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  • The Wandering Walkers

2024 New England Adventure

An open-ended adventure by The Wandering Walkers Read more
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    Momo’s Cheesecakes

    July 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    We couldn’t resist the call of the 24/7 cheesecake haven the cider owner mentioned; so off we went! It’s basically a little farmhouse that feels like it’s out in middle of nowhere, serving up some of the best cheesecakes with toppings that would make a sundae bar jealous. We walked in and were greeted by a wall of grocery-style refrigerators, each one packed with cheesecakes sporting every topping you can imagine—seriously, if you’ve thought of it, they probably have it. They even had gluten-free options, because cheesecake dreams are for everyone! And just to make things even more charming, there were post-it notes from customers all over the place, sharing their love and cheesecake confessions!

    But here’s the kicker—it operates 24/7 on a good old-fashioned honor system. That’s right, you grab your cheesecake, drop your cash in a box or pay via Venmo, and you’re good to go. No staff, no fuss, just trust and tasty treats. Naturally, we couldn’t resist, so we each grabbed a slice. They were pretty darn good—though at $8.50 a pop, these cheesecakes definitely come with a side of indulgence!
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  • Bon Vent Cider

    July 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Did someone say “Cider Tasting?” Yes, you heard that right! We traded in the wine glasses for cider mugs and embarked on a quest to this roadside cider brewery that was so small, you might need a magnifying glass to find it. This place takes "locally sourced" to a whole new level, foraging apples from nearby public and private lands. No apple tree in the area is safe from their harvest! We sampled a few, and even had a glass of their blueberry concoction, which was surprisingly good. The owner—who clearly knows the local foodie scene—tipped us off about a 24/7 cheesecake joint. Yes, you read that right too —cheesecake around the clock. Our dessert plans just got an upgrade!Read more

  • Schoodic Peninsula

    July 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    On this delightfully dreary and fabulously foggy day, we decided to venture into the witness protection program's favorite spot in Acadia National Park—the Schoodic Peninsula. With next to no other visitors around, we had the foggy wilderness practically to ourselves. We spent the day driving through woods that could double as a set for a suspense movie, checking out the campground, and exploring harbors that seemed to be hiding from us. As for the sights—well, we’re pretty sure they were there somewhere… just hiding behind the thick wall of fog!Read more

  • Lunch at Mother’s Kitchen

    July 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    After a long day yesterday, we decided to embrace this dreary, cool day to catch up on things.

    In the afternoon, we drove over to Mother's Kitchen, lured by the promise of their legendary sandwiches and desserts. Unfortunately, they were already sold out of desserts! 😕 Beth, in her infinite wisdom, chose a seat right next to a bunch of flowers and bumblebees! 🐝 Just as we were bracing for a picnic full of buzzing, a table opened up! We moved faster than you can say "bee allergy" to ensure our lunch remained human-exclusive. The sandwiches were pretty good, but let’s just say the legend might be slightly exaggerated.

    On our way back to camp, we stopped at a barber shop for a quick haircut for Don. More buzzing, but this time from clippers! 😂 Then it was off to Walmart to stock up on groceries. Because who doesn’t love a romantic shopping spree under the fluorescent lights of Walmart?
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  • Sweets, Sunsets & Fireworks

    July 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    OMG! Did someone just drop us in a Hallmark movie?! Just look at this setting!

    Yay us! We arrived early enough to snag a prime spot for the fireworks. No crowded front (thanks to the bushes) or back (thanks to the sidewalk that needs to stay clear). We're all settled in to watch the sunset and enjoy a beverage or two before the fireworks. So, off Don goes to the Bar Harbor Inn to grab those said beverages!

    Now, picture this: Don's got his drink in hand, strutting back like he’s just won the lottery. Suddenly, he's stopped. He's informed that he can't take his drink off the premises due to Maine's strict laws! 😳 He has no clue that Beth's phone is almost dead and on airplane mode. 😳 So what does Don do? He texts Beth—no answer. He calls her—still no answer! What's a guy gonna do? Well, for starters, he's gonna grab that newly available seat and enjoy his drink, hoping to telepathically summon Beth. Maybe he should've taken up mime school after all.

