There's no better way to get introduced to Maine than lobster! Yum! There was a company that delivered it right to your campsite! For such a messy meal, it was great that we could eat it outside at our picnic table!
The next day we took the Park Loop bus route into the park. We got off at Sieur de Monts Nature Center and walked around the Wild Gardens of Acadia. Then we headed to Sand Beach for a hike along the Ocean Path. Getting off the bus you could immediately smell the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean! There were tons of people on the beach, but very few in the water because it was only 40 degrees! Ariadne was excited and wanted to get in so we promised her a beach day later on. The views from the Ocean Path were great of the Atlantic Ocean. We walked until we reached Thunder Hole which got its name from the sound of the waves crashing into a cave.
The following day, we hiked up Cadillac Mountain which is where the sun rises first in the US. This is probably the only time we wished we had a car because you can drive up to the top of Cadillac mountain. However, to view the sunrise you had to be there around 4:30am, so we probably wouldn't have done it anyways!
Since we didn't have a car and the shuttles won't drive to the top, we decided to hike it. We spoke to the park rangers yesterday and they suggested the easiest route which was still considered a moderate hike to them. It would be a 4.4 mile hike with medium grade over rocky terrain. They said it might be difficult for Ariadne. We're learning that our daughter has a very determined streak in her (when she wants). After hearing the ranger say it might be too difficult, Ariadne still insisted she wanted to go. So we geared up! Clint and Ariadne filled up their Camelbaks full of water, while Theresa filled her backpack full of food! When they said rocky terrain, they were not kidding. Below is what most of our hike trail looked like.
The views were beautiful along the trail as you look out into the coast.
We made it to the top after 3 hours! The 360 degree view was spectacular. The blue skies and clouds were amazing! We ate lunch at the top and walked out to the edge of the mountain.
3 hours later, we were back at the bottom. No water left and very little food. However, we had 3 exhausted but proud Kings! We were so proud of Ariadne! The six hour trail was difficult for us as adults and she did it without a single complaint. We didn't even have to carry her!
We took a break from hiking and enjoyed a day doing activities near our campground. We went to the playground and swimming pool. We did some pirate miniature golfing!
We went to a touch tank ranger program.
We walked around Eagle Lake to decide if we wanted to bike the Carriage Trails.
As promised, we took Ariadne back to Sand Beach for a beach day! The water temperature was only 48 degrees and it was windy. Ariadne enjoyed building sand castles in the sand and dipping her toes in the water. It was too cold to swim. After Sand Beach, we stopped by Echo Lake where the water was a little bit warmer, so Clint and Aridne went for a swim.
This will be our last national park and Ariadne's last junior ranger badge. We can't believe our adventure will be coming to an end soon.
Our last day in Acadia, we biked the carriage roads at Eagle Lake to Jordan Pond and back. There were some steep slopes, but we had a great time.
One last lobster dinner before we say good bye to Maine!
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