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.