Bass Harbor Marsh Sunset, 5/25/08

Acadia National Park has many wonderous features but one of the most beautiful spots is the Bass Harbor Marsh as seen from Route 102. As many times as I've visited and/or photographed the marsh, it has never looked exactly the same way twice. The lighting is constantly changing, the air might be clear, might be misty; even fogged in, this is a magical place.



Sunset is a time when the view is always stellar and today was no exception. Enjoy these shots and be sure to check it out yourself sometime; I guarantee that it may look different but it will always be every bit as amazing. Click on photos to enlarge.

Cadillac Ice, 11/19/07

Along the Acadia Park Loop Road where the west shoulder of Cadillac Mountain drops toward Eagle Lake, the freezing water coming down off the mountain catches the afternoon sun in a magical way. It's very likely that the same freezing water is the reason that the road to the summit of Cadillac is now closed for the season. Please click on each picture to enjoy the full size version.

Hiking the Gorham Mountain Trail, 11/18/07

The day dawned clear, sunny and brisk with temperature about 38°F, just perfect for a morning mountain hike along the Ocean Drive in Acadia. The Gorham Mountain trailhead is located at a marked parking area near the Otter Cliffs just south of Thunder Hole. Here are some photos shot along the trail this morning. Please click on each photo for the full size version.





Above is a closeup of ice crystals extending up from the dirt, visible at many points along the trail.


This is a view looking down at Sand Beach from the Gorham Mountain trail.


The morning sun on the water was dazzling to say the least.


Frozen pools along the trail make cold weather hiking especially interesting.


Granite, lichens, and sunlight.










There is a side trail that traverses the bottom of some very nice cliff formations and allows you to go up one way and come back the other.

New Painting by Lucy Packert (2006)

Wesley Avenue Cottage by Lucy Packert (2006)

Lucy Packert, one of Maine's best watercolor artists has just completed the above painting of Wesley Avenue Cottage under commission. Born in Pennsylvania and now painting at her home on the Downeast Maine coast, Lucy specializes in watercolor paintings of Maine landscapes. Her work has not previously been exhibited or published, but hopefully that will soon change. Many thanks to Lucy for this fine piece of work. Click on painting to enlarge, © Lucy Packert, 2006.

Long Pond & Mansell Mountain - A November Hike in Acadia, 11/20/05

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving it was sunny and relatively warm with temperatures in the fifties, just perfect for a fall hike in Acadia National Park. Although I set out intending only about an hour's walk along the shore of Long Pond, it was so nice that I couldn't turn back and wound up hiking the complete loop through Great Notch, to the summit of Mansell Mountain, and then finally back to the pumping station at the foot of Long Pond. Time seems to stand still on the trail while in reality it evaporates quickly, which meant that I almost missed breakfast at Jordan's Restaurant in Bar Harbor (a long held Sunday tradition); as it was I made it there by about 1:45pm, just in time to get in before the 2pm closing. Here's a sampling of photos from along the trail; click on each photo for full size view.


Plants & rocks in the November light.


A reminder of impending winter.


The view across Long Pond.


The south shore trail.


The blue paint stripes mark the trail ascending Mansell Mountain.


A nice view from a mountain not known for its views.


A classic Acadia stone stairway.


Looking down toward the pumping station.


Long Pond view from the pumping station.

Nicky's Cruisin' Diner, Bangor, 11/25/05

An airport run to Bangor on the day after Thanksgiving facilitated this find, located just across the street from the Bangor International Airport at 957 Union Street. After braving a bit of black Friday shopping, I was looking for something a little more local than a national chain restaurant, maybe even hoping for some fresh local seafood, even at this time of year. As you can see, from the outside Nicky's Cruisin' Diner looks like nothing special, in fact I've driven by it many times over the years without even a thought of stopping.



The main room you enter looks like a typical diner and you can see the automotive theme reflected in the mural on the wall. At this point, the food was more impressive than the surroundings, with delicious offerings reasonably priced, including some very tasty seafood.



A kind waitress noticed me taking this picture of their wall of license plates and suggested I check out the back room, which it turns out is really the main event here at Nicky's.



From the front you wouldn't even know that there was another dining room, so this was quite a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed lunch at Nicky's Cruisin' Diner and definitely plan to come back. Click on each photo for full size view.



Nicky's Menu: