4/3/11 From Harden Farm Rd.

A beautiful sunny day with temperatures around 40 degrees. We chose this area because it has several alternative routes and we did not know how the trails would be. We parked at the end of Harden Farm Rd. near the golf course at the closed park entrance. The park loop rd. was clear in some spots with areas of snow in others but not difficult walking. Kelley was excited to be in the park and with the snow and then we met a woman with her dog and that made her very happy. We walked to the Gorge Path trail head before turning back ( both the Gorge and Kebo Mt. were snowy and we wanted easy) and returning to the Stratheden took that and others to the Tarn. All of this provide numerous opportunities for Kelley to immerse herself in water ,which she did, along with a lot of running and exploring. The Wild Garden Trail took us to the nature center where we stopped and shared an apple. The Jesup and Hemlock brought us back to the park loop road and from there we did the Great Meadow Loop which is relatively new and not done by us before. After the woman and her dog at the start we saw no other people except a girl near the end and enjoyed a very nice walk. We were so enjoying this beautiful peaceful day I didn't even take out my camera. 2-1/4 hours

3/2/11 Neighborhood

More snow last night so after doing three driveways we just walked around the neighborhood for an hour. Kelley was very excited with all the snow-- she is like a child not knowing which way to go first and so dashes all over the place. She was also happy about getting to greet all the people outside doing their drives and most were happy to see her.

Our back yard this morning

3/30/11 Penobscot Mountain

A beautiful sunny day.
Still hard to predict what shape the trails will be in so we picked the Asticou from Jordan Pond for it's many alternatives( the Asticou was mostly packed snow and easy walking) . When we got to the Harbor Brook Trail we took that thinking we would go down to the Eliot Mtn. Trail, up to Eliot and then down to the Asticou and loop back. We soon lost the trail ( no visible blazes and no tracks from others) which we had done before from this end of the trail. We basically bushwhacked trying to keep near the stream but there are branches which makes that also problematic. Eventually we came to a carriage road and after a brief start in the wrong direction had our bearings again and decide that since that had gone so well we would give the Penobscot a try. This trail was easy to follow and once we were above the trees there was little snow. Original plan was to just do a portion but we ended up going to the top and then back down.

Going up the Penobscot Mtn. Trail


Looking north from the summit


A good hike though perhaps a bit much for Kelley who has been a little gimpy the past few days. By the end she was looking tired, which is unusual for her. 4 hours

3/29/11 Snowmobile and Other Trails Near Home

A sunny day with temperatures in the 40's. There is still some snow and ice but,now, also bare patches and water. We decided to walk from home and the trails were not bad with no wet feet for me--Kelley found water to get into and also seemed to enjoy breaking up thin ice which in the past she has avoided.

3/26/11 Day Mountain.

A bright sunny day. The trails are still quite variable so we decided to do carriage roads again. We started from Jordan Pond House and found the first stretch of road had quite a bit of snow yet and was not the best walking but still not bad. The trail up Day looked pretty good so we took that and it was nice to be on a trail. Carriage roads down and back to the park loop road to finish our loop. Kelley was happy to be out and running off leash. A good walk 2-1/4 hours.

More lichen

3/24/11 Carriage Roads

A gray dreary day with snow flurries and more forecast. We decide to head to Acadia anyway and by the time we got there it was mostly sunny and a nice day. Still some snow left but the roads were mostly well packed with easy walking. We started from the parking lot on Rte. 3 and made the loop shown above.

Jordan Stream




We met two men with two labs and walked along with them. Kelley was very happy to have them to play with. I kept trying to get a picture of the three of them but was only able to get this shot of Divot and Kelley.


Two views of Little Long Pond - from the east side and the south end.




Turned out to be a nice day and a nice hike. 2-3/4 hours

3/22/11 Neighborhood

More snow and three driveways to clear so we just walked around the neighborhood today. Very pretty but I have had enough snow ( Kelley thought it was great). Also still working at bring things ( mostly books and bookcase and odds and ends) back into the house from the garage