Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor

We are in the "New England" region, as evidenced by the behavior of its inhabitants: it is true that we are in a wealthy area of the United States, but it is also true that here there is a sense of refinement and precision that leads us to believe that there exists a world where well-being and education can coexist. Everything suggests a noble conception of life; order reigns supreme while people appear distant from the American stereotype presented on TV. The attitude we encounter is far from that of a "cowboy," as we generally expect from Americans. We learn from the news that in another part of the USA, someone with mental problems entered a school and killed several people: it seems like we are at a great distance, even though our experiences in other parts of the States have always shown us a basically civil coexistence. However, here we only see well-educated people who try to anticipate your questions so that they can provide you with answers: this is also a paradise. The rest is provided by generous nature, both in its marine and mountainous dimensions. It was not as generous at the time of the first European colonists, who had to thank the indigenous inhabitants for helping them survive the harshness of the early winters. Although we are at slightly lower latitudes than our northern Italy, the season is particularly cold due to the icy polar winds, which, finding no valid barriers and without the Gulf Stream, cause temperatures to drop well below those in Europe. However, autumn offers abundant warm colors, as if nature wants to say goodbye and also apologize for the impending cold.

Even physically, the residents of New England differ from the classic American: there is less overweight people, many go jogging in the morning, and the way they eat seems to be more mindful than in the Appalachian Mountains region. French fries are still available, but they are often accompanied by fish or vegetables. This healthier diet also makes these people mentally sharper, and we generally get a very positive and polite impression from our contacts, regardless of their interests. Also, regarding meal times, as previously mentioned about the "early" eating habits, there are fewer people who eat at all hours of the day.

Morning in Bar Harbor

Breakfast at the hotel with homemade waffles, filled with artisanal jams and maple syrup. Above Camden, there is a Battie Mountain (the car access costs $9) and we will drive up to a flat summit where buses also park. We will observe that other "car climbs", such as the Appalachians, have low altitudes (the highest peak is just slightly over 1,900 meters) and forms softened by erosion: after all, these mountains are among the oldest in the world, and atmospheric conditions constantly work to smooth out any kind of irregularity. From above, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Camden Bay and the small villages just to the south. At the highest point of the mountain, there is a tower erected in memory of those who died in World War I; we also found one at the Portsmouth bridge. We didn't see any memorials or monuments dedicated to World War II. We can't understand if this is simply due to pure coincidence, because this region has seen so many casualties in World War I, or if there are other reasons as well.

Acadia National Park

On a warm, sunny day, we resume our journey on the US1 towards Acadia National Park. While refueling, we spend $2.10 per gallon (approximately €0.50 per liter!!). We will discover that the price can reach up to $2.30 per gallon on highways.

Arrival in Bar Harbor

The landscape is varied, with coves crossed by daring bridges, amidst small villages immersed in their Sunday tranquility. We reach Ellsworth, heading south towards Mount Desert Island, the location of the park, and arrive at... Bar Harbor: a walk along the waterfront path, a sort of trail that follows the coastline, to complete the circle in the central area of the village, beautiful, with quite a few older tourists: it has a classic resort style, but needs some restoration and awaits a generous benefactor. It appears to be a somewhat outdated destination. The fact that it is far from airports and can only be reached at the cost of a long journey from major cities (New York, Boston, etc.) probably keeps it out of the main tourist circuits. And yet, in the time when tropical destinations were just a couple of hours flight away, it was a popular vacation spot for prominent figures.

The Acadia National Park, along with many other protected areas, invites visitors to "leave no trace." This is a widely shared recommendation, with the only caveat that to make these sites accessible to everyone, it was not hesitated to pave pedestrian paths and create parking lots, build shelters, and anything else that facilitates the movement of any person interested in visiting those places. These infrastructures significantly impact the natural environment. The foliage is still in its ascending phase, with colors tending towards green, due to the fact that the coast is usually warmer and coniferous trees dominate the maritime vegetation. Houses typically have a wooden structure covered with insulating material, on which an additional decorative cladding of slats is applied. You can find everything from a well-maintained cottage where even the growth of grass is carefully monitored, to some buildings completely abandoned and awaiting collapse. Also, in terms of television, you can easily switch from a film about "The Woman in Yellow" to one about "The House on Haunted Hill." A common feature in the construction of houses is the frequent use of wooden shingles as an exterior cladding. However, while in some valleys of our mountains this material is used as roof covering, here it is used for the walls. The only negative aspect is that, since they are not painted, the shingles end up giving the house a sad gray color: after all, you cannot expect constant impregnation; here, the cold season plays a significant role in the wear and tear of what must be exposed to the elements. We first go to the visitor center to pay the $25 access fee to the park and gather some information, then we drive to Mount Cadillac, with its 470 meters altitude, is the highest point on the East Coast, from which you can enjoy a great view of Bar Harbor harbor and surroundings. We drive along the coastal road, also known as the Park Loop Road, to visit the four most significant points:

Sand Beach

– Sand Beach, an inviting sea, but with water temperatures that make swimming less appealing.

– Thunder Hole should be a narrow cove where the waves reproduce the sound of thunder. It's probably due to the calm weather, but we don't find anything particularly remarkable. The staircase leading to the site is quite steep and cuts through a beautiful stretch of nature.

Otter Cliffs

– Otter Cliffs: medium-sized cliffs

Excursion to Jordan Pond

– The Jordan Pond It's actually a lake where you would feel like taking a swim. We simply enjoy... understand its journey for a total walk of 6km in just under an hour. The surrounding landscape is beautiful; a path has also been created in the marshy area using thick wooden planks, so that it can be used even with trainers. The setting sun makes the reflection of the trees on the water even more impressive.

We set off at 4 pm, heading north towards Ellsworth and therefore also towards Bangor. The landscape takes on autumnal colors, alternating between fields and wooded or uncultivated areas. The roads are kept in perfect order, despite the harshness of the winters, and are protected by a high hedge on both sides, clearly for protection against winter storms and more. The sun is shining, but the temperature never rises above 5°C, dropping significantly upon our arrival at... Bethel, a wealthy area with ski facilities where the season lasts almost 12 months: winter with skiing until late spring (when many Germans arrive), summer for tranquility and mountain coolness, and autumn for the foliage. We are staying at the Bethel Village Motel and going to dinner at the only restaurant still open, a good Korean-Japanese cuisine restaurant. The walk back allows us to re-experience the feeling of cold that the warm summer had forgotten.