orchid smiles

Seeing the intricacy of orchids always makes me smile.

tidal

The Parker River meanders inland, running into the sea in Plum Island Sound.

As I drove down Route 1 late yesterday the water in the river made me stop and look. It showed reflected bands of light from the clouds overhead.

mirrored

Trees wearing autumn finery are sandwiched between evergreens. I love the pop of color and the mirrored images in the water.

stormy day with flowers

A nor'easter rolled into New England today with heavy rain and strong winds. The precipitation was at a reasonable level when I headed out this morning looking for flowers and color. My destination was the greenhouses of Lyman Estate.

Some plants were resting while others were bursting with color.

The weather wizard sent a downpour when it was time to leave. I feel lucky that the greenhouse provided a place to enjoy bright color today.

in the woods

I followed a beautiful trail through the woods as I walked to Little Long Pond in the Land & Garden Preserve. Green was the predominant color, painted by evergreen trees and moss.

rocks and water

I've always gravitated to this spot on the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park. The rocks remain constant but the pools of water change in size.

I never know what I will find when I walk out into this beautiful landscape - but I know that it will be beautiful!

photos! Acadia

Autumn colors surrounded me as I wandered in Acadia National Park last week. Photos can be viewed in the gallery autumn, Acadia.

Enjoy!

a wild rose

While most of the colors surrounding me as I wandered Acadia were in autumn hues, an occasional flower popped from the landscape. This bright pink wild rose decorated the shoreline of the Schoodic Peninsula.

walking a circle

Before heading home we walked a big circle on the carriage roads in Acadia. Yesterday afternoon we drove to the end of Duck Brook Road and took the trail leading to Witch Hole Pond. It was late enough when we started that Denise thought an out-and-back walk would be smart.

This morning we headed back to the same starting spot. We repeated the out part of yesterday's walk but this time we kept on going, completing a full loop as shown on the map. We saw Witch Hole Pond from different sides, and we walked by a couple of smaller ponds too.

It was a perfect last walk to end our autumn visit to Acadia. I know we'll be going back, and I'm sure we'll walk more of the carriage roads too. I wonder if I can convince Denise to visit in the winter.

--- Rover

crazy windy!

Brr! It was cold and crazy windy all day today. I think the high temperature was in the low 40s and a strong wind never stopped. I planned to walk with Denise along the Ocean Path this morning but Blue and I stayed tucked into Denise's pack so we wouldn't blow away. We have figured out how to create an opening for viewing the scenery around us so it was still a good day.

Our walking start point this morning was Sand Beach. We walked across the beach and back again before heading out on Ocean Path. We walked as far as an overlook to a "beach" formed of rounded rocks. Denise likes looking at the rock beaches but she doesn't really like walking across them. I think those rocks are easier for bouncing than for two-legged walking.

The sun wore bright blue with puffy white cloud decorations. Early in our walk Denise captured a sun star with her camera; I think the stars are fun!

I thought maybe I'd be able to jump out and bounce along the trail by Jordan Pond. Nope, the wind was still howling. And there were white caps on the pond. I've never seen it like that before; it usually provides a smooth surface for reflections. Not today...

By mid-afternoon Denise decided it was time to try a "new to us" place. We headed down Duck Brook Road, driving as far as possible. We jumped out of the car and headed out on one of the Carriage Roads.

Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads, the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family, weave around the mountains and valleys of Adadia National Park. Rockefeller, a skilled horseman, wanted to travel on motor-free byways via horse and carriage into the heart of Mount Desert Island. His construction efforts from 1913 to 1940 resulted in roads with sweeping vistas and close-up views of the landscape.

---courtesy of EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA publication, National Park Service

The wide path was surrounded by trees, protected from the wind. Finally, I was able to join Denise and walk a bit. That felt good!

The road we chose led to Witch Hole Pond. I love that name! I think I can convince Denise to walk more of the carriage roads here. We have some time tomorrow morning to start our exploring.

--- Rover