Beating the Rain – Thursday – June 27, 2013

Well, it has become quite clear I am getting farther and farther behind with blogging;o((

 Can't help the fact that we are out here having a blast and have no time to blog!!

We have been at Acadia National Park with friends since the first of July.

Thank to Tricia and Dan, here is a GREAT  RECAP  of some of our adventures.

I probably will get our blog updated sometime next year;o)))

Now back to my catch-up posts.....

Just like most of the east coast, we have had our share of rain here in Lubec.  The last few days have been great, but on Friday, the rains are suppose to return;o((  We have 3 hikes still on our list: Boot Cove Preserve, Coast Guard Trail and Sunsweep Trail. So with an early start, we hope to complete our trail list today before the rains get here tomorrow!!

 

Early this morning, we headed back toward Quoddy Head State Park.

 

Today, we took a right onto Boot Cove Road at the fork

instead of a left toward the state park.

 

About 6 miles down the road we found the SMALL parking area on the left.

 

Hmmm… we aren’t the first to arrive!

Watch carefully, you could drive right by this small parking area.

 

The sign is very small and tucked back in the trees;o((

 

However, the trail is well marked and well maintained:o))

 

 

 

First stop….  another Bog:o)

 

 

Then through the woods to a coastal viewing platform.

 

 

 

Bill stuck to the platform, but I had to get a photo of the view below!!

 

 

Then it was back through the woods and wildflowers to the next beautiful view.

 

 

Up we go….

I never get tired of the views of Maine’s rocky coast:o)

 

 

 

 

Next stop was Boot Cove Beach.

The house in the background is a private residence. 

 

I’ve always heard location, location, location;o)) 

 

 

 

Like most of the beaches in Maine, this was a rocky beach.

 

Thought this was a cool view from the water’s edge!!

 

 

From the beach,

the trail turns back into the woods for about 1/2 mile back to the trailhead.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed this well maintained and beautiful hike. 

 

 

Since it was just mid-morning, we would have time

to hike the short Coast Guard Trail at Quoddy Head State Park before lunch.

 

The wildflowers are spectacular along the roads and the trails!!!

 

 

This was the temperature around noon as we drove to the state park.

Hard to believe it is the end of JUNE!!!

 

 

Arriving at Quoddy Head State Park,

we parked on the left since the Coast Guard Trail is to the left of the lighthouse. 

 

 

The Coast Guard Trail is a short, very smooth, slightly uphill and well maintained trail. 

 

 

Now there is a bit of a climb up the new steps to the observation deck;o))

 

 

The views from the observation deck are OK.

 

However, we had better views from all the other coastal trails.

 

 

From the steps at the observation tower, you can go back the way you came

or

continue on a less manicured and more rugged trail toward the lighthouse.

 

Of course, we chose the later;o))

 

So glad we did or we wouldn’t have seen this bird nest on the rocky ledge!!

 

Not sure what bird built this nest??

 

Possibly a falcon as it doesn’t look large enough for an Osprey or Eagle.

Can you imagine being a young bird in this nest ;o(((

 

 

As we continued, we got our first peak at the lighthouse.

 

 

As you exit the trail,

you are greeted by this gorgeous view!!!

 

 

Now that we have done all the hikes in Quoddy Head State Park,

we want to do the Coastal Trail again. 

 

It is absolutely spectacular!!!

 

Next time, we would go down and back along the coast.

 

If the rains end, perhaps we can accomplish that on Sunday:o))

 

 

 

For today, our next stop takes us back across the boarder to Campobello Island. 

 

We want to return to Liberty Point (where Bill saw his “Iceberg”)

to hike the Sunsweep Trail out to a peninsula which has a sundial Sculpture.

Who knows, we might see another Iceberg too;o)))

 

 

The trail starts with a long climb up to the rocky ledge…

 

 

Through the woods and up a little higher…

 

 

OK, we are back to the beautiful view of Maine’s rocky coast!!!

 

 

 

Yep, we are getting closer to the point of the pennisula…

 

 

Wish you could smell the pine. 

 

It is AMAZING!!

 

 

When we reach the peninsula, the forest ends.

 

As we walked out to the point, the fog was beginning to roll in.

 

I have never been to Ireland, but I think it would be a lot like this.

Just in front and to the right of Bill is the Sundial,

an international art project and symbol of international friendship.

 

 

 

 

Perfect ending to a wonderful day of hiking!!!