Sail Ariel: Mount Desert Island

It is somewhat frustrating that we cannot capture either in words or pictures the beauty and magnificence of Mount Desert Island and the surrounding area. We have been enjoying every single part of it. Acadia National Park encompasses a large part of Mount Desert Island, but not all of it. Acadia is one of the smaller national parks, but also one of the most popular, attracting over three million visitors a year. We think the vast majority do not venture off the main roadways and carriage roads as we have met very few people on the hiking trails. We very much enjoy walking and hiking and are anxious each day to get back to it. We had one particularly interesting day of hiking. We had the bus drop us at Bubble Pond and planned to hike to the Jordon Pond House for lunch and then probably catch the bus to return. We had hiked several miles, some of it moderately difficult, but after lunch with a great view of Jordon Pond with North and South Bubble Rocks in the distance, felt refreshed and ready for more hiking. We decided to hike back to Bubble Pond, via a different, slightly longer route which would take us by Eagle Lake. Little did we know the route we selected would take us to the summit of North Bubble Rock, which we had been admiring during our lunch. Many of the mountains are sparse of plant life near the top, becoming all bare granite. After reaching the summit the trail followed the ridge line for quite a distance as it was too steep to descend. It is very important to find and follow the trail markers as there is no obvious trail across the smooth granite surface. While there are small blue marks painted it is really the cairns (small rock piles) that we sighted on to find our way. We are enjoying the wildlife. We have seen at least one harbor seal most days. Our most interesting encounter was with one swimming perpendicular with Ariel to intersect our path. We were under sail and when we didn't stop he turned to apparently chase us down, but we were soon out of range. Our favorite place is Somes Sound. Somes Sound is the only fjord on the eastern Atlantic seaboard. After getting settled on our anchor in Somes Harbor at the head of Somes Sound, we heard the distinctive sound of eagles nearby. We found one in a tree top very nearby and a second on a rock across the harbor. Occasionally we hear and see a loon. Getting around could not be easier. There is a free bus system which covers the entire Mount Desert area. There are designated bus stops but they will stop anywhere if you flag them down.. The main transfer area is at Village Green in Bar Harbor and since there is good shopping in Bar Harbor this is very convenient.