Mount Desert Island is one of many islands off the coast of Maine that has a few towns on it. Probably the most well known is Bar Harbor due to its size and proximity to Acadia National Park. I can see the draw it has during the summer months, quaint fishing towns, cute shops, good food and incredible landscapes. Since it was off season, we just drove to the sights like Owls Head Light house, manned by a Coast Guard Family, and Thunder Hole in the Park. During summer months you could wait two hours for parking at each area.We set out in the morning to take in the island. First we drove the loop of Highway 102 checking out Dow Point, West Tremont, Baldwin Corners to The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. I heard that in the summer months it could take two or more hours to find a parking spot here to view the lighthouse. We just drove right up and were rewarded with a beautiful view. Later I learned that the islands in the distance was Great Gott Island, Little Gott Island and Placentia Island. We scrambled over rocks and boulders to get those perfect views. Just up the road from the lighthouse are a few trails. We decided on Ship Harbor Trailhead the meandered through scrubby evergreens to Ship Harbor. Here we encountered some very shy wildlife as they picked their way across the shale covered shore nibbling on dried grass as they kept on eye on me. I tried unsuccessfully to quietly and non threateningly make my way their direction. After returning to Southwest Harbor we were able to stop by the station and pick up Job. We then drove to the only point in Acadia Park that was open. Thunder Knob. Even though we had missed high tide, it was still something to see and something to return to maybe during September or October of next year. That evening we received a dusting of snow and in the morning were greeted by a flock of wild turkeys.
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