This is the first in a series of articles featuring various hikes.  Let me start by saying that all of these hikes will be able to be completed in one morning or afternoon.   Acadia Park while large, is not a place where you can walk on one adventure for days and days.   There are plenty of places in New England, specifically the Long Trail in Vermont or the Appalachian Trail which starts in Georgia and ends in Maine if you want a multi-day experience.

First the facts:  There are 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads throughout Acadia National Park.   The park itself is about 40,000 acres.    Most of these hikes are easy and suitable for families with young children, but some are moderately difficult hikes bringing you to grand mountaintop vistas.

People have been hiking through Acadia’s paths for hundreds of years.  On the map the white dashed lines are walking trails.   The red lines roads and the yellow lines are carriage trails.   Of course the carriage trails are exceptional walking paths too, so don’t ignore them as a great way to link up the hiking trails with where you want to be.   One of my favorite walks combines the carriage trails on the way up and the hiking path on the way down. 

I also want to make sure to mention the zero impact rule right from the beginning.   Going into a wild area is like visiting a famous museum.   You obviously do not want to leave your mark on an art treasure in the museum.    Please pack out all garbage and trash.   Human waste must be disposed of carefully or it becomes a health hazard.   Use restroom facilities at trailheads or along the trail.   Stay on the trail.   Do not cut switchbacks or take short cuts.  Do not feed wild animals, never pick flowers or gather plants or insects.   Keep your impact to a minimum by taking only pictures and leaving only footprints.  Also play it safe,  you should be prepared for any weather and trail conditions you may encounter.

Water – hikers generally need 1 or more quarts per person on these day hikes, depending on weather.   Do not count on finding water on any hike.  Sun; to protect yourself, wear protective clothing and especially a sun hat.   Always tell a reliable person your hiking plans, especially if you are hiking in more remote areas.   Check in upon your return.   Leave a plan in your car as a last resort.   Dress in layers, do not hike alone.

I start with these hikes for two reasons.   First they are my favorites for the overall view that you get at the top.   They get you to the wild part of the park, and while you will not be alone, you also will be miles away from civilization type things like stores, shopping.       Second, these are nice for any age group.    It will help you judge whether you need to stick with this kind of hike for a while, or if you can advance to some of the more challenging hikes in the park.     The Acadia bus system can get you to these hikes easily.   Parking at Jordan Pond house can be a challenge in the middle of summer, so plan on the bus.

Jordan Pond, Bubbles and Eagle Lake Area

0.5 miles Jordan Pond Shore Trail A nice level walk around the shore-line.   There are wooden paths, so even little ones under 5 years old are okay on this walk.   Wonderful short walk with bathroom and water and the Pond house.   The photo to the right is of this trail.   You can combine this route with the bubbles walk for a nice combination.

1.3 miles Bubble rock Trail.  This is a favorite, a challenge in terms of vertical height, but not very long.   You can choose either the North or South Bubble extensions.   Both have beautiful camera opportunities at the top.   The South Bubble features the balancing rock, a large truck sized rock just sitting at the top of the hill.   How did it get there?   A large sheet of ice pushed it into position.

3.6 miles Eagle Lake Trail.   Great for a little further walk, has two hills, this is entirely on carriage trails so you will share your walk with bikes and quite a few other folks.   One of the most popular places in the park to bike and hike.    Hills surround this beautiful lake.   It’s a drinking supply for Bar Harbor, so no swimming or motors allowed on this water.

1.6 Day Mountain trail  Good things come in small packages, as this little hike proves. Day Mountain is only 583 feet in elevation and a mere 0.5 mile from the trailhead, but it provides close-up views of the Cranberry Isles.

All of these hikes can be completed in 2 hours, or perhaps 3 hours if you linger at the top.   Don’t forget your camera as there are great opportunities for vacation photos.   If you stay at our place, you are welcome to borrow our guides.   There are some good guides available for purchase in Bar Harbor also, try Sherman’s Bookstore for starters.

