Maine ❤️ We Made It To Bar Harbor.

 

Maine ❤️ We Made It To Bar Harbor.

Travel day was on the menu today. Leaving Eastport bright and early, for our standard, meant setting the Alarm for 6 am.

We packed up almost everything last night so this morning we just had to unhook and then store items inside. Then we had to sadly say goodbye to a most beautiful couple we just met yesterday but felt such a strong connection with instantly. They invited us to join them at their Lake House on Echo Lake after our stay in Bar Harbor. As much as we would love this we are feeling the pressure again on being on schedule to get back to Indiana. Anyway, they asked us last night to knock on their door when we were ready to leave so they could wave us off. 

After our goodbyes we, for the first time in many weeks, aimed Lucy Lou and Rosalina South. For the last month and even longer we have been driving either North or East. 3 hours south to Bar Harbor on Hwy 1 was scenic and beautiful along the coast. We passed several small towns and finally arrived by 10:30.

Bar Harbor Campground is a First Come First Serve (FCFS) campground which suits our lifestyle well but of course carries risks. After trying to fit into one very tight spot we were redirected by a very friendly park ranger to another site he found for us. Full hookup, short but wide so we had to unhook Lou and then park Lucy next to her. The site costs $50 a night and one can pay only by cash or check. No credit cards. All worth it as it is the closest you can camp in a rig our size to Acadia NP and Bar Harbor. I don't think you would ever find a deal like this in Estes Park CO next to RMNP.

Leaving Eastport was bittersweet. For the first time in a long long time my soul and mind was at total peace. This place left an imprint on my heart. We also made wonderful set of friends there. Both couples/families told us we can always stay with them at their homes and even told us they have each plenty of room to park Lucy. Big hearts and kindness rules up here in the North.

So now we settle in for the night and I have to figure out what will be on our itinerary for the weekto come. 

Oh and before I forget this campground is very large! It also has a heated swimming pool I hope to try out soon. The longest one can stay here is 2 weeks and we are thrilled we are parked for the Labor Day Weekend. 

Maine ❤️ Hiking/Walking And The Reversing Falls Park

 

Maine ❤️ Hiking/Walking And The Reversing Falls Park

How many hikes can I possibly acquire while in this gorgeous state? 

Well, since time is limited I have to choose carefully. I love the App ‘Alltrails’ to locate hikes/walks with in my vicinity and the ratings of each hike. It also shows the lengh and difficulty which is perfect for me. As of now I prefer 2 hour outings (compared to 5 and 6 hours in Colorado), and I like easy and moderate. My body is not up for difficult and challenging right now. See my blog post about my bike misadventures the other day! One has to learn their limitations and I am learning mine the hard way.

Also, in the App I can download the trail to view offline. This is absolutely wonderful for me! Everytime I get disoriented in the forest this map will get me back on a trail. 

Anyway, I chose the Reversing Falls Park for my latest home and it was stunning and did not disappoint. It was labeled a moderate hike but when I saw a guy in his late 20’s hopple towards me in crutches I figured it was doable fur my bruised legs 😉

Here are some stats about this beautiful landmark:

Reversing Falls Park is a municipal park in Pembroke, Maine. It is located at Mahar Point, the northern point of a narrows separating Dennys Bay from Cobscook Bay in far eastern Maine. The narrows are subject to a reversal of current twice a day, owing to the area's unusually high tides. In addition to viewing this action, the park is also well suited for wildlife viewing.^[2]

Reversing Falls Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Show map of MaineShow map of the United StatesShow all
Nearest city	Pembroke, Maine
Coordinates	44°52′57″N67°7′57″W
Area	0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
MPS	Cobscook Area Coastal Prehistoric Sites MPS
NRHP reference No.	90000907[1]
Added to NRHP	June 27, 1990ca

The area in the park vicinity is also archaeologically sensitive, as the site of Native American settlements in the area's prehistory. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990

Maine ❤️ Biking Misadventures 😳

 

Maine ❤️ Biking Misadventures 😳

Did I mention yet my bike misadventure from the other day? 

