SPORTS, REC & TRAVEL

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

The Crown Jewel of Coastal Maine

by Debbie Stone

Beach front

Maine decor Lighthouses are iconic in Maine

It took one bite of my Jordan Pond House popover to know the accolades about these treats were true. The muffin-like concoction was fluffy and buttery, and served piping hot with strawberry jam. A glass of blueberry lemonade made the perfect accompaniment, as did the picturesque view of Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains of Maine’s Acadia National Park.

Acadia boasts towering, rocky headlands, a rich cultural heritage and an abundance of diverse environments. Much of the park lies on Mount Desert Island. Use the Park Loop Road to access the island’s notable spots and hiking trails.

One highlight is Thunder Hole, a natural rock formation affected by sea conditions. Watch as waves crash into the hole with a thundering boom.

Sand Beach is another point of interest. “Polar bears” might enjoy swimming here, as the warmest water temps are a balmy 55 degrees in August.

Spectacular vistas can be found at Otter Point and Otter Cliffs, but no otters. Monument Cove is known for its namesake pillar— the result of wave action over centuries—and nearby Boulder Beach boasts bowling ball-sized rocks.

At 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the park’s highest point. If you don’t want to hike to the summit, you can drive to the top for the same vistas. Biking is also popular at Acadia, particularly on the rustic carriage roads. We have John D. Rockefeller Jr. to thank for this system, as the philanthropist wanted to travel on motor-free byways via horse and carriage into the park.

For another view of the area, take a boat trip. Bar Harbor Whales offers daily excursions departing from the town of Bar Harbor. Prepare to be regaled with details about the history, geology, wildlife and more.

You’ll hear about “Millionaire’s Row” and its notable residences. Kenarden, for example, belongs to the Campbell Soup family and during the summer, they fly a white flag with a big red tomato on it. Another, the High Seas Estate, was owned by a Princeton professor. Story has it he built the house to entice his fiancé to move here from Europe and marry him. The good news—she agreed. The bad news—he booked her on the Titanic!

As for lighthouses, we saw several, including photogenic and purportedly haunted Bass Harbor Light.

Staying in Bar Harbor makes the most sense during your visit. This charming community has a colorful harbor, numerous shops and plenty of choices when it comes to accommodations. This is also the case when it comes to dining options. Of course, fresh seafood reigns supreme. I ate “lobstah” in every combination possible. I even tried it in ice cream, which is the only form of lobster I discovered I didn’t like!

SANTA FE & ALBUQUERQUE

ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE US POSTAGE PAID PAID LONG PRAIRIE MN DENVER, CO PERMIT NO 1197 PERMIT NO. 5377

SANTA FEʼS PLAYGROUND

HILTON SANTA FE BUFFALO THUNDER

MaryEllen Lopez is the BEST injector in Santa Fe! I was curious about aesthetic injections and she took her time explaining how the process works and creating a treatment plan. The results are phenomenal and natural looking and I feel so blessed to have met her. She is also an amazing Family Nurse Practitioner, who understands the mind-body-spirit connection of healthcare. —Bea V.

MaryEllen is a perfectionist in what she does in both medical and aesthetic treatments. Her knowledge and expertise are proven and she is genuinely interested in helping her patients. I always look forward to my appointments with her. She is a very inspiring woman. Gina G.