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First pit-stop during the long drive, Rein’s N.Y.-style Deli in Vernon, CT.
We got there early so it wasn’t very busy yet.
Rein’s famous Dill Pickles and Potato Pancakes
Our next major pit-stop for lunch in Belfast, ME.
Captain Seaweed was there to greet us!
View of Belfast Bay
A boat tour of the bay ... maybe next year.
We were both pretty hungry by now.
Ahh! The first taste of lobster for the season. Yum!!!
Another long-anticipated first for the season: pizza at Rosalie’s
Tradition dictates a plain pizza on the first night in Bar Harbor
Along with two pints of Shipyard Export Ale.
Hand-tossed dough
Hand-tossing really makes a difference.
Check out that intense expert concentration!
After pizza we go for a walk through the waterfront attractions.
We find plenty of bright warm color at the Bar Harbor waterfront.
Stewman’s Lobster Pound is very busy this evening.
Sunset, too, is very peaceful and colorful down by the waterfront.
We watch a female mallard duck swim by the pier.
Local fishermen call it a day.
This funny sight in the parking lot made us laugh.
Several years ago we watched a surveyor establish a temporary survey point here.
It’s a long story but we actually helped him locate several nearby tidal benchmarks. (We hunt benchmarks, too!)
Early the next morning we head for breakfast at the rustic Black Friar Inn.
Entrance and foyer, a sample of the quirky atmosphere inside, Black Friar Inn
Cozy little table for two, Black Friar Inn
Main dining room, Black Friar Inn
Scotch Eggs for Rich
A giant Granola Bowl for Zhanna
Now it’s time to begin our search for abandoned trails in the Park
We find a granite staircase on the old Van Santvoord trail
View from a ledge along the old trail
Zhanna snaps a quick photo to email to her dad back at home. He’ll be joining us in a couple of days.
More of Van Santvoord’s granite steps
We continue our exploration after stopping to take a few photos.
Zhanna waits patiently as Rich futzes with his camera and pack
Example of the use of iron rods to secure the granite steps in place
After all these years the rods are still doing their job.
A better view of this particular set of steps
Another unusual method of anchoring granite steps
Rich pauses by a large cairn indicating the correct way.
More cairns continue to mark the old trail.
The third granite staircase we encountered in our quest.
We pass a very large boulder ...
… and more signs of the once viable trail.
Here the Van Santvoord trail emerges onto open ledges ...
… and provides a splendid ocean view.
At the Triad Summit where the trail once met with other island paths
A bronze plaque commemorates the efforts of a once prolific trail-builder.
We return to the Black Friar Inn for dinner.
We are both hungry after a long day of abandoned trails exploration!
Ginger-soy Glazed Salmon with grilled asparagus and garlic rice pilaf
Haddock Tacos with chipotle-lime crema
Blueberry Pie
Breakfast time and Rich is ready to chow down!
Breakfast time and Rich is ready to chow down!
Turkey Crêpe at the Sunrise Cafe
Blueberry Crêpe
Today we begin our exploration of some new trails at Asticou Terraces
This wide, easy trail climbs the cliff face and offers several viewpoints.
A view of Northeast Harbor from the Terraces trail
Zhanna pauses at a spot that looks like it belongs in a fairytale.
This unusual tree resides at the entrance to Thuya Lodge & Gardens.
We’ve now reached the start of The Richard Trail.
“What’s this?! A door in the middle of the forest???”
A boat house on the shore of dreamy Little Long Pond
Refreshing beers while we wait for appetizers at Mache Bistro
“Getting to know” our beer!
We find this style of labelling quite interesting and useful.
Cheese Board (Cambozola, Bucherondin, port gelée); Rillettes & pâté (country style pork pâté & pork rillettes, cornichons, mustard)
Cheese Board (Cambozola, Bucherondin, port gelée);
Rillettes & pâté (country style pork pâté & pork rillettes, cornichons, mustard)
Seared Salmon with French lentils, fennel salad & lemon arugula pesto
Herbes de Provence Scallops with fregola sarda & caper relish
A gorgeous Sunday morning at the Farmers Market
A colorful array of picturesque peppers!
