Mount Desert Island, Maine

Bar Harbor from Cadillac Mountain

Stephanie, Kevin and Erin join us!

We've been on Mount Desert Island for two and one half weeks. Bar Harbor Campground, just outside of Bar Harbor was our first stop where we stayed for two weeks. Interesting no-reservations format caused us to arrive on a Sunday to get a better shot at the full hookup sites.  What we didn't know is that you can check in as early as 8am with the best chances mid-morning as others are leaving.  We arrived just before noon and were fortunate to get a full hookup site with a limited water view.

Cadillac Mountain looking east on Mount Desert Island

Our daughter's family joined us the second week and we had a great time.  We had not seen them since last November when our grandson Chris and Jeni got married in Clovis, CA.  They camped in a tent not too far from us.  We bbq'd, played games, Erin checked out the pool, etc. Of course we checked some of the fine dining options, such as Abel's Lobster Pound (frequented by the likes of Martha Stewart) which my dad used to call "places of distinction."  They rented bikes and explored Acadia National Park on the carriage roads which is a great way to do it.  We took a drive on the Park Loop Road including to the top of Cadillac Mountain which doesn't seem to high compared to western peaks but the view is wonderful.

Beautiful Bar Harbor waterfront

They left last Saturday and the next day we relocated to Southwest Harbor at Smuggler's Den Campground.  We are still on Mount Desert Island, but now on the "quiet side!"  The traffic at times belies that notion though.....

The pace is slower though and the environs are more peaceful.  Yesterday, we thought we would go to lunch at the Boat House at the Claremont Hotel which is supposed to have a spectacular view of the waterfront.  Well no pictures from there.  Completely fogged in.......

Bass Harbor from Thurston's Lobster Pound

Today we went for a ride to the South and East and had a late lunch at Thurston's Lobster Pound.  It was excellent and also a good value.  We arrived around 2:30 pm and the place was packed.

Mount Desert Island is a happening place during the summer.  The rest of the year there is no problem finding a parking spot in Bar Harbor as many businesses close and summer residents are gone.