a delicious lunch just for us. Talk about culinary heroics! Let me tell you, that food was off the charts delicious! They served up some mouth-watering lobster rolls, and for those who aren’t fans of seafood, they had juicy burgers as well. No taste bud was left unsatisfied, my friend!
After enjoying a delightful feast, we waddled our way to the check-in counter for our cruise. As we patiently stood by the docks, our eyes were treated to a spectacle: a flurry of crabs doing their underwater dance. It was like watching the ocean’s version of Dancing with the Stars! And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we witnessed some heroic fishermen reeling in their tasty treasures as we eagerly anticipated setting sail. Talk about appetizing entertainment!
So, this cruise promised some jaw-dropping views, huh? Well, Mother Nature had other plans and decided to challenge us with a thick fog. Way to keep things interesting! But fear not, my friend. Despite the weather’s mischievousness, we managed to catch a glimpse of the real stars of the sea: seals! It seems like those adorable creatures knew how to steal the show and make your trip unforgettable. As we made our way to the outcrop, I couldn’t see a thing with all that fog. But lo and behold, when we finally got closer, my excitement levels hit the roof! There were seals galore – just chilling on rocks and taking graceful dips in the water. And if that wasn’t enough, we even had some dolphin and shark cameo appearances! Talk about an oceanic party!
So, turns out we thought we were going into a fjord, but it was actually a fjard. You know, keeping us on our toes with all these fancy names! And guess what? We spotted not one, but two bald eagles! The fog had finally decided to cooperate and give us a slightly clearer view of the rocky coast and those picture-perfect ocean front homes. It was like something out of a nature documentary… or maybe an episode of MTV Cribs?
So, we were all pumped up for our trip to Cadillac Mountain and had even made reservations in advance. It was supposed to be a guaranteed hit! But guess what? The fog decided to crash the party and it was thicker than a milkshake. We stood there, pondering our options like a group of confused penguins. Eventually, we took the leap of faith and thought, “Hey, let’s give it a shot anyway.” Well, turns out Mother Nature had different plans because our sunset views were a total bust – thanks to fog that refused to let go of the mountain like it was clinging onto its final slice of pizza. Oh well, better luck next time… maybe with some anti-fog spray!
Our weary souls yearned for the comfort of home, but not before a detour to Governors in Ellsworth for a well-deserved late dinner. Let me tell you, this place is a master of all things comforting when it comes to food. Their cheese sticks are so delectable that they could revive even the sleepiest taste buds. And if you think that’s impressive, wait until you get your hands on their desserts! They’re so good, they’ll make your sweet tooth do the happy dance. So go ahead and indulge – just make sure to save some room for those heavenly treats! If you’re a fan of cream puffs, then you’re in for a treat! These bad boys are the real deal and they’ll have you coming back for more. Oh, and did I mention they’ve got a giant peanut butter cup too? Talk about indulgence! And it doesn’t stop there – pies and cakes galore! You know the old saying “there’s always room for dessert”? Well, let’s just say that I may not have room at the moment, but I’m definitely taking something delicious home with me. Multiple locations in Maine? Looks like this place knows how to spread the love (and the calories).
So, we decided to take the fast lane home on the highway instead of enduring another “scenic” drive that took forever. But man, do I regret not having more than just a day to explore! We missed out on Jordan Pond and those majestic Carriage Roads. Well, at least it gives us a solid excuse to come back in the fall and make up for it!
Travel Turtles 