Bar Harbor Days 2 & 3 - Peace and Quiet

Well, there is a reason I don't tend to blog about these familiar trips. While they are enjoyable and relaxing, there really isn't much to write about. The second day started off much like the first. Jon woke me up early asking if I wanted some baby time so Zilly and I spent the morning alone together. Her smile is just delightful and brings me so much joy. Eventually Christian and Camille joined us and we had a pleasant morning. It is much colder today and the sky is gray but the view from our little cottage is still wonderful.

Morning smiles

Grandma and Zilly

By the time James, Jon, and Saph got up, I was ready for a nap. So while the rest of us rested, James and Camille went out to view the local botanical garden. We've been here many times before and it is always beautiful, but apparently this is really the time of year to go. 

Garden Pond

Flowers at the Asticou Azalea Garden

Afterwards we all went out to lunch at Beal's Lobster Pier which was right around the corner. This is another place we've been going to for years and thankfully the quality remains high. Jon finally got the perfect lobster roll he'd been craving and the rest of our meals were almost as good. Really I think Jon would get the lobster roll there every day if he could. 

More flowers from the garden since I didn't get any other pictures today

Our plan had been to take a ferry to a local island, but just as we were about to set out we discovered that we'd misread the departure date and had completely missed the ferry for today. Since today was gray and cold, most of us were not excited about visiting Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor. So James left all of us home while he took Camille to her favorite spots. They stopped by the inventively named Sand Beach and then went into town. Their plan had been to go out to dinner but Bar Harbor was so crowded and the lines so long everywhere, that they abandoned that idea and came home to BLTs and an early evening. (See? I told you this would be boring to read about)

It really is a relaxing and beautiful place

While not exciting, it was a pretty good day. I was able to catch up on some reading, Christian did some more fishing and finally caught something! He had walked up the shore, ran into an old fisherman who invited Christian onto his dock and showed him where to cast his line. Christian said he caught a big fish but unfortunately he was unable to get a picture. But I'm so glad he got one! And Jon and Saph got to relax as well. 

I love her smiles!

Jon and Saphyar had taken the little bedroom shack the previous night and had spent a fair amount of time in there today. But the wifi out there was rubbish and eventually the annoyance of that drove them back to the house. Moving all their stuff, with all the baby stuff, was a pain for them. But Christian was a great sport about being shuffled around every night. He didn't quite like the cabin as much this time though and heard some strange noises throughout the night. 

The little cabin. You can see the main house on the left

The low tide view from the Snore Box porch

The next morning it was pouring. Just buckets. We had to be out by 10am and James got soaked loading up the two cars. We got out in time, despite many protests about the early hour, and went into Bar Harbor for our traditional breakfast at Jordan's. I think the rain was helping us here because there was almost no wait. The restaurant is small so Zilly's car seat needed to be packed away and her parents held her while we ate. She didn't seem to love the taste of whipped cream her Opa gave her, but she did enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of the restaurant staff. 

Christian, James, and Grandma wait for food

We had so much food! It barely fit on the table

The drive home felt very long. James and I were both exhausted before it even began and driving through the rain is never any fun. But eventually the sun came out and once again Jon and Saph were good company. We did spend some time at a familiar rest stop about halfway home and Zilly got to ride a bear! It was a good weekend and I'm excited for our next family vacation.

Zilly and her mom ride a bear

Zilly isn't sure about this moose

I love this picture of Jon, Saphyar, and Zilly

Bar Harbor Day 1 - Last Lunch at Jordon Pond

 We are on our first family vacation with Zilly! And the first time Saphyar has traveled with us too. I'm so excited to travel with both of them! But the start of our trip wasn't so smooth. Poor Zilly wasn't feeling well and just as we finished packing the car, a phone call to the Dr led us to and ER trip to get her checked out. She was fine, suffering from bad constipation that did eventually clear up, but the ER is never fast and took about 5 hours.

Usually we take our road trips in one car, but because of some recent car trouble, we had to take two cars anyway. So when Zilly went to get checked out, James took his mom and Christian up to Bar Harbor. They took their time on the drive and did a lot of shopping and had a slow lunch since they weren't sure when the rest of us would be able to get up there. It was 7:30 before Jon, Saph, Zilly, and I were able to leave the hospital to start the four hour drive. I'm not great at driving when I'm tired but Saph and Jon were good company. Our only misadventure came when the McDonald's we stopped at didn't have a changing table so I had to hold Zilly in mid air while Saph changed a rather messy diaper. 