All sorts of veggies and fruits.
Perfect little potatoes.
Unknown tree with bright red berries
Hiking along the Stratheden Path
We call this the Troll’s Dinner Table.
Once again supper at Rosalie’s—sausage & pepperoni pizza!
A blast from the past, an old Wurlitzer jukebox at Rosalie’s.
Plain Pancakes for breakfast at the Black Friar Inn
Scrambled Eggs & Homefries at the Black Friar Inn
Today’s adventure is exploring the abandoned Boyd Road
Acadia’s little hidden secret—a rifle & pistol shooting range for Park rangers
A combat pistol target area
Expended brass cases, and a live round found lying on the ground
Well-built shooting bench used for rifle target practice
The view downrange
We continue our exploration of the abandoned Boyd Road
A rounded boulder covered with lichen—looks like a Japanese painting.
Zhanna examines a large mushroom growing along the trail.
Now the “road” becomes a simple footpath.
A heap of cast iron relics from a long-forgotten era.
Hidden terminus of the old Boyd Road connects with a Carriage Road.
Scallop Tostada, dinner at Red Sky, Southwest Harbor
Small Cheese Plate, dinner at Red Sky
Roast Half Chicken from Sunset Acres Farm, dinner at Red Sky
Next day’s lunch, a 2¾-pound Boiled Lobster and a Lobster Roll, Beal’s Lobster Pound, Southwest Harbor
Boats in the mist, a scene in Bernard harbor
For those who may remember, here’s what replaced the Opera House restaurant in Bar Harbor.
Breakfast at 2 Cats, House Granola & Fruit for Zhanna
Buttermilk Pancakes, Rich’s usual choice
Today’s hike takes us along the Jesup Path.
Zhanna is intrigued by the unusual textures beneath the outer bark.
Blue-green lichen on paper birch
Wild Gardens of Acadia, a scavenger hunt fit for a botanist
Dave stops at mid-crossing to admire the view on Kebo Brook.
Great Hill where Autumn is beginning to make an appearance
Great Hill summit, Dave has a hard time getting “off the grid”
Champlain and Cadillac mountains as seen from Great Hill
Rich wanders around Great Hill summit in search of photos ...
… but Zhanna finds an even more colorful scene.
A pint of Guinness is the reward for a good day of hiking.
Wexford Fish Sandwich for dinner at Paddy’s by the waterfront
Rich’s luscious BBQ Pork Sandwich at Paddy’s
“Moose power!”
Bar Harbor waterfront scene at dusk
The next morning finds Dave ready and waiting for new adventures.
Turkey crêpe with maple syrup, Sunrise Cafe
Wild blueberry crêpe
Strawberry, banana and Nutella crêpe (Dave really needed to “fuel up”!)
Dorr Point at Compass Harbor
View of Bald Porcupine from Dorr Point
Compass Harbor
Dave checks out the view from Dorr Point
Heavy iron pins, now rusting away, once anchored wide granite steps.
