Monday, July 30, 2007

Acadia National Park, a most perfect place

In the last twenty years, we've chosen Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine as our hiking destination 4 times. And, as much as we feel we thoroughly explore the island each time we're there, its magnificence amazes me again with each return visit.
The Island, though small is packed with over 120 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, now converted to bike trails, crystal clear mountain lakes, pink granite peaks and rugged, rocky ocean shores. There is beauty around every corner--stunning ocean views opposite glassy blue lakes, the scent of balsam in the air and hermit thrushes as hiking partners. The air is light and the sun, bright (usually). And every time our week is finished, I regret having to leave this most perfect place.

Lobster boats in Bar Harbor, Porcupine Islands in background


Tide going out to reveal the bar, connecting Bar Island to Mount Desert Island


Sand Beach in fog, as seen from Gorham Mtn trail


Waves off coast near Thunder Hole


View north on Long Pond, between Mansell Mtn and Beech Mtn


Water lilies at Witch Hole Pond


Pickerel-weed in Beaver pond off carriage road


Afternoon sun on moss through spruce-fir woods


Hiking trail marked with blue blaze


Pink granite with lichens and wild blueberries


Low-bush blueberries amidst reindeer lichens on mtn summits


Summit of Sargent Mtn, 1373 ft.


Barren top, Sargent Mtn summit, family in the distance


View from Sargent Mtn over ocean and Cranberry Islands


Cadillac Mtn, most heavily traveled of all, reminders for careless feet


Sun rising over Atlantic from Cadillac Mtn,
the highest point on the eastern seaboard and first in US to see the sun rise.
Porcupine Islands off Bar Harbor covered in clouds.

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8 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Your pictures are stunning and the area breathtakingly beautiful. I can understand that it's hard to leave.
Glad you're back though. I hope your batteries are recharged!

Ruth said...

What a beautiful place. The hiking looks a little challenging, but the views are spectacular.
ruth

nina at Nature Remains. said...

The hiking IS a climb--but being able to stop along the way allows up close views of things that otherwise would be easy to overlook--the amazing crevice-dwellers you see when you stop and sit on the ledges.

Mary said...

Gosh, Nina. All of your photos are equally great but I'm partial to Long Pond. Wow. The sunrise over the Atlantic is awesome. I'd love to see all of this in person but I'm glad I am seeing it through your eyes. Thanks!

RuthieJ said...

Oh Nina, it looks like such a beautiful place! I hope I can visit Maine in person some day. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.

Cathy said...

Lovely photos. Light is everything. Add rock, a splash of water - a little green. Wow.

Kathi said...

After Julie & Bill's Maine posts and now yours, I can see I am going to have to schedule a trip to Maine. It looks like a magical place. Luckily, I have an e-friend who has invited me to visit her next summer. Gotta start planning now!

~Kathi

Anonymous said...

Just fabulous photos! I GOTTA go to Acadia!