How do you start using words to describe a place like Acadia? Is it even possible? Amazement and child-like wonder are the first words that come to mind, not to describe the natural area but instead to portray the state of mind that a place like this has on visitors. This past weekend Chelsey and I had the chance to visit Acadia again, this time with two good friends (Shoutout to Erin & Ryan!) on the windward side of Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor. The Southwest side of the island is far less visited than the more popular Cadillac Mountain area. This fact became apparent when we encountered only one other hiker on our way up Beech Mountain!
Our first mission on our way Downeast was food, but that was quickly followed up with a search for a swimming hole. WE settled on Damariscotta Lake for a swim after enjoying some Mexican food from Paco’s Tacos down by the waterfront. The lake was packed but the water was warm and extremely inviting. We swam several times and soaked up the rays in between dips. Zoe liked it about as much as we did, though I assume she would have enjoyed running around with all of the kids a lot more. As it was she had to hang out by our stuff, tied up in the sun. Kinda like she does at home all day long!
Our first mission on our way Downeast was food, but that was quickly followed up with a search for a swimming hole. WE settled on Damariscotta Lake for a swim after enjoying some Mexican food from Paco’s Tacos down by the waterfront. The lake was packed but the water was warm and extremely inviting. We swam several times and soaked up the rays in between dips. Zoe liked it about as much as we did, though I assume she would have enjoyed running around with all of the kids a lot more. As it was she had to hang out by our stuff, tied up in the sun. Kinda like she does at home all day long!
The rest of the ride to Acadia was wonderful. The sky was blue and our skin was warm as we sang our way down the road. The Avetts were on the radio and the wind was in our hair. Its moments like that that help us forget the day-to-day, 9-5 of our lives.
We actually got to the park before our friends did and so we checked-in and began to tend to a fire. There is something primal about starting and keeping a fire going, staring into the deep of it and poking around in it with a stick. It has been a long time since my ancestors figured out the art of fire-making. I, for one, am just happy to have lighter to do it with. Erin & Ryan arrived and approved of the campsite that they had reserved, and we hung out a bit before retiring for the evening. Before I knew it, I was awake and it was breakfast time, somewhere around 5 am (the sun rises early in Acadia!)…
We actually got to the park before our friends did and so we checked-in and began to tend to a fire. There is something primal about starting and keeping a fire going, staring into the deep of it and poking around in it with a stick. It has been a long time since my ancestors figured out the art of fire-making. I, for one, am just happy to have lighter to do it with. Erin & Ryan arrived and approved of the campsite that they had reserved, and we hung out a bit before retiring for the evening. Before I knew it, I was awake and it was breakfast time, somewhere around 5 am (the sun rises early in Acadia!)…
