DAY 17 - GOING WITH THE FLOW

"The world is so full of such wonderful things,
I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings."

I've always been interested in the workings of the brain. Like at this stage of life, how easy it is to lose a common word you need to speak a sentence, and conversely how a random thought from years gone by can be called to mind by some sight or sound stimulus. As I was driving through Acadia National Park for the first time today, that little poem, from my childhood, popped into my head.. . .a little gift from the past.

Acadia National Park has already moved me in the same profound ways that The Great Smoky Mountain NP did years ago when I used to take my boys there in the summer. I'm so happy to be here before all the crowds. More about this later.

MEETING NEW PEOPLE

The thing about a B&B is that you get to meet others who are staying there, especially at breakfast. The breakfast at The Acacia House Hotel (check the website) does not compare with the one we had at The Captain's House. But I did have an interesting conversation with a young couple with an 18-month old daughter who had spent one night here. The wife was LILITH!!! And I mean Frasier Crane's wife! She had the pulled back dark hair, and very much the same delivery as Lilith. Every time the little girl would move, she had Lilith-type feedback: ie: the little girl crawled up on the wicker couch. . .response: "Buns and knees on the seat!" The little girl turned around and looked at me. . . Response: "Tell the lady hello." The little girl turned around the other way and said hello. . . .Response: "Look her in the eye and say hello." Enter father who was much more laid back. Thank goodness. I had to do some cheek chewing to keep from laughing.

VEGGING OUT

I was going to go for a bus tour of Acadia today, but the only one was at 10:00, and I got involved with CBS Sunday Morning, my favorite show, which was broadcast from the Biltmore House. It was a great episode. The fact that it poured rain last night and was still raining steadily this morning made it easy to decide to cocoon in my room with my favorite show.

WASHING THE CLOTHES/STUFFING THE FACE

After the program I headed to the laundromat and did a couple of small loads. Followed by going to this great little mom & pop cafe and having lunch. . . .Lobster Roll with blueberry pie ala mode for dessert. Oh I'm going to pay for this big time, but how completely wonderful it was!!!

MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE

After that I got in the car and drove through the park as I mentioned earlier. Even in the rain it was glorious. Driving around here is reminiscent of driving the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive except you see lots and lots of water. I took the car to the top of Cadillac Mountain which is the highest ground on the coast from here to Brazil. It was cold and windy on the top, but the 360 degree views of the surrounding water and even Mt. Katahdin 150 miles away (the end of the Appalachian Trail)were spectacular. I will take the bus tour tomorrow as a way of being able to look out and hear the narration.


BEST LAID PLANS. . . . .

Minor glitch in the overall plans for this trip. I was so looking forward to a day trip to see the Roosevelt home on Campobello Island which is technically in Canada. I did not do my research thoroughly enough. . . they don't open until next Saturday, and you now need your passport to get there. My passport is home on my desk. Another reason to have to come back here another time, I guess. Even with that setback, I'm seriously considering extending my time here by one day. I think the weather is supposed to get better, and there are hikes to take, maybe a bike to ride, maybe a boat trip to experience, and definitely more lobster to eat. I'll decide that for sure by tomorrow.

As penance for my gluttony at lunch, I went to the local market and got some edamame salad from their deli section, a banana, and some raw almonds for my dinner. All of that was also delicious (I'm a cheap date when it comes to food). Maybe that will be my modus the whole time I'm here. Binge at lunch, small dinner (absolutely no purging allowed!!!). I'm hoping my body will forgive me.

I forgot to wash my pajamas, so I bought a night shirt with moose and bears on it! There's a great visual to leave you with until tomorrow. . . . . RP