2026 RT Bar Harbor

Hello from Downeast Maine!

We left Falk and Svenni at the Halifax airport and headed to Saint John, NB (not to be confused with St. John, NL!!!)

We had more Bay of Fundy (BOF) tidal experiences on the schedule, the Reversing Rapids specifically. So, as you know, the tides in BOF are the highest on earth. The Saint John River empties into the BOF so it too is impacted by the tides. We visited the river three times in one day to see High Tide, Slack Tide and Low Tide. 

Here is High Tide when the water is going inland (toward the right):

Slack Tide is the twenty minute period where the river goes still before it reverses flow. This is when boats more easily go between the river/lake system and the BOF.

Low Tide here, all the water is rushing back towards the BOF (to the left).

Does the river really have a direction of flow? I would say No, half the time it is one way, half the other. Neither dominates. Exhausting really. We saw birds and a seal at high tide dining on the fish being swept up river. 

In between tides we got a massage to soothe the tired muscles. It was wonderful! We have walked a lot and have driven many, many miles (5,400) - it does wear on the (old) body.

We also went to check out Moosehead 🫎 Brewery. We took the tour - it was very good! We learned that the brewery was started by a lady from England way back 159 years ago. Of course she couldn't own the business but she was the brains behind the operation! When her husband (the owner) died she was in a jam because she still couldn't own it (the fragile ego of men - smh) so she had to sell her business!!!! Happily some years later her family was able to buy it back. Good grief!

Moosehead is owned and operated by the sixth generation of her family to this day! The brains behind the brew:

Copper vat, no longer used.

Fresh off the canning line:

In reaction to the tariffs they are still sending beer to the US but they are losing money doing it. They need to hang on to their shelf space. 😢 

The beer was good and we got to taste some before it was pasteurized, that tasted even better!

The place we stayed was comfortable and the breakfast was delicious. It was a garden apartment (this means a half-basement) that required us to go through four doors three of them with their own unique lock/key. Carsten felt like Maxwell Smart! Door 4 of 4. LOL

On Friday we crossed the border back into the US. It was simple, just don't be trying to bring PEI potatoes with you! 

Our first stop: Acadia NP which has two sections. We explored the  Schoodic Peninsula part of the Park.

It was not crowded and the scenes were gorgeous. A good start to the National Park.

On Saturday we had a 9:00 a.m. reservation to drive up to Cadillac Mountain in the main part of the park. This is the highest point within 25 miles of the Atlantic Coast from Canada to Mexico. It ain't that high - 1,530 ft. Still, it was pretty.

Next we headed down to Ocean View Trail. This is a very popular trail, if you are looking for solitude this is not for you! It is a gorgeous coastline.

Lower Hadlock Lake trail is up next (are you tired yet?!?!)

Sunday morning we hiked (the very disappointing) Jordan Pond Trail. The first 250 yards were interesting-ish but the next three MILES were boring, boring, boring. Crowded and boring. The last mile was all on one-way 1/2 log platform trails. We had to dodge oncoming hikers by timing the bump-outs. Disappointed 😞.

Headed to Bar Harbor after this for food and some light shopping. 

How about some bacon-wrapped scallops!? Yum!

On Monday morning we had a tour on a lobster boat. This two hour boat ride was fantastic!!! For sure a top-5 activity!!

We gathered at 8:45 and departed at 9:00. First we learned a lot about lobstering and actually watched the captain gaff the buoy and bring up a lobster trap with 3 lobsters inside! 

Me after I banded the lobster. Basically put a rubber band around its claw so it cannot pinch us.

A lobster boat

Some fun facts about lobsters we learned:

 

Lobster have two different claws. One closes fast, the other closes more slowly but with more pounds of pressure. Think "grabber" and "crusher". 

Lobsters produce/fertilize about 90-100,000 eggs in a cycle. These are flipped off into the water and on average only ONE is born! If they had better odds than that, I think lobster would be cheaper!

Lobster traps have to be checked at least every other day. If the trapped lobster eat all the bait in the bait sack they will begin to nibble on each other. This is year-round work for the lobstermen.

In Maine they can only take the lobster if its body is between 3.5 to 5" long. The bigger lobster are reproducing and have to be thrown back. Smaller lobster have better tasting meat. If you want more lobster you should order two, rather than one big one.

In general, male lobster have more meat in their claws/legs, female have more in their body.

We already knew this: lobster is delicious!

I didn't bother eating the fries or slaw but the lobster roll was to die for!

After dealing with the lobster the boat ride continued to a lighthouse where two kinds of seals hang out (it is the year of the seals for us!).

All the white snouts peeking up:

Our guide said they have their seals two ways: "straight up or on the rocks". There were none on the rocks when we were there. All were in the water. We also saw a bald eagle and many cormorant. It was just a fabulous tour!

Oh, the lighthouse:

The bald eagle.

After the tour we drove over to the Western part of the island to check out some other parts of the National Park.

Our lunch companion:

Beautiful shoreline.

Lighthouse:

Q: Maine has the second most lighthouses , which state in the US has more?? (answer below)

This was our final day on Mount Desert Island. We really enjoyed our time exploring the island and Acadia.

The place we stayed was interesting, great location, nice and quiet. The weird thing was there was a microwave and fridge but nothing else. No plates, cups, cutlery, nothing. What would one even microwave? How would you eat it? It was sold as a sort of kitchenette but it was seriously lacking!

Next stop is New Hampshire!

Sheri and Carsten 

A: Michigan!!!

PS - just so you don't think everything goes perfectly for us - I have a cold or allergies, not sure which - just know that my head is super stuffy! Ugh!