However, here's hoping Mother Nature will wake up and give us some nice, warm, sunny days in April!
I'm looking forward to getting my hands in the dirt and doing lots of landscaping once weather permits. We've had a few windy days and there's lots of downed pine branches to gather up so I can plant a few spruces to fill in a couple of spaces needing something green.
The good news around here is that a new restaurant will be opening on June 1st. The Treehouse Seaside Grill is a two minute drive from the Cottage in Winter Harbor and it looks like it's going to have a great menu and gorgeous view of the harbor! We can't wait to enjoy a delicious meal there!
Bar area
It's early in the season yet, but it's definitely time to start thinking about vacations in Acadia National Park. Here's a few fun things to do when you get here:
Peregrine falcons have made their way into our national park once again and have been building nests along the cliffsides.
Nesting falcons are rather skittish around human activity, and they are liable to neglect their eggs if humans get too close, leaving newly-hatched chicks vulnerable to the elements and starvation. In an effort to protect our feathered friends, the park service has closed off a few trails.
As of March 1, 2023, three trails are closed until further notice: Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail. The trails have all been marked and access is strictly forbidden.
The nests near these trails will be monitored and the routes will reopen once they have determined whether the falcons' nesting attempts were successful. Until then, there is still a whole open park just waiting for you to explore. Here are a couple of trail suggestions to take in the meantime.
Take a pleasant stroll around the ever-popular Jordan Pond.
This is a fairly flat trail leading all the way around Jordan Pond, giving you one wonderful view after another. From the Jordan Pond House, you can take a left or right on the loop trail and start your trip by passing bridges, traveling by calm waters, climbing over rocks, and walking through a pleasant forest.
Jordan Pond is certainly a popular trail, so it's a good idea to start your day here early if you're hoping to avoid crowds.
Right along the path to Jordan Pond, you'll find the two Bubble Trails.
There are two trails; one leading to the North Bubble, and the other to the South Bubble. You can do both in one trip by parking on Park Loop Road, or even add these two summits to your adventure around Jordan Pond. The North Bubble offers fantastic views of the pond and is well worth the trip up.
For a leisurely hike, the carriage roads are a lovely choice.
You can jump on this massive trail system from many places within the park, Jordan Pond being one of them, and take off on an adventure. The carriage trails will take you on a pleasant walk through coastal forests within the park and there are many beautiful and historic bridges to discover along the way.
Cadillac Mountain is another great option if you want to challenge yourself and try something a little bit more rugged.
If you take the North Ridge Trail, this hike is sure to get your heart rate up. This out-and-back trail is 4.2 miles long and has an elevation gain of 1,128 feet, so it's a steep and intense challenge. It might not be as scary as the Precipice Trail, but you'll definitely feel your muscles burning.
It is also possible to drive to the top; however, Cadillac Summit Road will be closed for construction through mid-May, so keep this in mind as an option for a summertime adventure.
There may currently be trail closures in Acadia National Park, but there is still plenty to do within the park to keep you busy for a long time while you wait. If you are planning on making the trip to our national park, keep in mind that these trails won’t be available for the time being. Make sure to check the Acadia National Park Page for updates on when the trails will reopen.
As of right now, we are fully booked for July and August, but May, June September and October still have openings. We have plenty of photos and information on VRBO, so check us out, we are # 1713662.
