Larry A. Smail's Blog

View from Cadillac Mountain.

Laurie and I just returned from a trip to Maine. We visited a number of sites from mountains to bays and harbors. We were on three cruises along Maine’s rugged coastline and ventured a little out into the Atlantic Ocean. We spent time on lobster boats watching the lobster fishermen gather and check his lobster traps.

 This entry details some of the Acadia National Park. More specifically this entry will deal with Cadillac Mountain.

Bar Harbor

Cadillac Mountain is a 1,530 foot high mountain located within the Acadia National Park. This mountain was formally known as Green Mountain, but later received the name from a French explorer named, well just take my word, his name had “Cadillac” in it. During the early tears of colonization of around 1534-1763 this area was part of New France.

The surface of the mountain consist primarily of a pinkish granite. The granite is everywhere. Vegetation is sparse, but spruce tees dominate the tree species.

The view from the mountain is breathtaking indeed. Many of Maines’ local islands are viewed form the top. Once one looks in another direction the infinitieth of the Atlantic Ocean is obvious. That view is eerie in one way since the next land mass to be found is thousands of miles away. I couldn’t help wondering how these men of exploration managed to move along those many miles in the boats of their times. remarkably brave men they were!

Far off the community of Bar Harbor is made known along the coast. Later, I ate a nice lobster in the community.

Low tide at Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor views are beautiful with the many boats and lobster boats either anchored or moving along. Tourism is the primary income of the community. Tourism is seasonal since many leave the area as winter approaches with closed shops.

The area is grandeur  as the million dollar summer homes are viewed. These homes are called cottages, but they are usually huge as what I would call mansions. The winters along Maine’s coast become very harsh. Oceanfront properties sell starting into the upper six figure range. Many of these  people are politicians, celebrities and other people of much wealth.

The winds on the peak were very strong. I had prepared with taking coats with me in case of such weather events. Amusingly, several Ravens were enjoying the winds. the black birds would appear to be stationary in flight. At times they came as close as thirty yards to me.

My lobster