We returned to our car and drove to Jordan Pond, where we decided to make the most of the early morning hour and walk the 3.4-mile loop around the pond. This mostly shaded path goes through the woods and, for a portion, over long boardwalks made of sometimes stable wood and other lengthy series of rocks that make you question whether you’re still on the path.
We finished what was listed as a two and a half hour walk in about an hour and a half, and drove across the street to Jordan Pond House, which wasn’t open for its famous popovers just yet but still provided a beautiful - and very peaceful - view of the Bubbles, two large mountains right next to each other. Though Arielle could have sat there forever, we eventually got up and drove back to the hotel to eat breakfast, managing to get there earlier than we had the day before when we were just starting our day. Arielle was delighted to try the blueberry toast, which she loved. After breakfast, Abe got very tired and managed to fall asleep in bed for an almost three-hour nap, which is totally uncharacteristic but also completely understandable since we got up at least three hours earlier than we usually do. Arielle went to lay by the pool and enjoyed a bit of less uninterrupted napping thanks to the presence of some rowdy children.
We had a lazy afternoon after that but then got ready to seize the day and drive into Bar Harbor. We stopped at the second, far smaller location of Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream that is located a few blocks from downtown, and realized that we had been doing it wrong the past two days when we discovered the “Flight.” It costs $8, as compared to two $4.25 single scoops, and contains four large scoops, though the woman working at the store was kind enough to give us five slightly smaller (but still huge) scoops. From left to right: Brigadeiro, Cookies and Cream, Buttermint, Cereal Milk, and Blueberry Buttermilk Sherbet. It was quite something.
We moved our car closer to the waterfront and explored a few restaurant options for dinner, as well as an ice cream shop that had a flavor which contained real lobster which grossed Arielle out. We laid down on the grass by the waterfront for a while until nearby smokers forced us to get up and move. Abe tried to find the same pair of Sperry flip-flops he was wearing and had purchased in Bar Harbor six years earlier, but the make seems to have gone out of style. Arielle was intrigued by a blueberry-themed store and purchased an Old Soaker blueberry soda to try on our drive the next day. Arielle had been excited the night before about trying to go up onto the roof of a fancy-looking hotel that faced the waterfront, and while we managed to get up to the fifth floor, roof access required a key. We asked at the front desk and were told we could have an escorted tour an hour later, but getting permission made the whole thing less exciting for Arielle, so we decided to skip it. We ultimately settled on Terrace Green, a highly-rated restaurant attached to the Bar Harbor Inn, for dinner. While Abe’s swordfish and Arielle’s salmon were nothing special, the experience of sitting out and looking at the Harbor was pretty great. Arielle was also thrilled when our waitress Kim managed to get her a few small pieces of bread to finish off the butter that had come with her fish.
We left downtown and returned to the hotel in time to dip in the pool and the hot tub, which wasn’t particularly hot but was pleasant enough. We changed and went to the campfire to make some s’mores, which Arielle always loves. We returned to our room and watched a bit of TV before going to bed, exhausted from a long day full of both activity and rest.
Approximate number of miles covered: 9
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