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Saturday, October 2, 2010

In a Fog on MDI

Did we mention the fog this week?

SURE. Grenville did that in the post about our trip to Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island (MDI) along with his fog photos. So just how foggy was the drive?

VERY. But despite that it was still well worth driving 27-mile Park Loop Road through Acadia National Park on ascend Cadillac Mountain summit. And, it sure beat cycling (or hiking) up. Yes, folks do cycle in the fog (see below). Personally, we prefer to see what’s ahead – or behind us.

Cadillac Mountain, even after being sheared off by glaciers, remains the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard at 1,532 feet above sea level. Its composition is pink granite with forests of spruce and pitch pineIt provides spectacular panoramic views of Acadia. We’re going back today because (1) it’s finally SUNNY with blue skies so we might actually see the panoramic views and (2) only way to drive through the park is to buy a 7-day pass ($20) so we’re paid up.
 
MDI is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of 108 square miles (280 km²) it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous U.S. The winding, scenic road leading to the top of Cadillac Mountain is about 3.5 miles long; it was officially opened in 1931.

Here’s the BIG question . . .
Was the mountain named after the car, the car after the mountain or after someone with connections to Maine and Motown?


Both, sort of . . .Cadillac Mountain is named for a French explorer, – Antoine Laumet del La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac,  born Antoine Laumet; Cadillac was from a town near his birthplace.

Before being renamed in 1918, the mountain was called Green Mountain. green mountain railway In the late 1800s, MDI was a popular summer resort for the rich. From 1883 until 1893 the Green Mountain Cog Railway , a narrow gauge mountain railway, took visitors to the summit to the Green Mountain Hotel. It burned in 1895 and the cog railway ended and was sold to the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire.
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WAIT until we get some photos in clear weather; to be continued . . .

10 comments:

HermitJim said...

Looks like an amazing place! I'll be looking for the pics when the sun is shining!

Can't believe some folks would cycle up!

Anvilcloud said...

Nice mood pics. The first biker photo was well taken. (Not saying the others weren't.)

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

Beautiful photographs! Especially the top one! Ok, so now I have one more place to visit if I ever travel again!

Thanks for the facts and history about the place too!

Have a great day now!
Christer.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

HJ, the sun has finally come out this weekend, but the temps dropped and we woke up to 36 degrees today. Yesterday we revisited Cadillac Mountain and did not see a single cyclist despite clear weather - go figure.

Thanks AC, fog may not be great for driving, but it does make for some interesting photos and having the bikers there added a more interest than just looking at fog on the roadway.

Christer, I especially liked the top photo too and had the fog not been there it would just have been an ordinary road shot. This is definitely a good travel destination and finding out about the history gives me a bit more knowledge to share.

Glad you all stopped by and thanks for the photo comments - much appreciated.

possum said...

Waiting...........
You ARE in one of my favorite spots inthis whole world...
Can't see enough of it.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hey Jan, we did get more photos at Acadia yesterday afternoon - Sand Beach and Thunder Hole were truly magnificent. We went to the of Cadillac Mountain summit again, but it was very windy (downright hilly too) and too dark for any photos. We will update later tonight and agree that Acadia is wonderful - so much too see and not nearly enough time.

Ginnie said...

Lovely place and lovely pictures. I'm not so sure I would be out on a bike in that fog, though !

Anonymous said...

The foggy pictures are very nice.

MamaHen said...

Beautiful photos!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks Ginnie and I agree that it's crazy to be out riding in the fog, but then I wouldn't cycle the Park Loop in good weather either!

Hi Abe, thanks for stopping in and leaving such nice words - really appreciate that!

Hey Annie, ditto for your postings from out west. Feels like we're travelling there with you and Capt Jack. Glad you are both having a fun time too!