July 6, Day 10

After breakfast, Bob and I spend the majority of today exploring Acadia National Park on Bar Harbour Island. There are all types of activities people enjoy here including: island-hopping", hiking, swimming, bicycling, kayaking, tidepooling, backpacking, camping, and "BOB's FAV...BIRD-WATCHING! It's also fun to drive all around the park and stop at many scenic viewpoints (ALSO BOB's FAVORITE THING), and continue driving upward to the highest point on Cadillac Mountain. This is a GREAT DAY, and the weather is sunny and breezy!

Bob points out "We are Here."

Trail from parking lot to trail. I am in LOVE with the birch trees...can't we grow them in PHX?

Several small islands are off the coast of Bar Harbour, visible at the beginning of our trek.

Bob checks out the map at the parking lot.

The beach below the parking lot is the starting point of the 4-5 mile coastal mountain hike - one of the "trails less traveled."

Appropriately named, "Sand Beach," this intimate area is enjoyed by many, particularly families with small children. They'll come to the Park and spend all day here, picnicking, digging in the sand, and swimming (but not too often swimming, due to summer water temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit)! Actually, our observation is kids are the bravest.

After climbing some moderately rocky trails, we paused to look down at the only sandy beach located on this Bar Harbour Island, and it is located here at Acadia National Park!

The happy hikers...do we REALLY have to come home and start WORKING in 8 more days??? Retirement sounds awfully nice, but is truly years away. :>(

Bob asks me to "just step backward a few more yards, honey!" :>)

Pines, wild berry bushes, ferns, cypress trees, and scenic rock formations are in the forefront as we gaze out to the Atlantic. Weather has been so perfect, it makes hiking a true pleasure!

Bobbi...this is my artistic effort, that you especially can appreciate (there are other angles, but I won't bore the rest of y'all tooooo much).

Hiking through here is peaceful and lovely...We enjoy the cool breezes (especially above the coastline) and the tall birch trees.

A lovely schooner sailing along far below, as we zoomed in on this one. Bob and I later found out that it's really reasonable to sail this vessel on 2-hour cruises.

View of a cove below taken with telephoto lens from above, atop "Cadillac Mountain," the highest point on all of Bar Harbour Island. (unfortunately, we forgot to add the filter to the larger lens, so contrast/clarity are not as good)

This is the park in the middle of downtown Bar Harbour, and the whole picture is reminiscent of downtown Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii. The surrounding shops and restaurants are wonderful (we did some shopping for our immediate family today...and there is something for EVERYONE)! It is the best tourist shopping I've ever experienced...oh nooooo. Anyway, what is so "chill" about this park is each electric lamppost is wired to plug in your laptop!

Some of the downtown shops are really unique, such as this one withe the old chevy coming through the building above.

A couple we met hiking today recommended "Rosalie's Pizza" because they are locals and it is their favorite pizza...we were somehow in the mood, and it was tasty.

What a great T-shirt Bob got today...this is my very FAVORITE!!! mmmmmmmmm

Hmmm...Bob is looking over the menu outside, and crab cakes and lobster enchiladas sounds verrrrrry tempting...and that is what we decided to eat. They have wonderful salads, too!

The same nice couple that recommended the Pizza Place also recommended "Galyn's" for a seafood dinner (down by the water at Bar Harbour)...and it was excellent. After we ate, we explored down by the docks alongside the water's edge. This is such a charming place to be!