Jordan Pond Trail 9.14.12

After beating ourselves up for the last three days (thanks to great weather) and knowing we had to head home later, we didn't want to get involved in a long, time consuming hike.  Instead, we decided to take an easy hike/walk today around Jordan Pond. 

The day started out very foggy but had burned off by the time we got into the park.

Can't tell where the water ends and the sky begins

The Jordan Pond Trail is a fairly easy 3.2 mile walk around the perimeter of Jordan Pond.  The path is quite flat and easy on one side, while the other side is more rocky, but not difficult.  We started at 11:00 (big surprise) and finished up at 12:55.  

The ecosystems along the edge of lakes, ponds and streams is very fragile and easily destroyed so many areas have raised walkways in place to protect them.

Viewing the Jordan Pond House from the other end of the pond offers a different perspective.

Can you imagine being the first person to find this spot?

One of my favorite places along this path is tucked away in a little cove not far from the beginning, if you go counter clockwise.  Since the path is constructed of gravel, there is a lot of crunching underfoot, but this section isn't gravel, so it's very quiet.

Today we spotted a really green frog, like a Kermit green frog and a good sized fish.

Of course, we ended our walk with a visit to the Jordan Pond House for our favorite treat.  Today was the first time either of us remember the umbrellas being open.

Umbrellas open for business

Popover, tea, butter and homemade strawberry jam

Did I mention that we LOVE the popovers and tea?  You get a big, warm popover and when it's gone, they bring you another big, warm popover.  Heavenly!

They even allow well behaved dogs.

A nice, quiet boxer.

I will sit here patiently and wait for you to drop some of your popover.

We had a great time and enjoyed the dry, sunny weather.  Can't wait to get back next year.

Looking back...2008

Thuya Gardens, Northeast Harbor

We stayed at the Llangolan Inn this time because there was no vacancy at Edgewater and found a nice beach down the road to watch the sunset.

Sunset from Hadley Point

 Thanks for stopping by...

;o)

 

Carriage Trails 9.12.12

Another beautiful day today, although the sky was a milkier blue than yesterday.  After all that hiking yesterday, we decided to ride our bikes today.  We started at the Jordan Pond House and rode UPHILL for what seemed like a long time but it gave us a great view of Jordan Pond that we couldn't get anywhere else.

Overlooking Jordan Pond from the carriage road

We took the loop around Jordan Pond and combined it with the loop around Eagle Lake and Bubble Pond.  I didn't take time to figure out how far it was but we rode off and on for about three hours.  The trails are seldom flat but the downhills make the uphills worth it; well, almost worth it.

We found ourselves a great spot in the sun and stopped along the edge of Eagle Lake for a snack and potty break.  We used the nearby restroom for the potty break ;o)

Pemetic Mtn. in the center, Sargent Mtn. on the right

After continuing around Eagle Lake we rode another half hour and stopped at Bubble Pond for lunch.

The perfect bench to soak up the sun and have some lunch

Another thirty-five minutes and we landed back at the J.P.H. for popovers and tea.  Unfortunately, we had the worst service we have ever experienced while there.  It was a good 15 minutes before our server even made contact with us.  However, we enjoyed our treat, the sun and scenery as much as we always do.

We returned to our cottage and sat outside in the sun until it went behind the trees, changed and headed into town to use our Groupon at The Fish House Grill.  We've had the Groupon for so long I can't remember how much we paid but we enjoyed a very good meal.

Lobster Bisque

Maine lobster and fresh green beans

I don't think I have ever ordered a lobster dinner so it was quite an experience but as I said, very good.  Bill had the same, as the Groupon was for lobster dinner for two, but he had red potatoes.  We each had a ginger ale and cranberry juice and received a bill for $5.75.  SWEET!  We did leave our waitress a generous tip.

We walked up the street to check out a restaurant Wendy & Dan are considering for their anniversary, LaBellaVita.  It seemed to have a nice atmosphere and included an outside patio which would be great on a warm night like tonight.  The dinner meals averaged $25/$30 and it appeared to be reasonably busy. 

We are very seldom in the town of Bar Harbor at night but it was kind of fun.

It was a very full day.

Looking back...2005

Day Mtn. summit

The only carriage road that goes to a summit is the Day Mtn. road.

I was thinner then...

Carriage road up Day Mtn.

Eagle Lake from the summit of Connor's Nubble, off the carriage road

Sunset reflected in Eagle Lake off the road up Cadillac Mtn.

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)