Natasha's Destinations

Bar Harbor

Visitors flock to this town because it is the gateway to the magnificent Acadia National park. People keep coming back to Bar Harbor because it is simply irresistible. It is a family friendly town that loves dogs, loves people and caters to every one’s tastes.

Restaurants are abundant whether you are in the mood for the customary lobster roll or a fancy sit-down  gourmet experience. 

I had an enjoyable evening savoring the fresh lobster and potent martinis at Testas. 

The best meal on the trip was at an exclusive farm-to-table restaurant created by a husband-wife team who are enthusiastically involved with managing the restaurant as well as creating the culinary masterpieces.

The fun and accessible Shore Path is a lovely meandering path alongside the ocean with breathtaking views and a lovely detour to walk into town and get acquainted with the charming shops and eateries.

I drove around to the various parts of Bar Harbor and was rewarded with exceptional views from all different locations. It was hard to choose a favorite.

Well-preserved historic homes boasting of  grand architectural styles are plentiful around downtown Bar Harbor. The atmosphere around is cheerful and welcoming. Just steps away from the bustle of downtown crowds are the sea views that never disappoints.

One fun activity is to walk on the gravel sandbar across from downtown Bar Harbor to Bar Island - a small, uninhabited tidal island.  During low tide, the ‘island’ suddenly becomes accessible via a natural gravel land- bridge. And for the rest of the day it remains an island no different than the other dotted plots of land on the sea. This is a popular activity and cars are haphazardly parked on the exposed gravelly sandbar as eager visitors walk on the squelching, moist natural land-bridge. It was a cold wet day when I decided to make the ‘trek across the sea’ to Bar Island.

I  got there in time to see the exposed land leading us to the island. By the time I parked the car and got out the rain-ponchos to shield us from the blustery, wet winds and started walking towards the land bridge, the incoming tide had cut off the remainder of the ‘walkway’. The few of us left behind made the wise decision to abort our plans even though the water was only a few inches deep.

While we stood around appreciating the natural beauty surrounding us, within 20 minutes, the sea had swallowed up the land bridge, and Bar Island was back to being an island! It was a fascinating exposure to the relentless and rhythmic cycle of the tides.

Little Long Pond in Seal Harbor is a must-visit to enjoy the serene scenery with the added bonus of dog-watching!

This is a long, picturesque pond with a 4 mile loop around, but the main attractions are the happily scampering and wading dogs in the pond. It is a peaceful setting and a great way to spend the afternoon.

We ate at Nor’Easter restaurant on their outdoor patio for a nice, lazy lunch. The service was lovely and the lobster was incredibly fresh. We had great views of the lawns leading up to the beautiful marina.

I explored North East Harbor and the picturesque Harbourside Drive. Watching the slanting sunbeams light up the boats on the harbor was a very pretty sight.

Trying to steer away from the omnipresent lobster-roll, we dined at Blaze where they claimed they had perfected the art of a lobster flamed on a grill. It was an interesting change but I think I am old-fashioned and prefer the fresh, moist lobster chunks in a lobster roll or salad. There was a good selection of home brews as well and the pizza was a delicious bonus.

. It was located right on the harbor front and was a treat to wake up to the sound of the excited seagulls welcoming the day.

It was easy to spend time on the balcony and watch the docked boats bobbing on the shimmering water.

ACADIA National Park

There is a reason why Acadia National Park is called the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. It is majestic but not overpowering, breathtaking but not overwhelming.

It is a beautiful and welcoming oasis of natural beauty ready to be explored.

I have to confess this was my first foray into a National Park and I am so happy I started with Acadia because I was immediately in love! An abundance of pristine, breathtaking coastline as well as lush conifer forests, dramatic granite cliffs all await you on your visit to Acadia. 

Every one should begin on the Park Loop road. That is the simplest introduction to Acadia and also the perfect initiation to her beautiful landscapes.

In your vehicle and at your own pace, you drive along the water’s edge on one side and a mix of forests and rocky cliffs on the other side. Stop whenever and wherever the view beckons to you. This is the beauty of the Park Loop drive. It is a 27 mile loop of exceptional sights scattered along the way to enjoy and indulge at your leisure.

