Maine Meanderings (Cont.)

Sand Beach, when viewed from above on Ocean Path

Day 4

After a breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and fruit, we headed out on another perfect morning for hiking. (I must say, the weather was amazing nearly the whole time we were there - sunny, highs in the mid50s/mid-60s, just gorgeous. We had a little fog on our last full day in the area, but that was it.) 

 

Ready to hit the trail! 

We went straight back to where we'd first met up for photos the night before - lovely Sand Beach. There was ample parking (and an open restroom) at the trailhead, and you can take a set of steps down to the water. Once we'd appreciated the ocean at eye-level, we trekked back up to get on Ocean Path. We planned to hike this flat, 4.5-mile, out-and-back trail, and we couldn't wait for the views!

The trail did not disappoint! Hikers are perched far above the sea, atop a set of craggy cliffs, and you feel like you can see forever. One mile in, you come upon Thunder Hole (where there were also open restrooms). We stopped to watch the ocean perform its magic, but as it was closer to low tide, we didn't get the full effect. No matter. Because the lower platform wasn't consistently getting drenched, we were able to walk down there and see everything up close. 

A little further down the trail was Otter Cliff, where you can sometimes spy rock climbers. (There weren't any climbers the day we were there.) The view was amazing, and the wind was completely refreshing after a couple of miles on the trail. Susan and Caron decided to stay there, while Shawn and I walked the scant distance further to Otter Point and back. When we returned, we all snacked a bit on apples and nuts and drank our water, then headed back to the trailhead, got in the car, and drove into town. 

Views from Ocean Path are breathtaking!

We had a fantastic lunch that day at Stewman's, on the water in Bar Harbor. I had a crab roll (which I discovered I love!), fries, and a blueberry soda. Perfection. Afterwards, we were legging it around town (I bought some more jewelry. I have a sickness, ya'll.) when we noticed that there was a bar and some chill live music happening at the Ivy Manor Inn. This place has a great "front yard," right across from the Village Green. They'd pulled a lot of outdoor tables, chairs, and benches into the space, hired a guitarist/singer, and popped a small bar in the corner of the yard. 

Crab rolls at Stewman's! I found a new love!

We found a table with four chairs, ordered a cocktail (I had an amazing old fashioned made with whiskey
distilled in Maine.), and enjoyed the weather and the tunes for an hour or so. Bliss. A great hike, a full tummy, new earrings, whiskey, and sunshine. What more could a girl want?

At around 4 p.m., we headed back to the rental. We were all still so full from lunch that we had a light dinner. (I think I drank a glass of red with a bowl of potato chips. Hey, I was on vacation, ok?) This might have been my favorite day. Everything about it was perfect.

Day 5

This was "free day." During every vacation we take together, we have one "free day," where everyone can go their separate ways to do their own separate things, or they can choose to do nothing at all. We started out with a big breakfast of blueberry pancakes and bacon at the rental. 

I was originally going to hike the Bubbles Trail, but Shawn and Caron wanted to come, too, so I searched AllTrails for a hike that might be a bit easier. We found North Gorham Mountain Trail (which AllTrails said was "easy"), mapped it out, and headed for the trailhead. (Susan had decided to nap and read on her free day, as is her custom. She'd even bought some books by Maine authors earlier in the week at Sherman's, so she was prepared!) 

Y'all. This trail is not easy. I'd at least worn my hiking boots, but Caron and Shawn were in sneakers. It was a 1.5-mile, out-and-back rock scramble with about 450 feet of elevation gain. We took it slow, and we made it, but it took some doing. The views at the top were stunning, and if you don't think we built some cairns and took some photos to prove we made it, you don't know us. Then, it was back down the mountain and on to lunch (which was EARNED)!

Did we make it to the top of Gorham Mountain? You KNOW we did!