Like Boats?    Like to talk about them even better?   Everything is discussed on boattalk: a call in show about all things nautical with Alan Sprague and Mike Joyce on WERU  FM every 2nd Tuesday from 10-11am.   You can access the radio station from anywhere – on line go to weru.org and if you are within listening distance on the radio tune in at 89.9 FM.   If you are driving to Maine, I can generally get this station on I-95 in between Augusta and Waterville.  Once a month they get on the air and gab about all kinds of nautical topics, like the plas-tiki, or the latest cruise of the local marine college, or someone’s new boat design.   Working around boats is a part of the world around here.   Both of these lads have dredged up lots of salty old wizards of the boat world that call in and offer their opinion on matters big and small just for the halibut.   Listen in on porpoise, just to hear their colorful yarns of the sea-life.  All kinds of boats draw a lot of folks here, and some of them stick around, others flounder away.   The last three years the two anchors of the radio show have sponsored a fund-raising event for WERU community radio.

Each spring the boat talk guys arrange a fund-raising, more friend-raising cruise around Somes Sound on MDI.   Good company, incredible scenery and food, plus some funny puns are available for those attracted to that kind of thing.

follow this link to the show’s archives.    http://archives.weru.org/boattalk/boattalk-51110

The best part is that you can listen to the last 59 shows right now if you want.    Tune in anytime or have the show podcast to your device every 2nd Tuesday of the month.  

May’s show includes the just retired president of Maine Maritime Academy – Lyn Tyler.     The almost Caribbean voyages of folks that left too late in the season and got snowed in in Virginia, calls from a boat surveyor from Kentucky of all places.    Check out that fancy second home pictured above, it’s in the other boat capital of the world, the Netherlands.   Which is the second home I wonder?

It’s been years in the making, but I believe, (although I’m not exactly sure), that there will be a large hotel built on West Street near the Bar Harbor Town Dock.   Tear down of the block of current buildings is slated to start in November 2010.

Over the years someone has been buying up all the older buildings along West street.   He has gone before the planning board of Bar Harbor time and time again with plans for a new hotel.   As of March 2010 – it was absolutely no….as this quote demonstrates.

After a year of debate, the Bar Harbor Planning Board has unanimously rejected hotelier Tom Walsh’s plans for a $12 million hotel on West Street.

The planning board last Wednesday denied the application in a 4-0 vote, a year to the day after it was first submitted, according to the Mount Desert Islander. Board members said the project did not meet the land-use ordinance requirements, specifically that four-story buildings must include an amount of year-round residences equal to the size of the fourth floor. Walsh, founder of Portsmouth-based Ocean Properties, argued that his plan did meet the guidelines of the ordinance. Preceding the public hearing on the project, a group of eight people, including West Street business owners, urged the board to approve the hotel, saying it would boost the local economy and improve the aesthetics of the area, according to the paper.

Bar Harbor officials and Ocean Properties have debated various specifics of the town’s land-use ordinance and building requirements, including building height, parking and affordable housing requirements since the plan was submitted a year ago. In October, Ocean Properties downsized the project from five to four stories and added more parking spaces to address the planning board’s concerns.

Things keep getting turned down over this and that,  too tall, not enough parking, not enough mixed use.    However last month it looks like that finally permission was granted through the town appeal board.

Imagine having a business on West street and not exactly knowing if you would be back next season or what.   That’s what’s been happening to Celtic Rainbow Gifts.   Owner Linda Keady can now say that she will be open this season, in the same spot.   However, by next year, the building phase will most likely be happening.    Who knows, anything can happen.

The Inland Seas docked at Suttons Bay, Michigan

Sometimes we need to leave paradise. Right now I’m over 1000 miles away from Acadia; there are some subtle and not-so-subtle differences. Here in the “little finger” region of Michigan,  spring is a little behind where it was at home. The rain is less frequent and the trees are different. Plenty of cottonwoods and willows surround my sister’s home on the shore of Lake Michigan. Of course the ocean is not an ocean at all and the tides are not tides.

To get here I came through Ontario. Crossing the border is always a hassle. I couldn’t find my passport until I looked in the glovebox where it had been since last November. A bad idea. Canada is a wonderful country, we really lucked out with our northern neighbor. But gas, food and hotels are more expensive and getting through without leftover loonies (Canadian dollars) is a challenge. I would not recommend driving through Toronto, even on the 401. The 407 is an express route through the city but it costs $10, and yes, you will be billed even if you have US plates. The cameras see you coming and going and the authority has access to state’s registration records. If you want to avoid the $20 be prepared for an average 15-20 mph crawl on the 401 for about 30 miles. Unlike Boston however, the drivers are much more courteous and rarely use their horns.

