In and Around Bar Harbor, Maine

I did not have any real agenda when I left the motel yesterday. I figured I would just drive into the village of Bar Harbor and explore. Maybe shop a little, too. I thought I'd save exploring Acadia National Park for later.

The only problem is, there's a visitor's center and park entrance between the motel and Bar Harbor. I don't know who I was fooling when I said I'd drive past that. So I stopped and bought my park pass. Then I went into Bar Harbor.

I was going to walk around and shop. Until it dawned on me that I was really hungry. I hadn't eaten any breakfast, so I stopped for an early lunch.

Wanna know what I ate?

It wasn't lobster. It was fried fish. Haddock, to be exact. I would have taken a picture, but a fish sandwich, no matter how you spin it, is just not very picturesque. It tasted really good though.

Really, really good actually. Haddock may be my new #2 favorite fish. Which is good, because I think it is cheaper and easier to find than Alaskan halibut.

I did see Atlantic halibut in one of my guidebooks, which I'll have to try while here, too. I haven't decided whether I'll succumb and eat a lobster roll or steamed lobster. I mean, I sort of have to. I am in Maine after all. But it is such a touristy thing to do. It's kind of like coffee in Seattle, everyone sells them.

Speaking of tourists... I spent far less time in Bar Harbor than expected. It was full of tourists. Not just any tourists either. Most of them were cruise ship tourists. Ugh. I had my fill of those in Alaska. Old folks traveling en masse, wandering aimlessly, acting like their group owns the world.

There were lots of cool stores and galleries, though, so I'll have to go back. I explored other areas of the island instead. Did I mention that Acadia National Park is mostly on an island? The bulk of the park lies on Mount Desert Island. Oddly, you pronounce the "desert" in the island's name like dessert (you know, cakes, cookies and stuff). Within the park, there are a number of lakes.

This is one of my favorite shots from Eagle Lake.

I like this one, too.

After taking quite a few shots at the lake, I headed back toward Bar Harbor. Along the way, I had to pull over and take this shot. Images never really do a scene justice. But I tried.

Later in the day, I snapped this shot at Jordan Pond.

Here's another from Jordan Pond. You can definitely tell Fall is in the air.

Had enough mountains and leaves? Wanna see an awesome lighthouse?

This is the Bass Harbor Head light.
Here's a better shot...

That's just one of a series of lighthouse pictures that ended my day. To see all the day's shots, visit my Flickr page.

I hope you are enjoying your virtual journey. Today we're going to the Schoodic Peninsula. Check back later to learn more.