A Saner Route, Tiny Tide Pools, a Lighthouse, and a Lobster Pound

We did a better job getting over to Mt. Desert Island early on Thursday, 9/22. I was still not sure which route we would be taking for our hike. The Beehive Trail is very popular, but involves using metal rungs to climb an exposed cliff face, walking along narrow ledges and generally doing all sorts of crazy stuff. It is clearly marked as not advisable for those who are “uncomfortable with heights”. Well, yeah that would be me. I did not want to wimp out, so was considering just going for it - but a good look at the tiny ants (actual human beings) scrambling high above me was enough to bring me to my senses. I opted for the safer (saner) alternate route – taking the Bowl Trail to Gorham Mtn. – which was still a lot of fun. Lots of climbing up rocky outcroppings, just without the sheer drop to certain death. Lol. 

This is Beehive.

Do you see the 12 tiny ant like creatures on the Beehive Trail?? I am not one of them! Lol.

Still scrambling over rocks - but without the death defying heights.

The Bowl, an aptly named lake.

This little dude was smart enough to take the alternate route.

Another summit - all of 525 feet (no, I'm not missing a zero).  Lol.

When everything else is at sea level, 500 ft seems high.

View of Sand Beach from Gorham Mountain

After completing the Gorham Mtn. Loop trail we walked along the Ocean Trail to Otter Cliffs and then back past Thunder Hole to Sand Beach where we dipped out toes in the Atlantic Ocean. Thunder Hole is one of those geological features that, if you can time it right, is very cool. When the right size wave rolls into the naturally formed inlet, it booms like thunder. There is a small cavern just beneath the surface of the water, when the wave pulls back it lets in air and then when it crashes forward it forces the air out, resulting in a sound like distant thunder. It can also splash as high as 40 feet. We stopped by twice, but both times got more gurgle than thunder. Lol.

Otter Cliffs

He just looks like he has an attitude.  Lol.

Love the  color variations in the rock - black, red, white and pink.

Thunder Hole - more a squeak than a roar today. :)

Dipped our toes in the Atlantic.

We retrieved the car and headed to the “quiet side” of the Island. There is another large section of Acadia on the west side of Mt. Desert Island that doesn’t get nearly as much traffic. We walked the Wonderland Trail and played in the tide pools. I could spend hours looking at the miniature aquatic worlds, tickling the tiny crabs, and hunting for shells. Rog finally pulled me away as he had much larger crustaceans in mind.

A miniature aquatic world to explore.

I could play for hours in the tide pools.

Hunting for tiny perfect shells - so much fun!!

The rocky coastline is like a giant adult playground.

Although I am not a devoted lighthouse fanatic, we did a quick stop by Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. It’s a working lighthouse and not open to the public, but you can walk around the grounds and climb on the rocks.  I can definitely see the appeal - functional beauty at its best.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Rugged coastline - you can see why the lighthouse is necessary.

Afternoon light at Bass Harbor.

The real reason we ventured out this far was Thurston’s Lobster Pound. What, you may ask, is a lobster pound? They are everywhere around here and I certainly had no clue. Turns out, it is an eating establishment (anything from a harbor side shack to a regular sit-down restaurant) where you pick out your live lobster – pay by the pound – and then add your dinner (usually corn on the cob, slaw, dessert and a pound of clams or mussels if desired). Thurston’s is right on the water and got great ratings for fresh lobster done right. I opted for the lobster roll dinner (just not into tearing the sea bugs apart) and Rog picked out a nearly 3-pound lobster with the works. It was a lovely dinner (for us, not so much for the lobster. Lol).

Rog's dinner date - Time to get cracking!

The Maine attraction. :)

View from our table at Thurston's Lobster Pound.

Lobster pots on the pier.

Lobster buoys - functional art. 

Busy Bass Harbor.

Lobster boat in for the evening. 

Rain is forecast for tomorrow, so we’re making no plans. It's been a busy few days and it will be good to take a day off. Who knew having so much fun could be exhausting! (No, I’m not expecting any sympathy. Ha!)