Michigan is auto-land and to prove this has no tollway–all roads are free.  There are no signs of economic distress in northern Michigan that I could see. In fact the Traverse City area seems to be booming. If you draw a horizontal line from Saginaw Bay across Michigan (like removing the fingers from the mitten) this would roughly separate the northern woods from the flat farmland in the south. Michigan is unusual in that almost all the urban centers are located on former farmland. Many a cornfield have been filled in with housing developments. The farmland is rich and varied. Tall tree lines separate surviving fields. Highway overpasses almost always have “borrow pits”;  wetlands produced by removing the soil to build up the overpass.  This is a sure sign of the “Flatlands”. This time of year the shades of green are intense and the new crops look endless.

Above this line things are more Maine-like. The forests take over and the hills rise. Unlike Maine the hills are small and tend to be sand or gravel. Numerous (non-great) lakes dot the landscape. Landowners along the lakes in Michigan like to create lawns right down the the shore.  I guess this is a Midwestern thing–I prefer the New England approach of hiding houses behind the trees like at our SeaCat’s Rest.

The Leelanau peninsula, Michigan’s little finger,  has a climate well suited to fruit growing. When I was a kid the primary crop was sour (pie) cherries but today the move is to grapes.  There are 22 wineries in the county and a tasting tour is on the list of all visitors. There are as many wine making philosophies as there are wineries. Bernie Rink, Leelanau’s first winery owner has a goal of producing affordable table wines without fluff at his Boskydel Winery. Larry Mawby specializes in sparkling wines. Madonna’s parents produce wines from Italian varieties at their Ciccone Winery.  Organic ice wines are the specialty at Good Neighbor Winery. Many offer well crafted, even suburb wines at prices under $20, from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot, Baco Noir, Vidal, Vignoles, Seyval Blanc and other varieties. Some wineries are a bit more hype than product, selling themselves as inns and restaurants with overpriced wine as a draw. But many, like Leelanau Cellars still offer free tastings and a stunning location with reasonably priced wines.

Just what does your middle age child like to do?  There are so many choices, that i recommend finding a focus and sticking with the theme for your vacation adventure.

Here are 4 focus adventures that can create that favorite vacation time.

Focus 1 – photography.   Camera’s ready..  Find a theme.   Nature, from a kids perspective (everything looks big), rocks around you,  trees and people.   Who lives here.   Have fun, develop ideas and let your kid choose the shots, or take them – depending on interest.    Maybe it’s funny faces – people, animals, dogs.  Perhaps just creating a story about your trip.   Have them start out at home, getting ready, then the actual getting there – has to be documented.   Where are you staying?   What are the big things you will be doing.   Think about scrap-booking the trip for a permanent record of your treasured trip.

Focus 2 – art and nature.    It”s interesting what kind of things art is to different people.   For some, its pen and pencil, others colors with crayons or colored pencils.    Paint is easy to bring along and can be used to make all kinds of creations.    Often rocks make good canvas, but sketch books work well too.    Art can also be modeling clay, the kind you shape and bake.   Model what you see around you, whether it’s natural or man made.   Model different modern things, like cars and photograph them in natural surroundings.    Make a stop action movie, with tiny characters hanging around giant trees, or in perilous situations.   Oh no, watch again as clay annie and andy get caught in a rock slide.

Focus 3 – the animals around us.   The park has many places to view and visit and learn about the creatures that we live with on MDI,    Here’s an incredible video of two baby raccoons at Seawall campground at Acadia National Park.  You can find them in books, movies, and out in the wild.   Sometimes you have to be willing to be out in very early morning, or late evening to get a chance to see some wildlife around Acadia.   Other times you have to be willing to get out where it is a bit unusual, like a cave mouth at dawn, or a beach or on the ocean in the middle of the night for the best sights.     Places to go to – Ed’s dive in starfish enterprize, the Oceanarium, Anenome Cave, The Northeast Marsh, the Oven caves, Somes Sound, the top of the mountain.   Who lives around the ponds, how about the forests, how about the ocean.

