Day 1: Touchdown in Maine – The Zen Den & Acadia Anticipation
After months of dreaming about coastal cliffs, pine-scented trails, and starry skies, our Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park adventure officially began today. We touched down in Bangor, Maine around 5:20 PM, greeted by golden-hour light and that unmistakable Northeast summer air—cool, clean, and full of promise.
Our car rental situation? A little unexpected. The only vehicle left was a minivan, which felt slightly off-brand for two adventure-loving travelers—but honestly, it’s been a blessing in disguise. Maine’s roads are wonderfully wide and easy to navigate, especially compared to some of the tighter coastal drives we’ve tackled on past trips. The extra space will be a bonus when we’re muddy, tired, and loaded up with trail snacks and hiking gear.
We made our way to Ellsworth, the last real stop before Bar Harbor, to stock up on groceries for the week. We rolled into Hannaford, not expecting sticker shock… but wow. We somehow managed to spend $92 on a modest grocery haul. From berries to basics, prices were higher than anticipated, and we couldn’t help but wonder if Shaw’s would’ve been any better. Probably not. Either way, we’re stocked up now and ready to eat in most nights—which, in retrospect, will help us balance splurging on other local treats.
From there, we drove the scenic stretch into Bar Harbor and arrived at our Airbnb for the week: a serene attic-style studio affectionately called the Zen Den, hosted by Patrick and Justin. It’s tucked above their home and feels like a peaceful little hideaway, with slanted ceilings, cozy lighting, and a sense of calm that immediately made us feel at home. The kind of place you can sit cross-legged on the floor with a cup of tea and plan your next great hike.
We kept things simple tonight—ate our groceries, unpacked a little, and called it an early night. The alarm is set for 5:30 AM, and we’re buzzing with excitement for our first full day in Acadia National Park tomorrow. Trails, tide pools, and maybe even a sunrise summit—we’re ready for whatever Maine throws at us.
Let the journey begin. 🌲🌊
Day 2 🏞️ Acadia in Overdrive: From Rungs to Ray-Bans to Freezing Our Butts Off
Wake-up time: Painfully early (5:10 AM)
Steps taken: Too many to count. My legs filed a complaint.
We kicked off the day with a bleary-eyed 5:10 AM wake-up call to make our 6:30 AM timed entry to Cadillac Mountain Summit. Running on caffeine and optimism, we hit the road—only to realize we’d left our park pass behind. 😅 Thankfully, the ranger didn’t ask for it at the gate. Crisis averted. Cadillac was nice, but honestly? It didn’t blow our minds. Pretty? Yes. Worth a sunrise wake-up? Debatable.
After that, we zipped back to our Airbnb (just 15 minutes away — pro tip: stay close to the park!) to grab our tripod and the forgotten pass, then headed back out, more caffeinated and slightly less chaotic.
We parked near Sand Beach, although not close enough for Jesse’s liking (his review: “too far, would not recommend”). From there, we admired the beach’s morning stillness before tackling The Beehive Trail — aka Nature’s Obstacle Course for Type-A Hikers.
Let’s just say we didn’t realize it was a vertical playground of death until we were halfway up. Iron rungs, steep granite faces, and sheer drop-offs—oh my. Thankfully, I had my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses on, so I looked cool while mildly panicking. Bonus: Sabbath blasting in my ears really got me in the “climb or die” spirit. And yes, the glasses captured some epic photos and videos — hands-free proof that we survived.
After a well-earned exhale at the top and a less-death-defying descent via The Bowl Trail, we rolled into the Ocean Path Trail and then transitioned into Gorham Mountain Trail. That trail was chef’s kiss — stunning views, a perfect balance of effort and reward, and mercifully fewer vertical metal surprises.
By mid-afternoon, we were back at Sand Beach, where we braved the 50°F Atlantic waters. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be slapped by Poseidon’s iced latte — this was it. 🥶 A quick dip, a blissful 45-minute beach chill, and then it was back to the car and back home for a power nap (highly recommended).
But we weren’t done yet.
Recharged, we set out for the Jordan Pond Path — a tranquil loop around one of the park’s most iconic spots. No ladders. No cliffs. Just peace, water views, and a lot of people wondering if they should get a popover (we skipped the lines).
