Acadia National Park
Day 1:
We left for Salisbury Beach, Mass. at 5:45 AM. We arrived at 12:30 PM. Uncle Rich, Cornelia, and Sam arrived at around 3:00 PM. After we got the camper set up we went down to the beach. The tide was really far out, so it was a long walk to get down to the water. The water was freezing!!!! There was a huge playground that we went to afterwards. We then went back to the camper to set up the dining tent. Dad, Allison, and David went to see if Uncle Rich was at his site yet. He was there having trouble setting up his tent because the wind was so strong. We all went to eat in our dining tent. After dinner we all went down to the beach. The tide came in and the water was still freezing. Katie went in up to her shoulders, while the rest of the kids went up to their knees. Later, at Uncle Rich's campsite he told his version of Jack and the beanstalk.
Day 2:
Today Uncle Rob, Aunt Michele, Chris, and Timmy arrived at around 10:00. We all went to the beach for a while. The water was just as cold. After a while some of us went back to the camper for lunch. After lunch the tide was further out than in the morning. Although the water was very cold the kids went in for about 10 minutes. After we got out of the water Chris, Allison, and David started to work on a pool so that the water would warm up from the sun. We stayed at the beach for a few more hours then it was story telling time at Uncle Rich's tent again. After a few stories his tent just sort of went plop! Chris slept over in the camper, while Timmy slept in the tent.
Day 3:
Today we were beach bound again. We went after Uncle Rob and Aunt Michele arrived. Allison and David didn't go in much. Some of us went back to the camper again for lunch. Dad attempted to make Macaroni and Cheese but, failed. After the disaster we helped Chris (who didn't want any Mac & Cheese) with his ball track. It turned out really long. That night we started packing some stuff up for tomorrow when we have to leave for Acadia National Park, Maine.
Day 4:
Today we were on the road by 9:00. It took us about 10 minutes to get to New Hampshire. In Maine we hit major traffic due to construction on a bridge. We listened to the CB radio for traffic reports while we crawling along. We heard one trucker say there was a person driving along the shoulder lane. Minutes later we see this old car coming down the shoulder. We knew we were getting close later on because we could see this beautiful view of the bay. You could see lots of islands with sail boats dotting the water. The water was the bluest we have ever seen. Nothing like the water in NYC. We got to the Blackwood's Campground in Acadia around 5:00 PM. It took us 8 hours!!! It was worth the trip. Trees were everywhere. We were luck to see a tree in the next site at Salisbury. It was beautiful. At around 10:00 PM Mom heard somebody playing Taps on a trumpet. In the morning Mom and David heard the Bugle Call.
Day 5:
Today Mom, Allison, and David are going to climb Cadillac Mountain. It is a 2 mile hike to the summit of 1,532 feet. While we were hiking Dad and Katie drove up. While we were hiking the first thing we come along is a huge flat rock where we could see the ocean and the mountains on the main land. We then had to climb up a big rock. We kept going up and up through rocky desserts and lush pine forests. Further up the trail there was this huge clearing where we could see for miles around, maybe Canada. We could also see a lighthouse. The views were all so beautiful. At one point we had to climb on our hands and knees to get up a big rock almost straight up. The trail was tough, but it was worth it.
The View from the top of Cadillac Mountain
Day 6:
Today we drove around the park. We first went to thunderhole. This is where the water goes into a hole and comes gurgling out. (the best time to go is said to be mid-tide) For lunch we ate at Otter Point. We sat on the rocks and watched the waves break on the rocks. Jordan Pond was our next destination. It is the cleanest pond in Maine. It was beautiful. We could see the Bubble Mountains in the background. Our last stop was Bass Harbor Light House. It was overlooking the water. There were a lot of Lobster Traps in the water.
Day 7:
Today we left for Isle au Haut! Isle au Haut is a small island about an hours boat ride from Stonington, Maine. They have 5 lean-tos. There is a small town about 5 miles away. We left at 7:30 to catch the 10:00 boat. The drive took about two hours from Blackwood's Campground to Isle au Haut Ferry Service in Stonington. The boat ride took us between rocky shores of pine tree covered islands. There were hundreds of lobster traps everywhere we looked. When we got there in an hour we set up at lean-to #4. From our lean-to there was a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean. We then hiked up Duck Harbor Mountain. We were climbing up big rocks pretty much all the way. Katie did really well. She wanted to go further at the top. From the top we could see for miles every way. Almost 360° around. The islands were beautiful. The ocean was like a glistening blue gem. It was just magnificent. We were able to see Stonington an hour away. Through the binocula rs we could see light shining, maybe off of cars. On the top we met two parents with a baby in a backpack that was really young. After that we went for a walk to find the water pump. This was our only source of water. It was far down the road. It was quite a walk. Next David, Mom, and Allison. We went down the service road to Eben's Head Trail. There, there was a big rock that we climbed up. We saw a boat come into the harbor and we waved to the people onboard. They waved back and a woman looked through her binoculars at us. After our bow ties (pasta) on the barbeque we went back to Eben's Head with Dad and Katie. The sunset was beautiful!! The mountains in the background turned red, pink, and purple. We could see a lighthouse in the distance. The ocean was sparkling with the most beautiful colors. It was so much fun sleeping in the lean-to. We fell asleep looking at the fire, trees and sky outside.
Day 8:
Today we're catching the 11:00 boat back to Stonington. On the way back we stopped at a really good restaurant in Northeast Harbor called the Docksider. We rested most of the day getting ready for our next trip tomorrow.
Day 9:
Today we left Acadia National Park for Molly Stark State Park at 8:25 AM. We are really going to miss this park. We arrived in Wilmington, VT at 5:23 PM. It took us about 9 hours. We found the trailhead for the fire tower and the playground.
Day 10:
Today we're going to climb Mt. Olga. The trail was hard. It went up a lot. At the top there were a bout three old, little houses. The best part was the fire tower. Allison, Katie, David, and Dad climbed up but, Mom wanted to stay at the bottom when she got to the second level. It was scary because it was windy and it shook a little bit. At the top we could see for miles. It was hazy so we couldn't see as far as we probably could of. Afterwards we went window shopping in the town. We had ice cream and lunch at a little food stand. Tomorrow we have to leave.
More Information
Links:
Salisbury Beach State Park
NPS: Acadia National Park
TrailMonkey: Acadia National Park
GORP: Acadia National Park
Wikipedia: Acadia National Park
Molly Stark State Park
bravenet.com
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