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We left Western Maine and drove Northeast, to Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island on Maine's Eastern shore. You can see it on a map of Maine as a green blob sticking out into the Atlantic. Several folks had recommended it to us as we had traveled. So, we went. After setting up and gathering what information about the area we could, the girls took a quick swim, and we drove out to explore. First stop was a very small microbrewery -- just a 2 person operation. 
Bar Harbor Brewing Company is just Todd (below), who hand brews all 4,500 cases per year, and his wife Susan, who delivers them all. Todd and Susan conduct tours most days in the afternoon. It was really great -- I aspire to brew my own beer someday, and have read a bit on the subject, so I really picked Todd's brain. He had his entire brewery set up in his basement, and he brewed some mighty fine beers, which we got to sample. Jody and I have all but given up drinking alcohol; what with the vagaries of selling ordinances from state-to-state and county-to-county, and the cost, both in dollars and to our waistlines, we just stopped buying it in stores a month ago or so. It is now just a treat we allow ourselves from time to time, and this was one such.
On the beach at Acadia. Most of the island is constructed of the pink granite you see in the picture below. The little pebblehenge was already there, perhaps created by some prehistoric Acadians to clock the seasons. Or not.
Mists forming over a pond. As soon as we entered Maine we were constantly on moose watch. Never saw one there, though.
The beach was grand, although the water was a brisk 58 degrees. Jody and I opted for the former; the girls did both.
"I'll go if you'll go!"
After the beach we walked for a mile or so along the coastline.
That is the beach at which we spent the afternoon, in the background.
You can see the pink granite, and Jody's basket.
Hiking along the rocks.
Some spots were pretty difficult to traverse, and a bit scary for the adults. The kids just clambered about like mountain goats, fearlessly leaping chasms that went all the way to the water 40 feet below.
I think that this monk was just another tourist, visiting the beautiful spot, but in this picture she appears to be somehow presiding over or blessing the whole scene. Photo by Joya . We were all gathered at "Thunder Hole", a cave situated between the high and low tides lines, so that as the tide comes in, it fills and subsequently blasts out and upward a shower of water, spraying onlookers and making small children squeal with delight.
Joya, pressing up against the edges of safety, out on the wet rocks as the tide comes in.
Photo by Joya, again.
After a day at the beach in which I was slightly sunburned, the cooling afternoon breeze was chilling me, so I sought out a spot protected from the wind as we waited for the bus to arrive to take us back to the campground. The "Island Explorer" was a free, propane-powered bus service. We love public transit, especially when it is free.
On the bus back, Jordan lay on my lap, reading, and Jody snapped this picture. Jordan was reading "Worst Case Scenarios--Survival Handbook". We love to see Jordan reading for pleasure! We had a nearly perfect day at Acadia, finally understanding why people are so taken with the area.
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