I don't think I did. I rode my bike to downtown Eastport to on the hunt for a Jolly Roger Flag. I arrived at the store and I am sure when I parked the bike I turned her battery off. Well, I guess I didn't because she ‘took off’ with me trying to hold on to her. It must have been a spectacle since the store owner came running out asking if I needed help while I layed on the pavement with my 80 lb heavy bicycle spinning. Of course adrenaline is a magical thing so I turned the bike off again, jumped up saying ‘no I am fine’, brushed myself off and picked up the items that had fallen out of the bikes storage.

I went in the store and got our new Pirate 🏴 Flag and thought this would be the end of it. No no, not at all. I pushed my bike down Mainstreet and explored a few more stores as in Candy and Witchcraft.

Now up to this point I had pushed my bike since my fall. Once I got out of the Candy Store I tried to get onto the bike but nope, it took off on me again. I picked her up and turned her ‘off’, or so I thought. I saw that the chain fell off so I tried to put it back on. This must have triggered something because the motor jumped on AGAIN! This time with my little right-hand finger in the chain. It was jammed between the frame and the chain and I couldn't not get it out. I saw some blood and thought what the heck? Laying on the concrete with my bike, unable to get up due to my finger being stuck and the motor still running I started calling out for help. Well, I didn't call ‘help’ but instead kept calling ‘hello, is anybody here?’. After what seemed an eternity, a car parked, and a young very stylish woman got out asking if she could help. Darn was I happy to see her? I asked her if she could please reach the handle bar and turn off the battery. She did that and then had the wonderful foresight to push both breaks. Now I was able to pull on the chain and finally get my finger out once the tension was gone. Insane!

She was so kind and asked if she should get help for me and my finger to which I of course replied ‘Thank you so much for your help but I am absolutely fine’. I put the chain on and after thanking her again I jumped on my bike and took off. I did realize the right handlebar felt ‘off’ but I pushed on and raced home.

My finger throbbed but it wasn't to bad at all. Once I went to bed that night however my shins where hurting. I didn't look at them as I was to tired but asked Ron if he could get me an ice pack and towel. I put it on and went to sleep.

The next morning I felt stiff but not to bad. I had forgotten about my legs and when Ron asked what was on my schedule for today I said a little bike ride. He thought I was crazy (which is common) but I knew I have to get back to it and figure out why ‘she’ (the bike) is so darn temperamental right now.

I also planned my next hike for the day after.

Only that afternoon did I take stock of my body and realized that along with a squished finger I also a blue and black bruises on both my legs (shins).

Hence why my near future hikes will fall in the easy to moderate scale on the Alltrails App 😉

Maine ❤️ Little Alaska. Windjammer Tour

 

Maine ❤️ Little Alaska. Windjammer Tour

We went to see some whales, porpoises, harbor seals, eagles, lobsters, crabs, lighthouses and just all around beautiful scenery. 

I might be stepping on some toes but my thoughts are that Maine is indeed the ‘little brother’ to Alaska. The few differences just add a unique flavor to each. I have been to Alaska many times and this is my first trip to Maine but so far I see more similarities then differences. 

There are Moose, bears, sharks, whales and much more abundent wild and sealife in both. They each offer plenty of hiking, fishing and winter sport activities. Both have plenty to offer in regard to pure nature. Next weekend there is a salmon festival up here in Eastport which will finish up with a Pirate Festival the weekend after. 

So Alaska had the Goldrush and Maine had its Pirates. Treasures in both to be found. Cold winters? Yes. Alaska will always be more extreme and mightier but if one can't make it to AK then consider exploring ME. 

Of course I might be doing a disservice to Maine by saying this but I have a small readership so no damage should be done. Maine is dealing with an crazy influx in visitors. While tourism can be a great source of income it also causes congestion and overcrowding in places (Bar Harbor, which can reach numbers that compete with Rock Mountain National Park). Not much fun for the locals I am sure.

So when you plan a trip here consider also all the incredible sights to see inland as well.

This said we did go on a whale watching your and we saw plenty. Mink Whales and especially one female have been coming up here for the last 32 years. I was also reminded that the Great White Shark makes this his home base and that just last week a tour got to see one in action when it took a seal for a snack next to the boat. So no, no swimming for me in this part of the ocean. The tour was 2 1/2 hours long and a lot of fun.