Once you’ve settled into your exquisite Lamoine lodgings, vacation plans for Acadia National Park almost always include a a trip up to the top of Cadillac Mountain to view the stunning panorama. On a clear day mere language fails to describe the breathtaking view of the town of Bar Harbor, Eagle Lake, Somes Sound and the many islands in all directions. The mostly bare rock prevents trees from taking root and obscuring the view, and the paved road makes access a breeze. Question: Is the mountain named after the car, the car after the mountain or both after someone who happened to spend time in Maine and Motown?

The answer is number three.  In fact, Antoine Laumet del La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac even helped found Detroit, Michigan, once known as Fort Ponchartrain.  Born in France in 1658 he departed for Canada (Port Royal, Nova Scotia) at the age of 25.  Throughout his life there is a suggestion of creative morality; he spent time running from the law, invented a title for himself,  and enriched himself by trading alcohol to Native Americans.  People who knew him said he was a nasty man, a liar and an opportunist.  Born Antoine Laumet, the name Cadillac was from a town near his birthplace, and the invention of sieur de Cadillac or sire of Cadillac was either a deliberate attempt to puff himself up in the New World or escape his identity in France.  Despite these moral lapses history shows that he managed to achieve high rank in both the French military and government, punctuated by frequent imprisonments and charges of corruption. He died at the age of 70 near his birthplace in Castelsarrasin, France.

In 1689 Cadillac was given jurisdiction over what is now the Downeast coast of Maine and it was around this time that his invented name was was attached to America’s highest coastal mountain. Cadillac, Michigan, a small town at almost exactly the same latitude (9 miles south) also bears his name, but it was named much later, in 1882.

The nice thing about Acadia National Park is that it can be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels and this includes Cadillac Mountain. Drive up or hike up on one of the two trails to the 1532 foot summit. Our Acadia area lodging, SeaCat’s Rest,  would be visible from the top if only a few trees weren’t in the way.  Here’s what the mountain looks like from our shore:

I recently counted 22 lighthouses that surround the Mount Desert Island, Acadia Area.    On your way  to Maine you can actually arrange to see many of the 77 lighthouses in the state from the land, but some of the best vistas are available from the water.      

Bass Harbor Lighthouse is featured on the Acadia poster at the Thompson Island Information Center, halfway across the causeway to Mount Desert Island.

Combining a sailing adventure with your visit to Maine is the best idea if lighthouse vistas are on your agenda.   Cruise ships and schooners all make an effort to point out the many opportunities to see lighthouses in and around this area.      Day trips to the Blue Hill area and east of MDI can add other opportunities.

See the Maine State government page to get some great information on the lighthouses to visit on your way to Acadia.    Don’t forget that the Peggy’s Cove lighthouse in Nova Scotia is only a ferry ride and a 3-1/2 hours drive away from Bar Harbor.   Lighthouses can be an interesting introduction to the history of the area, and show how sailing and shipping influenced settlements along the coast of Maine.    An essential part of the landscape, they function as both a visual landmark as well as an auditory warning signal during foggy times for marine traffic.  Here at SeaCat’s Rest we know when it’s foggy  when we hear the the distant horn from the Egg Rock lighthouse blowing twice every 30 seconds.

There are many secret birding sites in Acadia and Lamoine.  For starters, right here at SeaCat’s Rest we have quite a flow of avian friends throughout the year. In the winter chickadees and nuthatches frequent our feeder.  Bright yellow goldfinches appear in late winter looking for thistle.  The first nestbuilders seem to be the eastern phoebe. We have a pair who return to a nest under the eves of our greenhouse every year.  I’m not sure, but I think they hatch two batches per year.  In midsummer the wood thrush’s spooky song echos through our woods and the loon’s yodel answers from the water.  Eagles like to perch in our tallest tree until the crows encourage them to move on.  Gulls are a constant.  I was amazed the first time I witnessed a gull pick up a mussel and drop it from 30 feet in the air to crack the shell.  Hummingbirds are attracted to our bee balm and solve their territorial disputes through acrobatics.  Late in the summer of 2009 we had a pair of pileated woodpeckers call hysterically to each other all day. Now in November, oldsquaws gather in large flocks, float offshore and cackle. Turkeys are doing a poor job of hiding!

