Awaiting the Cadillac of East Coast Sunrises in Maine
Everyone quietly waits in the chilled air, scanning easterly along the ocean horizon as morning light begins. With an elevation of only 1,530-feet, the summit of Cadillac Mountain, inside Acadia National Park, is surprisingly the highest along the eastern coastline—from Canada down to Brazil. As such, this is where the first rays of the sun shine each morning in the United States, weather permitting, of course. It's easy to join other sunrise seekers here, since it's only a 3½ mile drive up to the summit's large parking lot, starting from nearby Bar Harbor, Maine. And of course, it's an equally great spot to witness sunsets, facing in the opposite direction, naturally.
Maine is a city dweller's paradise, where drivers say, "Let the other person go first", and you experience clear air and spectacular vistas that just aren't available from your apartment window. Entering this green wonderland you shed your work-related stresses, and no where does it get better than Acadia National Park, a crown jewel of the National Park System. Life long memories are created by the natural sights and noteworthy hikes that will bring your senses alive, and after a single day you’ll find yourself wanting to spend the rest of your life there. I recommend a strenuous hike up the Dorr Mountain Trail for a worthwhile view, and don’t leave the state without white water rafting the Kennebunk River. Give yourself at least 3 days to soak in the amazing surroundings, and to explore the mystical and rejuvenating qualities of one of the most magical places on the east coast.
A distant, hollow ringing is the first sign that the ocean is near. Then a fresh, salty breeze washes over the top of the hill at the start of Ocean Drive in Acadia National Park. The hill is challenging, but forces a slow revelation of the expanse of sea, crashing surf, and cliffs. Once over the top, the smooth pavement undulates along the edge with forest and mountains on one side, and heaving ocean on the other. Don’t go too fast on the descents; look closely, and sprinkled in the sea, like colored candies, are lobster traps. Take the Otter Cliffs turn-out for a break, and lay on the stone to hear the cry of sea birds and watch the tide roll away.
Cycling, strolling, or sitting atop a horse-drawn carriage, you trek along the 57 miles of carriage trails that cut their scenic path through the dense forest that is Acadia National Park. As the hours pass, you find yourself deeper and deeper inside an uninterrupted, peaceful panorama of wilderness. Then, up ahead, a bit of a clearing appears. You pick up the pace to see what lies past the trees. Peaking through the branches, you spot one of the many shrouded sights ensconced along the park's labyrinth — a sunny harbor brimming with boats lies on the other side. Now you're reminded that you're not just deep in the woods — you're on the enchanting island of Mount Desert.
Literature is filled with enchanted islands such as Bali Hi, but Mount Desert Island is one you can actually visit. In the late 19th century, the Rockefeller family owned most of MDI and in the course of their tenure built magnificent Japanese gardens, spectacular homes, and recreational facilities that included a bowling alley, a boathouse, and a network of gravel carriage paths. In 1916 the family donated most of their island property to the National Park Service, and today the carriage paths of Acadia National Park are open for multiple uses including mountain biking. Leave your GPS in the car and get lost among the Tudor Gates, sign-posted intersections, balsam firs and tranquil lakes. Don’t worry; a leprechaun, a local, or one of the many bold-faced names that inhabit the island, will certainly appear and help you get back on the right path.
Everyone quietly waits in the chilled air, scanning easterly along the ocean horizon as morning light begins. With an elevation of only 1,530-feet, the summit of Cadillac Mountain, inside Acadia National Park, is surprisingly the highest along the eastern coastline—from Canada down to Brazil. As such, this is where the first rays of the sun shine each morning in the United States, weather permitting, of course. It's easy to join other sunrise seekers here, since it's only a 3½ mile drive up to the summit's large parking lot, starting from nearby Bar Harbor, Maine. And of course, it's an equally great spot to witness sunsets, facing in the opposite direction, naturally.
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