Very little remains of George Dorr's “Old Farm” estate
Lily of the Valley berries
“Chicken Mushroom”, not to be confused with “Hen of the Woods”
View from "Thrumcap Beach" a short walk from Schooner Head Road
Zhanna and dad (Dave) investigate the rocky shore at “Thrumcap Beach” off of Schooner Head Road
Both enjoying the warm morning sunlight, Schooner Head Road
Gorgeous morning for exploring typical Maine coastline, Schooner Head Road
Heirloom Tomato Tart, Red Sky
Crispy Polenta with sautéed greens, shiitake and crimini mushrooms, balsamic reduction and parmigiano reggiano, Red Sky
Crispy Polenta with sautéed greens, shiitake and crimini mushrooms,
balsamic reduction and parmigiano reggiano, Red Sky
Beech Hill Lettuce, Great Hill blue cheese, aged balsamic vinaigrette, Red Sky
House-made Tagliatelle with cream sauce and North Spore mushrooms, Red Sky
Applewood Smoked Salmon with goat and cream cheese caper spread, red onion, house-made sesame wheat crackers, Red Sky
Organic Roasted Half Chicken with roasted potatoes and cranberry sauce, Red Sky
Organic Roasted Half Chicken with roasted potatoes and cranberry
sauce, Red Sky
James's Gingerbread, toasted with caramel sauce and apple brandy-spiked whipped cream, Red Sky
James's Gingerbread, toasted with caramel sauce and apple
brandy-spiked whipped cream, Red Sky
Panorama photo of the Bar Harbor municipal pier
Today we take the ferry to Winter Harbor and Schoodic Peninsula
This is a new experience for us and we’re very excited.
Getting underway. The bay is very calm this morning.
Today’s visiting cruise ship is already ferrying “cruisers” to shore.
“That thing is as big as an island.”
“It’s actually BIGGER than an island!” (We say this every year!)
“Good thing we’re getting out of town.”
Smooth sailing, we’re already enjoying the trip
Lobster boat in Henry Cove at Winter Harbor, ME
Schoodic Point scene, tourists getting splashed by the waves!
Zhanna takes in the “wave action”, Schoodic Point
More wave action, Schoodic Point
Plenty of wave action at Schoodic Point
Hard to stop watching all this wave action, Schoodic Point
Rich can’t stop taking photos of the wave action, Schoodic Point
Zhanna says this is the last one, Schoodic Point
But Rich says, “Oh, please, just this one more?!”, Schoodic Point
Dave has his chance with a little “wave action” of his own!
Visitors stroll the ledges that make up the rocky shoreline
Zhanna and her dad hike the Anvil Trail, Schoodic Point
This is a very rugged and steep trail.
But there are some well-placed staircases along the way.
Rich chose to stay down by the shore ...
… where it was quiet and very restful.
Our mission for this morning began on Cadillac Mountain.
We hoped to locate an obscure artifact constructed over a century ago.
First, we had to locate the original route of the Cadillac West Face Trail.
After a brief period of searching in a likely area, we made the find.
The goal: a deeply carved cross and a two-inch thick iron bar.
These items had once served as a property corner survey mark. We’ve since learned that there are three more for us to find!
Nearby we found another iron rod with an unknown purpose.
At its eastern end, the new Otter Cove Trail intersects the Gorham Mountain Trail.
At its eastern end, the new Otter Cove Trail intersects the Gorham
Mountain Trail.
The even surface of the Otter Cove Trail makes for easy walking through the thick forest.
The even surface of the Otter Cove Trail makes for easy walking through
the thick forest.
Even on this relatively level trail, there are a few granite steps!
Some mysterious letters on a boulder, Otter Cove Trail
A bogwalk leads out to Otter Cliff Road.
Zhanna thinks she found the abandoned Green & Black Trail.
Whole wheat bread, biscuits and butter at Rogue Café
Local melon salad with spiced walnuts and feta, Rogue Café
Pickled lobster appetizer, Rogue Café
Halibut in herb-butter sauce with roasted vegetables, Rogue Café
Pork Scallopini with North Spore mushrooms, roasted vegetables and crispy potato cake, Rogue Café
Pork Scallopini with North Spore mushrooms, roasted vegetables and
crispy potato cake, Rogue Café
The famous Lavender Crème Brûlée, Rogue Café
Breakfast—yet again!—at the Black Friar Inn
Fried Eggs with corned beef hash and roasted potatoes for Rich
Blueberry Pancakes for Zhanna
Today our hike begins at Wildwood Stables, hoping to locate and retrace the abandoned Dane Path
Today our hike begins at Wildwood Stables, hoping to locate and retrace
the abandoned Dane Path
Stone steps off the Day Mountain carriage road indicate the old trailhead.
