"Our...

...battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”

-Jack Kerouac

49 states down, 1 to go.  We did a lot of reminiscing this week about all of our past vacations.  I find it incredible looking back and realizing just how much we've seen and experienced.  There's an entire world out there to explore and most people barely get out of their backyard.  Looking forward, I cannot wait to continue this tradition with my kids to give them the opportunity of seeing things from different point of views and jumping out of the bubble everyone seems to be finding themselves in.

I honestly feel so fortunate and blessed to have had all of these opportunities.  Some people think we're crazy, but we're just trying to make the most out of life.

 

"People...

...travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.”
-Dagobert D. Runes






Friday, Day 5
There's a little island not too far from Bar Harbor that is accessible by foot during low tide.  The boys decided that they wanted to venture over there and check it out.  I was sunburned, my body was exhausted, and I had no desire in exploring areas that probably looked near identical to everything else we had seen.  As everyone headed to the island, I went back to the hotel and took care of some Hillel stuff.  Naturally, the room hadn't been cleaned yet so I was stuck outside for awhile waiting for the nice little lady to do her thing. Which then led to Jon making a meme out of my situation.  As Jon would say...<facepalm>.  Anywayyy


When everyone came back, we headed down to lunch and then split ways.  The males went back to the room for naps and such while my mom and I shopped around and took pictures of the town.  Found a dress that my boobs actually fit in.  Woooo.  For dinner we went to this really cute place with the funniest bathrooms.  After dinner my mom and I ran in there with our cameras and had a field day.  On the way back we stopped in an ice cream place (typical end to every day this week).  The people working there were extremely friendly.  They also have chalkboards up that people can write on...that never get erased.  We had some great conversations talking about other customers who come in and about our vacations.  It was the perfect end to a great week.


Pics!

Bar Harbor

Kayaks

My kind of water bowl!

Lobsters everywhereeeee

Napping boys

The epic bathroom pictures begin...

Just chillin' in a toilet

The stall doors

Outside of the restaurant

The epic chalkboard

Daniel's attempt at Hebrew

"Tourists...

...don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”
-Paul Theroux






Thursday, Day 4
You guessed it.  We started the day with more hiking!  Woke up semi early (relative to the rest of the trip) and headed down to the Beehive Trail.  Mike's girlfriend was the one who suggested we check this one out.  Needless to say, we cursed her the entire time.  This trail is 0.8 miles long, but it takes you up 520 feet.  There are iron rungs inserted into the rock to assist in the climb up (and to give you something to hold onto so you don't fall off the ledge).  I made it close to the top when I completely froze and decided it was time to head back down.  When I was able to manage the shaking, I started going down only to find out it was a one way trail.  A super nice man was helping my mom up (she freaked out wayyy before me) and provided enough encouragement to get us to the top.


Upon successfully making it back to earth, we...as my mom put it...pooped on the beach.  It sucked.  A seagull ate half my sandwich, right out of my hand, and I got super sun burned.  But then we went back to town and checked out the brewery.  Got to taste their beers and wines.  But then we went on a 2 hour boat tour. It sucked.  I hate boats with a burning passion.  More like a nauseating passion, but whatever.


All in all, I ended the day feeling quite accomplished.  And that's really all that matters.


Pics!

Loving every second of this climb

Walking over a grate, listening to the pebbles fall far below

Climbing up the ladders

Batman? Pocahontas? Delirium?

Sandy Beach, from wayyy up

The look of accomplishment

Spotted on the walk back down

The view from the ground

"I want the trail sign in the picture!"
-Dad while taking the above shot...with the sign included

"Journeys...

...have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
-Martin Buber




Wednesday, Day 3
Today we hiked some more!  And then made a visit to Jordan Pond.  It's been a tradition since the 1800s to enjoy tea and popovers while looking out at the North and South Bubble Mountains.  But first, we hiked.  There's a 3ish mile loop around the pond with the option of going up the side of the South Bubble Mountain.  Naturally, we went up.  It's the second tallest mountain in the park with its summit at 768 feet.  Wasn't so sure I was going to make it, but the adrenaline kicked in and next thing you know we were on top looking out at the rest of the park.  Words can't describe the feeling you get seeing that kind of view knowing it was only made possible because of the work you put into getting there.


The descent back down was much easier (took a different trail down the back of the mountain) and eventually made it back to the pond...where we still had another 1.5 miles to get back to where we started.  We ate lunch at the restaurant there and had the most delicious popovers.  Definitely worth the hike.

Pics!

???

Typical

Around Jordan Pond- Beaver?

Hiking up the South Bubble

The View from the Top