June 11th, Monday – Tidal Falls, Acadia National Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, One More Sculpture

Today we awoke to a rather chilly day for us but normal for this time of year here in Maine, that being the mid 40’s.  The sun was up at 4:45 am bright as could be and the sky was a bright blue with not a cloud in sight.  The start of a picture-perfect day.  We don’t have much planned for today other than some shopping and a chiropractic appointment. This is because we’ll be getting ready to move tomorrow.  We’re going further north to Lubec, Maine and hope also to spend some time sight-seeing on Campobello Island in Canada.

Time now to get caught up on our travels from yesterday.  Yesterday started out slow but once we got going, we got going and we covered a lot of territory.  High on our list of places to visit was a local attraction we had heard a lot about called Tidal Falls located at the Tidal Falls Preserve.

Tidal Falls is located on the Taunton River between Sullivan and Hancock.  Here the Taunton River flows through a narrow constricted channel as it rushes out to Frenchman Bay.  If you arrive here about 2 hours before dead low tide you are treated to a spectacular display of nature.  The water rushes and roars and cascades over the rocks in the channel.  Officials caution one and all not to attempt traversing these waters in a canoe or kayak unless you are very experienced.  Take a look at what we saw that day.

 

Here’s a picture of the two of us with the Falls in the background.

We came back later in the day when the water was coming back in at high tide and though the current was still swift the drama of earlier was gone.  Yet, one must never forget just under the surface of this swirling water lurks the rocks that are ever present at low tide.

Here at the Falls is where we met Debbie shown here with Barbara.  Debbie

is a retired hair dresser, a proud grandmother of a 1 year old granddaughter who lives here in Maine, and has two sons who proudly served their country.  She shared with us that when one son finished his service, her other son was just beginning his tour of duty.   She is also part of a new church start and was quick to invite us to her church, an invitation we would have been more than happy to accept except for the fact that we will not be in the area next Sunday.  It was a real treat to spend some time with her and we’re so thankful that God brought us together.

Once we left here, we headed now to Acadia National Park and the Park Loop Road.  The 27-mile Park Loop Road connects Acadia’s lakes, mountains, and seashore – yes

seashore.  We wanted to collect more stamps for Barbara’s National Passport Book and we wanted to make a stop at Acadia’s seashore which is known as Sand Beach.  That indeed became our first stop.

Sand Beach, is nestled in a small inlet between the granite mountains and rocky shores of Mount Desert Island. This gorgeous beach is one of the most popular places on the island.  When we arrived, it was packed with cars not only in the parking lot but all along the road.  Regarding the beach itself, thousands of years of pounding surf created a beach that is largely comprised of shell fragments. I can tell you from personal

experience that the sand is very, very fine.  As for the water, the ocean temperature rarely exceeds 55 degrees in the summer and right now they are saying the temperature is in the mid 40’s.  For the last several days warnings have been issued regarding the dangers of swimming in such cold water.  Of course, I had to find out for myself how cold it really was so down to the water’s edge I went.  Yes, it is cold!

While here we met two more of God’s beautiful people, Ben and Sarah (hope I’m spelling your name correctly).  Both are retired college professors.  Get this, they sailed here from

Florida on their own sailboat like the one in this picture.

They are now temporarily moored in Southwest Harbor.  I mean how exciting is that!  This is not the first time they’ve ranged afar on their boat.  They have made several trips to the Bahamas and elsewhere.  They are mulling over perhaps staying here for the winter.  I wish them well but this is not where I would choose to spend my winter.  It was really wonderful speaking with them and listening to their story.  Another encounter and experience we will remember for a long time.

Leaving Sand Beach we now headed to the gift shop at Thunder Hole to collect yet another stamp for Barbara’s National Passport Book.

 

Finished here we continued on to Otter Point.  This is the wall that runs the length of the point.

And this is what it is like at Otter Point looking out over the water.

Words and pictures simply cannot do true justice to the beauty of this area.  The coastline is absolutely spectacular, all along the Park Loop Road the scenery is so

breathtaking.  Barbara and I both agree that this area is so clean, clear, and pristine.  To date we’ve not witnessed anything like it and we know we will never forget it.

One stamp down, two more to get today.  We would now leave the National Park Loop Road and make our way to Blackwoods Campground.

Again, not our cup of tea since this is off the grid camping, absolutely no hookups.  Yet it is also a popular stop.  This and Seawall were the first two campgrounds in Acadia and they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Great Depression.

Time to move on.  We motored on into Bar Harbor for the last stamp that we would be able to collect.  This last stamp was at the Park Ranger Station in Bar Harbor.

There are a total of 14 stamps for Acadia National Park.  We were able to collect a total of 10, two others are on islands that are not yet open for the tourist season, and two more are north of Lubic. So I believe we did a decent job to date of collecting what could be had.

One more task while in Bar Harbor and that was to find the last sculpture that we would be able to get during our time here.  It took some sleuthing but we eventually found it tucked away in a little park on a side road.  This Sculpture is called is called Tension and

was created by artist Songul Telek from Turkey  The artist described his work in this way:  My sculpture consists of two different structures. While moving in opposite directions they create a tension and being together they stay in balance.

So our time here is quickly coming to an end.  Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 12^th we move north where we hope to do some sightseeing on Campobello Island in Canada. 

Before closing out for the night I have to give a special word of thanks to Brock Mattson of Mattson Active Chiropractic .  When I first had problems with my back Barbara made numerous calls to chiropractors in the area.  Once they discovered we were vagabonds living full time in an RV, it was one excuse after another as to why they would not be able to see me.  Not Brock.   An appointment was made, two others after that, insurance information was taken, and treatment was begun.  Never, ever any pressure for payment up front just genuine concern for my welfare.  Yes, he has helped tremendously, I’m feeling 90% better and I’ll take that and give thanks to God for this caring healer and a man of deep Christian faith.  Barbara and I will both remember him and his genuine interest in me, first and foremost as a person.

Time now to say goodnight to one and all.  Supper is waiting, a nice pork roast, and we have some packing to do.  Our time in this area has been fantastic and we are leaving with many cherished memories not only of sights seen, history discovered, but also encounters with some truly beautiful people.  In closing, let me leave you with this thought to ponder:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before