Mount Desert Island, Maine

Mount Desert Island is the largest island off the coast of Maine and the second largest (behind Long Island, New York) on the eastern seaboard.  It is the home of Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor.  It draws millions of visitors each year yet only has an approximate year-round population of about 10,615.  There are only four official townships on the island along with several small villages scattered inland and along the coastline.

One of the first things we did was drive through Acadia National Park to Cadillac Mountain.  It is 1,530 feet high, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to see the sunrise in the US from October 7 to March 6.  No, we did not see the sunrise--I don't get up that early anymore!

On the way to the summit road we passed Wildwood Stables.  They provide a variety of horse-drawn carriage rides and tours during peak season following the scenic carriage roads that are in the park.

You can bring your horse to ride on the carriage roads

These are 2 of the 17 stone faced bridges on the island.

These are some sights on the way up to the top of the mountain...

The first time we drove to the top it was rainy. But it was still crowded at the top and no parking was available.

This time even though there were a lot of people at the summit, we were lucky and found parking.  The weather was sunny but it was windy at the top!

The sun really lit up this cruise ship docked in Bar Harbor

On the way down we saw the sun set...

The following day we visited Bar Harbor.  Bar Harbor is a small coastal town with many restaurants, shops, art galleries, and tourists.  Cruise ships arrive usually at 7 or 8 am and tourists disembark to spend the day shopping in town. 

The water of Bar Harbor...

Cruise ship in the background is the one we saw from the top of Cadillac Mtn.

The town...

Some homes, inns, and condos...

Next we spend an afternoon walking on Shore Path.