Varied Skies

High winds buffeted our rolling home as we traveled up the coast to Bar Harbor, ME.

We had originally planned to stop in Old Orchard Beach to break up the trip. Our extended stay in Foxboro, however, meant we’d need to do the entire 5.5 hour trip in one shot. That’s more than we typically like to do in one day, especially with high winds pushing us all over the road. But it was not all bad. A roadside shack near our fuel stop served up a mean lobster roll.

It did not last long…

Upon arrival at the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, we found our assigned site too sloped to level the motorhome. We eventually settled on a good site with a terrific view.

Chilly winds whipped off the Mt. Desert Narrows. But we did not second guess our choice of site as forecasters predicted higher temps and calm winds the rest of the week. Those predictions proved true.

Bar Harbor officially opens for the season on Memorial Day Weekend and millions pack the area during summer and fall. While a few places remained closed, we enjoyed the ability to see and do the things that define a Maine experience without the crowds.

What is the quintessential Maine experience? Here is our take:

Lots of lobster, for one thing.

Exploring Acadia National Park where waves crash against granite rocks and Thunder Hole periodically booms with a haarumph!

Observing the Maine Islands from the 1500 foot peak of Cadillac Mountain.

Bike riding along carriage roads that criss-cross Mt Desert Island. We looped around Eagle Lake, huffing and puffing up a long grade before barreling down the other side.

Looking for another ride, the Ranger informed us that President Obama and his family rode around Witch Hole Pond when he visited here in 2010. That’s an agenda item we can all get behind.

Most folks bill eating at the Jordan Pond House, a restaurant inside Acadia NP, and devouring a popover a must do. Unfortunately at $5 a pop ($2.50 if purchased with an entree) paying for and eating this hollow, air-filled, roll felt more like a workover. But we ordered meals and indulged.

Unfortunately, my buffalo meatloaf sandwich came with baked beet and sweet potato chips. No french fries available. No potato chips available. The waitress explained that this government-run restaurant did not have a fryer because of Mrs. Obama’s healthy foods initiative. Oh, (big) brother! Eliminating french fries is not a good way to win my vote. Where I’m from, the better places offer up potatoes prepared anyway you like them and serve an unlimited number of gigantic, piping-hot, rolls for free. Seeing my disappointment, the waitress happily offered that I could substitute a quinoa salad for the beet chips. Uh…no, thanks.

Fortunately, the government did not spoil the natural beauty of Acadia. Unlike most National Parks, Acadia permits pets on hiking trails. We took advantage of that and brought Angel on a hike up the Beech Mountain Trail and then down the South Vista Trail. A rather steep ascent gave way to outstanding views from the top of the mountain.

An old fire watch tower offered a few extra vertical feet and an elevated view.

Then there’s finding ways to replenish all those lost carbs. Mt Desert Ice Cream is a good option.

Or you can buy huge tubs of blueberry flavored popcorn!

Returning each day to your campsite and enjoying multiple gorgeous sunsets is a great Maine experience (a 4:48 am sunrise thwarted thoughts of catching the first glimmer of light from Cadillac Mountain).

I don’t know if it is a quintessential Maine experience, but roasting hot dogs on an open fire as the sun drifts below the horizon sure is fun.

The millions that visit this area over the next few months will be hard pressed to enjoy their time here as much as we did, unless, of course, they do what we did but avoid the popover workover.