Acadia National Park (part 1)

The park is located on an island called Mt. Desert (pronounced dessert).  It kind of looks like a lobster claw on the map.

At the park visitor center, we decided to purchase an audio tour cd ($13) vs doing an on/off the bus/trolley tour.   It was a good choice because we could back up what was said and listen again.   It is easy to get lost in the beauty of the area and forget to listen.

There are 17 mountains and 4 lakes in the park.  At times driving through the park is much like the drive through the Smoky Mountains, but then it opens up to the views of oceans or lakes.

At Thunder Hole the ocean was so calm, there was no big spray of water.

Ziggy liked the audio tour option also as he was able to tour with us.  However after the many mini hikes he was ready to rest in the back seat.

A very tired dog.

Cadillac Mountain 
is the tallest point in the park.  At 1,530 feet, it is the tallest mountain on the eastern coast of the United States.
From here you can see the first peek of sunlight as the sun begins to rise from the east.

The day we were at the top, there was a chilly wind blowing.   I wished for a hat and gloves.
From here we could see the Bar Harbor Bay with cruise ships.

View from top of Cadillac Mountain looking at Bar Harbor Bay 

Cadillac Mountain is composed mostly of  pink granite. 

It is also a place to watch the sunset.

  

MORE Acadia

Bass Lighthouse is the only lighthouse that we visited.
The others are on islands and not accessible by car.


Due to the amount of fog in the area, the sound of the bell is also important!   A coast guard family lives at the light house.

 Some of the forest is pines

                                and in some places you will find hardwoods.  The fall color is just beginning.