Maine Getaway: Acadia National Park

These two days brought perfect weather, so we checked off most of our planned activities smoothly—here’s how it went! 😊 Highlights of the Trip Bass Lighthouse We visited the lighthouse as planned—standing by the coast, watching the lighthouse against the blue sky and ocean, it was such a classic New England scene 🗼. Bar Island Path (Shelling Trip) We went shelling here, but let’s just say it’s way trickier than it looks! We only found some conchs and mussels—where were all the starfish we’d hoped for? Turns out shelling takes both skill and stamina 😂. The Travelin’s Lobster No trip to Maine is complete without lobster! We stopped here for a feast—fresh, sweet lobster paired with melted butter, pure deliciousness 🦞. Thunder Hole (Before High Tide) We timed our visit right before high tide to see Thunder Hole in action. Watching the waves crash into the rocky crevice and hearing the “thunder” sound was so cool 🌊. Jordan Ponds Trail Loop We spent 3 hours hiking the full loop around Jordan Pond—every step was worth it! Along the way, we spotted lots of cute mushrooms popping up from the grass (they looked like tiny umbrellas 🍄). The lake views stayed stunning the whole time, and the fresh air made the hike feel so refreshing. Small Town Souvenir Run In the evening, we wandered through a nearby small town to pick up souvenirs—little trinkets to remember this lovely trip 🛍️. Things We Didn’t Check Off (For Next Time!) Cadillac Mountain Summit Sunrise: We tried to get tickets, but they were impossible to snag—total bummer! 😫 Beehive Trail: Since we were traveling with a 9-year-old girl, this trail (which is pretty challenging) wasn’t a good fit for our group. We’ll save it for a more adventurous trip! Bonus: July 25th Morning Trip to Cadillac Mountain We added a last-minute visit! We got a 10:30 AM slot for Cadillac Summit Road—snagged the last ticket half an hour in advance on the Recreation.gov app (cost an extra $6 🎫). The sky was clear, but visibility wasn’t perfect. Still, standing at the top felt amazing: the elevation didn’t seem too high, and walking the summit loop gave us 360° views of the islands. The mountain and sea breeze kept things cool, and seagulls flew right by—so scenic! We also found tons of ripe wild blueberries on the mountain! They were small, but packed with flavor. I ate so many—it felt like picking blueberries in a rocky little orchard 🍓. Wrap-Up We drove back to Maryland on the afternoon of the 25th and didn’t get home until 1 AM—tired, but totally happy with this perfect Acadia getaway! #USNationalParks #Acadia #Hiking #ShellingTrip