We’ve now successfully followed the original route of the Dane Path up to Day Mountain summit
We’ve now successfully followed the original route of the Dane Path up to
Day Mountain summit
More signs of Autumn along the Day Mountain carriage road
View from Day Mountain carriage road
Stone steps from another abandoned trail—most likely the Ox Hill to Day Mountain Summit trail
Rich says, “I thought I saw God in a rock ... but it was only a Dog.”
Ferns, pine, moss and maple along the carriage road
Zhanna emerges from the woods after finding another set of abandoned steps
If you look closely, you can see a step here, right next to the carriage road ...
… and a hint of a trail leading into the woods.
The popovers arrive quickly and, wow, were we craving them! Asticou Inn & Restaurant
Rich’s immediate reaction when he saw them, “Wooo!”
Zhanna could hardly wait to tear one open and spread on the butter and strawberry jam.
Panko-Breaded Crab and Lobster Cakes with green onion sauce and lime, Asticou Inn
Panko-Breaded Crab and Lobster Cakes with green onion sauce and
lime, Asticou Inn
Lobster Roll on a toasted brioche bun, served with French fries, Asticou Inn
Northeast Harbor as seen from the outdoor dining patio at the Asticou Inn & Restaurant
Morning fog hanging low over Frenchman Bay
Passengers waiting to board the Winter Harbor ferry
Barnacles clinging to granite in the morning light
Bar Harbor Inn near the waterfront
Agamont Park and the shops on Main Street
“The gazebo” is a favorite place to sit in the morning with pastries, tea and coffee from The Morning Glory bakery.
“The gazebo” is a favorite place to sit in the morning with pastries, tea and
coffee from The Morning Glory bakery.
An “artsy” photo of a lamp on the pier
Winter Harbor ferry makes its first run of the day
Today’s hike begins at a carriage road gatehouse near Upper Hadlock Pond
Today’s hike begins at a carriage road gatehouse near Upper Hadlock
Pond
Another one of Rich’s “artsy” photos, this time a dew-covered spider web
Zhanna’s “artsy” photo—a slug on a fungus
Shoreline scene, Hadlock Ponds Trail, Lower Hadlock Pond
Hiking the Hadlock Ponds Trail, Lower Hadlock Pond
Hadlock Brook
Abandoned structure, Lower Hadlock Pond, scene
Zhanna captures a charming pair of mallard ducks, Lower Hadlock Pond
Rich studies the scene along the shore at Lower Hadlock Pond
Crossing Hadlock Brook
Trails intersection, Lower Hadlock Pond
Upper Hadlock Pond, shoreline scene
NGS Benchmark K 145 (established in 1962), near Seal Cove Pond
The benchmark is set in this large boulder near the Tremont Baptist Church
The benchmark is set in this large boulder near the Tremont Baptist
Church
A carved sign indicates the beginning of the abandoned Brown Mountain Trail
A second sign also marks the trailhead!
The two signs are within a few yards of each other.
The best mojito in Bar Harbor! Dinner at Havana
An amuse-bouche of smoked chicken with chipotle on a corn chip, Havana
An amuse-bouche of smoked chicken with chipotle on a corn chip,
Havana
Multigrain bread and blueberry cornbread with condiments: white bean dip, chili oil and cinnamon honey butter, Havana
Local oyster and button mushroom spring rolls with truffle aioli and soy glaze, Havana
Local oyster and button mushroom spring rolls with truffle aioli and soy
glaze, Havana
Pan-Seared Halibut with baby eggplant, green beans, yellow carrots and a broccoli-sesame sauce, Havana
A superb finish to our very last night in Bar Harbor, dinner at Havana
Quatro Leches cake with coconut espuma and strawberry blood orange coulis, topped with a spicy almond brittle, Havana
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