Day 115 (Sep 8) – Relaxed Acadia

Today started out just like the last three: so foggy it clings to you.  The mist hangs heavily in the air.  The temps here have not varied too much during our visit.  Highs are in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 50s.  It is perfect hiking weather.  As dreary as this morning felt, we were in no hurry to head out of camp.  I didn’t rest very well, what with Brad playing football in his sleep.

So we ate breakfast and played cards and did some math till lunchtime.  Then we ate soup, cleaned up and left with only a sketch of a plan.  The girls chose the Wild Acadia Garden and the Nature Center in the Sieur De Monts Spring area.  I picked up an interpretive trail guide and we began our tour.  First, we explored the Nature Center (small, but interesting) and then walked through the garden that was laid out so nicely by habitat (mountain, meadow, forest, marsh, bog, beach etc.).  Then we were led up to a Florentine style structure that was built long ago to enclose the source of the spring for protection, but still allow tourists to view.  There is a small museum on the native people in this area as well, but we chose not to tour it.  After that we were on our own.  We were right beside a mountain trail and decided since we are such pros now (HA!), we would give it another go.  We hiked up Emery Path and then cut off back down the Deidrich Climb to Jessup Path which led back to the Nature Center.  We didn’t know much about these trails, but just thought we would try it.  It turned out to be a great hike.  Don’t know how far we went (1.5 or 2 mi?) or even how long (hour or an hour and a half?).  Emery Path was a steep climb up granite rocks set like stairs.  It had switchbacks and beautiful views from Dorr Mtn.  Deidrich Climb was a steep descent down damp granite rocks also set like steps.  Some of us kept slipping (not me!).  At the bottom we came upon a body of water (The Tarn) with a sweet little waterfall.  We rested here for a moment before continuing on down Jessup, which was an easy dirt/leaf .3 mi walk back to the truck.

Still no great plan, so we drove down to Southwest Harbor on the other side of Mt. Desert Island (and Somes Sound).  This is a teeny, tiny Bar Harbor.  We were looking for Beal’s Lobster Pier and found it!  One lobster roll, one haddock burger, a hot dog, a BLT and side of fries later . . . we were all full and happy.  On to Little Notch bakery for a whoopie pie (Carmen), blueberry scone (me) and crusty loaf of French bread (dinner tomorrow).  We got some milk and blueberry preserves at a little market on Main.  Then back to Beal’s to pick up a chocolate chip brownie for Audra.

As we were pulling back into camp, I remembered that we had planned to attend the ranger program in the campground (Imagining Acadia – how it all started) for the girls to finish up their JR books.  Fortunately, we had 45 min.  Perfect timing.  I took the girls to the amphitheater while Brad listened to football in the truck.

Tonight we are supposed to get a significant amount of rain and continuing through the day tomorrow.  A ranger mentioned it being from the hurricane, I assume Leslie?  Surely Isaac is gone by now.  But we have been without wifi and cell service for the past three days.  No news.  It may be messy leaving in the morning.

Acadia Day 3