Category: Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine, Cities, Cuisine, Marathon, US National Parks

Mount Desert Island Marathon

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45℉ at 6:00 and high of 67

Sunday, October 16, 2016

We took a bike ride in Acadia National Park for an hour and 15 minutes, came back and showered and went just two miles to Southwest Harbor to catch our friends at the finish line of the marathon. Isaac was shooting for 3:20 and we were late, but we did not find him. Martha checked the desk and he crossed the half at 1 hour 45, so he was right on schedule. We were getting worried as we waited, but at 4:03 he came across. He was tired and said it was tough. We walked to pick up his race bag, then went back to look for Diego and Andrea. It was Andrea’s first marathon, though she has done half marathons. She came smiling across the finish at 4:20. She said, “There was no pain!” So happy to have finished and to still be fresh, she was dancing and smiling! Everyone else crossing was cramped up, limping and looking quite tired. Diego came across at 4:54. He said he walked some and enjoyed the scenery, but the hills and wind got him a bit.  Although the first half of the marathon was without cars, the last seven miles there was normal traffic, and the running lane was narrow. There are only 1500 runners and most of those are half marathons or 10K, so they can’t stop all the traffic on a very busy island for so long. We wondered why they didn’t run through the park more. 

There were a lot of people around the finish line, cheering runners along. It was cool to hear the announcer call our friends names saying they came all the way from Mexico City. After a little rest and some drinks, our guys recovered well. There were a number of bands that played, and I thought they were all good. Walking down the street, we went into “Quietside Cafe” for lunch. Lobster rolls, crab rolls, fish sandwiches, clam chowder and blueberry pies were enjoyed by all. This is a happening place where the owner, Francis, talked to every customer, especially locals she knew well, hugging everyone. The food was excellent and so was the hand dipped ice cream. 

I was surprised at these marathoners as we then walked the streets of Southwest Harbor and into the neighborhoods, then the 2 miles back to the truck. They had walked all day yesterday in Bar Harbor, ran a marathon and now we were still walking! But they all gave a big sigh of relief when they sat down in the truck and drove back over to Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor, Maine, Cities, Cuisine, Maine

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!

 

 

Bar Harbor, Maine, Cuisine

Driving to Southwest Harbor, Maine

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Driving south from St. Andrews, we crossed the border at Saint Steven. A thorough, but nice border guard asked us all the usual questions, like how long have you been in Canada, what were you doing, so you have fruits or vegetables, firewood, liquor. Then he looked at our firewood in the back seat, determining it was in a bag and decontaminated, so it was OK. Then he went into the trailer, looking in the bedroom, refrigerator and some cabinets. He was a good guy, just doing a good job and sent us on our way. Those of you who know of our crossing at Niagara Falls will understand, but I was quite happy to be past the border. 

I passed on the coastal Rt 1 and took the GPS route to Bar Harbor. On many small, bumpy roads I expected to avoid, it would have been better to take the scenic, coastal route. By the time we got to Southwest Harbor and the campground, I was whupped. I relaxed a bit while Martha went for a little walk in Acadia National Park.

Our friends, Diego, Andrea and Isaac arrived from Mexico City, and we met at The Chart House for dinner. The restaurant closes tomorrow and it was packed. Once we were seated, however, all was fine. The food and the company were great. Isaac had his first lobster dinner, but I think the hit of the night was blueberry cobbler desert. How we got everyone in the truck to drive them back to their hotel, I don’t know. We have so much stuff in the back seat of the truck! It was a great evening.

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