Acadia National Park

Portland Lighthouse Cruise

Bar Harbor Sand Bar

Cadillac Mountain Panoramic VIew

Bar Harbor Vacation

Wednesday the 14th after work I came home a grabbed my bags and Needles and we headed to Indianapolis to the Microtel and did the park, sleep and fly for our vacation. We went to Kazablanka for our supper and I had the Kuesadilla and Needles had the BLT. We returned to our room and prepared for our travel day.

Day One: Thursday at 5:45 am we had a shuttle to the airport to get checked in and begin our trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. We arrived and went through the customary security checks. We sat and waited for our flight to board. The flight was uneventful as you would hope to happen on your flight. Our first lay over was Reagan International Airport and because we weren't familiar with the layout led us to have to go through security again to arrive at the other concourse to get to our next flight. We again had an uneventful flight to our destination and quickly picked up our bags and made it to the rental car counter for our reserved car. They gave us a brand new Nissan Altima with about 200 miles on the thing. We grabbed the fob, no keys and was on the road and heading North on Highway 1. We had planned to make a few stops on the way to Bar Harbor but we were pressed for time. We stopped for lunch at Wicked Good Captain's Fresh Idea Restaurant in Waldoboro, Maine. Needles tried to have a Salmon Salad but they were out of salmon which kinda detracted from the visit so she went with a Grilled Chicken Breast Salad. I had their Lobster Roll. The meals were good and we set back on the road. Our next stop was Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Bristol, Maine. We entered the park and roamed the grounds before again making our way northward to our final destination. We arrived a Bar Harbor and The Saltair Inn at around 6pm and met our Innkeepers Matt and Kristi. Matt showed us around and showed us to our room. The Cottage room was just the right size with an average size bathroom. The neat thing about the room was the spa tub with disco lights. It had a button that would turn on the light in the tub. Every time you pushed the button the lights would change color and then the final push would make the colors shift through all of them. We settled in just long enough to put some of our things away and head out for supper. Our hungry stomachs lead us to The Thirsty Whale. Needles had the Whale Salad with Salmon. I had the Blacked Haddock Fish and Chips. The meals were good and after looking around at a few shops we ended up in Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium. We both had a double scoop on a waffle cone and went on to the B&B. We turned in early because we had to be up before breakfast for our whale watching trip with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company.

Day Two: Friday when we showed up for our cruise we were told that the cruise was cancelled due to rough seas. We rescheduled for the 1pm trip and headed back toward the Inn. On our way back, we ventured out on the sand bar that only comes out twice a day when the tide is out. It was very interesting to see all the shells and rocks on the bar. The seagulls were picking up mussels and dropping them from several feet up on the rocks to break open their shells for a meal. Sometime the shells were dropped so close that it sounded like light bulbs being broken all around. We went back to the Inn to grab the car and headed to Thunder hole in Acadia National Park. After a short visit there and then headed back into town for our 1pm whale watch. We called to confirm and were told things were a go, we arrived to see tons of people in line waiting to board the boat. At the last second the trip was called off yet again due to rough seas. We heard that this was the third day in a row they called the trip off. We were a bit disappointed but this is why I scheduled the trip early in our vacation. We again rescheduled for Sunday since we had a Nature Cruise aboard the Acadia with the same company on Saturday and was told since it stays in the Harbor it shouldn't be cancelled. We had lunch at Geddy's with Needles having the Fish and Chips and I had the Crab Meat Roll. We also walked the shore path along the edge of Bar Harbor that ended up taking us to a path that led to Main Street and Mount Desert Ice Cream where again we both picked up a couple of cones from the Ice Cream Shop that served a couple of scoops to President Barrack Obama just a few months ago. That evening we went to Rosalie's Pizza and Needles and I both had the Pepperoni and Cheese Calzone. They were very good and filling. We walked back down town and went through a few more shops before returning back to the Inn.

