I had a lovely visit to Acadia National Park and spent the time photographing, sightseeing, kayaking, biking, and hiking.
Tuesday August 25
The first day I drove the Park Loop Road stopping often for photographs. Park Loop Road offers the most beautiful views of the park, and this is the side of Acadia most often seen by visitors. The views of cliffs dropping to an azure blue ocean are spectacular, but Acadia is so much more than that.
View from the summit of Cadillac Mountain
Cliffs dropping to the ocean
These are the views Acadia is famous for.
Waves lapping against the cliffs
View from the tree line
The ocean was rough that day.
Acadia is, of course, an artist's paradise. Renee Lammers painting plein air.
Wild roses and rose hips near Thunder Hole
Otter Cliffs
Ocean view
Waves pounding shore
Wildflowers on the cliffs
Sunset from Cadillac Mountain
Wednesday August 26
Today I kayaked in Frenchman Bay. We had beautiful views of Porcupine Islands, home to much of Acadia's wild life. We saw a bald eagle flying overhead.
Our guide pointing out an interesting sight...
Thursday August 27
Today I biked the carriage roads. The carriage roads are 57 miles of beautiful paths twisting through Acadia which were built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. They are ideal for bicycling, running, walking, and horseback riding.
I started out biking around Eagle Lake.
I made a loop by Aunt Betty's Pond for views of lily pads and tranquil water. I saw a turtle splashing in the shallows.
View of Jordan Pond from the bike trail
View of North Bubble and South Bubble from Jordan Pond
I biked past serene Bubble Pond in the afternoon.
Back to Eagle Lake to complete the ride
Friday August 28
Today I hiked several of the beautiful trails on Mount Desert Island.
Beaver Dam Pond
On the summit of Champlain Mountain
Beautiful views of the Porcupine Islands in Frenchman Bay
More views from the summit
The vistas are stunning.
I hiked up to the Bowl, a glacial tarn, which is a circular lake formed by alpine glacier melts.
I hiked the Gorham Mountain Trail, with spectacular vistas.
View of Sand Beach from Gorham Mountain.
View of Champlain Mountain from Gorham Mountain
I spent most evenings in Bar Harbor for dinner and souvenir shopping. Here is a beautiful sunset on the harbor.
My first day was a little bit drizzly so I spent some time in Luray Caverns.
The formations were amazing.
I hiked to the top of Stony Man Mountain.
Autumn foliage as seen from Skyline Drive.
Mountain views from every vista
Row upon row of mountains
A view of Old Rag, a popular spot for climbers
Yet another stunning vista
Can you see the profile of the Stony Man? Me neither.....
Last bit of sunlight on the mountain
On a clear day I hiked to Whiteoak Canyon Falls, at 86 feet the second highest waterfall in the park.
The path was covered with jewel colored leaves.
Another waterfall in Whiteoak Canyon
The woods were filled with gold and orange hues.
Beauty everywhere I looked
Lower Whiteoak Falls
