Traveling Totes - Acadia National Park

The little bridge in Somesville, Maine is where I was for my birthday in August. Doesn't it look so refreshing and peaceful? Thanks for all the birthday wishes in August and for your friendship. 

We stayed in Southwest Harbor, Maine, and I should have worn sunglasses for this photo...LOL   Shhhh.....Miss Aurora is hiding from all the LL Bean totes. 

Maine is "LL Bean country", so there was not a checked tote anywhere! Miss Aurora thought.....oh boy, how will I ever fit in with all these Miss Beans! 

 Oh look, we FINALLY found some checks at the trolley stop! 

 OK, since the sign is on the side of the quiet side of the road near the woods, let's quickly take a picture. 

At last, I do have a purpose in Maine. I'll tote some Old Soaker Blueberry Soda that everyone is walking around Acadia National Park drinking. Tastes like grape to me! My son gave it A thumbs up. I think I may try a blueberry ice cream float with the soda if there is any left. 

Doesn't Miss Aurora look nice with the lobster rug in the condo?

While in York, Maine, Stonewall Kitchen is always a necessary stop and you can fit a ton of stuff in that tote. 

Wonder how many lobstas would fit in that tote? 

 In August, we visited Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park to enjoy the pristine environment of Mt. Desert Island and the rugged coast and pine forests. Colorful buoys, the smell of pine, summer flowers. That is Maine!!

We utilized the park's free-to-all Island Explorer buses to navigate the park. Acadia has 130 miles of hiking trails so there is a path perfect for every ability. 

One of the most scenic and popular is the one mile Shore Path that begins at the town pier and runs along the ocean at Frenchman Bay. 

We stayed in Southwest Harbor, and there is nothing like New England in the Summer. We rented a marina side condo from Dysart's on Airbnb, and this is where it's at if you like summer living! We spent our days leisurely watching the lobster boats come and go in a modern marina with some sensational summer yachts. We were a 5 minute walk to galleries, shops and restaurants and only a 5 minute drive to Acadia sites, Bass Harbor Head light, Somes Sound, Seawell and Echo Lake. No visit is complete without Jordan Pond's warm popovers with strawberry jam. We were advised not to eat our popovers outdoors at the lovely tables with green umbrellas overlooking the beautiful pond due to "bee season". The bees love the jam! You can make popovers that taste just like the ones at Jordan Pond using this recipe.  

Jordan Pond

 
We went on a horse-drawn carriage ride at Wildwood Stables in Acadia National Park on the southeastern side of Mount Desert Island, Maine. Tours follow the famous and scenic carriage roads that were originally constructed by John D. Rockefeller between 1913 and 1940. The horses were Shires named Moses and Mary, and they get their horses from the Amish once they are retired. The horse (and apparently my outfit) was required to match my tote bag. 

Hiking the Beehive Trail on Mount Desert Island in Maine. It should be your destination if you want to hike where the mountains meet the sea. 

Such a unique location in Maine, and we really hated to leave but we have wonderful memories. Loved being on the quiet side of town and in walking distance to everything in Southwest Harbor.  Favorite hikes were Cadillac Mountain, Beehive, Wonderland Trail, Echo Lake to see the nesting loon, and hiking (and eating popovers) around Jordan Pond. 

The garden photos are from Asticou Terraces, Thuya Lodge and Thuya Gardens. We had one rainy morning so decided to visit the gorgeous flower garden located on a granite hillside overlooking Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island Maine.

After five nights of fresh ocean breezes, delicious local seafood and Maine wild blueberry pie, it was time to head south (towards home) with a two night stop in Ogunquit to split up the long trip home. 

 Saying goodbye to our condo. We are on our way to Ogunquit. 

 This photo was taken from the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, ME. You can see it is not as quiet as Acadia National Park. Everyone flocks to the public beach in Ogunquit, and we go to our little private beach during low tide. 

I will, as long as I live, remember this wonderful blueberry pie that we devoured. I brought a couple plates from home....yes I know that is silly but I like to feel at home when I travel. LOL

Now we are back in New York at the Chinese Lantern Festival. This festival was colorful and amazing. Each display includes hundreds of parts, and thousands of LED lights. From a three-foot baby panda in Panda World to a three-story Chinese palace pagoda, 1,000 sculptural components have been created on-site by more than 30 artists from China. Welded metal frames covered in fabric will emerge as flowers, peacocks, cranes, butterflies, archways. The sculptures are LED-lit-from-within lanterns.

  To thank you for following along with our adventures, we are having a giveaway! To enter your name in the drawing, visit Linda with Miss Rosie @ More Fun Less Laundry.

To see what Miss Aurora's tote sistas have been up to, click on the participating blogs below. 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester

Linda with Miss Rosie @ More Fun Less Laundry

Linda with  Miss Lola @ Life and LindaLife and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie and Miss Taylor @ "Pandora's Box"

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Thanks for stopping by! We will have something very awesome to share with you in December. Can't wait!

xoxo

Debbie