Day Three: Saturday morning we were able to have breakfast at the Inn. We had a Quiche and Herb Potatoes which was very good. We then made our way back downtown for our Nature Tour. We headed around the north coast of Bar Harbor and was told about the history and stories of the island. The view of the coast was very beautiful and watching the waves crashing on the rock cliffs was mesmerizing. We made it to Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park and made the turn to Egg Rock Lighthouse. We got close enough to see a few gray seals bobbing around in the surf. We went by several other islands on our return trip back to the harbor. We learned about lobster fishing and also saw a bald eagle in a tree near the edge of one of the islands. We also learned about some of the families that call some of these private islands home. When we got back from our trip we went to West Street Cafe. Needles had the Salmon and I had the Crabcakes. This was my favorite seafood meal in Bar Harbor. It was served with a horseradish sauce with totally made the dish. After the meal we grabbed the car and headed back out to Acadia and to Otter Point. Just setting and watching the water was relaxing and peaceful. We ventured deeper into the park making our way up Cadillac Mountain which is the first point that sunlight touches in North America every morning for three months of the year. The view from Cadillac was amazing and you could see almost the whole island from that spot. After a bit of a drive we ended up at South West Harbor and Bass Harbor Lighthouse. We headed back to Bar Harbor and that night we had a craving for Chinese food so we walked to the only Chinese place in Bar Harbor, China Joy. Needles had the Chicken and Vegetables and I had the General Tso's. This was probably some of the best General Tso's I have had in a while. We returned to the Inn with our bellies full and satisfied.

Day Four: Sunday, we started the morning off with breakfast at the Inn. Baked Pairs and Herb Scrambled Eggs with Bree and Chicken Sausage. After the meal we were energized to set out on our day after a brief walk along the sand bar we made our way to our whale watch trip. We boarded the AtlantiCat and set off some 20ish miles off shore to an area they call the ballfield. This area is where the ocean depth drops off and is where plankton seem to be and also the whales. We spotted a few harbor porpoise on the way out to the area and before long we we had a mother and her calf near the boat. The calf put on quite a show with its flipper and tail flapping and also a few breeches. The front and left side of the boat seemed to get the better show and of course we were on the right side so what we saw was amazing but somewhat limited as compared to some of the others. After spending a lot of the time with the mother (Victim)and calf we also happened upon a group of four adults (Sword, Spoon, Atlas and Anchor) that promptly split into two groups of two. I think we saw anywhere from six to ten whales total. When we got back to shore we went to Stewman's for lunch. Needles had the salmon with asparagus and I had The Pier House Catch. This was another spot that the POTUS had stopped in. We then returned to Acadia and stopped in a Schooner head overlook and to the sea cave. For supper we went to Poor Boy's Gourmet where Needles had the Salmon and I had the Lobster Poor Boy. Not my favorite meal. On the way back to the Inn we stopped a CJ's Big Dipper Ice Cream.

Day Five: Monday, French Toast for breakfast at the Inn and we were free from any scheduled activities so we hiked across the sand bar to the summit of Bar Island and then spent the day at Acadia. We decided to park the car a Otter Point and walk the Ocean Path to Sandy Beach 3 miles away. The scenic view and awesome overlooks was amazing along the way. When we got to Sandy Beach we walked back to Thunder Hole and await the hour that activity seems to be at its peak. Unfortunately it seems that activity is really at its peak in Jan. and Feb. We returned to our car and back to the Inn and went to Testa's for supper. Needles had the Salmon Salad and I had the Maine Lobster Newburgh. After some last minute souvenir shopping the sun was going down so Needles made hot chocolate and we enjoyed the warm mugs while setting in the Adirondack chairs in the back yard watching the fading light of the sun.

Day Six: Tuesday, Blueberry Pancakes with Sausage and Biscuits was on the breakfast menu. This was our last morning in Bar Harbor and we packed up our things and headed back to Portland. We had plans of stopping in at a few places along the way.

We stopped at several lighthouses. Grindle Point, Indian Head, Rockland Breakwater and Marshall Point to name a few and also the LL Bean flag store in Freeport, Maine. We had to get the rental car back by 5 pm so we made it there with about 20 minutes to spare. We called the shuttle to pick us up and take us the the Holiday Inn by the Bay. After checking in we decided to eat in the Lounge and grabbed a couple of Angus Burgers with a side of fries. We retired to the room and prepared for a busy day with a freezing cold dip in the hotel pool.

