Urban Dictionary defines the word “Mainer”(noun): “F**kin, a wicked good person from that wicked good state of Maine. Said person was born and raised, and possibly had generations of family before them also live in this F’in place. I mean it’s someone who uses r’s where there ain’t none, and doesn’t use r’s where they’ah supposed to.” Now let’s not get too carried away. In most senses of the word I am a Mainer; born and raised, and after spending some time away, I’m back. But , let’s be clear I use my r’s exactly when and when I’m not supposed to.
There is something that is truly unique about the special state of Maine. After all, it has something- Charm, charisma, magic, mystery… Something for which the perfect word has yet to be invented. Whatever that word is it just seems to grab a hold and all of a sudden you’re a goner. I will admittedly say from the ages of 12 to 17 I was ready to get the hell out of dodge but as I got older and my preferences matured, and the little state up north didn’t seem half bad. Shamefully, I don’t think I have experienced enough of it for living here for as long as I have. Butttttt, with my boyfriend, Cooper moving here about a year ago from the Midwest (he’s going to kill me haha. He’s not from the Midwest he’s from MD. I say it just to push his buttons) I have been able to explore some parts for the first time.
So, when Cooper and I wanted to plan a quick getaway Bar Harbor seemed like the perfect place! I wanted to see the towns (aka shopping) and Coop wanted to hike some of Acadia. Because, we were planning with such short notice and it is peak season, we could only find accommodations for a one night stay at the Asticou Inn (so cute!). We headed up early, early Saturday morning which was great because we got to see all the leaves changing on the 3 hour drive up from Portland. As, we were approaching the town we passed The Happy Clam Shack, I noticed this because of a blogger I follow StyledSnapshots had done a post of her trip from NYC to Maine but the shack itself is hard to miss. Covered in colorful lobster buoys (the perfect picture backdrop) and other Maine memorabilia you can’t really miss it! We were there a bit too early to grab a lobby roll but, a women approached us to say that The Happy Clam Shack was her favorite place and that we must come back for a slice of blueberry pie. I got my picture and Cooper got a pie recommendation so we continued into town.
Bar Harbor itself is the cutest little place I have ever seen! It is filled with adorable shops and true small town restaurants that give you the feel that when you walk in you will be greeted by your first name. We enjoyed brunch at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast and yes, it was great. Then the only logical thing to do would be to shop so that is exactly what we did!
After our hands were full with gifts galore, we were famished. Everyone that I had spoken to about going to Bar Harbor said “OMG you have to go to Jordan Pond House and get tea and a popover!” Jordan Pond House is located in Acadia National park, you can get there by car or by hike. We were warned that parking fills up fast so bringing your own vehicle would be risky but that there is a bus that will bring you from the center of town to JPH and then back when you are finished. We did that.
Have you ever had a popover!? Cooper had not (shook) so I was very excited to share the amazing food moment with him. And I can tell you there is none better than the popovers at JPH. Maybe it’s the view, maybe it’s the sweet tea, I think they are really just that good!
I’m a planner so it is in my nature to have a pretty good idea of all the activities happening during a trip. Cooper on the other had is more of a free bird (something I love about him), so I was surprised when he said he had done some research and wanted to bring me somewhere that he had heard about. I was excited and he did not disappoint. We headed out of the heart of town around 5:00pm and made our way to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse because it is supposed to have the most amazing view of the sunset, which it does. Arrived right around 6:00pm and it seemed like we were not the only ones with this idea because the cliffs were covered with people. Coop and I got lucky and found a nice spot for two and watched as the sun set. I’m not sure I have ever watched a sun set from start to finish… I have to say it was pretty spectacular.
Dinner reservations were at Havana. Dinner was AMAZING. That is all.
To switch things up, Saturday was for the girl and Sunday was for my boy. We woke up at 6:00am to get an early start to our hike up the North-ridge Trail of Cadillac Mountain. Originally we were going to do a sunrise hike but the 4:00am wake-up call mixed with a Cuba Libre from the night before did not work out. It ended up being the perfect time, we made it up the mountain in about an hour fifteen (you can drive if that’s more your style), spent some time at the summit and then headed back down once the morning crowds started to overtake. The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking and I can’t wait to come back and try a different hike!
Bar Harbor you did us good! Cheers to Maine and all the fun places I have yet to explore and so grateful for the ones that I have.