On Acadia, great blue herons, mallards and kingfishers can be seen easily seen in the Northeast Creek basin, which was the subject of an earlier blog here.  In the park, trails are often closed when peregrine falcons build a nest. Every late August, park rangers host the annual Hawkwatch. In 2009 a total of 2660 passing raptors were counted. They included American kestrels, merlins, peregrine falcons, ospreys, northers harriers, bald eagles, and many different hawk species.  Want to see the clownlike puffin? You will have to take a puffin cruise out of Bar Harbor as most live farther offshore. There are many to choose from and they take about 3-4 hours.  Closer to home, visit BirdsAcre in Ellsworth (next to China Hill on Rt.3), a 200 acre preserve dedicated to bird rescue.

Whatever your primary reason for visiting Acadia, take time to look around you for the birds. They are a free show and they never stop singing.

Acadia National Park has many wonders, but topping most lists is the famous but deadly Thunder Hole.  A stop along the Park Loop Road, it is a place to see ocean waves funneled into a narrow chasm where they crash and rise to spectacular heights.  On August 23, 2009, 3 people were swept out to sea and one seven year old girl from New York tragically drowned before rescuers could reach her, 45 minutes after being swept away.  Another 20 people were slammed by the waves that day, and 11 required hospital visits for broken bones. The extraordinary waves were from Hurricane Bill.  The walkway was roped off but as many as 10,000 people had come to see the combination of high tide and seventeen foot waves.  Park officials eventually had to close the Park Loop Road in order to prevent people from putting themselves in danger.

On most days Thunder Hole is a great place to visit, but hurricane driven waves are not to be messed with on the open ocean. These photos were taken on an ordinary day! If you stay at SeaCat’s Rest in Lamoine, you will be about 1/2 hour away from Thunder Hole.  Come back wet, but come back!

Looking for good food near Acadia National Park in Maine?

Featuring local foods is a specialty for many of Bar Harbor restaurants. Havana, Red Sky, Mache, Asticou Inn all feature local foods on their menu.  Local food is a great option: fresh taste, high nutrition, low carbon footprint.   All good for the planet and you.

If you are camping out or staying where you can cook your own meals you can find great local foods at farmers markets, local food markets such as the Blue Hill Coop, Alternative Market in Bar Harbor,  John Edwards Market in Ellsworth, A&B Naturals in Bar Harbor, Sawyers Market in Southwest Harbor and  Pine Tree Market in Northeast Harbor.    Local food is affordable and fresh.   Seek food in season for the best bargains. And don’t forget the many fresh seafood markets!

Maine schools have joined together with local farmers to supply schools with local foods.   Mount Desert Elementary, MDI High School, Lamoine Consolidated School, Deer Isle Stonington High School,  and the College of the Atlantic all get food from nearby growers.

Take home some local foods like jams and jellies to help you remember your vacation all winter long.

Ya gotta stop at Sand Beach!

Sand Beach is a must when you visit Acadia National Park.  If you don’t go for a swim you at least must stick you toes in the water.   Big waves, beautiful vistas and huge boulders make this spot a popular attraction.   There is a wonderful hiking path along the ridge next to the beach.   Stay on the path though as there is some mighty poison ivy along the north shore.    Plan to bring your pails and shovels.   This is the only sandy ocean beach for 50 miles.    Of course there are plenty of other beaches in and around the park.   Fresh water swimming is available at Echo Lake  in Acadia and right here in Lamoine we go to Blunts pond, just up the road.  Look for the gravel road just before you can see the pond through the trees.  Park and access at Bloomfield Park.