Usalola’s Weblog

Where we loved Yellowstone Ntl. Park for the sheer scope of the land and its truly “western” feel (buffalo, rich-colored grasses, etc..) I truly fell in love with Acadia Ntl. Park for completely opposite reasons. The New England coastline, also cradled by an ocean like out west, has a rugged, raw, pine-tree-surrounded feel. It is only 35,000 acres, and the only National park east of the Mississippi. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who summered in the area, bought and later donated the land on which the park sits. In addition to not only donating the land, he constructed these AMAZING carriage trails – all 45 miles of them! We had a blast cruising all the trails (yes, we did them all!) and there was hardly another person around.

Lovin' those carriage trails

 
We spent 2 days riding the trails, and 1 day hiking to the top of Cadillac mountain – an 8.5 mile hike round trip. Great views of the entire area. We reluctantly left Acadia, but before we did, we rode our bikes around Skoodic Point – a part of Acadia, yet about a 45mile car ride away. This area is a one-way-around the island for cars and bikes, and has no camping facilities, so it was deserted mid-week. What a joy – perfect weather and absolutely stunning scenery. It is definitely a must if you go to the park.

hiking Cadillac mountain

We headed down the coast and stayed in Bar Harbor – a chic summer resort area. Enjoyed my first whole lobster of the trip- great if I could have just figured out how to eat it without making a complete mess…

 We continued our trip towards Boston, stopping at many quaint (!) towns and lighthouses for window shopping and a lobster roll (or two!).

Having no actual recollection of seeing Boston as a kid (just my dad swearing at all the one-way roads as we circled the city..) I was really looking forward to it. We found a place to park the rig in the city (practically unheard of), and made our way to the North End. Perfect timing that we arrived around lunchtime – time for a cannoli.!!! We happened upon Mike’s Bakery, and by the size of the crowd, we knew we’d come to the right place- and did we ever. Glenn & I both say it was the best cannoli we ever had. Screw lunch, we now were on a sugar high to tour the city. We made our way past the Old North church (you know the story – Paul Revere yells from the top of the church “the British are coming – repeat”, yada,yada,yada..) to his (Paul’s) house for a tour, Faneuil Hall, followed the freedom trail (2.5 miles) and worked ourselves up an appetite walking the hilly cobblestone streets of Beacon hill. NOW it was time for lunch, so we made our way back to the North End – no, not for another cannoli, although tempting, but to a small,dark restaurant called Carmen for some good italian food.

Beacon Hill

 Having conquered Boston, we’re on the way to Newport, Rhode Island to do some mansion-gawking and hang out with my BFF, Melanie.