    Meanwhile, Beth is scanning the horizon like a pirate looking for lost treasure. "Where's Don? Did he get lost? Did he join a secret society at the Inn?" And then, like a cheesy romance novel, she spots him on the balcony of the Bar Harbor Inn, waving like he's trying to land a plane!🤣

    Beth makes her way to the balcony, and after Don dramatically recounts his heroic struggle against Maine's beverage laws, we decide to stay and enjoy a few more drinks before the fireworks. After all, we can see our seats, and we're in a Hallmark setting—our chairs are basically sacred now! People around us start talking about food, and even though we hadn't planned on it, we had to check out the menu. And no, it wasn't Don who wanted dessert... Beth just HAD to have the Dark Chocolate Blood Orange Mousse Bomb! It was sooooooooo divine! Don swears he saw angels singing as it was served. The evening just keeps getting better.

    Don's luck is in full swing today! A front-row table on the balcony just opened up, so we're watching the fireworks from there, drinks in hand! What a fantastic show and evening! Don’s practically glowing with pride.

    Oh, and our chairs? They were just fine! No one sat in them, but I'm sure the folks around them thought it was odd that they sat empty all night without a trace of their owners! They probably thought we were ghosts or had mastered the art of invisibility. 🤣😂🤣
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  • The Loft Raw Bar & Seafood Lounge

    July 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Did someone say dinner time!?! The menu at the hostess stand looked delicious, and the hostess assured us it wasn’t crowded. So, we decided to check it out! We ordered a shareable called the “Volcano.” What is a “Volcano,” you ask? It’s a Maine roll (tempura shrimp & cream cheese) smothered in warm Jonah crab, drizzled with a trio of sauces, tobiko roe, and onion crunch.

    Not sure what we thought we were getting, but we both did a double-take when it arrived. Neither of us expected sushi! And Beth just loves sushi… NOT! Luckily, this dish is a type of sushi Beth WILL eat, and it was delicious!! YUMMY!! 😋 The Wild Maine Blueberry Vodka Seltzer wasn’t too shabby either!

    Now, back to the Jeep to grab our chairs and scout a spot to watch the fireworks! 🎇 💥 🎇

    Check out the last picture! Remember Bar Island? Well, there it is, and the tide is coming in! These folks waited too long and are having to wade back!! 😳
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  • Bar Island

    July 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    We were all set to roll into Bar Harbor bright and early with our bikes, ready to nab the perfect parking spot for the day. But then, Mother Nature decided to throw a curveball with a high of 66° and a morning sprinkle at camp. So, we opted for Plan B, which was to spend a gloriously lazy morning and head into town in the late afternoon.

    As we got closer to Bar Harbor, the crowds thickened like molasses. But fear not, for Don had a plan! We zigged, we zagged all through town, watching as folks snagged parking spots right under our noses. Finally, we struck gold at the edge of town — a spot just a block and a half from the exit road, facing the right way so we wouldn’t have to circumnavigate Mount Desert Island to get back. Victory dance! 💃🕺

    The street parking had been packed the first time around, but Lady Luck was on our side. After about 15 minutes of trying to figure out how to pay for parking, we realized it was free since the parade was over. Score! Don's rainbow was shining bright again. 🌈

    Now onto Bar Island! Timing is everything, and of course, we nailed it. The tide was low, so we were able to hike out to the island, explore, and make it back before the tide returned. Despite the beach crowd, we found a little spot for beachcombing where Beth discovered a tiny crab! 🦀😀 And, thankfully, the hiking trail wasn’t too crowded. We trekked to the end, snapped some pics, and headed back. The coolest part? We could hear the band in Bar Harbor all the way out on the island, clear as a bell! 🔔
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  • Pretty Marsh

    July 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Last stop for the day as we complete our loop of the southwest side of Mount Desert Island … Pretty Marsh.

    The trail to the beach wasn’t exactly clear, but we navigated by climbing over a downed tree and following our adventurous instincts until we stumbled upon picnic tables at the water’s edge on a cliff. As we continued along the trail, it led us to a pavilion where a private party was in full swing, complete with stairs leading down to the shore. Don couldn't resist remarking to the partygoers that if he had known about the festivities, he would have brought his famous lobster-shaped jello mold! 🦞🤣Read more

  • Beachcombing

    July 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    A quick detour at Union River, just west of Seal Cove, to hunt for vibrant starfish turned into a surprise encounter. Instead of starfish, we stumbled upon a gathering of snails—apparently, they were having a slow-motion race to see who could reach the shore first!Read more

