Putting Augusta behind us our route gave us a surprise. It is the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory rising up out of the trees.
Wasn't on our radar to stop and go up the observatory so no plans made and too late with GypsyII behind to stop and go up to see the view. It is the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. I was glad that our route took us across it. Fun that the cable is in the middle.
Clear evidence that we are in Maine.
The roadside views were gorgeous.
We made it! Bar Harbor at it's finest.
Our first day was spent in town by the harbor taking in the amazing sights. We rode the free Shuttle Bus from the Park into town. Very convenient.
Yachts arouse my curiosity. Who do they belong to?
Beautiful churches.
Flowers in abundance. After a nice late lunch we hopped back on the Shuttle and rode it on the Loop Road around Acadia so we could scope out future visits. Still getting used to the Maine alphabet.....no R's when they talk.
The next day we started exploring Mount Desert Island.
First stop.
These autos are OLD!
There are electric, steam-powered and gasoline autos in the collection. Richard Paine established the museum to house his extensive collection and the museum shows not only his love for cars but his love for Maine.
They range from 1899 models to some 1930's beauties.
This is a 1930 Packard that brought back memories of my Dad's Packard when I was a little girl. Not sure if it is because I was small but I thought that car was HUGE. I can remember sleeping on the back window ledge on long road trips.
This was my favorite. A 1913 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance from Peugeot of France. Crafted in layers of mahogany.
Look at that grill and that spiffy two tone paint job. Glad the lady at the RV Park told us about this place that seems almost hidden on the far western side of Mount Desert Island.
Isn't this perfect New England?
Acadia National Park is absolutely stunning. One thing we found very interesting is that as you drive around Mount Desert Island sometimes you are in the park and sometimes you are not. There is one entrance gate but prior to it you can find yourself in the park as well. And the same for the other end. You just need to always have your Park Pass (for us that wonderful bargain Senior Pass that gets us in free) showing in your vehicle.
We visited Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built of brick in 1858 on a stone foundation and it clings to the cliff 56 feet above the high water line on the shore.
To get a water side view they have built a stairway down the rocks.
So beautiful. I love the ocean.......both shores.
Rocky shore, blue water, green trees........perfect.
Not easy to get views of this cliff hanging lighthouse but oh so pretty.
Sailing is one of the most popular adventures in the area.
You can escape the crowds of Bar Harbor and view Acadia National Park from the ocean as you sail along.
We took the Summit Road to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Contrary to Walt's belief that it was named after the vehicle it was actually named after the French explorer and adventurer, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac in 1918.
It is 3 and 1/2 miles of constant beauty.
Once at the top there is a lot of bare granite in between the forests of spruce and pitch pine combined with tiny subalpine plants (like cinquefoil), squat, gnarled trees, wild blueberries, and various sized boulders. The altitude at the top is only 1530 feet but it feels like the 8000 foot mountains in the west. Must be the combination of being further north and the ocean.
Magnificent views.
That's Bar Harbor way down there!
The shades of blue were intense. Cadillac Mountain is a must see spot in Acadia National Park.
Standing up here I wanted to burst forth singing "America The Beautiful" feeling so fortunate that I have gotten to see her from sea to shining sea. Lucky for any others on the mountain that I refrained from any singing.
On the way down there are several pullouts for different views. This is Eagle Lake, a fresh water lake that is the largest on the island.
At one of the pullouts this gull had staked claim to a rock near the curb and made his mission clear. "Give me food, give me food."
His business plan seems successful. Anyway he got his share from us.
Beautiful sight to see. More to come.