Bar Harbor

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33℉ at 6:00, but colder on top of Cadillac Mountain, high of 68

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Martha, Diego and drove up Cadillac Mountain to watch the sun rise. Everyone else was there, as it is the “thing” to do here. We parked in a bus parking spot, because there was nowhere else to go. People lined the crest of the rocky mountain top and down the other side, everyone jockeying for a clear picture. I don’t know what the temperature was at the top, but it was cold. Our hands were the coldest, trying to take pictures without gloves on. It was all worth it though, as it is a beautiful view of a beautiful place. A big cruise ship was approaching the harbor as the sun rose. They would all be shopping and eating later.

Fortunately our bus parking spot was toward the front of the line and we were able to slowly start down the mountain. We woke Andrea up, and Isaac was ready for breakfast. Walking to the opposite side of Bar Harbor to the recommended breakfast place, “Two Cats”. The restaurant next door had a line waiting to get in. Two Cats had a line, but it was much shorter. The lady asked if we would like to sit on the plastic-enclosed porch, and Andrea said yes. There was a big heater, so it was a good spot. I ordered strawberry and banana pancakes and they were the best pancakes I have ever had in a restaurant. Freshly squeezed orange juice was great, and they had good coffee. Everyone enjoyed the meal.

We spent the rest of the morning cruising Bar Harbor’s many shops. I am not a shopper, but I did enjoy the Patagonia store. A very nice guy worked the counter as I admired a sea kayak hanging on the wall. It weighs #25 and folds up so you can easily store it, being made of the same opaque plastic used to make boxes and shipping boxes. They also had an inflatable paddle board I liked. Of course their clothes are great quality. Andrea bought a nice fleece vest. 

We spent a lot of time in a very nice outdoor store across the street and a couple of blocks up the street. We all went our separate ways and met for lunch at Paddy’s Irish Pub for lunch. Lobster rolls, fish sandwich, salads and soups were all great. The only thing about Bar Harbor is the crowds. Our group from Mexico City thought nothing of it, and you do get used to it after a while. Lines of people waited to get into restaurants, and they of course want to turn the tables over, while we wanted to sit and talk.

At low tide, we walked across a sandbar to Bar Island. We had seen this at high tide, wondering what it would look like. Pretty amazing to walk across the harbor while that cruise ship is still floating. Shuttle boats looked like they had to choose their routes to the ship. It is a nice view hiking to the top of the little island. Walking back to Paddy’s, our runners didn’t want a heavy meal before tomorrow’s race. Blueberry pie with ice cream seemed to do the trick. Martha and I kept eating like them, but we were not going to burn the calories off like them!