Monday, October 31st:
We left a cold and snowy New Hampshire and drove all the way to Bar Harbor, Maine.
[Snow at the Omni Mount Washington Resort]
Once we got out of the mountains and closer to the shore, the snow cleared up and it warmed up slightly.
At noon we arrived in Bar Harbor, Maine! I was so excited to eat lobster and see Acadia National Park and to EAT LOBSTER! The only problem is that Maine is a very seasonal place and 99% of the lobster shacks were closed down until the Spring. UGH! Looks like we were just a little too late!
We drove to the Acadia National Park Visitor center and purchased our Annual National Park Pass. We asked the Park Rangers if they knew of anywhere nearby we could get lobster and they said that everything was closed :-(
We had fudge and other snacks in the SUV so we decided to continue into the park and we would get something to eat later. Since we had a limited amount of time before the sunset we decided to go on the Park Loop drive and drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain.
[I'm the navigator]
[Love this photo!]
[My photographer!]
The park was almost completely empty (we probably saw three cars the whole time we were there), so we were able to pull off at all the lookout spots and take pictures. This is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There were tiny islands and lighthouses as far as the eye could see! The islands were all covered in rocks and colorful trees. I loved driving through the trees and watching the leaves fall! After doing the Park Loop Drive, we drove to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Even though the mountain is only 1530 ft you get a great view of the surrounding areas.
[View of Bar Harbor from the top of Cadillac Mountain]
Seeing Acadia in the Fall was 100% worth it! I think everyone needs to experience this beauty at least once in their life. It was a pain that the season was technically over, but I would go back in a heartbeat! PLUS, I thought we had missed the Fall in New England so I was over-the-moon-excited when we arrived in Maine and realized we hadn't missed it!
After seeing Acadia, we headed south along Highway 1, which extends south along the coastline, to Portland.
When we arrived at the hotel my number one thing to do, after checking in, was finding some New England clam chowder and lobster!
We left the hotel and walked down Commercial Street to the Wharf Area where we found Gilbert's Chowder House. Josh ordered the Seafood Chowder in a bread bowl (lobster, crab and shrimp) and I got the Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. Yes, it was delicious!
After scarfing down our chowders we walked over to J's Oyster to get some oysters and lobster rolls! YUM! Totally worth the wait!
[So much lobster!]
Tuesday, November 1st:
We left Portland and headed south to the Portland Head Light. This light station was completed in 1791 and is the oldest lighthouse in Maine.
After seeing the Head Light, we continued south and went to the Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse.
[I love Maine!]
[Josh's Grandma is interested in rocks so I tried to convince Josh we should bring her back this one. He vetoed. Sorry Grandma!]
Next, we continued the journey south to Ogunquit. While we were driving through town we found an OPENED LOBSTER SHACK! EEK!
Well, of course we had to stop! We both ordered hot lobster rolls and I could not have been happier!
*Side note: Lobster rolls come two ways: cold with mayo OR hot with butter. If you don't ask for hot with butter then it will automatically come cold with mayo. Both ways are delicious, but I highly recommend getting yours hot with butter! It just melts in your mouth!*
[So, so happy!]
[Josh was happy too!]
After filling our bellies, we continued into the city so we could go on the Marginal Way walk. This walkway extends a mile (or so) along the coastline.
[At the end of the walk there were these huge, gorgeous houses. This is me picking out one to live in!]
I can't even begin to explain to you how much I love Maine! If you have the chance to go, please go! If you have the chance to go in the Fall, I promise that you will not regret it! And make sure you eat a lot of lobster and clam chowder!
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