Focus 4 – the active life outdoors.    Get out and about.   Challenge yourself to hike farther than you ever have before.   Start with a half mile hike.   Increase your distance and time out on the hike by half mile every day.    When you have mastered a 3 miles hike, start adding vertical challenges.   Have your hike climb up higher and higher.   Celebrate when you reach the top of Cadillac mountain, the highest peak on the eastern seaboard.    If you’d rather, this challenge can be on bicycle or it can be out on the water in a kayak.    Just pick some adventure, and start slow and small.   Build up to your goal and get there.   Don’t forget to write about your adventure, so that you can remember each step.

Don’t forget about the junior ranger program at the visitors center.   It’s free this year, there is a great activity book that the park provides to guide you in your adventure vacation.

College of the Atlantic’s FAMILY NATURE CAMP

Tel: (800) 597-9500 or (207) 801-5634

Located at College of the Atlantic, , 105 Eden Street Bar Harbor, Maine 04609

Ranked among the top-five family camps in the U.S. by Good Morning America and Family Fun Magazine, College of the Atlantic’s week-long Family Nature Camp is the vacation you and your family will talk about for years to come.
Under the guidance of experienced naturalists, you will delight in the wonder and adventure of the outdoors as you sight humpbacks and seals on your whale watch and nature cruises, hold sea creatures on the Starfish Enterprise, dip your hand in warm tide pools, hike the trails of Acadia National Park, visit beaver lodges, put together the bones of a Minke Whale, and delight in the tales of the “Bug Man.” You will share all this and more with other families, who will become your life-long friends, in one of the most beautiful vacations spots in America. Suitable for adults and children 5 years and older.

Rates:  405 900

summer@coa.edu

http://www.familynaturecamp.com

Famed ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson was the first to make this claim about Acadia. There are over 40 species of warblers seen on Mount Desert Island.  Birds are big here. I don’t mean we have huge birds, just that we’re a migratory crossroad; lots of species are here that are hard to find elsewhere. This past weekend was the Acadia Birding Festival, but don’t worry, the Maine guide responsible for founding and directing the festival is also in business to give guided tours to everyone. His name is Michael Good and he is owner of   Down East Nature Tours in Town Hill, Mount Desert Island. He is also a biologist with a masters in developmental biology with more than 25  years experience in studying birds.  He was also chosen as Best Birdwatching Guide by Yankee Magazine in 2009. Michael will pick you up at your lodgings in his van for a two hour Wetland Ecology tour ($40 adults, $20 kids);  a four hour Native Bird tour ($75 for adults, $37.50 for kids) or a 4-6 hour Gouldsboro Hills Birding tour ($225 per trip). 207.288.8128

Or try the quest on your own by outfitting with good hiking boots, layers of clothing, a good identification book like A Field Guide to to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America by Roger Tory Peterson. Binoculars are a big help or use a spotting scope like Michael Good. I like to try to familiarize myself with the songs of the birds I’m likely to find too. Try typing in “wood thrush song” into google and you may find yourself  at this page where you can hear what is outside my window in midsummer. This Cornell Ornithology site is a great one to bookmark for birdsongs.  Can’t find the binoculars? I have found my digital 18x zoom camera to be a good substitute. Taking a picture is optional.

Raptors are also a big deal in Acadia. From August 19 to October 14, northerly winds push thousands of raptors south above the island and the best place to see them is atop Cadillac Mountain. This is Acadia’s Hawkwatch and in 2009 rangers, volunteers and visitors counted 2,831 hawks, kestrels, eagles and falcons. The National Park website is a treasure trove of information about this event. You can even download a guide to identifying raptors based on their silhouettes.

Let’s not forget the Puffins. For $56 ($28 for kids) Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. will take you on a 4 hour combination whale and puffin watching trip on their twin hulled (less motion!) bar-equipped boat. I know we’re talking about birds, but the whale watch is not to be missed!

from Weather Underground, 6/17/10

We’re approaching the season when the whole eastern half of the country is dealing with uncomfortable temperatures–except Maine. And it’s only the middle of June. Sure, you can stay inside and crank up the A.C. but sooner or later it would be nice to spend time outdoors and not roast. Many of our neighbors have escaped the heat of Georgia or Florida and most of our guests are on the run from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and even Massachusetts.

