Another day, another GREAT harbor.  This picturesque town is tucked away along Maine’s rocky coast, on Mount Desert Island. 

Galleries and creative souvenir shops are everywhere and we found a fantastic restaurant for another lobster lunch.   It’s a naturalist’s paradise, with views atop Cadillac Mountain. Wildlife such as deer, beavers, foxes, eagles and puffins roam the rugged shoreline along the Atlantic. Glacier-carved mountains rise from the sea, cupping deep lakes in their valleys.   Acadia National Park comprises 41,000 acres of rock-bound coast.  Some of the park’s most scenic sights are the Porcupine Islands, Champlain Mountain, Great Head, Thunder Hole, Sand Beach and the Otter Cliffs. (Writer’s note: I think the pioneers/Indians who named these places had a sense of humor, but I digress).

Local residents warned us not to forget about the incoming tide in Bar Harbor.  It comes in very quickly. Some tourists did forget and were slightly water-logged on their way back from their adventurous walks along the shores. Whale Watching was not possible again today. Hurricane Irma was still rocking Atlantic coastlines.   

Ship tourists were everywhere. The numerous shops were displaying creative souvenirs and clothing. Because it was so unseasonably warm, sweatshirts, knitted socks and mittens were on sale. The cafés and eateries were packed however we found a tasty restaurant right on the main street.  WEST STREET Café was offering a “Downeast Special” which included a cup of chowder, a Whole Main Lobster and a slice of Blueberry pie for $29.95.  What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday’s lunch was sad.  Today’s lunch was appetizing and so perfectly prepared.  Check out my shots.  Then it was time to walk off the calories so we strolled and window shopped. 

What a truly memorable day in this small, seaside town.

 More Lobster Trivia:

Over 5 million lobsters are eaten in Bar Harbor each year.

Maine has more than 5,000 licensed lobstermen.

An adult male lobster will grow a new shell and shed its old one about once a year, females once every two years, increasing an average of 1/2 inch and 1/3 pound with each molt.  During its early growth stages, a lobster is believed to shed some 25 times over five to seven years.

After a molt, a lobster’s shell takes about eight weeks to harden.