  • Bass Harbor Light Station

    July 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Important Facts and Dates

    Established: 1858
    Oil House Built: 1894
    Station Electrified: 1949
    Station Automated: 1974

    Fog Signals:
    - Hand Bell: 1876
    - Steam Bell: 1898
    - Bell Tower: 1901
    - Electric Bell: 1949
    - Bell Buoy: 1974

    Signal: Occulting Red
    (4 secs red, 4 secs off)

    Lighthouse Height: 35 ft
    Focal Plane Height 56 ft

    Ownership Transferred to Acadia National Park in 2020
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  • Bass Harbor

    July 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Ahoy, Bass Harbor! Where the Swan Island and Frenchboro Ferries set sail! All aboard for the next ferry to Swan Island at 5:30 PM—don't miss the boat or you might find yourself swanning about until the next voyage!Read more

  • Beal’s Lobster Pier

    July 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Famished after our hike, we stumbled upon Beal’s Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor. We shared an order of Lobster Mac n’ Cheese—OMG, it was to die for! Beth even fell in love with yet another seltzer. This place was a fantastic find with a bay-side setting: great food, great drinks, and a whole lot of funny signs!Read more

  • Beech Mountain Hike

    July 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    With no official plans, we took our time this morning, embracing the day's possibilities. The stunning weather urged us to seize the sunshine with an outdoor adventure.

    We began with a drive around the southwest side of Mount Desert Island, culminating in a hike on Beech Mountain. Our 3.75-mile trek included the Beech Mountain Trail Loop up to the summit and back, then the Valley Trail to Canada Cliffs Trail, Echo Beach, and finally the Beech Cliff Trail to the Beech Cliff Loop Trail, returning to our car.

    The hike featured steep sections, rocky trails, granite stairs, wooden steps, exposed cliffs, and iron rungs. The views were spectacular from the historic fire tower and the summit of Beech Mountain. The water at Echo Lake looked refreshing, and the beach, surprisingly, wasn’t very crowded. The Beech Cliff Trail included several switchbacks and iron rung ladders, rewarding us with stunning vistas. The Beech Cliff Loop Trail offered more exposed cliffs and beautiful scenery, capping off this hiking adventure.

    When it came to parking, we were golden yet again—but only after circling twice to snag a spot!
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  • Carriage Trails & Northeast Harbor

    July 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    After we had our fill of the vistas at Cadillac Mountain, we headed down to hunt for a parking spot to bike the carriage trails. Jordan Pond's parking was a no-go. No worries, though – Don's Rainbow was on fire today. We found plenty of space at Wildwood Stables, which had flushing toilets and a picnic area where we devoured our lunch. What a great bonus!! As we munched away, a carriage ride tour returned. Talk about dining entertainment! 🍴🐴

    Post-lunch, we tackled the carriage trails on our bikes for a 12.5-mile ride around Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. The trails were basically two-lane gravel roads, so nothing too tough – just what our legs needed after conquering the Beehive the day before. We were a bit bummed, hoping for more mountain and water views. Instead, it felt like we were on a gravel road in a deserted forest – deserted of wildlife, that is, because there were plenty of other tourists on bikes! It was like a two-wheeled parade through nature, but the wildlife had better things to do than cheer us on. 🚴🚴‍♀️

    To wrap up the day’s adventures, we visited the charming town of Northeast Harbor and treated ourselves to some Maine Wild Blueberry ice cream. Because let's face it, ice cream makes everything better. 🍨✨

    Here's to Don's Rainbow, epic views, and sweet, sweet ice cream!🌈🌁🍨
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  • Cadillac Mountain

    July 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Here we come, Cadillac Mountain! 🏞️

    Sooo, we had a reservation for 9:30 AM, but apparently, everyone else did too! When we got to the top, it was like a Black Friday sale – elbows out, folks! At first, we thought finding a parking spot would be mission impossible. But then, Don's magical rainbow appeared, shining like a celestial GPS to the perfect spot and summoning clear, sunny, warm skies. Thanks, Don's Rainbow! 🌈

    The views? Absolutely jaw-dropping! We could've parked ourselves there all day, soaking it all in – if only it weren't for the constant hum of the crowd. But hey, that's what you get for going to a National Park during peak season! Oh well, can't win 'em all! LOL! 😆
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  • Thunder Hole

    July 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    We descended Gorham Mountain via the Gorham Mountain Trail and hit the Ocean Path Trail, where we ran into the crowds again. 😩 At Thunder Hole, the low tide meant no big splash or thunderous sounds. ☹️ Occasionally, we'd hear a faint rumble, but nothing dramatic. 🙃

    Finally, we trekked back to the Jeep and headed into town for some clam chowder and cider at The Thirsty Whale (seemed appropriate given the thirst we had developed today!). The chowder was delish! 😋 We later found out it's the best in town. What a thrilling and slightly chaotic day!