Why is Maine the cool place to be in the summer? We have a cold ocean current, that’s why. In fact, the interior of Maine may be as uncomfortable as elsewhere but the dependable ocean breezes keep the coastline cool. A few years ago I was in Bangor, in the central valley when it was 90°F. We drove back home and as we passed a bank in Ellsworth the temperature was 83°F. At home my thermometer said 75°F. Ahhh!

There are two ways the wind blows in summer. One is the general southwest to northeast wind which moves up the East coast. This is a fair weather breeze and can be replaced by winds from other directions during storms or pressure changes.  The second way the wind blows is on a more local level and is driven by the sun shining on the land. On a sunny day it starts to feel hot around 10 AM. Just then the hot air mass begins rising off the land and creates a negative pressure which gets filled by cool air lying on the ocean. This is our precious sea breeze, over water that reaches an average of 63°F in August (swimmers beware!).

Here at SeaCat’s Rest we have a double wind benefit. We are situated where the normal summer breezes get funneled over the top of Mount Desert Island and come straight at us; and then there’s the breeze caused by sun on the land. Result: as long as you’re not behind a grove of trees or a building, you feel cool, maybe even in need of a sweater. Right now there’s no wind and therefore no sun. My thermometer reads 59°F. Last night it rained a little and the clouds should move out by afternoon. When they do, the breeze will start just as the temperature rises.

We know folks from stuffy parts think of air conditioning as a necessity. We tell people they don’t need it up here but we’ve seen people from the South build homes with whole house systems that get rarely used. To put our guests at ease we installed a small window unit just so we can now claim to have air conditioning. I wonder if it will ever get used!

Our blog topics seem to focus on getting out and enjoying the scenery and available muscle powered activities, but sometimes we forget to mention that extreme heat is not an issue. If it feels like an oven where you are, imagine it twenty degrees cooler with a nice breeze. Don’t take my word for it, just click here to find out the temperature at the Bar Harbor airport.

Oil is still gushing from the gulf and our leaders are busy pointing fingers but what about us? How can individuals make a difference in our very misguided addiction to oil? As individuals we can  creatively change our habits and the collective effect could make deep water drilling a thing of the past.

Right here in Acadia we have a great opportunity to do just that: The Island Explorer bus (click for schedule). This is no ordinary public transportation! In my opinion, it is a model for how all public transportation should be. First of all, it’s free. Who has time to fumble for change or figure out a complicated schedule when all you want is to get somewhere. Secondly, it’s not a service designed for the carless subset of society; it was created to encourage people to give up their car for a while and to reduce the smog levels in Acadia National Park. Third, the service is designed for taking visitors to all the park’s hot spots, so just about every place you would want to go has a bus stop nearby.  Finally, don’t worry about smelly diesel exhaust, the fleet of 33 buses run on propane.

This marks the 12th year the Island Explorer has been running, and yesterday, Wednesday, June 23 was the first day of full summer service. Since inception 10,250 tons of greenhouse gasses have not entered the atmosphere thanks to the service (as of July 27, 2009). Ten dollars of the $20 week park pass (vehicle and passengers)   goes toward the bus service. If you enter on foot the week pass is $5 per person. Island Explorer is also funded by Friends of Acadia, L. L. Bean and other local businesses.

Our two venerable political parties will continue to hurl epithets at each other about the cleanup, more drilling, whose at fault and what can be done to prevent more disasters. Vacationing in Acadia can be an eco-friendly experience, allowing the visitor to feel good enough about his or her choice. It is close to home for millions of people, outdoor activities don’t pollute and Island Explorer gives your car a vacation too.

The second in a series of articles featuring various hikes.    Let me start by saying that all of these hikes will be able to be completed 2-3 hours.   Acadia Park while large, is not a place where you can walk on one adventure for days and days.   There are plenty of places in New England, specifically the Long Trail in Vermont or the Appalachian Trail which starts in Georgia and ends in Maine.    However, that doesn’t mean that these hikes here in Acadia are not great adventures and worth your time.

These are easy day hikes.  This means you won’t find any strenuous cliff climbs in this article.   Most of these hikes are suitable for families with young children, but some are moderately difficult hikes bringing you to grand mountaintop vistas.

People have been hiking through Acadia’s paths for hundreds of years.

