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.

Free 2017 Canadian Discovery Park Passes!

Scrolling through my recent posts I realized I told everyone about the free Canadian National Park Discovery passes but you!  Celebrating 150 years of Confederation, these passes give unlimited opportunities to enjoy National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across the country!

It's not too late to sign up still - takes 6 weeks to receive! And then you can visit the amazing Point Pelee this summer, too!

Amazing sandy beaches, wetlands for kayaking, wildlife plus nature center just 40 minutes outside of Detroit!

Point Pelee National Park - Canada

Ah!  Now this is what geocaching is all about... walking on sandy beaches, waves lapping against your ankles, under a beautiful blue sky, cooled off by a Great Lake breeze!  TaGeez and I had the urge to get away so across the border we went!  We have a Canadian National Park just 40 miles from our front door, and Point Pelee National Park was well worth the trip!

Point Pelee is the ninth national park opened in Canada, but it's the first opened for ecological reasons.  With 70% marshland, it is both a bird habitat and a butterfly habit on the southernmost tip of Canada.  That famous tip?  It was once a land bridge that connected Canada to Ohio!

Follow the bouncing ball!
That's us at the tip!

Point Pelee, a 10-kilometre sandspit with its southern point equal in latitude to the northern border of California, contains one of Canada's smallest but most unusual national parks. A thin triangle jutting into Lake Erie at the southernmost point of Canada, the 20 square kilometre landscape boasts a unique blend of vegetation in the marshes, jungle-like Carolinian forest, Savannah grasslands and unpredictable beachfront, supporting a complexity of wildlife. The early attraction the peninsula had for the first people to come in search of game, continues in the overwhelming popularity the park has amongst bird watchers and day visitors.

Here are the highlights of our adventure and the Point Pelee National Park - Canada Earth Cache (GC17DQ5 by ByeTheWay) :

• The entrance gate accepts USD (we missed currency exchange at the bridge). The cost was $13.90 for 2 adults (this includes the tram ride to the point and access to all these beautiful beaches!). We were geeked that the signage and all the rangers greeted us in English and French. Hello! Bon Jour! 

• Orientation: We pulled off to get the lay of the land and plan our day. We lingered over the displays and then moseyed over to the first of four beaches. We discovered the water on the West side of the peninsula is relatively tranquil and summer warm but the water on the East side near the point is refreshingly cool with powerful waves.

#GenerationNature trackable

The North Beach (near Orientation center)

• Boardwalk: Still taking our time, we pulled in to explore the marsh area and bird & butterfly habitats. At first, I wasn't thrilled about the "floating" boardwalk - I have a fear of bridges - but the view was absolutely breathtaking. It wasn't long before TaGeez led me along the entire 1.42 km length. None of our pictures do it justice. I can't wait to bring WikidKriket back here - they do kayak rentals, too!

• DeLaurier House: This peninsula was once occupied by the British.  Eventually, private residences were built on the peninsula.  This one (former residence of the CO's uncle) was a nice little break midway along the peninsula. We read the signs and took pictures. Peaceful.

• Visitor Center: As we approached the main doors, we were greeted by a 2-foot long snake crossing our path. And once we entered, we were greeted by a ranger giving a lecture accompanied by an 8-year old yellow snake. Happily, those were the only snake-sightings we had. After searching for the CO's answers in the museum, we stopped to speak to the ranger (Hello! Bon Jour!) about the land bridge. She pointed on the giant map behind her the approximate location of the bridge that spanned from Canada to Ohio. Fascinating! 

• The Tram: By the time we loaded into the tram, we were ready for a few minutes of shade and peaceful contemplation. Lovely 2.5 km ride down a tree-lined road, catching glimpses of water through the trees on either side of us. After disembarking, we posed for photos at the Tip Exhibit and then at the 42nd parallel sign. Then, hand-in-hand, we strolled to the point.

So much activity overhead!
Barn swallows everywhere!

"You are now just south of the 42nd parallel, as far south as Rome
 and Barcelona.  Some of Canada's rarest plants and animals
are found at Point Pelee because of its mild southerly climate."

• The Sandspit: You step out of the shady trees onto a beautiful, sandy beach. The waves are powerful here, and, as it's high tide, most of the spit is under water. A nice German family agreed to take our picture (the one at the top of this post), and we stayed to enjoy the point long after our tram-mates returned to the depot. I've lived off the ocean in 3 states, but nothing is as breathtaking as the blue, clear water of a Great Lake.

• Black Willow Beach: Before leaving for the day, we had to make one more stop at one of the lovely beaches for a little more toe-dipping.  Beautiful!

The only disappointments of the day were the biting flies while waiting for the tram and the missed opportunity to eat at big, red double-decker bus outside the main gates.  Apparently, the bus serves the best fish tacos so we will have to come back!