Tag Archives: Maine

A Bar Harbor Adventure

If I were to ask you to set out on an adventure today – what kind of ideas would come to your mind?      What ideas, places, settings and time make up an adventure to you?

Adventure is defined as:
a) an undertaking involving danger and unknown risks
b) a new, remarkable, exciting or unusual experience
I would add that adventures can be expected or unexpected.

I look forward to taking an expected adventure.  The anticipation is great, and fun to organize.  Some look forward to an exciting adventure such as riding a roller coaster, going to an amusement park, hiking to scenic views, preparing for an exercise event or participating in a mission trip.

I like to look for small adventures during ordinary events.  On a recent business trip to Maine I found many opportunities for an adventure.  Some I set out to do, and others found by just pursuing the day.

I travel to Maine regularly to meet with customers.  As a Tennessee fella I really enjoy Maine in lots of ways.  I enjoy their pace of life and the lack of big city hustle and bustle I usually see during a work day.  I also enjoy the diversity of the landscape in the state.  From the rugged coastline to the central state mountains, Maine is very diverse and beautiful.

On this trip to Bangor I had made time to visit Bar Harbor for a few hours.  Traveling by myself I am pretty flexible in when I go and how long I stay, but this day only afforded me about 3 hours to seek adventure before sundown.

I knew of a mission house in Bar Harbor that I wanted to see, and I really wanted to get some pictures of the coast.  So I was going to hurry to find this house my brother-in-law told me about and then wanted to get into Acadia National Park before the sun went down.  So I parked in an out of the way public lot and according to my GPS it was not far from this particular house.

Bar Harbor mission house - ocean view
Bar Harbor mission house – ocean view

I knew what this house looked like from Tim’s description so I set out on foot to find it.  The trail from the parking lot led directly toward the ocean, so I figured I could access the house from this trail.  As I started down the trail toward the house I realized this trail was not just any trail, but a Bar Harbor city walking trail that went along the ocean.  Wow – what a discovery!  And what a relief.  Now instead of having to find this house then jet over to Acadia – I could take my time finding the house and take pictures on this new trail I found.  I was just so tickled with my new discovery!

This was as close as I got to the house
This was as close as I got to the house

Luckily the house was only a few yards from the parking lot – in city terms it was about 2 blocks away.  I was able to find it and take some pictures of the house/mansion from the trail.  However, I was not allowed on the the property.  I did flag down and talk to the grounds keeper, but he was not at all amused by my enthusiasm for the house or relationship to my brother-in-law who had been there before.  Neither of my persuading arguments would warm him up enough to invite me in for a closer look.

So now with the house part of my adventure abruptly complete, I had plenty of time to take pictures of the ocean.

The ocean views in Bar Harbor are just spectacular.  The harbor is surrounded by several smaller islands, and the coast is a wash of colorful jagged rocks.  On this particular day and time I was virtually alone on the trail so I took advantage by getting lots of pictures and climbing around on the rocks like a school boy.  I was having such a grand time!

City trail by the ocean
City trail by the ocean
Unique rock sitting by the ocean edge
Unique rock sitting by the ocean edge
Ocean view from the trail
Ocean view from the trail

The only thing to dampen my spirits that evening was the setting of the sun.  It brought my picture taking adventure to an end.  But I had experience a great time with the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean.

The only thing left to do now in Bar Harbor was to eat.  But where to eat this time?!  I thought why not try something new?  Yep – the beginning of a new eating adventure for me!

Maine Trippin

My daughter and I took a trip to Maine in July of 2013.  I went because of work, but took some extra time so we could explore the state.  We posted tweets on the trip with #mainetrippin, so I thought to follow suite and name this post the same.  The following is a pictorial essay of our visit.

Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound
Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

A trip to Maine is never complete till you eat a good lobster.  Usually getting a lobster is my first stop once in Maine.  And by good lobster I mean a cooked lobster!  And that is exactly what you get at the Trenton Bridge Lobster pound.  It has been one of my favorite places to visit for years.

Bar Harbor

Danielle in Bar Harbor
Danielle in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is just a beautiful place.  It is a stop for several cruise ships during the summer months.  There are plenty of treats, eats and shopping are within walking distance.  And the pace is just a bit slower – the way I like it.

Lobster
My favorite Maine meal!
Sunset in Bar Harbor
Sunset in Bar Harbor
Downtown Bar Harbor
Downtown Bar Harbor
John and Danielle in Bar Harbor
John and Danielle in Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park

Rugged Maine coast line
Rugged Maine coast line

Acadia National Park is just minutes from downtown Bar Harbor.  It is a beautiful place to drive and take pictures.  Hearing the ocean, feeling the breeze and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation is all this national park is about!  (but that is plenty enough!)

Long Pond in Acadia National Park
Long Pond in Acadia National Park
Maine Coastline
Maine Coastline
Thunder Hole
Thunder Hole
Maine coastline
Maine coastline
View from the top
View from the top

Western Maine

Wire bridge in New Portland, ME
Wire bridge in New Portland, ME

WireBridge

Carrabassett River
Carrabassett River

My work usually takes me to central and western Maine.  There are lots of great rivers and mountains to explore here!  I never get enough time to take all the pictures I would like, but here are a few samples.

Sandy River
Sandy River
Sandy River water falls
Sandy River water falls
Herbert Hotel
Herbert Hotel
Kingfield, Maine Carrabassett river
Kingfield, Maine
Carrabassett river

Downtown Kingfield has a few shops and is the home of the Herbert Grand Hotel.  A really unique hotel that still uses a real key for your room door, and the front door of the hotel (only needed if you want to get back into the hotel after 9:00).

Orange Cat Cafe

Orange Cat Cafe
Orange Cat Cafe

One of my favorite restaurants in the world – Orange Cat Cafe in Kingfield, ME.  Very laid back atmosphere with wholesome food.         And a cat.

Moose pit
Moose pit

Well, you can’t see a moose here – because I did not see any!    But this is the place to find one…  It is called the moose pit because of the water, vegetation, and salt content.  This used to be where the state kept salt for the roads, so moose frequent here.

Further down the coast

Portland Lighthouse
Portland Lighthouse

The Portland lighthouse is one of the more photographed lighthouses on the East coast.

The Lobster Shack
The Lobster Shack

The Lobster Shack is another of my favorite restaurants.  For 2 reasons … the lobster and the view!

Portland Lighthouse
Portland Lighthouse
Nubble Lighthouse
Nubble Lighthouse
Old Orchard beach amusement park
Old Orchard beach amusement park