If you are looking for a beautiful spot this summer to slow down. Take in breathtaking views in nature, laugh and soak it in… Bar Harbor, Maine was one of our favorite spots. There is so much to do in Acadia National park and even downtown.
When we plan these family trips like this I try very hard not to over plan. It’s so easy to do as there’s so much to see. But over planning leads to us being tired, and sometimes tired leads to us being grumpy, and what good is seeing beauty if you’re grumpy?
We set an intention for our trip. Not lost in chaos. Grounded. Crystal clear and bright. Our eyes pealed for every color of the sunset. Rocky earth beneath our feet. Ocean air in our lungs. Giggles from wind.
It was beautiful!! I think one of my favorite parts of Acadia National Park, besides the beauty… is ZERO phone reception.
Literally says: Please note: There is very little cell phone service or wifi available at most park locations. Please do not make plans that require cell phone service. Forces you to unplug. It is worth it.
We had a beautiful afternoon Jordons Pond. I don’t know what was better the popovers or the view!
Our little two year old Belle said: “This is the best PICNIC EVER.” And I agree. My hungry teen boys were obsessed with the popovers.
It was the perfect afternoon. Lemonade, Sangria, IPA, yogurt, fruit, granola, hummus and vegetables, cookies, and the best warm popovers with jam and butter.
Jordan Pond House sits on a hill overlooking a beautiful lawn along Jordan Pond. Which we explored all afternoon after our views, treats and sunshine.
Sailing along Frenchman Bay
We set out to take the windjammer cruise out, but it ended up being too windy of a day for our sail. So, that’s something that will have to do when we return. The waiting area was beautiful for us to explore: https://downeastwindjammer.com/
Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
All summer our five year old had been asking about seeing a beautiful sunrise. So, we found the best spot. Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. Making her dreams come true… or so we thought. You have to wake up super early, obviously, which was fine, but the COLD is colder than you think. We had warm clothing, hats, and blankets, but I suggest full winter gear!
It was 46 degrees on the mountain even during summer and had we been a little more prepared for the cold I think she would have enjoyed it more. It truly was breathtaking and you can see the video in our blog, but the chattering teeth and numb fingers were not planned.
Sand Beach
One of our favorite spots was Sand Beach. I could not get over the simple and beautiful subtle designs of nature here. The beach was made of the unique sand of shell fragments created by the pounding surf. I love how nature decides to work together and leaves these beautiful marks in such a gorgeous design. The water was a cool 65 degrees, brrrrr, but these New England babies still swam.
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
When our sail got canceled because of the wind, we took the afternoon to explore downtown and hit one of the best ice cream shops that we had heard about. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream: https://www.mdiic.com/ and it did not disappoint. The family favorite flavors were Nutella and cookies and cream.
Cafe This Way
Cafe this Way is an absolute MUST! It is such a cute restaurant. We ate outdoors and the girls enjoyed the trees to climb while we waited. The food was even better than the setting. The pancakes were thin, crispy and delicious and since then we’ve tried to re-create them at home, but can never get them quite the same.
The Bloody Mary hit the spot for a Mom and Dad brunch treat. The teens were obsessed with the blueberry soda and it quickly became a new fave. Our server was great and so sweet – she definitely brightened our day. Brooklyn asked if she could tell her something special and so she stopped her and said “You are a super hero server. You’re so good. I want to work here with you when I get older.”
She over heard us telling Brooklyn that this was a little too far from home to work here, so she brought the girls over some stickers and told them that they could keep them to remember her. We learned so much about her. She is a Kinesiology major (if you know me my eyes lit up!) and her father was a police officer in Acadia park. We had such a great conversation.
Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday
We stayed in a Deluxe Cabin at the Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday: https://koa.com/campgrounds/bar-harbor-oceanside/
We love the cabin feel and the space we had our own fire pit and room for the kids to play outside. There were also playgrounds for them and we could walk through the park. The location was absolute perfection. All of these sunset pictures we took, the oceanside was right there.
We rented Banana Bikes to ride along the coast through the park. Callaways and cabins are the perfect mix of nature beauty and a little extra bit of comfort. The deluxe had a bedroom with a queen, a pull out couch the girls slept on and also a loft for the boys. With the full kitchen – it was perfect for us.
Of all the things I will do in this lifetime I will forever be grateful for the beautiful souls we get to raise.
The innocence and adventure of their childhood.
The time and fun we build daily.
The lessons of life you can only give when you explore together.
The bonds and connections we work for.
The lessons and laughs.
This was our new homeschool year trip to start us off for the year. My lesson to start our homeschool year:
If the sight of blue skies fills you with joy…
If a flower growing in sand teaches you to bloom where you’re planted…
If a sunrise or sunset has the power to move you…
If mountains make you wonder…
If simple pieces of nature all around you connect to your heart a message that you can speak…
Be immensely grateful… because that means your soul is alive.
I am consistently committed to a creative beautiful life. Living it and sharing it.
A life driven more strongly by curiosity than fear.
A life driven more strongly by love than hate.
A life driven more strongly by giving rather than taking.
A life driven more strongly by actions more than words.
A life driven more strongly by proactive living vs. reactive living.
A life that attracts energy vs hopes for it.
While we were playing at the park a woman came up to us on our first day. She asked how long we were staying and if we were going to Acadia. We started chatting and she handed me her park pass. She said: “We did two days but you have to purchase a whole weeks worth and I wanted to give it to a nice family who could use it.”
While we were sitting and eating a meal a random woman took the time to get up from her table as she was leaving and stop my husband and I just to tell us how beautiful our family was. She said “I couldn’t stop watching you all together, just gorgeous.” The smallest compliments can make the biggest impact.
There is so much beauty in the world.
#villersadventures
