If, like me, you enjoy the beauty and wonderment of sunrises, sunsets and clear night skies then you have to take a trip to Acadia National Park, Mount Dessert Island in Maine. As a photographer I was excited to see what it had to offer and it didn't disappoint!
Sunset on Cadillac Mountain
"..the first place in the United States to see sunrise"
In the center of Mount Dessert Island is Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest peak along the North Atlantic seaboard and is a sun chasers mecca. As far as mountains go though, its not particularly high at only 1,528 feet but during October and March, its the first place in the United States to see sunrise!
I've photographed many sunrises and sunsets before and its normally a solitary experience but its a very different experience in Acadia National Park and in particular on the peak of Cadillac Mountain.
the first place in the United States to see sunrise
"..we witnessed a group of people singing hymns at the top of Cadillac"
About an hour before sunrise and sunset, literally hundreds of people gather on top of the mountain to witness the celestial events. The closet thing that I've witnessed anything like it, is at Cafe Del Mar on the island of Ibiza but without the craziness!! However, we witnessed a group of people actually singing hymns at the top of Cadillac.... Each to their own I guess but it does conjure up what the atmosphere is like at the peak of this beautiful spot.
People gather and wait for sunrise
Its a place where the young, the old, families, couples, students, grads and even a drunk with a dog in toe unite for a few special minutes to watch and wait for the earth to spin to produce that magical moment in a day of either the first and last glimpse of the sun.
"..People actually cheer for joy"
Having experienced sunset and sunrise on Cadillac, I think sunrise was probably the more dramatic where some people actually cheer for joy as the very first rays pop over the North Atlantic horizon to light up the array of small islands just off the coast of Dessert Island, below.
Sunrise on Cadillac mountain lights up the array of small islands below
"..witness sunset, the Milky Way and sunrise"
Cadillac Mountain is a place which offers clear dark night skies so you could stay on the mountain peak to witness sunset, the Milky Way and sunrise from the same spot... Very cool!
Dawn awakens as the night fades away
"our son was so certain we would see whales"
We managed to tick off another bucket list item while we were in Maine by going on a whale watching trip, 20 miles off the coast of Bar Harbor, Dessert Island. Wendy and I were doubtful of spotting any but our son was so certain we would see whales. He wasn't wrong..
Oliver meets the captain
Whales put on a show
And got quite close
Another spot on the island that you have to see, especially on a clear night is Sand Beach, which is a small, quiet cove with tree covered cliffs on either side and the only sound is the waves gently rolling in and the millions of stars overhead create a perfect backdrop. Its pure heaven!!
Oliver star gazing on Sand Beach, Acadia National Park
We loved Acadia National Park and we cant wait to go back for the great food, great weather and amazing scenic and picturesque land and seascapes. We stayed in Bar Harbor Regency, which we totally recommend. The village of Bar Harbor is just a few minutes away and has great bars, restaurants and shops where you can pick up some souvenirs.