    Side note for the day: We had to drop Don’s bike off first at a bike shop due to a possible battery issue or loose connection. Good news though—they ran diagnostics, and all was good! Yay!!! So, Don's bike was just being a drama queen for no reason.
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  • Gorham Mountain

    July 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    After soaking in the views at The Beehive summit, we headed down to The Bowl, a small lake where we took a lunch break. Thankfully, the crowds thinned out by then. Refueled and ready, we tackled the Gorham Mountain Trail, reaching the 522 ft summit. When we reached the summit, we took a well-deserved break to enjoy the view!Read more

  • The Beehive

    July 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    What an exciting day... we're hiking!! Don did his homework and found us a “secret” parking spot, thinking we'd be clever and avoid the crowds. Well, that didn't pan out! We ended up parking even further away, adding an extra mile (2 miles round trip) to our hike. No biggie though—it kept us out of the car chaos when we were done with our hike!

    We started on The Beehive Trail, aiming to conquer the 541 ft granite Beehive. Of course, we missed the junction and had to backtrack! When we finally started the climb, it was a literal beehive of people. We inched up the mountain, waiting five minutes to move two feet! And guess what? We followed the crowd the wrong way and had to scramble back down when we realized we were off-trail. Nothing screams adventure like clinging to a rock face for dear life! Just ask Beth, who looked like she’d been velcroed to the cliffside!"
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  • Bar Harbor

    June 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    After our little detour to Seal Harbor, we conquered the Park Loop Road in Acadia and made a beeline for Bar Harbor to scout out our July 4th options! We strolled through the quaint town, giggling at the quirky shop names, and stumbled upon a flyer detailing the upcoming festivities. Yay us!!! 👏

    Before heading back to camp, we dined at Blaze, where we witnessed a scene straight out of a comedy sketch … a man was enjoying dinner with his German Shepherd! It was like a test of wills. The man seemed distracted, while his German Shepherd sat across from him, eyes locked on every move, utterly fixated. It was a showdown of focus—human versus canine! Who knew dinner could be so entertaining! 😂
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  • Acadia National Park

    June 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌫 70 °F

    Today was all about exploration! We headed to Acadia National Park, drove the Park Loop Road, and snapped our customary photo in front of the National Park sign. We even had our first wildlife sighting … a porcupine! It was like nature’s way of saying, “Welcome to the wild, now watch your step!” Once we hit the end of the one-way loop, we took a quick drive out of the park for a peek at Seal Harbor. No seals, but a quiet little harbor!Read more

  • Timberland Acres

    June 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    We made it to Timberland Acres in Trenton, ME! This will be our home base for the next couple weeks to explore Acadia and the surrounding areas.

    As you can see, Jack's already settled in and decided to surf the web. Caught him in a staring contest with his digital doppelgänger... or maybe he’s just proofreading the next post! 😭Read more

  • Rotary!?!

    June 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    A rotary? What's that? Is it the same as a roundabout, or just a fancy way to make us drive in circles? They’re basically the same, but roundabouts are the modern, safer versions. Rotaries are the old-school, fast-and-furious type, where you could speed through like it's a NASCAR track! The UK calls them roundabouts, while the northeastern US prefers rotaries. Even traffic circles have regional flair!Read more

  • Pit Stop & The Feline King

    June 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Totally wiped out, we made a pit stop at Big Day Brewing for a quick bite and a few beverages! The flatbread (sadly, no pics) was amazing, and the Fire Starter Hard Cider was even better. It had cinnamon, habanero, and pomegranate—basically, it was a spicy, fruity explosion that was not too sweet!

    When we got home, we found that Jack had declared Beth’s bag as his new throne. He looked so comfy, he might as well have been wearing a tiny crown! We tried to move him, but he just gave us that “Touch me and feel my wrath!” look. 👀🤣
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