ACADIA, Maine — Chuck's Big Adventure is traveling to New England. It is an area known for its beauty, history, lobsters and, in autumn, it's explosion of color. It is also home to a stunning national park.
Acadia National Park
All things considered, it might just be the most diverse and enjoyable of all the country's national parks.
Our trip to Acadia National Park was awe-inspiring if for no other reason than there is something for everyone here.
From parts of more than a dozen islands, to the craggy, treacherous coastline to the views from Cadillac Mountain — the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the United States — there is an ever-changing landscape and a delight for everyone who takes the time to soak in the scenery.
Car, boat and hiking are all ways to take in the beauty of this Maine-based park, but we thought it might be best seen from the air — and we were right.
David Vroom and his wife, Vicki, run the Scenic Flights of Acadia business outside of Bar Harbor. They take visitors along the side of the lush woods of the park, over lighthouses and rugged coastline. It is an incredible look at the unparalleled beauty of this place, and David sees guests' reactions every day.
"Actually, a lot of people, this is the highlight of their vacation, and they get up there and they [are] just kind of awestruck with the amount of islands and different things that they see in the air, the islands, the lighthouses and all those things like that,” David said.
I was awestruck when David, a longtime flight instructor, turned the controls of the aircraft over to me. I'm not sure if the Big Adventure team enjoyed my piloting the plane, but for me, flying over the beautiful colors near Acadia was a dream come true.
To be sure, the unique view of Cadillac Mountain draws thousands of guests every month to take in the hiking, leaf peeping and driving options the park affords here.
Dan Holbrook, a Cadillac Mountain summit steward, loves the variety that draws so many different types of people.
"I would have to say the ample recreational activities available here to do. You have freshwater lakes, where you can go kayaking. You can also take a sea kayak out and enjoy the coastal ecology of Acadia," Holbrook said. "You can cross-country ski during the winter on a groomed carriage road trails. And then, you can also enjoy a wide variety of hiking, from really easy trails to really strenuous trails."
Acadia National Park
What a unique and wonderful place to visit. For the ultra-active or those that can't move around easily, there are still many things to see and enjoy. Keep in mind though, if you have traveled to the mountain in the past and want to return now, things have changed. You now must reserve a spot, but that's a decision made out of necessity.
Stephanie Ley, the summit steward coordinator, is intimately involved in getting people on and off the mountain.
"It is the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, all the way down to Brazil, though, that's only a whopping 1,530 feet. You can see it's pretty impressive since you can see sea level," Ley said. "Because there is a road to the top of it, we get a lot of visitors to Cadillac. That's why the vehicle reservation was implemented two years ago, and it has made a night-and-day difference. Before, we were having to close the road at the base because of how many cars were up here."
Our Big Adventure team watched the sun go down from the top of Cadillac Mountain, and while photographer Steve and producer Megan took photos and video of the event, I sat on the side of a rock and watched the sheer beauty of creation as the sun dipped below the majestic mountain range.
Our Big Adventure team watched the sun go down from the top of Cadillac Mountain, and while photographer Steve and producer Megan took photos and video of the event, I sat on the side of a rock and watched the sheer beauty of creation as the sun dipped below the majestic mountain range.
A trip to New England is a must for any traveler, but Acadia is a can't-miss, a place where you can experience the sea, valleys and mountains in just one trip.