2014-07-23 Morning Lighthouse Cruise

We've been sending folks down to Bar Harbor Whale Watch all season, so we get to enjoy their tours for free (on stand-by, of course). It was a sunny day with calm waters, so we headed out on the Lighthouse / Somes Sound tour. Very interesting tour, lots of history of the area and some wildlife too.

On the waterfront in Bar Harbor

Looking down West Street

Same boat we were on for the Nature Cruise

The Precipice on Champlain Mountain

Interesting trivia: the mansion in this photo at the base of the Precipice was built by Rudolf Brunnow for his fiance who was in Europe. Unfortunately, she did not survive the trip over to see it, as she booked her way on the Titanic. He spent many years after than focused on designing and building his trail, on his mountain. Brunnow designed and built the Precipice Trail (most famous, and most dangerous, trail in the park). He was a Princeton professor, which is why a part of the trail is named the Orange and Black Path in honor of Princeton's school colors.

 

Sand Beach with the Beehive on the left

Thunder Hole not thundering today

Look at all the climbers on Otter Cliffs!

These are some of my favorite mountains - from left, Cadillac, Dorr, Huguenot, Champlain, and Gorham



Bear Island Light

Granite quarry on Somes Sound

Memorial at the base of Acadia Mountain on Somes Sound

Man O War Brook pouring into Somes Sound



Somes Sound has sheltered boats for centuries, with a ready source of fresh water from Man O War Brook

Bass Harbor Lighthouse



Bass Harbor Light is on the southwest side of our island, so we had previously visited from land

Looking back at Cadillac Mtn and the other east side peaks

Egg Rock Light

LOTS of harbor seals and gray seals - the population is rebounding here

Two immature bald eagles - their primary prey here is birds, not fish

Returning to Bar Harbor, Margaret Todd the schooner and the Bar Harbor Inn

People walking over to Bar Island on "The Bar" which will be a large land bridge at low tide