NEA18: Acadia to South Portland

The road the next morning was right outside the Stephen King novella, The Fog. Riding along the crowned highway, heading to Acadia, the fog rolled in tight to the pavement edge. Such a surreal feeling, but we were hopeful the fog would lift in time for the wonders of the National Park.

Bass Harbor Light, Mount Desert Island

TaGeez and I arrived early because all the websites warned us it's prime tourist season. With time to spare before the Hulls Cove Visitor Center opens, we headed to Bass Harbor Light on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island.

Little two-lane roads passing cottages with quaint sea-related names, it felt just like upper lower Michigan.

Not much of a view yet, but...

... the lighthouse was beautiful and peaceful. All you could hear is the clang of the two small bells plus the bell on the buoy. 

Bass Harbor Light GC7869C

Yes, I climbed both down and up these rustic steps. We were startled by the minks bursting from the underbrush.

Lovely but foggy view heading to one of the park's southern gates. This is not just low tide - you could see water levels down throughout the whole trip.

Caching in on Birds GCK87A

Acadia National Park

We finally made it, and, for the moment, we beat the tourists. 

Welcome to Acadia National Park GC787CT

Lovely. Foggy. Every turn on the Loop Road showed another stunning view.

The mile drive up the road to the top of Cadillac Mountain was one of the scariest and most thrilling experiences of my life. No guard rails, and you could only see to the (almost) end of your hood. Twisting and turning up, no gaps in the giant cloud we ascended into. On the drive down later, I couldn't believe I actually drove this road blind!

What a difference an hour makes.

Cadillac Mountain Cache GC85F4

We spent a little time searching for a nearby benchmark, and when we emerged from the woods we saw blue sky peaking out. Large, fast-moving clouds engulfing the mountaintop, and, just like every other tourist, we madly snapped photos as we could.

We made several other stops after descending the Cadillac Mountain, but, eventually, the tourists took over. We circled parking lots trying to find a place to pull over, but, after several failed attempts, we took it as a sign to head out.

First stop... Bar Harbor and a quilt shop off the town square.

Yarmouth - L.L. Bean

When I was a young military wife stationed in Portland, money was very tight. But when my husband was deployed, I treat myself to a trip up US 1 to Yarmouth. The shops were pricey, but people watching was free. I would wander the shops (the Mangy Moose is still the best!) and explore L.L.Bean any time day or night. I'm so geeked someone placed a virtual here!

The Iconic Boot Virtual Reward GC7B63K

And as I did 20 years before, you always wrap your visit with some yumminess from Ben  & Jerry's!

South Portland

Final stop for the night is South Portland, my home for 3 years. Now known for it's foodie culture, some equate South Portland as the "San Francisco of the East". And, like SF, there was no parking, outrageous valets, and way too many pedestrians flooding the intersections.  

So we turned to the other side of the river while picking up some Virtuals including this one.

Maine Railroad Cache GC7B8TX

One more spot to take TaGeez. I knew he would love the uniqueness of this memorial. As we pulled into the lot, we were stopped at the entrance by two sunshiny volunteers. This little park right on South Portland's harbor was hosting an outdoor movie night. Giving them our biggest, tourist eyes, they let us slip in for one last geocache and many, many, many photos. 

Liberty Ships GC1Q6DZ

It turned into a beautifully, blue day in Maine.