I also want to make sure to mention the zero impact rule right from the beginning.   Going into a wild area is like visiting a famous museum.   You obviously do not want to leave your mark on an art treasure in the museum.    Please pack out all garbage and trash.   Human waste must be disposed of carefully or it becomes a health hazard.   Use restroom facilities at trailheads or along the trail.   Stay on the trail.   Do not cut switchbacks or take short cuts.  Do not feed wild animals, never pick flowers or gather plants or insects.   Keep your impact to a minimum by taking only pictures and leaving only footprints.  Also play it safe   you should be prepared for any weather and trail conditions you may encounter.

Water – hikers generally need 1 or more quarts per person on these day hikes, depending on weather.   Do not count on finding water on any hike.  Sun – to protect yourself, wear protective clothing and especially a sun hat.   Always tell a reliable person your hiking plans, especially if you are hiking in more remote areas.   Check in upon your return.   Leave a plan in your car as a last resort.   dress in layers, do not hike alone.

Bar Harbor, Cadillac and Champlain Mountains area   This hiking area is one for photographers.   I’m sure you will see boats going by, sail and lobster boats around great head.   Bar Harbor has lots of photo opportunities.

Bar Island Trail.   This low tide walk is about 1.5 miles.   From the end of West street, you have about 1.5 hours either side of low tide to cross to Bar Island.   Once on the island you can hike about a miles or so, northeast up the gravel road behind the gate.   Once there the trail levels off at a grassy field.   after aother half mile, bear left at a trail sign, pointing into the woods toward Bar Island summit.   Retrace your steps to get back.

Beachcroft trail Stone steps lead much of the way.   2.4 miles long.   From downtown Bar Harbor, head south on Maine 3 for about 2 miles to the parks Sieur de Monts entrance.   Continue past the entrance for about 0.2 miles to the parking lot just north of the Tarn.   The trailhead is on the left (east) side of the road.

Bear Brook Trail is a 2.2 miles hike to the summit and back, or 5.2 miles to the trail’s end and back.  enter the park at the Sieur de Monts entrance, Turn right (south) on the one-way Park Loop Road.   The trailhead is 0.8 miles from the entrance on the right, (south) after the Bear Brook picnic area.

Jesup Path (Great Meadow Loop) 2 miles.   This woods and field walk takes you by the Great Meadow, Sieur de Monts Spring, the Wild Gardens of Acadia, the nature centre, Abbe Museum and the Tarn.   From the Park Loop Road, turn at the sign for Sand Beach.   Follow the one-way road for 1.7 miles to the trailhead which is on the right (south) soon after a road comes in on the left.

Sand Beach and Great Head Trail 1.4 miles  From the park loop road, turn left at the sign for Sand Beach.   Follow the Park loop road for 5.5 miles to the beach parking area.   The trailhead is down the stairs and on the far eastern end of the beach.   There is water and restroom facilities at the beach parking lot.    After climbing up keep right along the shore.  Because this trail is two interconnected loops, you can choose an easy hike along the east shore, or a more intense rock trail (pictured) up and over the top of the peninsula.

Ocean Path: 4 miles.   From sand beach parking, The trailhead is just before the stairs to the beach on the right.   This path goes by Thunder Hole, past the  Gorham Mountain trailhead, to Otter cliff and Otter point, then back again.

The Bowl Trail. This hike leads to a mountain pond nestled behind the Beehive.   1.6 miles.   the trailhead is across the park loop road from the beach.

Gorham Mountain Trail 3 miles    This hike features views of Great Head, Sand Beach, Otter Cliff, Champlain Mountain and the Beehive.   The start of the trail is on the right (west) side of the one-way park loop road.   No facilities.

The economy today makes  folks with a job begin to think of how they might save some money on this year’s vacation.   Those with downsized or part time jobs might want to think of vacations closer to home.   Either situation might make a vacation in Maine just right for you.  People in Maine are very careful with their money.     That means if you know where to look, you too can save much money.

There are lots of things to do here that are free or low cost.

Start with muscle-powered sports.   Hiking and walking have the dual benefit of exercise and enjoyment in and around Bar Harbor and Acadia.   The carriage trails were designed for horses, but that means they are smooth and excellent walking paths.   There are no automobiles, only bicycles, an occasional horse drawn carriage or rider on horseback and other people on the path.       The most popular path is around Eagle lake.   However, one of my favorite walks is closer to Northeast Harbor.   Park at the Upper Hadlock Pond Parking area and cross the road.   Here is a link to the map of the carriage trails.