We stopped at Peakytoe Provisions, where I got the seafood chowder, the side salad, and an order of steamed clams. I washed it down with a specialty soda I'd never tried before - a lemon sting from a brand called Green Bee. Delish. We also picked up some whoopee pies and a sandwich for Susan to go.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening just relaxing, only venturing out shortly before sunset to visit Bass Harbor Lighthouse, which was about 10 minutes from our rental. This place is particularly popular at sunset, so you need to get there early to get a parking place. If you want to see the show fully, you walk down the short trail to the ocean, then hop out onto some of the rocks to get a good viewing spot. We saw other visitors there, but it wasn't so crowded that I felt like a tourist. (There are benefits, I was remembering, to coming in the shoulder season.)

Bass Harbor Lighthouse in the fading light

We watched the sun slip down, the waves crash, and the red light at the top of the lighthouse come on, and it was just beautiful. You can also explore the lighthouse up close on the ground level. So pretty!

Then, it was back to the rental and to bed! After such a busy day, I slept very well that night!

Day 6

Since the hike the day before had been challenging, we decided to take it easy on Thursday. We slept in and had a late breakfast. Then, we went to explore the pretty little downtown of Southwest Harbor, which we'd been driving through all week. We stopped first at Sawyer's Specialties, where we found some delicious little munchies and cute wine totes. We looked across the street and saw that Bramble and Stone, a sweet dress and gift shop, was also open, so in we went. I found the most precious little navy dress and snapped it right up. 

Strawberry ice cream! 
It's what's for lunch!

Then, it was on to Bar Harbor. We parked and went straight to Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium for ice cream! (What? I'm a grown-up. I can have ice cream for lunch if I want to!) The whole place just smells like heaven, and they have tons of choices. Caron and I took our ice creams down to the Bar Harbor Land Bridge to explore. (Shawn and Susan decided to get drinks at Paddy's instead.) Once a day, at low tide, a walkable land bridge appears between the town of Bar Harbor and the closest island to its shore - Bar Harbor Island. You have a few hours to walk the land bridge, see what the ocean left behind, and explore the island. We ate our ice creams, picked up pretty shells and rocks, made shell flowers in the sand, and enjoyed the deliciously cool breezes. 

After we'd had our fill, it was on to our next group activity. After the taxing hike of the previous day, we'd decided to get massages! We'd been able to secure some last-minute bookings at Harborside Resort and Spa, so we arrived and got ready for relaxation. We all had great 1-hour massages, and they were soooo goooood. After such a nice respite, we used the spacious spa changing rooms to get ready for an indulgent dinner.

Continuing on with our pampering theme, we'd booked reservations at Salt & Steel, a gorgeous, gourmet,  farm-to-table restaurant in Bar Harbor. They'd only *just* re-opened for the season, so we were lucky! We were seated immediately upon arrival, and we all decided to try the multi-course tasting menu. (Shawn even got it with the accompanying wine pairings, but I just chose a glass of red.) 

Shell flowers on the Bar Harbor Land Bridge

It. Was. Fantastic. The first course was a chef's choice vegetable. We dug into pureed parsnip topped with pickled asparagus and thinly sliced radish. Next up, I'd chosen the velvety salmon tartare, which was served with a bit of cucumber and some charred grapefruit. (I know it sounds crazy, but it totally worked.) Then, a gorgeous golden bowl of clam fusilli. So, so good. I had the lobster for my main course (We all did!), and it was served over some roasted new potatoes and with some kind of fantastic creamy sauce. I finished up with the Meyer lemon tart topped with a strawberry granita (really bold flavors in this one). 

The food was so delicious, and the service was speedy, friendly, and poised. The price point was high, but the value you received for what you paid was commensurate. We immensely enjoyed this place and would highly recommend it to anyone.

After dinner, we fairly rolled out of there and back to the rental. Once we got home, I changed into some comfy clothes, and Shawn and I did some walking around our immediate area. Our boathouse was right on the water, and nearby were yacht rentals and boat building/repair yards, so you could see all kinds of cool boats up close. The moon was out, the temperatures were mild, and it was nice to move a little after such a heavy dinner.

I slept like a log that night!

More to come . . . 

Hello from beautiful Maine!