One of the best things that happened to us on our trip to Acadia National Park was having an RV too big to travel around the Loop or drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain.
At first, I experienced this as a very sad disappointment, since the last time we visited (30 years ago with our seven kids) we drove all over everywhere in our van and hopped out whenever we wanted, rather like touring on a London Bus.
Most expansive in my recollection was the glorious view from the top of Cadillac Mountain. It’s the highest point on the North Atlantic Seaboard, with stunning views of the ocean, distant rounded mountains, and forests dotted with glacial lakes. From Oct. 7 through March 6, it’s also the first place to glimpse the sun rising in America, so it’s a very special spot! However, I gave up trying to figure out how we could hike to the top after consulting with two healthy young men who were dripping with sweat from their climb. 😦
Even trying to park our RV at the visitor center was a major problem that seemed solved by a minor miracle when an RV pulled out right in front of us while we were gloomily circling the overfull lot. Rather desperate for advice, we waited in a long line to speak with someone at the information booth who encouraged us to take the free bus that travels around Park Loop Road, the scenic 23-mile drive around the east side of Mount Desert Island and the heart of Acadia National Park. As a parting comment when queried about “the best seat in the house,” the concierge counseled, “Sit on the left side behind the driver.”
Can you believe? The bus was pulling out as we found our way to the line, but that allowed us to be the first on for the next bus, and we “just happened” to be able to sit on the left side right behind the driver (which has more ocean views). There weren’t many people on the bus, and the driver was in fine form! He’d just moved up the previous year from Massachusetts after retiring, but his family has been vacationing in the area every year for the past twenty years. So, he wasn’t burned out yet from his new volunteer position, but he was bubbling over with enthusiastic advice about where to go and what to see over the next couple of days. Super helpful!!
A newly retired couple from Grand Haven (next town to Grand Rapids, MI!) “just happened” to sit down behind us and joined the conversation. As it turned out, they were Christians and had a deep affection for one of our dear friends, who’s a psychiatrist and had been a great blessing to the husband. “He saved my life!” he praised. I looked a bit surprised, so he rephrased his adulation: “Well, Jesus saved my life, but Dr. — saved my life from a miserable case of OCD that I just couldn’t conquer on my own.” Beautiful couple. Great neighbors!
What are a few tips? For amazing seafood, try Seafood Ketch in Bass Harbor.
That’s where we celebrated my birthday dinner, and both the food and the views were exceptional.
If you drive a car, by all means, drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, but if you’re in a vehicle too long or high for the road, you can catch a ride to the top via “Ollie’s Trolley” in Bar Harbor (near the harbor).
Cadillac Mountain is definitely worth the trip if you have the time!
If you want a romantic sunset view apart from the top of Mount Cadillac, try the patio behind Seafood Ketch!
If you’re brave, another beautiful place is the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. (Not recommended with an RV, as the lines are long, the road too narrow to turn around, and the parking lot too small to accommodate large vehicles. Stressful for Alan, but he let me run ahead and snap some photos as he inched his way along!)
If you can only take one hike, walk along the coast from Otter Cliffs to Sand Point. Next time I write on Travels with Allie, I’ll share more.
To end today, I want to say: Alan and I have been on organized tours to many places around the world that cost mucho deniro (English slang for “a lot of money!”). In America, we gratefully used the free bus services during our days at the national park, and it was wonderful! Alan could relax and not worry about the low overpasses or twisty roads. We met lovely people. Made new friends even! Enjoyed the expertise and kindness of the volunteer drivers. Only in America, I think! If you’ve been somewhere with similar free services, please share your experience so we can appreciate what other countries are doing, but I want to give a shout-out to some of the amazing benefits and blessings of living in America. Our national park services are awesome!
And, above all that, I want to give a shout-out of my precious Savior, Jesus, who orchestrates so many unexpected blessings, even at times when I initially think of our circumstances as being unfortunate! He is God Almighty, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the world’s greatest Old Pro who does all things well and gives the very best of advice when asked! Got a problem? Why not take it to the Lord in prayer?
“What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grieves to bear
What a privilege it is to carry
Everything to God in prayer
“Have we trials and temptations
Is there trouble anywhere
Our precious Savior
He is still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer
“Some things we have not
Because we ask not
When we have a friend who’s there
“When we’re weak and heavy laden
Cumbered with a load of care
We should never be discouraged
When we take it to the Lord in prayer
“Some things we have not
Because we ask not
when we have a friend who cares
“Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless we bear
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain
Oh what needless pain
Oh what needless pain we bear
We should never be discouraged when we
Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
(Original Poem by Joseph M. Scriven, 1855)
“And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.”
(Mark 6:46)
Summer Setting 