A popular ( and understandably so) stop along the way is Sand Beach. Sand Beach is tucked into a cove and is a calm but cold access to the waters in the small inlet. Lots of sunbathers take advantage of the pebbly sand expanse to spread out and enjoy the views and sunshine. The  pinkish sand is unique in its origin, it is mixed in with tiny fragments of seashells that the elements have crushed over hundreds of years.  The water looks inviting but don't be fooled-it is cold. 

One of the popular hikes that leads off from the sand dunes is the Great Head Trail that is an easy to moderate hike ending up on huge ocean cliffs that offer the perfect setting for great views. High up on the trail, the views of Sand Beach are pretty impressive.

Another stop that totally takes your breath away is Otter Cliffs. Gigantic cliff walls push out dramatically over the waters for an impressive sight.

You can scramble on top of these enormous granite cliffs that have been smoothed down by the sheer force of the wind over the years. Standing on one of these monolithic structures and looking out into the expanse of the ocean makes you feel like you and nature are together and alone at the same time. 

A popular and crowded stop is Thunder Hole. Especially two hours before high tide there are crowds of visitors scattered along the railings and other vantage points, hoping to catch the thunderous push of the ocean squeezing out of the narrow gulch with force and fury. This powerful action generates the resounding roar and the enormous plume of water shooting up into the air to cascade down with graceful velocity.

Back in the car you begin your ascent to Cadillac Mountain while the more adventurous and agile hike up to the highest mountain in Acadia that also boasts of being the highest point on the Eastern seaboard.

At 1530 feet above sea level, Cadillac Mountain peak flaunts at being the first in the country to witness the sunrise especially on a clear day between early October and early March!

Find a  spot on the clifftops once you reach the summit and settle down to take a moment ( or two). The panoramic sight that welcomes you does take your breath away. As far as the eye can see there is the magnificence of nature in all its glory. Standing tall on the granite tops, surveying the expanse of the ocean, the many islands and towns, it is very easy to feel ‘on top of the world’!

A popular and fun hike is Jordan Pond Trail. Walking along the shores of Jordan Pond is great trek that seems easy but is sneakily challenging.

You are walking on surfaces that are firm at times and then you are balancing on elevated wooden planks that steady your strides over the muddy and boggy ground.

You can slow down and admire the many scenic views as well as watch the wildlife especially the birds and small animals.

Jordan Pond is the deepest lake in Acadia. It is also an important  source of the drinking water supply and therefore wading and swimming ( dogs or their best friends ) is not permitted. You do see a lot of pond life as you walk alongside the banks of the pond. 

It is almost customary ( and especially necessary if you did not carry your own food) to stop at Jordan Pond House to savor their famous popovers. The wait is long and these may not be the best popovers you’ve had, but it is definitely enjoyable when you are sitting on the big lawns of the restaurant and looking out on to the pond while your legs take a break.

Widely seen all over the trails in Acadia are small man-made rock formations comprising of either a single, larger rock, or a mantel created by two stacks of smaller rocks topped with another longer rock like a bridge between the two piles, and topped with a pointer stone on top.These are widely known as the Bates-style cairns because way back in the 1900s Bar Harbor path maker Waldron Bates created these unique markings to guide hikers and keep them on the right trail.

Along with the enthusiastic dogs belonging to the energetic hikers, one can spot a lot of wildlife if you pause long enough to stop and savor the views.

Another memorable trail is the Gorham Mountain Trail.

It is not as steep or strenuous as some of the other trails but it could be pretty demanding. You start off through the woods working your way up and then as you ascend higher, you are soon scrambling over big boulders.

The hard work is more than compensated by the breaks in the groves of dense trees that reveal  beautiful, dramatic vistas that energize and exhilarate you. This is a great trail to expose you to the varied topography of Acadia National Park. It is worth hiking through the spruce forest land and then ascending up the granite rocks. The tough climb up to the 525 feet high Gorham Mountain summit is rewarding because the spectacular scenery from the peak is unforgettable.

Every new hike, new turn or short respite on a trek brought about feelings of exuberant peace. The landscape around is resplendent in its grandeur and one cannot help but feel insignificant in the face of this majestic display of natural beauty. Acadia does know how to woo and wow her visitors and leaves them with unforgettable and memorable experiences for a lifetime.