Dan and Vicki Coyote Travels

Wonders of the Homeland

Friday, October 7, 2016

Monhegan Island, Maine, United States

Wonders of the Homeland

October 4-7 finds us traveling south through New Brunswick, we enter the U.S. of A. (remembering that Canada is also in North America). So much to experience, so many places to go, such wonders abound … now to the homeland and discover more marvels.

Maine

So many people recommended Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, we made it our goal and we are not disappointed. An unusual combination of ocean and mountain scenery, the largest part of the island, the park is crowded for the beginning of October. The locals say it is the "peepers" coming up from the 'big' cities. The colors of autumn lure everyone outdoors. The highlights of our three-day stay are the trails, the shore, and a four-mast schooner.

Acadia Park – Sailing the open Seas

Choosing the sailing of the day that includes a park ranger for entertainment and elucidation, we find a day of clear skies, gentle winds and cool air. Perfect! Sailing on the Margaret Todd Schooner. The four main sails of the replica of a 150-year-old schooner have to be physically hauled up with ropes threaded through pulleys. Dan joins in, as these massive sails require many hands … he’s in the picture … center withready and white jacket. Such a wonderful experience sailing out into the Atlantic Ocean and so much fun to take part in the way schooners traveled in the last century. The crew included young people and we enjoyed watching them work when it was time to turn the sails. The young girl’s name was not Jackie, but we named her that after the series of books “Bloody Jack”, the stories of a young girl who, disguised as a boy, became a ship’s boy on 18th century sailing ships. Visiting with this 23 year old, we discovered she is taking a gap year from college, saving her money and plans to go, with other young people, to Thailand and the seas thereabouts to travel, explore and hopefully work on some ships. Talk about carpe diem … these youngsters are grabbing it.

Bike with a Ranger in Acadia

There are 127 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of graded carriage trails (no autos allowed). Built in the 1930s by John Rockefeller, Jr. the carriage trails wind through some gorgeous valleys, lakes, ponds and low mountains (there are 15 peaks on the island forested with spruce, fir and pine). Which one to choose? Then we found a program called Bike with a Ranger. Perfect! We met the rangers and eight other bicyclists at Duck Brook Bridge. The bridge was built in 1929.

We circled Witch Pond for about 3 miles stopping along the way for interpretive discussions and photo opportunities. There are some serious beaver work in this picture. This entire pond was dammed by the beavers and all the deciduous trees removed, eaten, or built into a beaver home. (They don't like pines and firs). See the home in the center-left side of the picture. The bike ride revealed much color and autumnal splendor.

The shore of Acadia Park

The village of Bar Harbor (ba-haba) is set at the wharf and is a shopper’s delight. However, we do not shop. However, we did explore some and walked along the shore at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean (actually Frenchman’s Bay). Huge mansions, opulent hotels skirted the beautiful rocky shore. We did stop for lunch before sailing the schooner and had such delicious Lobster Rolls and Fish and Chips.

We camped at a great campground, Hadley's Point Campground on the island and again made friends ... meet Captain Jack and Thea ... they are King Shepherds and weigh about 100 pounds.

Another Island in Maine – Monhegan Island

As we live in land-locked Colorado, islands and shores, lakes and oceans have been our theme this trip. Recommended by our friends Randy and Kristi, we headed out to Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine, north of Portland. As an added pleasure, we met with a long time friend, Gloria Kelly who moved from Woodland Park to Maine some 12 years ago. We joined her and two friends, Judy and Susan, on the ferry bound for the island. Vicki finally found her puffin (The rest had migrated and left this fella behind)

This is a prime island: Isolated, with not much in amenities (not even public restrooms); no cars or roads, an artist’s haven (Andrew Wyeth); and replete with rocky shores, high cliffs, crashing waves, a lighthouse and wood shingle houses; and cathedral-high trees on the walking paths. We spent the day, hiking, climbing rocks, skidding down slopes and taking pictures and collecting island dirt. In the cathedral woods, we discovered many little fairy houses (look to the right of the tree). The fairies were peeping out at us, I am sure, but we missed seeing them.