Acadia

It's been a week since I've posted.  We don't have internet or cell phone coverage in our campground and life has been too full to sit down and blog.  Maine isn't named the vacation memory state without reason.  Acadia National Park is a very special place and we are making beautiful memories here.  We have been busy chasing sunrises, sunsets, tidal pools,lighthouses and  hiking observation peaks, eating lobsters, , studying wildlife, riding bikes on the carriage roads and meeting new friends.  After an initial few days of fog, the days have been crystal clear, sunny and in the  70's for five days.   Therefore, we hve played hard.  Didn't get much formal school done which I the teacher feels guilty about but then when does one get to experience a place like this.  '

Mt. Desert Island, as Acadia is affectionately called, is a beautiful description.  This place has a complete palatte for all the senses.  It has everything, the ocean, crashing waves on rocky cliffs, sand beach, great biking trails, lakes, ponds, beautiful gardens, harbors, boating,  great food and people.  However, in spite of all the beauty, I have to admit that we have had a few challenges.  Being together 24/7 for 5 weeks now has a lot of pluses but we are having to study hard for communication 101. Life came to a crashing halt the other day until we had a family council meeting and got a few things ironed out.  In addition, in the middle of the night a few night's ago, the carbon monizide detector went off so at 4 a.m., we were looking for a motel.  The next morning, Mark discovered that the alarm also alerts if the battery gets too low on the generator.  We spent the same amount of money on one half night in a hotel than we did on 10 nights camping.  Ah, got to chalk it up to experience.  We're still rookies on this rv thing.   However, we've made such fabulous memories.   Here are a few highlights and pictures of them.  A big favorite was  taking the Diver Ed cruise.  It was a glorious, sunny day as we rode out past Frenchman's bay past the Egg Rock Lighthouse.  We saw several seals sunning themselves and lots of birds.  It was fun to see the porcupine islands.  The highlight is when Ed donned his diving suit and let the children on the boat push him in.  He then proceeded to transfer from his camera onto a tv screen on the boat what he was seeing.  His wife narrated it and it was fascinating to see and learn first hand about life down under.  Besides being extremely educational, Ed was extremely hilarious.  He was assisted by mini Ed who kissed all the star fish and anemones and got in battles with lobsters.

Diver Ed

Frilly Anemone

Mini Ed kissing the anemone

Toad crab-spend their lives accessorizing

The big monster lobster ready to attack mini Ed

Help!

We also loved  biking the carriage roads. They are so well maintained  with beautiful stone bridges.  Much thanks to John D. Rockefeller.   A  special memory was singing Juilate Deo in 4 part harmony under one of the bridges.  Great acoustics!  Our favorite ride  was around Eagle Lake and Witch Hole Pond.  We had to get Stefan a different bike as his old bike wasn't able to cut the hills so after we made the switch, it was a much more pleasant experience for all.  The weather was glorious.  Sunny and the leaves beginning to turn. Ah, what a joy to feel the warm fall breeze and experience such beauty.

Biking Eagle Lake