Our first visit to Maine in 2003 was very enjoyable. So, we planned an early
arrival for the Maritime Provinces Tour. We wanted to spend extra time in Bar
Harbor.Maritime Provinces 2007 - Maine
Updated: 11/30/08
Our first visit to Maine in 2003 was very enjoyable. So, we planned an early
arrival for the Maritime Provinces Tour. We wanted to spend extra time in Bar
Harbor.
For more information and photographs, please visit Maine - 2003 .
Our personal touring of Maine begins here.
Or, you can skip to the point where the Nova Scotia Excursion begins.
People were enjoying the 'beach' at Bar Harbor
on a warm/hot day.
Others were enjoying the bridge to Bar Island
which is only available at low tide.
Like any tourist town, parking can be a problem.
In Bar Harbor that applies to boats as well as cars -
boats of all shapes and sizes.
We
had lunch overlooking Bar Harbor. The slight breeze was appreciated on the
second floor of the open air restaurant.
The Margaret Todd was setting sail as we ate lunch.
A couple days later, we saw
her again from Cadillac Mountain.
At Northeast Harbor, we watched the residents load their cargo for the ride to the Great Cranberry Island.
As we drove around Mount Desert Island, we saw a small boat builder's business.
The boat had a very interesting hull design.
Even though we have driven the roads by the water previously, we did it again. Somes Sound is so beautiful, we will include a couple photographs again.
These lobster buoys are typical of
of those found almost everywhere
along the coast.
We find the towns near the water to have an interesting appeal. There is always a variety of boats to look at - boats of any size and description. Some are moored in the harbors, other near private residences.
We
visited the Visitors Center for Acadia National Park. It is an area frequented by
hikers. We found this sign appropriate.
Many
years ago, Cairns were set out on the trails to help the hikers find their way.
Cairns are a pile of rocks showing the hikers the proper direction. They were
named after the person who developed this signage method. They are still in use
today by the hikers on the island.
The second day, Mary Lou decided we would take a snack and beverage out near the water and watch the activity. We ended up at Seawall Picnic Area. It was a busy but small picnic area. We parked our chairs in the shade on the rocky shore and enjoyed a relaxing few hours.
We were not alone. While the people sitting down the shore a little were screened by trees, we could see people walking out where the water had receded. One group carried a bucket and were hunting for something.
It
was not a high boat traffic area but enough to keep our interest. In addition to
the usual power boats and sailboats, this ferry was carrying a tanker truck. We
wondered aloud how much gasoline would sell for on the island.
A pair of kayaks floated by. They loaded them on their vehicle and left.
Kayaks are a popular roof ornament. 
When it started to get boring, the wildlife would swim or fly by - occasionally, stopping to beg for food (from others, not from us).
This was an afternoon that has "retirement" written all over it.
On
the way back to the HHII, Fred found a boat supply store. He needed a piece of
vinyl tubing. It was very different than a boating supply store at home. He
could have spent all the rest of the day looking at all the 'stuff' these
fisherman use.
The last thing we discovered on the second day was a boat at NO tide, not LOW tide. It was another one of those interesting sights we would have missed if we were not just 'looking' for something different.
We just had to go see it at HIGH tide around 10:15am the next morning.
We have been told we may see more boats in the mud later in our trip.
We did another comparison for the tide changes down the road about five miles. All the docks float and rise and fall with the tide.
The first event of our tour was our Welcome Dinner. It was held Friday evening at a
lobster bake in Bar Harbor.
When the buses picked us up, Dolores made sure we were all onboard so no one missed dinner.
The lobster bake location was set up for large crowds.
As
we waited, we talked with our fellow HitchHikers and enjoyed the view out the
front windows.
When the owner suggested those with cameras who wanted to see the steamer opened, should go to the buffet area now. It was all he needed to say, many grabbed their camera and took off.
A bowl of mussels was served to everyone first. (For those wondering, yes ... Fred ate them.)
Then we were told to come and get our lobster. That did not have to be said a second time either. Like most campers, HitchHikers like to eat. They served the lobster, ear of corn and a potato. The other items we picked up from a table.
We
are told the lobster has the brain the size of a grasshopper and no nervous
system so it feels no pain as it is cooked.
When Fred found out one of the table servers would take your lobster apart for you and tell you where the meat was, he asked for 'help'.
Ready to eat . . .
Mary
Lou had no trouble tackling her lobster without assistance. She doesn't mind
getting more than two fingers dirty when eating.
While
it took time to find and eat the meat, it didn't stop us from accomplishing the
task. It was all very good. As we filled the bowls with shells, cobs and other
no longer wanted items, the staff replaced it with an empty bowl.
The bus loads were heavier on on the return trip to camp. But, it was worth it. Later, most of us walked to the recreation building for our orientation meeting. Dolores, Don, Marilyn and Curt prepared us for the travel ahead of us on Sunday. Then, said the busses would be here at 9:00am Saturday for the tour of Acadia National Park.
Just like clockwork, the buses were there to to take us to Acadia National Park. This was our second visit to Acadia . The weather today was totally different than the first (Maine - 2003) visit - this time it was cool, sunny and clear.
The bus ride on the park's loop road took about two and a half hours. The driver pointed out sights of interest along the way.
Vegetation on rocks
...
Causeway we road across ... Eagle Lake ...
A rock people have been trying to push down
the mountain for many many years ...
Bubbles Mountain ...
Thunder
Hole was a dud, just like it was during our last visit. It is only active in a
large way during 3/4 rising tide with a rough sea.
However, this first stop on the Loop Road is a beautiful location.
But, the best - the views from Cadillac Mountain. You will notice that due to the elevation and distance some photographs are hazy even on this clear day.
Bar Harbor
Mount Katahdin
The highest mountain in Maine,
as seen from Cadillac Mountain.
Sunday
was a travel day. Our destination was Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. But, we had a
few more miles in Maine before crossing the border.
We left camp at our leisure which staggered our tow down the road. We did see other HitchHikers now and then along the way.
The drive in Maine was very pleasant. We passed several inland lakes.
We turned off the main route to visit Roosevelt Campobello International Park. The park is on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. The park was donated to both The United States and Canadian Federal governments. We will post information and photographs from our visit to Campobello on our New Brunswick - 2007 page.
On
our way to Campobello, the
town of Lubec, Maine offered a view of salmon farms. The town is the Easternmost
town in the USA. Campobello Island is in New Brunswick - 2007.
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