060705 - Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine
Arrived - Tuesday, June 27, 2006
With the weather prediction for the coming week mostly overcast and rain, we pointed the Beast north and aimed for the famous Bar Harbor. Today was a storm free window in the long forecast, so we had a pleasant, leisurely drive up the coast. Many small towns later we crossed the bridge to Bar Harbor Island.
When we plan trips to touristy areas, we tend to look for KOA camps because they usually have those little extras that are really important to us. Things like planned tours and public transportation as well as good facilities and helpful staff. This one was no exception.
We got a good spot on the bayside and due to water damage to the grass, no neighbors on either side.
Peter likes his space. The interior roadways are paved so we look forward to using the Batmobile.
The days are pretty long in this part of the country – with sunrise before 5 am and sunset after 8 pm.
There is quite a bit of humidity and of course their famous fog rolls in and out at will.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
With the Island Explorer schedule in hand we headed for the bus stop. One of the camps golf carts saw us and gave us a lift. The buses are free and run about every 30 min. (They are funded by L.L. BEAN to the tune of about 1 million dollars a year) They stop at most of the campgrounds and finish at the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor. We Have read an ad re: a 2-1/2 hour tour of the Acadia National Park (which is most of Mt. Desert Island) on a motor Trolley. The bus ride to down town was an hour but gave us time to browse as we headed for Oli’s Trolley.
In the late 1800’s, this area was the summer home and playground of many of the countries rich and famous citizens, including President Taft, The Proctors, the Gambles, and of course J.D. Rockefeller, who wound up owning most of the Island and then donating it to form Acadia National Park.
However, after 1915, the invention of the automobile created a stream of constant tourists to the area which the former inhabitants were trying to avoid, and so the area soon lost most of it’s high scale inhabitants. The area also drew lots of what were called “Rusticators” who were artists and performers who had the time to spend the summer “in the woods” and also could earn a little money with their talents. Some of the big mansions became bed and breakfast inns while new hotels started to spring up all around to accommodate the influx.
Prior to the intervention of the automobile, the area was traveled by horse and carriage. Rockefeller was responsible for the building of an extensive network of carriage paths for his own pleasure, and they are maintained to this day for that purpose. Automobile roads were built after 1920 for the tourists, but only horse drawn vehicles are allowed on the old carriage trails. There are stables available for rentals to travel these exclusive paths.
While the maximum height of the mountain is only 1500 feet, it is the tallest mountain on the east coast. From the top of Cadillac mountain, there is a gorgeous view that can extend to Nova Scotia over 100 miles away. Unfortunately, the famous New England fog was in place and our view was severely limited.
There are actually many small mountains on the island as a result of valleys that were cut by the Wisconsin Glacier about 15,000 years ago, actually forming the only fjord on the east coast, Somes Sound. (Puget Sound is another on the west coast). This glacier was also responsible for removing superficial rocks to expose the granite layer below which is a product of molten magna that cooled and crystallized. The mountain is a major source of granite which is prized and sold all over the world.
This park was the first east coast area to be declared a national park in 1919 and is still the smallest park in the system.
An interesting fact: The regulations for lobster trapping is very strict and the small ones as well as the large ones have to be thrown back. If a lobster is more than 2 pounds, it is probably at least 9 years old and in its prime for reproduction. Throwing one adult back can be responsible for the birth of hundreds. Therefore, the only size that is legal is about one pound plus. If you are getting large “Maine “ lobsters – 3 pounds or more, they are probably not from Maine or they are “illegal.
Speaking of lobster, we couldn’t leave Bar Harbor without a traditional seafood dinner and so we picked one of many restaurants for a bowl of clam chowder and a seafood pasta dish that had it all.
Thursday June 29, 2006
It seems like yesterday is the best weather we were going to get for the week. The rain and thunderstorms at night were intense and would have made a great opening scene for some scary movie where many people disappear into the night. The heavy rain continued till early morning and the sad look on Peter’s face told the whole story. When I opened the door to show him how rotten it was outside, he took a step forward and with a disgusted look out side and then to me, he backed up and jumped on the couch.
By noon, the rain was gone, the fog was lifting and the puddles were beginning to recede.
We extracted the Batmobile from its cave and had it assembled in minutes. The batteries still had most of their charge left. We toured the campground and Peter did his usual geological survey and p-mail postings. The afternoon stayed clear and the sun actually broke thru so we took advantage if it by sitting out and listening to the radio and reading.
Heading the warning of Maureen, we made plans in advance to spend the rest of the holiday weekend at a nearby campground that was about ½ the price.
The weather continued to alternate between rain and shine but shine enough for the Batmobile to do its job.
We have been planning our next destination and look forward to getting inland.