Day Seven: Wednesday was to be very busy and the last day of our vacation. We started the morning off with watching the sun come up in Portland Harbor and then searching for breakfast. Since Portland seems to be a sleepy town we ended up at a Dunkin Donuts as it was the only thing open at that hour. We made our way to Long Wharf were the Portland Discovery is that runs the Land and Sea Tour we had scheduled. We boarded our Trolley and headed out for the Land part of the tour. We were told some of the history of Portland and some of the historical events that had happened. We also got to see some very nice homes and made a trip out to Portland Head Lighthouse where we ran into an artist and author that was at Nubble Lighthouse the last time we were in Maine. I kicked myself for not purchasing a print from him then, so in the short time we had left at the stop Needles purchased a print for me. This made the land trip very special and I never thought I would get a second chance at meeting with the artist and purchasing a print . The Artists name is Bill Thompson and he sells the customized prints and books to raise money for upkeep and restoration of the lighthouses. After the land part of the trip we got aboard the Islander for the sea portion of the tour. We sailed by several lighthouses, scenic coastlines and some of the island communities in Portland Harbor. We again learned a little about lobster fishing andthe history of the fortifications in the harbor during wartime in the past and more recently World War 2. When we got back to land we quickly looked for something to eat and settled on Andy's Old Port Pub. Needles had the Fish and Chips and I had the Lobster Melt. After our lunch we hiked up the hill past Shipyard Brewery to the Portland Observatory. We joined a tour already in progress to try to fit several things into the remainder of our last day in Portland. It was interesting to hear the history of the Observatory and the restoration process. We spent a little time at the observation deck and then headed down and walked down Commerce Street to a few yarn and fiber shops to scratch Needles itch. We then proceeded toward Henry Wadsworth Longfellows home. We went to the Cryptozoology Museum before calling it a day and stopping only to take a few pictures of the Victorian Mansion on way back to the Hotel. When we got to the room we decided to go out for supper and just a bock way was the Dogfish Bar & Grill. Needles had the Grilled Turkey Cobb Salad and I had the Seafood Sliders. Let me say they were AWESOME. By far the best meal I had for the trip. I guess they saved the best for last.

Day Eight: Thursday, travel day and back toward home. We left out of the Hotel at 5:30am to catch our shuttle back to the Portland Airport. We flew to Philadelphia Airport and changed planes to get to Indianapolis. We picked up our bag and headed to the shuttle pickup area and back to the car. On our way home we stopped at Wendy's for a burger and chicken nuggets. We had to do a quick grocery stop before we could finally make it home. The cats were glad to see us although a bit skiddish and meowy. Lets just say the duel litter boxes was very well used in our absents. We had a great time and one of these days we will be going back to Maine. It's just the way life should be.

Where were you?

I was standing in the waiting room of Daviess County Hospital in Washington, IN. My first patient hadn't showed up yet and I was watching the waiting room T.V. showing one of the twin towers on fire. It's the day my world changed. All of our worlds changed. I will never forget.

Sumner Fall Festival Parade 2011

Weekend in Kentucky

This Labor Day weekend we headed South after work to spend the weekend in Kentucky with my family. Friday night we spent the evening talking and catching up. Aunt "R" and Grandma came over to visit and see the video of Needles and myself's travels and in no time they were going home and it was time to go to bed. Saturday we headed into Central City for the Car Show.

It was neat seeing some of the old cars and I think my Dad said he at one time or another owned several cars like the ones at the show.

After the show we went to Island, Ky. for an Island Burger. We got back and relaxed for the evening.

Sunday we stayed home except for a Dairy Queen run. I had the new Peanut Butter Bash and it was good but I don't ever need another one. Needles and I made a couple of laps in the back forty in the golf cart. Monday came too fast and before long it was time to head back North and home. The weekend was nice and it was good to have the extra time with my family. Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.