Down East

There is a lesser know part of Acadia National Park, outside of Mount Desert Island on the Schoodic Peninsula on the main land. With the likelihood of another busy day in the park, we decided to go explore it.



It was a foggy morning, and the promise of breathtaking views of Cadillac Mountain from the peninsula fell short, but the coast line was beautiful. At low tide, we were able to wander around tide pools and what looked like miniature rolling hills of seaweed.



For lunch we drove and then hiked to the top of Schoodic Head Mountain. While eating peanut butter and Maine blueberry jam sandwiches, the fog began to lift and we had a spectacular view. From our vantage we had a great view of the Winter Harbor Lighthouse.



With the sun out and the tide coming in, we made our way to Schoodic Point where huge waves were crashing against the rocky shore. Bear and Sooke's favorite was Blueberry Hill where they got to play in the water. Sooke tried his best to catch a wave and I think he may have had one cornered for a brief moment.





Having finished the drive around the peninsula, and having the rest of the afternoon ahead of us, we set of for Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. On the way we drove through several little harbor towns and noticed that many of the houses and properties were for sale. With lobster being the only viable fishery left, it seems that these little fishing villages are struggling.

After hiking through blueberry patches at the wildlife refuge we headed back to our home away from home back on Mount Desert Island. We ended Labor Day in traditional style by grilling out hot dogs and drinking a locally brewed porter.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Schoodic Peninsula, Maine, United States

Deconstruction

Happy Labor Day!

It's Monday morning. But the high heels have once again become sneakers, my hair is in its rightful pulled back position, and I’m wearing my favorite worn out t-shirt. I enjoy the challenges in my day to day life, even the wardrobe, and have always felt that life is too short to have it any other way. But it is so nice to have the time to completely ionize and revert back to my ground state. To completely own the space, and the place and just be. It is so easy to get caught up, but it is so important to not lose perspective.





Once again we choose to refresh ourselves in a place where the mountains reach the sea. We would love to travel and explore the whole world. But we are always pulled to these places of contrast, transition and natural history. Where do you go to recharge?


- Posted by Sara using BlogPress from the iPad

Location:Blue Hill Point Cabin, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States

Avoiding the crowds

We decided to sleep in this morning to celebrate the first “real” day of our vacation. Sooke has a slightly different interpretation of what sleeping in means, as by 7am he was trying his best to rouse us so he could explore his new yard. With our earlier than planned start, we still took it easy and hung around the cabin for most of the morning, enjoying a delicious breakfast of eggs and sausage thanks to Sara’s efforts.



View from the cabin

By 10:30 we were out on the road and decided to hit the visitor center at Acadia National Park first, so we could pick up maps and other orientation materials. Not surprisingly the visitor’s center was packed with the Labor Day weekend crowds, so we decided to leave the park’s main loop road for later this week, when the crowds have hopefully subsided. Having been here once before, we remembered that there is a lesser visited half of the island (which we never got to explore), so we decided this would be a good place to beat the crowds.

As it was nearing noon, we decided to stop in Bar Harbor first to grab some food. As we drove into the downtown where we were greeted by the sight of a looming cruise ship and throngs of passengers descending on the little town. We skipped food and made a beeline out of town and toward our planned refuge on the south and west part of Mount Desert Island. En route we grabbed some sandwiches at Subway. While this may sound mundane, it was quite significant as it ended Sara’s almost 10 year avoidance of Subway (which is an entirely different story).

We found a quiet picnic shelter at the Pretty Marsh picnic area where we ate and let the dogs explore. To say Sooke was very wound up today would be an understatement. He was very excited and quite a handful, as Bear showed him the ropes of wilderness exploration (with us being dragged down the rocky mountainside behind them). After herding them back to the car we set out and found some nearly deserted unpaved fire roads through the park’s backcountry. We made our way to the interior side of Seal Cove Pond where Sooke and Bear both took quick swims. We then hiked along the mountainous shoreline, while Sara took pictures.

We wrapped up our trip around the island stopping at the Seawall Picnic area where Sooke got his first glimpse (and taste) of the ocean. He and Bear had fun sampling the assorted kelp littering the rocky shore and wading into the surf. By the drive back to the cabin, the boys were thoroughly exhausted!



Sooke at the seashore

-- Post From Shawn's iPhone

Location:Blue Hill Point, Bar Harbor, ME United States

We have arrived!

Last night we stayed at the Ethan Allen hotel, and yes it is THAT Ethan Allan. We knew this because it was right next door to the EA headquarters and showroom. It was also apparently HQ for utility crews repairing damage from Hurricane Irene, as there were at least 3 dozen bucket trucks in the hotel parking lot. The hotel once was very nice, you could tell, but a little dated. Still it was first class for a pet friendly hotel. Sooke did very well and both dogs entertained themselves and us by playing with their reflections in the mirror of the closet door.

This morning, we proceeded to drive a lot.

We stopped for lunch in York Maine, where we found these to be too tempting to pass up, even if they will last us all week.


We pulled into our destination just after five this afternoon, which means that we made great time. Hardly any traffic to speak of for labor day weekend. It was pleasantly surprising to see some early fall color on the way up.

We were all a little tuckered out when we got here.


After unloading the car, we went into Bar Harbor to pick up some groceries. Now for a good night's rest and a schedule-free tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Blue Hill Point Cottage, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States

And...we're off!

All our bags are packed; we're ready to go…

The dogs are standing here, beside the door…

They can’t wait to …
get on the road again…

Just can’t wait to get back on the road again...





​​Ok, mixed metaphors? But yes, the four of us are on the way to Maine! We are getting a jump on the trip leaving this afternoon and hoping to at least make it past New York City. Hopefully, the rest of the world isn’t doing the same thing. Curiosity the cat is bachin' it with Uncle Dan back at the homestead. Bear is well traveled, but this will be Sooke’s first real road trip. He has been to see family in South Carolina, so he knows all about being in a car for a really long time. But this will be his first hotel experience. He has his bed and his favorite toys packed…he’ll be fine....



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On the road...

Hiking!!!

Today is a slow day at the conference, so I made plans to meet up with my high school friend Pete and do some hiking. Pete and I lost touch briefly after high school during which time we chose almost identical career paths and now get to reunite at most places where microbial ecologists congregate. I met up with Pete and his former labmates Stephan and Tim, as well as Tim's friend Elyse. We set out in Pete's rental car for points northward.




Our destination was the Boulder River Wilderness in Mt. Baker National Forest. After about an hour of driving we arrived at our destination. We hiked into the river valley, it was woody and remote and quiet. We climbed down to get closeups of hidden waterfalls, ran into some strange Germans, and also a friendly guy carrying a gun. In all we hiked about 7 miles and had a good time. It was great to get back out on the trail and catchup with Pete.

First day wrap-up

After making our way to the hotel, Eric, Jacques, and I walked to the Pike Place Market where I tried Dungeness crab cakes. As you may know I am an afficianado of crab cakes, but most of my experience has been with the east coast blue crab versions. These crab cakes are delicious, but very different with a variety of vegetables and spices mixed in.

After a cup of coffee we went to the opening session of the conference and reception, before making our way to dinner with Lisa, Andy, Ellis and several others at the Daily Grill. The food was really good and the company was excellent! :-)


-- Post From Shawn's iPhone

Location:Seattle, WA