My husband and I started planning the trip we took this past fall with a cycling group to Acadia National Park in Maine about a year before it happened, and it was worth the wait. We were reminded that one of the greatest joys of traveling is connecting with others. I’m excited to share about the places we went with you — and I hope it will inspire you to start planning a trip, whether it’s to Maine or another place on your bucket list.
Two things led us to choose this destination. I was inspired by my book club’s selection of On The Trail by Conor Knighton, which highlighted features of our national parks. Turns out Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is known as the spot where one can first see the sunrise in the United States. That sounded amazing.
In addition, since my husband’s retirement last year, we have taken up cycling together. We came across an opportunity with Vermont Bike Tours to see Acadia and Bar Harbor over five days on bicycles. Sign me up!
Of course, all the sites I’ll share with you are available and accessible all on your own if that’s your preferred way to travel. Always be sure to check the National Park website for up-to-date information and to see if you need to make reservations for any of the popular sites.
Our group consisted of 18 people: 12 of retirement age, a multigenerational family of six, and two local guides who shared all the insider info about Acadia and Maine. Electric bikes leveled the playing field, giving all of us an opportunity to comfortably enjoy the day-long excursions into Bar Harbor and Acadia.
Park Loop Road leads visitors to many natural sites, all accessible by the Island Explorer Shuttle Bus or, in our case, bicycle. Thunder Hole is a naturally formed inlet. When the right-sized wave rolls in, a deep, thunderous sound emanates, and waves may reach as high as 40 feet. Nearby Sand Beach has sand made of shell fragments, formed from the pounding surf over thousands of years.
The Wild Gardens of Acadia is home to over 300 native plant species featured along interwoven paths and water features.
The crown jewel for me was Cadillac Mountain, the reason I was initially drawn to visit Acadia National Park. At 1,530 feet, this is the tallest mountain on Mount Desert Island and the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. From October 7 through March 6 of each year, it is the first place to view a sunrise in the United States. Largely composed of pink granite, Cadillac Mountain is covered with spruce and pitch pine forests, tiny sub-alpine plants, short gnarled trees, wild blueberries, and boulders of all sizes and shapes. Reservations are currently required to make the 3-mile drive up the mountain. Fortunately, our tour group had made those arrangements. As we ascended, parked our van, and headed out over the granite rocks to settle in, we felt part of a pilgrimage, joining the many small groups of people gathered to see the rising sun.
Story and photos by Patti Hartog
P.S. Check out part two in this series here.
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