Reggie and I followed the path to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak in Acadia National Park. The term mountain is relative, of course. At about 1,500 feet (460 m), I know many of you would call this more of a large hill Still, it’s tall enough that the wind swirls every which way and the temperature drops a few degrees at the summit. And it affords terrific views, like this one.
The top of Cadillac Mountain — Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park near along the Maine coast, is spread over three islands with the largest part of the park on Mount Desert Island (confusingly pronounced des-sert by locals).
The island is dotted with lakes and ponds. There is an easy trail that rings Jordan Pond, below. I took my time strolling along the path until a Boston terrier, who wheezed like an asthma patient, passed me. Then I knew I had to step it up a notch.
Early morning at Jordan Pond
Otter Point. I did not see one otter.
The most unique aspect of the park is the carriage road. John Rockefeller, Jr. financed and oversaw the creation of the carriage road and stone bridges between 1913 and 1940. Rockefeller wanted to ensure safe passage for horses without encountering any cars, so he created about 50 miles of roads and 17 bridges, which he then gifted to the park.
Despite previous experiences to the contrary (remember the incidents with the Goddess Pele and the Everglades?), I promptly decided I was going to rent a bike for a day and pedal the carriage road. Luckily this time I returned unscathed, though a close encounter with this snapping turtle nearly left me minus one digit. (Do not let anyone convince you turtles are s-l-o-w.)
I did encounter more placid wildlife. Below is a double-crested cormorant in his signature wing-drying pose. He is perched atop a beaver lodge built on a marsh pond. The beavers were not home.
At the southern end of Jordan Pond, there is a clearing in the trees which makes a great resting spot for bikers and hikers. In the distance you can see a set of peaks, both of which offer reasonably steep hiking trails.(People have a lot of fun names for these peaks. Feel free to leave your guesses in comments.)
In case you needed it, here is a close up. I tackled the peak on the right. It is about two miles from the pond to the top, winding in switchbacks. Some parts of this trail were more like rock climbing than hiking where I had to hoist myself up hand over hand around boulders. Heart pounding and sweating, I stopped for a water break. Around the bend came an older couple, fresh as daisies.
“Did you hike the trail?” I asked, a bit surprised given the difficulty level and their arthritic hands.
“Trail?” the woman said. “We walked from the parking lot about a quarter mile down the road.”
“Yeah, thanks for that.”
That hike warranted a treat. It was time for popovers! Popovers are light rolls, nearly hollow inside, and served with jam and butter. They are a specialty at the Jordan Pond House.
There is one beach in Acadia National Park, named, appropriately enough, Sand Beach. While most of the coastline is rugged and rocky, this is the spot with easy access to the ocean. Reggie enjoyed the sand, but would not venture in the water. Not even one paw.
Have you been to Acadia or Maine? Did I miss anything?
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Your photography is magnificent!
Thank you! 🙂
I love your reward for all your hard climbing. 🙂 Don’t you love when you pass people during the upward climb who make it look effortless? I always love the couples carrying babies and small dogs like they’re going out for a little stroll. 🙂
And a delicious reward it was! It was made even more delicious by the gorgeous setting. 🙂
I would done all the hiking and biking just for the popover- yum
Definitely worth the effort! 🙂 The popover is melt-in-your-mouth.
I love all of your images, but of course, you saved the best for last! Those twin peaks are very thought provoking! No way would I have attempted to hike, either, but I would have been on the outlook for an escalator. That popover looks delicious. Was it served warm?
About half-way through that hike, when it turned into more of a rock climbing situation, you bet I was looking for the escalator. The popover made it all worthwhile. It was indeed served warm by a young man from Poland working as an intern for the summer.
So your warm popover was accompanied by eye candy. Better yet!
Doing what I can to maintain good international relations. 🙂
What a beautiful place! Great photos, Jackie. Maine is a place I really want to see, along with Vermont.
Even though I live fairly close to Vermont I have never been. It’s on my list of places to go for a fall leaf-peeping trip. 🙂
Beautiful 🙂
It really was hard to take a bad picture.
I thought you’d appreciate the popover. 🙂
I’m not at all sure about that one… all air and no substance, by the sound of it!
Lovely photos, Jackie! A dear friend who just finished thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail — she reached the summit of Maine’s Mt. Katahdin one week ago, having started in Georgia in late March — lives in Blue Hill and hikes in Acadia all the time. She used those hikes to train for her 2000-plus-mile journey. I am in awe of her, and you, for conquering great heights one step at a time.
Wow, what an accomplishment to thru-hike the AT! She must have felt amazing when she reached the top of Mt. Katahdin. I hope she had nice weather for the summit hike.
Oh yes. You can see her triumph at http://kneesandstones.com .
I love that she documented her journey. Her photos are gorgeous!
I love your photographs, Jackie. I sense a peacefulness in this area and will likely put this park on my “want to visit” list. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
My favorite time spent in the park was sitting on the top of Cadillac Mountain, watching the hawks riding the thermals. The sky was a beautiful blue and the hawk’s dark feathers contrasted beautifully. So serene! i hope you can visit someday soon.
There are few things as soothing as watching a hawk sail on a breeze. I can just imagine your peace high in the sky.
We watched a turkey vulture circle around us for about ten minutes, just soaring on the wind. I think he was having fun. 🙂
Beautiful place! The outdoors seem to agree with you and Reggie. Am looking forward to more of your trips and hikes! 😉
Spending quality time in nature recharges me and puts things in perspective. I know you are well aware of that feeling. 🙂
Who’d have thought it of a turtle? You must have been extremely provocative, Jackie 🙂 🙂 But it does look beautiful and you earned your popover.
I thought I was “helping” the turtle to move off the busy bike path by trying to move him back into the pond. He knew exactly where he wanted to go and he was having nothing to do with my kind assistance. 🙂
I like a turtle who knows his own mind 🙂
Duuuude that popover looks awesome. Well-deserved after that hike! But I’d probably have one just because I woke up. 🙂 I’m loving those pics the Jordan and Otter points … Duuuuuuude those are the kind of places/moments I dream about when I’m trying to mediate and find my Namaste moments. Buen Camino my friend 🙂
It was all so peaceful and majestic. You would have loved every moment of it. 🙂
Duuuuuuuuude. Probably…yup I can see hat happening…in my dreams 🙂