Arrived - Tuesday, June 27, 2006
With the weather prediction for the coming week mostly overcast and rain, we pointed the Beast north and aimed for the famous Bar Harbor. Today was a storm free window in the long forecast, so we had a pleasant, leisurely drive up the coast. Many small towns later we crossed the bridge to Bar Harbor Island.
When we plan trips to touristy areas, we tend to look for KOA camps because they usually have those little extras that are really important to us. Things like planned tours and public transportation as well as good facilities and helpful staff. This one was no exception.
We got a good spot on the bayside and due to water damage to the grass, no neighbors on either side.
Peter likes his space. The interior roadways are paved so we look forward to using the Batmobile.
The days are pretty long in this part of the country – with sunrise before 5 am and sunset after 8 pm.
There is quite a bit of humidity and of course their famous fog rolls in and out at will.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
With the Island Explorer schedule in hand we headed for the bus stop. One of the camps golf carts saw us and gave us a lift. The buses are free and run about every 30 min. (They are funded by L.L. BEAN to the tune of about 1 million dollars a year) They stop at most of the campgrounds and finish at the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor. We Have read an ad re: a 2-1/2 hour tour of the Acadia National Park (which is most of Mt. Desert Island) on a motor Trolley. The bus ride to down town was an hour but gave us time to browse as we headed for Oli’s Trolley.
In the late 1800’s, this area was the summer home and playground of many of the countries rich and famous citizens, including President Taft, The Proctors, the Gambles, and of course J.D. Rockefeller, who wound up owning most of the Island and then donating it to form Acadia National Park.
However, after 1915, the invention of the automobile created a stream of constant tourists to the area which the former inhabitants were trying to avoid, and so the area soon lost most of it’s high scale inhabitants. The area also drew lots of what were called “Rusticators” who were artists and performers who had the time to spend the summer “in the woods” and also could earn a little money with their talents. Some of the big mansions became bed and breakfast inns while new hotels started to spring up all around to accommodate the influx.
Prior to the intervention of the automobile, the area was traveled by horse and carriage. Rockefeller was responsible for the building of an extensive network of carriage paths for his own pleasure, and they are maintained to this day for that purpose. Automobile roads were built after 1920 for the tourists, but only horse drawn vehicles are allowed on the old carriage trails. There are stables available for rentals to travel these exclusive paths.
While the maximum height of the mountain is only 1500 feet, it is the tallest mountain on the east coast. From the top of Cadillac mountain, there is a gorgeous view that can extend to Nova Scotia over 100 miles away. Unfortunately, the famous New England fog was in place and our view was severely limited.
There are actually many small mountains on the island as a result of valleys that were cut by the Wisconsin Glacier about 15,000 years ago, actually forming the only fjord on the east coast, Somes Sound. (Puget Sound is another on the west coast). This glacier was also responsible for removing superficial rocks to expose the granite layer below which is a product of molten magna that cooled and crystallized. The mountain is a major source of granite which is prized and sold all over the world.
This park was the first east coast area to be declared a national park in 1919 and is still the smallest park in the system.
An interesting fact: The regulations for lobster trapping is very strict and the small ones as well as the large ones have to be thrown back. If a lobster is more than 2 pounds, it is probably at least 9 years old and in its prime for reproduction. Throwing one adult back can be responsible for the birth of hundreds. Therefore, the only size that is legal is about one pound plus. If you are getting large “Maine “ lobsters – 3 pounds or more, they are probably not from Maine or they are “illegal.
Speaking of lobster, we couldn’t leave Bar Harbor without a traditional seafood dinner and so we picked one of many restaurants for a bowl of clam chowder and a seafood pasta dish that had it all.
Thursday June 29, 2006
It seems like yesterday is the best weather we were going to get for the week. The rain and thunderstorms at night were intense and would have made a great opening scene for some scary movie where many people disappear into the night. The heavy rain continued till early morning and the sad look on Peter’s face told the whole story. When I opened the door to show him how rotten it was outside, he took a step forward and with a disgusted look out side and then to me, he backed up and jumped on the couch.
By noon, the rain was gone, the fog was lifting and the puddles were beginning to recede.
We extracted the Batmobile from its cave and had it assembled in minutes. The batteries still had most of their charge left. We toured the campground and Peter did his usual geological survey and p-mail postings. The afternoon stayed clear and the sun actually broke thru so we took advantage if it by sitting out and listening to the radio and reading.
Heading the warning of Maureen, we made plans in advance to spend the rest of the holiday weekend at a nearby campground that was about ½ the price.
The weather continued to alternate between rain and shine but shine enough for the Batmobile to do its job.
We have been planning our next destination and look forward to getting inland.
posted by The Highway Guys @ 10:05 AM
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