Ship Harbor and Bernard

Last week we had a nice day for our day off, but for reasons you all know, we needed to stay within cell service. After doing some chores around the campsite, we took the dogs for a ride down to Southwest Harbor, picked up a cheese pizza at Little Notch bakery, and had a picnic lunch at the Seawall Picnic area. It was very busy there, and all the tables on the water were already occupied, but that was ok, we still had a beautiful view and could hear the waves crashing on the shoreline. Between that and the buoys clanging in the distance, there's no other sound quite like it.

We then took a walk on one of our favorite trails, Ship Harbor, and I got some pictures of the scenery in the sun!

One thing I've noticed is that the wildflowers bloom quite prolifically up here

A side path down to the water's edge

The first half of the loop trail follows the harbor edge

Very tall pine trees

At the mouth of the harbor

Maine's rocky shore...we sat here for awhile to let Chelsea rest, and had a nice conversation with a couple from South Carolina who were here on vacation. The dogs naturally pull people in!

The trail loops through the forest pack to the parking area. 

We then continued driving around the "Quiet Side" of the island, and decided to follow the signs to the town of Bernard and check it out. It's on the other side of Bass Harbor, and very cute. Not much of a business district, just a couple of artist shops, a restaurant I'd like to go back and try (Thurston for Lobster, isn't that cute?) and some very picturesque photo opportunities. These photos made me think of "the real Maine":

Lobster boats in the harbor...it was about docking time, and we sat awhile watching them unload the boxes off of a lobster boat.

Fisherman's Memorial set up at the docks.

It's pretty cool how such a simple adornment of hanging buoys can transform this shack into such a beautiful picture.

Lobster pots stacked on the dock, with their transportation in the background. Bass Harbor residences line the opposite shore.

I hope you enjoyed some sunny pictures from me today. And again our family thanks everyone of you for your kind words and thoughts of the past week. Al is flying back today, and Casey is anxiously awaiting his return...as am I!