A glimpse of Acadia

denisegoldberg

April rolled into May and the urge to visit Acadia National Park grew stronger. It's so nice to have Acadia with reach for long weekends. A little closer would be better, but my current 4 and a half hour drive is acceptable. I've been trying to hit the park at least twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.

May, time to watch the weekend weather... warmth wasn't a requirement, dry wasn't an absolute requirement (although I do prefer hiking when it's not raining!). a forecast for both chilly and wet weather was a non-starter though, at least at the beginning.

May, weekend 1... forecast for wet cool weather
May, weekend 2... forecast for wet cool weather

May, the Thursday before weekend 3... the forecast wasn't great, calling for a chance of rain, still cool, but I needed to get away. I decided I was finished with waiting for a good forecast. I picked up the phone and called Evin at the Holland Inn to arrange for a room for three nights. Mid-afternoon on Friday I jumped into my car (ah, my first long trip in my new Prius!) and headed north and east, destination Bar Harbor.

Saturday morning rolled around, bringing a breakfast treat from Evin (an egg layered with good tastes, cranberry currant pancakes loaded with lemon zest, and a baked pear topped with crispy gingery goodness) and fog courtesy of the weather wizard.

I headed to the Schoodic Peninsula, a favorite place to wander on the rocks. My first stop was a picnic area just before the road turned into a one-way loop. As I stood facing north, I saw an almost clear vista to my right, fog to my left.

I turned onto the one-way loop road, heading to the tip of the peninsula. Bright green along the side of the road called for me to stop for a quick photo.

Rolling on, I quickly came to the end of the road, time to wander on the rocks.

And look! Some sea gulls decided posing for me would be fun!

As I headed back to Mount Desert Island and the rest of the park, rain started falling. Rain, steady, stopping.

I started around Park Loop road, stopping to wander a bit behind Sand Beach.

Sunday morning started with another excellent Holland Inn feast - a frittata loaded with vegetables and black beans with a bit of cheese and spices thrown in for extra flavor, french toast topped with bumbleberry jam, and apple chunks with currents, almonds, and a light dressing..

The sky was still gray, but the weather wizard called for clearing. I decided to start my day with a garden visit before heading up Gorham Mountain. Spots of color popped in the Wild Gardens of Acadia, bright colors, green ferns.

Ah, time to walk... I parked at Sand Beach and walked along the ocean trail to the start of the Gorham Mountain trail. Up, up, walking on a trail sometimes running with water. To the top, where there were wonderful views.

The portion of the trail leading from the top of Gorham Mountain back to Sand Beach is usually wet. Given that the trail leading up was wetter than normal I was a bit concerned about completing my loop. I considered changing to an out-and-back hike. bit then I saw some folks coming up the other side. When I checked with them about the trail conditions they said it was wet but that it was possible to hop from rock to rock without getting (too) wet. I continued on my loop.

Oh, you want to see the wet part of the trail? Here is is!

Yes, that really is the trail!

I walked past downed trees and ferns.

The sky was still gray as I popped back into my car to drive around Park Loop Road, stopping as sights jumped out and grabbed me. And then... blue started to appear. Nice!

After an early dinner I headed up Cadillac Mountain to catch some late day light.

One more morning, one more fabulous breakfast, this time rosemary scramble (eggs!), french toast topped with a sweet walnut almond crumble, and a bit of watermelon. Energy for walking, for photo play, and (unfortunately) for my drive home.

First, I had another (too quick) morning in the park.

Thanks for looking over my shoulder!

If you're interested, more photos from my trip can be viewed at http://www.denisegoldberg.com/Focus/Travel/Acadia-May-2011/17278684_n3XZbJ. For words, click to see my blog entries from the trip.

--- Denise

Snowgirl

The lt time I. There was the DGrin shootout two years ago. Sigh. Must go again. Glad you had a great weekend and hikes despite the lousy May weather we all experienced in May!

denisegoldberg

Snowgirl wrote: »

The lt time I. There was the DGrin shootout two years ago. Sigh. Must go again. Glad you had a great weekend and hikes despite the lousy May weather we all experienced in May!

It looks like we're both about the same distance from Acadia. If you ever want to meet up for a photo weekend, please let me know.

--- Denise

Wicked_Dark

terrific work in less than optimal conditions. the penultimate shot is my favorite. fog is so normal up there that it just says Maine to me.

aaronc

Denise, love the pictures and thank you for the trip down memory lane. I spent a summer in high school (too many yrs ago) in Winter Harbor and Schoodic Point when my dad worked on the Navy base up there. He rented a house right on the water in Winter Harbor and I spent several weeks there over the summer wandering the Schoodic rocks, wandering Acadia, etc. Just absolutely beautiful. Much to my sadness I haven't returned since.

denisegoldberg

Wicked_Dark wrote: »

terrific work in less than optimal conditions. the penultimate shot is my favorite.

Thanks! I've seen Maine in both fog and sunshine - even as far east as Acadia. It's beautiful in any conditions, isn't it?

aaronc wrote: »

Denise, love the pictures and thank you for the trip down memory lane.

I'm glad my photos help jog your memories. Spending a summer in Winter Harbor must have been wonderful. And now, it sounds like it's time for a return visit...

--- Denise

theprincereturns

Great use of the cloudy sky to get some great macros!

denisegoldberg

theprincereturns wrote: »

Great use of the cloudy sky to get some great macros!

Thanks!

--- Denise