WE DID IT!! Up at 5:15 to drive into Acadia National Park and then up Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the Atlantic coast at 1500 feet. Fortunately we were able to take a cup of coffee with us (24 hour coffee at the inn!). There were a couple of cars behind us in the dark and we felt like pioneers leading the way up the circuitous narrow road up the mountain!
Upon arrival at the peak we were greeted by a FULL parking lot-at least a couple of hundred vehicles including a tour bus!! Despite the crowd, we were treated to a truly incomparable site of the red hue of sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean, Bar Harbor and the outlying islands! What a way to start the day!
We then drove into downtown Bar Harbor to get coffee from Grumpy and drink it on the town pier watching cruise ships leave and dock. Back at our inn, we had a good continental breakfast and decided to meet at 9 to checkout and leave for our drive around the national park loop.
Our drive around the Acadia National Park Loop was breathtaking! Sandy Beach, Thunder Hole and Jordon Pond House at sea level were a stark contrast to Cadillac mountain suggesting glacial movement . At sea level pine, fir and birch trees, wildflowers and needle-carpeted ground as opposed to little vegetation, long stone ridges and steep stone cliffs along the mountainous summit.
The highlight for us was our stop for lunch at the popover famous Jordon Pond House on the shore of the pond. We were shown to a table outside on the back lawn in view of the Bubbles, twin rounded peaks in the distance. The popovers were the best! And lunch in that milieu was idyllic! Lobster salad, seafood and more popovers! Our last drive was through the town of North East Harbor and its "cottages" and then along Somes Sound, the only fjord in the US.
By 1 pm we were ready to wend our way into Canada via Route 1, the coastal route. Saw lots of rural Maine and a little more fall foliage in mild weather and under blue skies. Entered New Brunswick, Canada easily where the time changed ahead 1 hour to Atlantic Standard Time. Arrived in Saint John shortly after 6 PM AST and found Earl of Leinster B&B with Marilyn's help (our GPS). Checked in for 2 nights with quirky host Cheryl, walked a few blocks to Church St. Steak House for dinner and retired watching the Patriots. It was a long day considering our sunrise outing at 5:30 am!!
No comments:
Post a Comment