For dinner, we hit up Thaiconic, where we shared the Cashew Nut Stir-Fry and Vegan Delight. Both were delicious, and the service was quick and friendly. If you’re looking for vegan-friendly options near Bar Harbor, this spot’s a winner. Five stars and full bellies.
To wrap the night, we debated the Bass Harbor Lighthouse run — but with limited parking and long odds, we decided to skip the potential traffic jam and head home by 7 PM.
• Cadillac Summit at sunrise: Worth it if skies are clear, but don’t forget your pass (or your coffee). Additionally, you need a car permit May through October, which you can get on NPS here (you can also get your park pass here).
• Beehive Trail: Not for the faint of heart. If you’re afraid of heights, skip it — or bring a Sabbath playlist and questionable judgment.
• Ray-Ban Meta glasses: A+ for music and capturing the adventure hands-free.
• Sand Beach parking: Fill up by 7:30 AM — the earlier the better.
• Jordan Pond: Great for a chill end-of-day stroll. Bring bug spray.
• Thaiconic: Fast, tasty, and vegan-friendly. Go early to beat the dinner rush.
• Freezing water dips: Optional but weirdly revitalizing. 10/10 would scream again.
Total trails tackled: 5
Near-death experiences: 1
Regrets: Zero
Day 3: Bar Harbor Diaries: Ladders, Lighthouses, and a Burrito That Broke the Bank
Today was one of those days where the weather app lied, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Forecast: torrential rain. Reality: sunny-ish until 3pm. Maine, you sneaky little charmer.
We kicked off the morning with the Beech Cliff Ladder Trail—or as we like to call it, “Adventure Lite.” We actually did it in reverse, starting with the Beech Cliff Trail and descending the infamous ladders instead of climbing up them. Was it cheating? Possibly. Was it easier? Definitely. Would we do it again that way? Without a doubt. Our quads said thank you.
As we hiked, we were treated to stunning views of Echo Lake from above. Think shimmering water, moody skies, and the occasional glimmer of sun peeking out like it had just remembered we exist. Along the way, we stumbled upon wild blueberries—nature’s reward for being outdoorsy. (Pro tip: only eat them if you really know what blueberries look like. This isn’t the place for berry roulette.)
After the hike, we made a pit stop back at our Airbnb to do what any self-respecting adventurer would do after scaling cliffs and dodging imaginary rainstorms: nap.
Refreshed and slightly groggy, we rallied for our afternoon outing to Bass Harbor. First stop: the iconic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Fair warning: everyone else had the same idea. We waited in a line of cars for about 25 minutes to snag a parking spot. Bring patience… or snacks.
Once parked and lighthouse’d, we moseyed over to the Ship Harbor Trail, a scenic, easy-going loop that hugs the rocky coastline. The air smelled like sea salt and pine needles—basically what fancy candles are trying to imitate. It’s a lovely, flat stroll with panoramic ocean views, perfect for stretching out post-ladder legs.
Lunch was served… in the minivan, naturally. Nothing says coastal cuisine like peanut butter sandwiches eaten off your lap while looking at pine trees.
We took it easy for a bit back at the apartment before heading out to Casa Jalisco in Ellsworth. The food was tasty, the margaritas were satisfying, and the bill was… unexpectedly ambitious for a burrito and a drink. (We now call it the “gold burrito.”)
On the way back, we made a quick stop at Shaw’s, where we picked up Ugandan dark chocolate (yes, we’re that kind of fancy now) and some ibuprofen for Jesse, whose hips are currently filing a formal complaint about all the hiking.
We ended the night curled up with a movie at our Airbnb, happy, tired, and just a little sore in places we didn’t know could get sore.
Tips from the Trail:
• Do the Beech Cliff Trail before the ladders for an easier descent and fewer crowds.
• Wild blueberries = yes. Mystery berries = hard no.
• Parking at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is limited. Go early or prepare for a little wait.
• Ship Harbor Trail is great for a breezy, beautiful walk with ocean views and very low effort.
• Casa Jalisco is solid, but if you’re on a budget, maybe skip the margarita flight.
• Always carry ibuprofen if you’re hiking multiple days in a row—especially if your hips are as opinionated as Jesse’s.
