Where's Eldo?: sunset in Acadia National Park

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Back to Cadillac

Bar Harbor, Maine Mount Desert Narrows Campground High: 77 Low: 58

one view or stopping point on the way up the mountain

You can't come to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park without hearing about the marvelous sunrises and sunsets at Cadillac Mountain, the highest mountain on Mount Desert Island, at 1,532 feet high. Well, if you've been following us, by now you know that Eldo is the early riser, and Sparky is the sleeper-in of the duo. She doesn't get up unless 1) there's a fire, 2) she's hungry, or 3) there just better be a darn good reason for getting up or somebody waking her up before she's ready to get up.

From October 7th thru March 6th, Cadillac Mountain is one of the first places in the continental U.S. to experience the sunrise. It's also one of over 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island. There might be another view on one of those, but Cadillac is the highest! So tonight, Sparky voted to head back to Cadillac Mountain with her better half, Eldy--this time the weather was great!

View of the Porcupine Islands

People come prepared to sit awhile and admire the majestic views....They bring lawn chairs, they bring pizza, they bring lots of stuff! We just brought ourselves.....

There are some awesome plants such as sub-alpine little plants that are in danger of being trampled on by the hordes that come to experience the sunrises and sunsets, but the park tries to preserve and maintain some areas with roped off boundaries. There's some tremendous diversity here just in this little rock with all the lichens and little plants. I just love all the colors Mother Nature has "painted" this rock.

We struck gold---as in beautiful reddish golden skies, wonderful weather, very few clouds and the crowds weren't too bad.

There's plenty of parking at and near the top of the mountain. As you drive to the summit, there are several pull out viewing areas where you can stop to get photos as you make your way to the top. There are beautiful flowers growing even at this elevation.