Take advantage of the free ranger lead talks and walks.   From the visitor center you can get the schedule of talks.   Be sure and arrive a bit early, because there can be quite a crowd that gathers in July and August.   Here are descriptions of one such walk.

Otter Point Walk (2 hours; easy to moderate 2-mile hike) Daily, Tue in French. Discover stories of history and nature along the strikingly scenic Ocean Path. Gorham Mountain parking area – Park Loop Road south of Thunder Hole.or join the night sky program or the Acadia at night program, where you learn to see like the nighttime animals do.   This link to the website has the schedules.    Some programs like the sailing adventures have a cost associated with them, but the majority are free.

This area that we live in has the best of both the sea and the woods for you to enjoy in one package.  You can combine camping out and  staying at a vacation home  here at Sea Cat’s Rest.    Our rental comes with kayaks included!  If your looking for a bargain yet this year, look about 10 miles away from Mount Desert Island.   The rates are lower, and you only spend about 10 minutes more in the car.   The town names to search for are: Lamoine, Trenton, Hancock and Surry.

Bring your own bicycle and you now have doubled the distance you can go with just a twirl of your pedals.   Bicycling is actually the most efficient way to get from point A to point B, plus you can put your bike right on those Island Explorer buses when you don’t want to bike uphill.

Like to read?   Don’t forget our small local libraries.   Read the local paper for free, read Downeast Magazine for free at the library in Ellsworth.   Read a local book, get internet access free at the library in the middle of the day.  Libraries on the island are many, and I will feature them in a future blog.   I especially like the Southwest Harbor Library, right across from the school.    You can cool off on the occasional hot day by spending an hour or two in the comfy reading rooms – and all of our libraries have internet access free – free wifi or on their computers.   Places in Ellsworth that offer free internet include the local coffeeshop The Maine Grind on Main Street, the library and MacDonalds.   In addition our town office here in Lamoine is a free WiFi spot.   Our house of course has free internet for our guests too.

SAVE MORE ON MEALS – cook for yourself.   By staying in a house instead of hotel, you can cook your own great meals, perhaps treating yourself to one or two days of great fresh seafood from cold Maine waters.   We can’t think of anything better than watching the lobster boats out in front of our place, and then enjoying lobsters from your own pot for dinner.   At different times in the year you can  pick the fruit that is in season: blueberries, strawberries and apples.   If you are our guest, we share our garden bounty with our renters.   See our wild food blog for some other tasty treats.

Also for the frugal, coordinate your visit with music and art festivals.  Bar Harbor Brass Week offers free concerts at the park in Bar Harbor, or wander the free art fairs in the summer.     The Belfast Maine Celtic Festival on July 17-18 and the Bangor American Folk Festival August 27,28,29, (free – but donate what you can afford)  and The North Atlantic Blues  Festival July 10th, 11th in Rockland are some of those in our area.

Didn’t bring the right clothes to wear?  It’s cool here, cooler than most places   If you forgot that fact, you can pick up some bargains at the resale shops in the area.   Jalysa’s attic in Ellsworth on Water Street or our new Goodwill Store in Ellsworth both offer fleece jackets at under $10.00 for those colder than they expected.   Need more long pants?  They are there too.  You can also find Maine themed clothing there if you are lucky.   We locals often purchase Maine themed clothing when it is on sale in the fall, and we recycle the clothes when they get too small or we don’t find ourselves needing them any longer.

Go with a larger group.   Find a friend to stay with on the way.   Vacation where you can stay with relatives.    Going with a larger group, you can go in on lodgings and food.   It’s often cheaper to rent a larger house, and vacation with another family or group of friends.   Instead of having to bring along a friend for our daughter, we brought along another family, so that the kids had someone to do stuff with – and we had adults to hang around with.   Have Grandma and Grandpa take the grand kids (along with you) on vacation.   They are bound to help out with treats and special adventures (plus you get to share the childcare and get off by yourself for a while).    Borrow items you need for the trip.   Perhaps you can borrow bicycles, or some camping equipment instead of purchasing new items.

Trade adventures, if you live in a nice place for others to vacation, perhaps you can exchange visits with old friends.   Have friends living in New York while you’re out in the country, perhaps you can each visit each others’ destinations for a bargain vacation for both of you.