Memorial Day Weekend in Acadia

Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains.

5/25/08, Updated:  Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends bookend the summer season and many shops, restaurants, and accommodations are opening for the season now. Having arrived in Maine late last night for opening as well, the first order of business this morning was to hike, then hit Jordan's in Bar Harbor for breakfast.


Jordan Stream.

Acadia National Park is always well attended on this holiday weekend, but today's weather (65-70° and gorgeous clear sunshine) really brought out the crowds to Acadia. Parking areas in the park were full and there were so many cars parking on the road shoulder that it looked more like August than May.



We found a spot in the Jordan Pond House overflow lot and had a nice walk by the lake and up the Penobscot Mountain trail. From there it was on to Bar Harbor for breakfast and a walk around town. Here's a tiny sampling of some of the many activities that take place in Acadia and Mt. Desert Island on any typical day. Welcome to the unofficial start of summer, it didn't get here a moment too soon.


Penobscot Mountain Trail.


Hikers stopping for a photo.


South Bubble, Jordan Pond, & Pemetic Mountain.


Blooms on the Jordan Pond shore trail.


Bar Harbor.


Jordan Pond House ice cream in Bar Harbor.


The start of the shore trail.


Bike riders on the boat ramp.


The Maasdam (Holland America Line) docked in Bar Harbor.


Views from the shore trail.








Sea kayaking in Bar Harbor.


Sea kayaks at the ready.