The Pacifc Northwest is really awesome! This post has nothing to do with that. Today i’m talking about the Atlantic Northeast. Is that a thing? Do people say that? I’m not sure, but I like it so I will use it. Acadia National Park has been on my radar as a place to visit for maybe two or three years now. Something about the photos I had seen of towering sea cliffs, rocky coast lines, and coniferous forests drew me in, piquing my interest more and more. To me, it encompassed what the state of Maine was to me. Well finally, gravity pulled hard enough, and I made the 10 hour trek to the America’s first National Park east of the Mississippi. After the adventure of driving through the entire night, we arrived at the park, weary but excited none the less. It was about Seven in the morning, and there was barely a soul in site. I walked out on to sand beach with camera in hand, intent on grabbing a shot in the soft light of overcast skies.
Climbing, Beers and More
I only spent a Friday and Saturday playing in and around the Acadia area, but my time spent there was more than fantastic, and only made me even
more hungry to explore this great park and the surrounding community of Bar Harbor. Speaking of Bar Harbor, If like me, you are a fan of craft beers, Bar Harbor has something for you. There are at least two breweries in the area serving up tasty craft beverages. The ones I visited were Atlantic Brewing Company, which is a few miles out of town, at 15 Knox road, and Bar Harbor Brewing Company which is found at 8 Mount Desert Street. Both of these places offer up samples of there fine brews, and Atlantic Brewing Company also has a barbecue joint on site. The pulled pork sandwich was excellent! If you have any interest in rock climbing, Acadia has some interesting and exciting stuff for you. For those of you looking to wet your feet with some climbing, but don’t have the proper equipment to do so, maybe the Beehive trail is your speed. This trail starts right around the parking area for Sand Beach. Take the marked trailhead across the road from Sand Beach and follow it as it quickly ascends through the forest to a rocky feature. The trail quickly turns from a woodland stroll to a upward climb using all fours. As you ascend the trail, you will use rocks, metal bars, and other features to assist you as you make your way to the 520 foot summit. The summit, as well as much of the climb will afford you a beautiful view of Sand Beach, the Alantic ocean, and Otter Point. If you do have some experience rock climbing, have equipment, or don’t mind the thought of hiring a guide, then head over to Otter Cliffs on Otter Point to experience some pretty exciting rock climbing on breathtaking seaside cliffs. Make sure you hit this area at low tide otherwise your ropes and feet may get a bit wet. We go there as the tide was going out, and set up some top ropes. We were able to belay comfortably from the bottom without getting even the least bit wet. Climbs rate from 5.5(beginner) all the way up to 5.12 (Expert).
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is both the highest point in Acadia, as well as the highest point on all of the eastern coast. It can be ascended both by car and foot via a road and foot trail respectively. At 1,528 feet, it is by no means a behemoth, but its bald summit offers spectacular views in almost every direction. The azure blue water surrounding the park just seems to jump out from that vantage point.
Waiting To Return
Like I mentioned before, though my stay in Acadia was short, I really got to soak up a lot of the park in short little chunks. This made me all the more eager to get back there as fast as
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