2021: A trip from Boston to Bar Harbor may have made us the youngest “leaf peepers.”

Wednesday

One would think that this post would again start with me bragging again about how nice it is to fly out of ATL… but instead, this trip really stretched the limit on the “for better or worse” part of my wedding vows.

5:30 PM – Big thank you to my mom for driving us down to the airport, loaded up and ready to go.

5:50 PM – About the time we hit the half way point, I started patting my pockets looking for my wallet, and unable to locate it. At this point I realized I have left my wallet in the center console of my car, that is parked in the driveway at home. Josh instantly starts looking up alternate flights, while I call my dad who deserves sainthood because he agreed to drive my car down and bring me my wallet!

6:30 PM – Dad drops my wallet off, we fly through security check (which was unusually fast), take the train 1 stop, and the boarding gate was the first one at the top of the train elevator, arriving just as we were being called to board.

8:45 PM – Land in Boston, take the tram over to the car rental, start using the kiosk to pick up our car, kiosk asks for drivers license of the person on the reservation….que the pocket patting again and the intense staring from Josh. After tearing through all of my bags and pockets, come to the realization that I must have left my wallet on the plane.

9:30 PM – Being the luckiest person in the world, that the plane was slotted for maintenance and a crew member was able to get my wallet and bring it to me. When I got back in the rental car (Note: Put multiple people on the reservation so both can drive and check out) I believe Josh’s words were “I am going to staple that wallet to your forehead”

Lucky for me that the start to this trip did not mean the trip ended up being only a drive home. After checking into the Boston Logan Holiday Inn, which was one of the only hotels with free parking and eating in the hotel restaurant, we finally were able to sleep.

Thursday

Boston > Salem

We started the day driving out of Boston the 25 miles to Salem MA via I-95 N. Driving into Salem in the fall was exactly what you would hope. Lots of cute witchy pop up shops, fall decorations, and crowds.

We started the day with brunch at The Ugly Mug Diner http://www.uglymugdiner.com/ Which was both amazing food and fun décor.

After brunch we wandered the fall festival, the cute shops, and the Witch Dungeons. While there were plenty of other tours we could have opted into, we had fun self touring.

Salem > Portland

After seeing as much of Salem as we wanted to, Josh and I headed up I-95 N another 1 hour 45 minutes to Portland ME, heading to the Portland Head Lighthouse. I recommend this lighthouse to anyone in the Portland area as it was the picturesque Maine view.

After wandering around the lighthouse we were both a little chilled and hungry so we made our way into the downtown area. Here we found that Portland was still maintaining social distancing for restaurants, so we picked one grouping and ordered a lobster bisque and lobster roll. https://www.eventideoysterco.com/#_=_ was both delicious and considerate of allergies which was a great experience for someone with lots of food allergies!

Portland > Bar Harbor

After our early dinner, we got back on the road to finish our trek to Bar Harbor ME, via I-295 N for 3 hours and 14 minutes. This portion of the drive was prime leaf viewing as it was a pretty easy drive.

As we arrived into Bar Harbor, the sun had set and we learned that so near to the national park, there was very little light pollution. This made it hard to find the Kampground of America entrance, and also that the welcome desk was closed for the night, therefore we were unable to access the space heater we had reserved. While I sleep relatively hot, Josh was cold in the 50 degree Kabin, so we recommend bringing extra blankets or a space heater if able.

Friday

We started the morning at Graffiti Donuts https://www.graffitidonuts.cafe/ in downtown Bar Harbor, with specialty donuts and wonderful coffee.

At this time Cadillac Mountain was doing the vehicle passes and we were unable to get one through their lottery system. So if this part of the park is on your to do list make sure you visit the following site to get your reservation: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/400000

10:00 AM – Acadia NP is obviously on an island, this makes it where the entirety of the park can be done from one loop (excluding Cadillac Mountain Road), so much that the Park Loop Road is one way most of the loop.

10:30 AM – After Stopping at the Hulls Cove Visitor center and moving through the park, we stopped at the Sand Beach Entrance Station to to hike the Great Head Trail. This trail was a 1.7 mile trail that started at Sand Beach and was dependent on the low tide to access the trail head. The trail took us along the coast on the edge of the sea wall.

1:30 PM – After finishing the hike, with plenty of stops along the way, we made our way around the rest of the Park loop, pausing to look at stunning views, and eating our pre packed lunches. By the time we got back to our Kabin, we picked up the space heater and took a quick nap before dinner

6:00 PM – We put our name on the list at the Thirsty Whale Tavern ttps://www.thirstywhaletavern.com/ and decided to use our wait time to explore the shops in downtown.

Saturday

Another lazy start to the day, we headed into town and grabbed a bite to eat at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast https://www.jeanniesbreakfast.com/ which was yummy and warm and everything we were hoping for.

After breakfast we started the 2 hour trip down to the southwest side of the island. Here we stopped at the Bass Head Lighthouse which was worth the drive!

After the long dinner wait Friday, we decided to head downtown for an earlier dinner at Leary’s Landing Irish Pub https://www.learyslanding.com/

Post dinner, with no other plans, and realizing we most likely wouldnt be back up in Maine for a while, we started the 3 hour drive to Free port ME via I-95 S to the L.L. Bean flagship and outlet store. If doing this trip again, I would reorder this stop, but I do think it was fun to go.

Sunday

Sunday started early, as we had tour reservations at Fenway Park at noon, and since it is a 4 hour 45 minute drive back, into a city we are unfamiliar with, we wanted plenty of time. Now what we weren’t expecting were for the Red Sox to have made the wildcard game, having to pay increased parking prices, getting to see vendors, and feel the energy outside of stadium. During the tour we were able to watch the team warm up, and afterwards Josh and I had a street vendor bratwursts and drank a beer while listening to the live game.

After eating and enjoying some of the ballgame, we wandered towards downtown Boston where we learned that the Boston Marathon had been rescheduled for that weekend post Covid. So both Josh and myself walked across the finish line!

Our time in Boston and the New England area ended with these little bonuses, so we returned our car and headed home. And in case you were worried, I had my wallet the whole way home.