Maine Blog Post 10/28
Visit Maine.
Because you should and it’ll cross another state off your bucket list.
TLDR: Go to Acadia Park. Ton’s of scenic hiking, all ending with views of the ocean or one of the many lakes or ponds. Also, you can see where the sun first hits the US*. Sign me up.
Photo Gallery (link)
So you wanna go to Maine and have to idea where to start! Welcome to where I was at once I bought my ticket. My list had a short start: go to Acadia National Park not knowing what kind of hiking existed. I was in.
First bit of research showed us the 3rd weekend in October would have the prettiest leaves, all changing to welcome fall. We went the 4th (when we could) and were not disappointed. A good number of leaves were on the ground, the rest were glorious!
Next research led us knowing we wanted Lobster Rolls once there. Spoiler alert. I had 3 rolls in 2 days.
Trip Breakdown.
Flew into Boston because it was way cheaper/fewer points/cheaper flex trip**. Got a rental car and drove to Portsmouth (pronounced Port-smith and I was told on the plane by a guy who immediately realized I was NOT from there). Hiked Acadia – notes below, took in the incredible scenery for a few days, and did some cold weather gear shopping. Had lobster. Was rained out by a lovely Northeastern storm and went back to do a day trip in Boston.
10.25.18 | Morning | Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Stayed at a hotel with free breakfast. Took the morning to walk around Portsmouth. Definitely a super cute town and loved driving around New Castle as well. The houses are all adorable and despite being cold outside, there were runners everywhere. Tons of cute shops, coffee stops, and breweries. We only did a morning here, but still lovely for a quick New Hampshire stop.
Things to see:
- William Wipple’s House
- He signed the Declaration of Independence and theres a museum next door
- Cup of Joe Coffee Shop
- Delicious shop we happened to choose! I mentioned I wanted the nitro cold brew but it was cold out so they offered to steam it and I’m so glad they introduced me!
- Portsmouth Lighthouse & Fort Constitution
- Tried to go here on our ride back but it was closed. Definitely want to check it out (or at least the free parts) next time
10.25.18 | Afternoon | Acadia NP, Maine
The trip has officially begun! We took off early in the morning to arrive in Acadia, set up the tent, and set up for our first hike!
When entering the park you have two options, $30 for Acadia entrance for the week, or $80 for a full year at all parks. It will go for a full 12 months after you buy it, not just until the end of the calendar year, so I opted for the Annual NP pass.
If I could do the routes again, I would edit the order to keep the drives shorter, but we flipped it around a lot based on the day’s clarity and rainy weather. We did Hike 1 below, and then the sun was setting so we went on the search for firewood and hit the campsite.
You can get firewood anywhere nearby, often $3-4 a stack. There truly is nothing like a beer by the fire after a long day of hiking and driving.
10.26.18 | Acadia NP, Maine
After a freezing night we took breakfast in town, at Blueberry Hill (GET THE RIGHT NAME) where I had a Breakfast Sandwich and Blueberry Muffin and my bud had the Blueberry Pancakes. Tasting everything, it was super yummy! Plus the warm coffee was just what we needed.
After recovering and checking out some shops for extra gear and letting the sun warm out the park, we took off on Hike 2. Amazing views on the western side, details below.
For dinner we checked out the Thirsty Whale which was super good and super well priced! We each got a Lobster Roll, mine with Lobster Bisque, my bud’s with Clam Chowder. All great!
My bud’s bud recommended a few places as well but they were closed for the season. If you’re there not offseason, check out Bar Harbor Lobster Company(??), Stewman’s Lobster Pound, or Beal’s Lobster Pier.
Hiking Notes
When you check out the trails, you’ll notice Acadia is split almost into western and eastern peninsulas. We recommend at least one day for each, but if you move quick you could cover quite a bit in even one day.
Hike 1 – East Peninsula
The Beeline (1.5m) > The Bowl (1 m)
Great Views
Notes: You can easily add on Gorham Mountain for an extra 3.5+ miles. We were running to low on sunlight. For driving purposes, the Precipe Trailhead (2 m) is earlier on the one way so if you’re considering it, do it first. We couldn’t get a non-rainy day to take it on, but I hear it’s awesome and kind of dangerous, so proceed with caution, and read tips on it.
*My two favorite apps for trails are AllTrails LINK and REI National Parks LINK*
Hike 2 – Western Peninsula
Acadia Mountain Trailhead
More Great Views > Ikes or Echo
Notes: You can add on St. Sauveur, Flying Mountain, and a few others. A few were out for construction and with our late start, we took Old Man SOMETHING which was a gravel carriage road. Kind of a different pace a nice rest at the end, not that we really needed it. You never really summit more than 600ft max.
This is also a great time for checking out the Seawall Picnic Area and Bass Harbor Lighthouse. There’s a short hike in between, the Wonderland, if you feel like walking some more!
If you find yourself short on food or really wanting a decent bathroom stop by the — —gas station. They have hot food and a decent place to refresh.
10.27.18 | Acadia, Maine
Fun Fact: Acadia NP has the mountain that see’s the sunrise first!
We woke up early to drive up Cadillac Mountain to join the many awaiting it’s arrival! If you haven’t caught a sunrise before, I recommend arriving about 30 minutes before when it’s supposed to crest so you can catch the pretty colors. Also, much easier to catch photos before there’s a brilliantly bright orb behind you. Also, bring a blanket, it can literally be freezing outside as you wait. Still worth it.
We then drove around some more, stopping wherever it seemed interesting. Then back to Bar Harbor, had coffee at The Independent. It was so good and the owner was so nice we came back for lunch.
Oh My Dear Lord. He suggested I have the Lobster and Brie Panini and it was the best grilled cheese of my entire life. Perfectly melty, standout lobster, and even the panini lines were impeccable. Bud had the Clam Chowder and was also quiet happy.
For dinner we got take out from Door Lobster Seafood Market. They had a Half & Half Sandwich (Half Lobster, Half Crab) and I was so in love! It seems the Northeast was just not about to disappoint.
10.28.18 | Boston, Massachusetts
We took this day to sleep in start our trek back to Boston for our flights the next day. We took stops at the L.L. Bean Flagship shop outside Portland, Maine and I ogled all the other Lobster Places I wanted to try and I ate my Peanut Butter Toast I made to save some cash.