We were fortunate enough to get some time to recover from a busy Spring semester at work and school. To celebrate, we made our way up the coast from New York to Acadia, with stops at a few universities and every state along the way.
A clock tower at Brown University
Murals a part of the Punto Urban Art Museum in the El Punto neighborhood of Salem, Massachusett
Portland Head Light lighthouse in South Portland, ME
A taco truck along Long Wharf Drive in New Haven Connecticut. This location had about ten food trucks lining the street
Portland Head Light lighthouse in South Portland, ME
The most memorable portion of the trip was a whale watching tour given by 7 Seas Whale Watch in Gloucester, Massachusetts. They told us not to expect anything, but a few miles offshore, we were witness to magical sites as pods consisting of humpback whales, dolphins, and seals surrounded us. Minke and fin whales (the second largest mammal in Earth’s history) were also in the distance.
A humpback whale swimming near our boat.
Two humpbacks fishing.
Coming up for seconds.
We must have been near their favorite fishing spot because they also fed. Humpbacks blow air underwater to create bubbles which disorients the fish and makes them easier to catch. You can anticipate the whales breaching location by looking for the bubbles and teal-colored circles in the water.
As we pressed further up the coast to Acadia National Park, spectacular views and delicious food greeted us. Just off Bar Harbor’s coast is Bar Island, a place that’s only accessible via foot twice daily because of its tide. Dozens of hikers were scared they would be caught on the wrong side of the water and forced to take a nearly $200 boat taxi back to the city.
Bar Island at low and high tides.
A view of Bar Harbor from Bar Island
During low tide, the bar is completely exposed and people search tidal pools for ocean critters
Kayaking near Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, Bar Island, and two of the Porcupine Islands from Cadillac Mountain Peak.
Acadia National Park is split between two major peninsulas: Mt. Desert Island (called MDI), which is where most of the park and Bar Harbor are, and Schoodic Peninsula, which has the town Winter Harbor, a smaller town than its sister harbor that sits a 20-minute ferry ride west.
While driving to the peak of Cadillac Mountain has become a bucket list item, its sunset on the opposite side called the Blue Hill Overlook offered a sunset with rich oranges and blues. On either side of the park, you will be treated to fantastic sky shows.
Bar Harbor, Bar Island, and the Porcupine Islands during sunrise from Cadillac Mountain.
The crowd gathered on Cadillac Mountain peak to view the sunrise.
Sunset during a heavy storm off the west-facing side of Cadillac Mountain. Bar Harbor can be seen on the right.
The sunset from Frazer Point Park on the Schoodic Peninsula.
Atop Cadillac Mountain.
The night sky at Frazer Point Park.
The west side of MDI is more subdued but still fun. It hosts the park’s only lighthouse—Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse—and has rocky beaches where you can hunt for starfish.
A small crab in a tidal pool.
Many trees were dead or dying throughout the park.
A tree ornamented with several lobster traps.
The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, it's tricky to get to.
Everything in the region is both near and far. From the town of Sullivan (where we stayed the week) to Schoodic was about a 20-minute drive. Getting to MDI, took about 40 minutes. One day we decided to take an hour-long drive north to Bangor to see a hotel from my favorite reality TV series Hotel Impossible and horror author Stephen King’s mansion.
The view from our temporary home in Sullivan, Maine.
Clockwise, from top left: 1) The view from our temporary home in Sullivan, Maine 2) Stephen King's Mansion 3) Gate detail of Stephen King's estate 4) "The Charles Inn" featured on Season 5, Episode 13 of Hotel Impossible.
Stephen King's Mansion.
Gate detail of Stephen King's estate.
While in Bangor, we had some blueberry pie a la mode from Dysart’s, a restaurant and bar inside a gas station. The pie was good, but Rosario called the vanilla ice cream almost as good as her favorite from Neveria Chepo (in Torreón, Mexico).
Across the river in Brewer, ME, there is a dedication called the Chamberlain Freedom Park to the people who helped maintain the underground railroad. It can easily be missed if you want to enjoy the park, but it’s visible at its busy intersection.
Our way back began late but was well worth the stop at the Penobscot Observatory and Fort Knox in Prospect, Maine. Fort Knox had a crypt-like feel despite no actual fighting being done there.
Exterior view of Fort Knox.
Fort Knox's cannon stations.
Creep room I was too afraid to ask about.
Ovens for baking bread.
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge.
On one of our final nights, we sailed out on a Windjammer as a musician played acoustic versions of classic songs. The vibes were immaculate, and the views were even better. After binge-watching the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Rosario was ready and volunteered to help hoist the sails but didn’t get the chance to help.
This trip was memorable. There was lots of hiking, exploring, and eating, and I can’t wait to go back.
Bar Harbor at daybreak.