The road from Bangor, ME to Mt Dessert Island in interminable, and this was worse than most. But we finally arrived, just at midnight. The house we are renting is gorgeous. It's a little cabin on the water and even in the dark it was beautiful. Usually we stay in Bar Harbor but this time we are on the other side of the island near Southwest Harbor. 

Night view from our dock

Stars over the water

I woke up surprisingly early and heard Zilly fussing while on my way to the bathroom. I stole from Jon who was happy to go back to bed and for an hour the two of us had the house to ourselves. It was really warm this morning and the sun was so bright on the water that we couldn't go outside without blinding the baby. Christian woke up around 7 and started fishing on our dock. Zilly and I watched him for a while and then I sat down to read. I'd sat Zilly down on the couch and when I sat next to her she pitched over onto my arm and immediately fell asleep. I was stuck but since I had my book it was really a perfect morning. 

Naked baby! It was so warm this morning

Early morning fishing

Living my perfect life

Zilly and Opa in the morning

Jon and Saph explore the shore

Everyone woke up early today and eventually we headed out for our scheduled lunch at Jordon Pond. Without any luggage we were able to all squeeze into the rental car so that at least we can travel around the island together. I think it's been years since I've written about our trips here, but we come to Mt Dessert Island about once a year and every time we do, we have lunch at the Jordon Pond House restaurant. We loved their popovers so much that James started making them at home years ago. It is the only place where I've enjoyed lobster, in the form of a delicious stew. But today was hopefully the last lunch we will ever have there. The popovers were big and beautiful but devoid of flavor. They were almost inedible. All of our food, including the lobster stew, was bland, cheap, and unsatisfying, while continuing to be incredibly expensive. I am writing this now to remind us all to NEVER go there again. Our waitress though was wonderful and very sweet. And the view was still amazing. 

Last lunch at Jordon Pond

Sun dog at lunch

Baby cuddles. It was starting to get cold by this time.

After our very disappointing lunch we walked down to the water. The kids carried Zilly down the shallow stairs in her stroller. Then we were off to Cadillac Mountain to see the view. I remember the first time we were here, back in 2009. We had 4 kids under 4 at that time, Will, Jon, Colin, and Chesney, and we got some great pictures of them at the top of the mountain. I really should post those some time! 

The kids carry Zilly

Walking by the water

Jordon Pond

The Bubbles

On this trip we split up to explore the top of the mountain and most of our good pictures were taken by Saphyar. She has done very little traveling and this is the farthest from home she's ever been. But she is so fun to travel with. Her excitement is infectious and I think she might develop a taste for exploration. (I asked James how he'd describe Saphyar's personality and he says she's a hedgehog which is just perfect. She has a sarcastic spikiness to her while also being adorable. Zilly is amazing too of course, but I am so very happy that Saph is part of our family. She brings a lot of joy. And sometimes a bit of needed snark.)

Cadillac Mountain

I love all the little islands

It's a beautiful view

We used to take pictures of the kids
now they take pictures of us!

Flowers on the mountain

James and Jon from a distance

Anyway, after the mountain it was time to head back to our beautiful cabin and take turns napping. Christian of course did more fishing but became frustrated with the apparent lack of any fish. So the two of us did some exploring and eventually found a new and more promising area. James joined us there and they spent another hour or so in some fruitless fishing. Christian is getting discouraged and I really hope he can catch something on this trip! Maybe he'll have more luck in freshwater?

Afternoon fishing

Tonight has been quiet. We picked up pizza and watched a movie before retiring early. This cabin has three bedrooms and then a small separate bedroom about 20 feet from the house. Christian stayed there on the night we arrived but Saph and Jon convinced him to switch because they wanted the privacy. We'll see if the attraction of privacy beats out the annoyance of having to cross the yard in the dark to get to the bathroom. But they do have a little balcony out there and I'm sure their view is also amazing. 

I think most of this trip will be fairly quiet. We've got four generations here, from 2 months to almost 78 years. It's a wonderful blessing to be able to travel together! And some time to rest is really needed.

Grandma with her great granddaughter