Hiking Cadillac Mountain

Sunday, September 20, 2015

There was a nice sunrise around 6:30 but it was overcast by the time we got up at 7:45.  

Wendy stopped over with our eggs from Keepin' It Local and our snack bars from Kim's Kitchen.  We decided to hike the Cadillac Mtn. North Ridge Trail after Wendy and Dan went for a bike ride.  We all met at the Hull's Cove Visitor's Center at 11:00.  

We left the Park Look Road at 11:16.

 

Wendy and Dan look so much more relaxed than we do.  For some reason, we remind me of the American Gothic painting...

We did stop several places along the way to take photos, because that's what we do.

Up we go...

Looking toward Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands.  It's turning out to be a nice day.

Taking a break and catching our breath.  Wendy and Dan are such good sports to hike with us, we are a lot slower than they are; however, we are a lot faster than we used to be thanks to our workouts at The Brickhouse Gym!

HA...I edited Wendy's thumb out but it's still there for some reason.  

We reached the summit at 12:34, found a spot out of the wind and had our lunch.

The View at Lunch

Wendy was totally disgusted that there was a gift shop and bathroom facilities on the summit of Cadillac Mountain ;o(  Although I could see her point, I did not hesitate to use the bathroom.  Then, to add insult to injury, we purchased coffees and a HUGE chocolate chip cookie in the gift shop.  We enjoyed our snacks while searching for the summit marker, which after all the times we have been on the summit, we have never looked for...

And the winner is...

DAN!

We took pictures at the summit before heading back to the car.

Two old farts on the summit of Cadillac Mtn. and we didn't use the car.

Turned out to be a perfect day but quite windy on the summit.

We even took a #BrickhouseStrong photo and shared it to Facebook for all the gym peeps.

#BrickhouseStrong

We were back at the car by 3:15, plenty of time to head to the Jordan Pond House for popovers and tea/coffee/chai. 

The outside seating was closed because of the wind so we were seated inside, along the corridor.  It was very noisy, the service was okay but the popovers were overcooked and the serving of butter and jam was very skimpy.   The price has increased to $10.50.

Bill and Dan bought t-shirts in the gift shop before we headed back to our cottages.

We met again at Little A's for pizza and to watch the football games, although the Patriots weren't playing.  We have eaten there before and really enjoyed the pizza; however, tonight's was not the best.  

Overall, a great outside day but a disappointment in the food department.

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)

Holy Windy Batman

According to the weatherman, today was going to be sunnier (which it was) but not as windy (which it was NOT).  We hiked Cadillac Mtn. North Ridge Trail, which coincidentally, we climbed on this same date in 2004.  How weird is that?  It was a much nicer day in 2004.  According to my notes, it was 50*-55* with a cold wind on the summit.  Today it was maybe 45*-50* and there was a very strong, cold wind blowing the entire time.

We hiked uphill for 1 hr. 50 min., which is only 5 minutes more than it took us SEVEN years ago.  I guess we haven't slowed down too much.

This is where we were...overlooking Bald Porcupine Island

We were going up, over and past this... Looks like a long way

We ate lunch at a picnic table behind the gift shop.  We had on several layers but were still freezing.  The little weather station in the gift shop recorded 41* with wind gusts up to 26 mph making it feel like 31*.  No wonder we were freezing.

Cadillac Mtn Summit, 41* feels like 31*

I can hear you gasp and say "OMG, I didn't know she was THAT fat!".  As you know, the camera adds 10 pounds.  Add that to the 10 pounds of clothes I have on to keep warm and that explains why I look so fat.  That's my explanation and I'm sticking to it ;o)

There is something about stone stairs in the woods that intrigues me.

It was a beautiful day and it wasn't raining!  It took us 1 hr. and 30 min. to hike back down (10 minutes longer than 2004).   I guess our knees aren't what they used to be.  It felt good to get in the car and warm up.

We had the awesome popovers and tea again, which were wonderful as always.  The late afternoon sun on The Bubbles created a picturesque backdrop for our own little photo shoot.

Jordan Pond and The Bubbles

Another great day together doing something we love, hiking in Acadia.  We are heading home tomorrow but looking forward to next year already.

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)