Bah Hahbahing--Thursday, June 19th

Today, it is not raining, so we are heading out to Bar Harbor to enjoy the "scene" before all the tourists arrive. Our drive was so familiar, but, secretly, I hope to see new establishments--shops, restaurants, bars, other stuff. It's good that our favorite places are still around, though.

As usual, our arrival had us driving around looking for a parking spot. Most of the spaces on the street were taken, which is just as well as Bob hates to parallel park. All the spaces--be they in a parking lot or on the street--have limited parking. Our favorite place to park is down by the pier. One circle around and it didn't look good--until, lo and behold, a place right at the exit. Niiiccceee! SCORE!

For some reason, probably the nice temperature, both of us seemed energetic--much more than the last time we were here (2012). We started up Main Street and I stopped at practically every shop (with poor Bob in tow). We did find a replacement for our puffin window thermometer, so we picked that up. Then I found a number of baking kits and food stuffs--even though we are eating healthy, we are not supposed to deprive ourselves, right?

Bob was getting hungry, so we went to our favorite place to eat (we should really branch out), Testa's. We were seated upstairs. We had never been there and the view was beautiful even though we weren't that close to the windows looking out at the water. I ordered my usual--prime rib sandwich with potato salad and Bob, who has been eating chicken a lot--rather than his usual hamburger--had a Cajun chicken sandwich. We both had iced tea--we didn't want to be loggey all day, so we passed on the beer/cocktails. No wonder our bill was so small. Ah, so that's a neat trick. Don't want to spend a lot of money eating out--don't order any alcohol.

Testa's and the view from our table

And it worked. We had to move the car and had some difficulty finding a place. Finally, after complaining that Bar Harbor should have some public parking, we turned down a side street and guess what we found? Public parking! It was right on the water, surrounded by beautiful mansions, beach homes, and bed and breakfast establishments. There was also a trail that followed the ocean that we took for some scenic exercise. I tried not to snoop nosily into the yards of the mansions, but I did. This is one thing that's sad about getting older. Yes, our lives aren't over, but there are certain things that we dreamed about all our lives (living in a place on the ocean) that we know, for sure, will never happen. This, to me, is harder to take than the aches, pains, and physical limitations that come when we pass 60. Anyway, I digress. Along the route, there were signs called "Museum of the Street" which explained the history of the area--the islands, the stone walls, the mansions and inns. Fascinating and very educational.

Shore Path

More than a century old, this level walking path

follows the shore of Frenchman Bay from the town

pier to Wayman Lane. It passes one of Bar Harbor’s

oldest inns and several historic summer “cottages.”

The Porcupine Islands, Balance Rock, Egg Rock Light,

and the Schoodic Peninsula are just a few of the

coastal sights along the way. There are many options

for this route, ranging from a romantic stroll to an

easy one-hour hike.

View from the oceanside trail

Another view from the trail

Atlantique, by architect Fred Savage--it can be yours for $3,900,000. Commissioned by John Jacob Astor's grandson, in 1904, this mansion is 14,500 square feet. The estate houses a USGA putting green, a croquet court, and overlooks the ocean and Porcupine Islands. It is on Mount Desert Island, in Bar Harbor, though it is landscaped for privacy. It was restored in 2000.

Atlantique, one of architect Fred Savage’s true masterpieces, was commissioned by John Jacob Astor’s grandson in 1904. Awarded National Registry status in 1992, the 14,500 square foot tudor mansion was masterfully restored in 2000. The entire estate is landscaped for utmost privacy that dramatically presides over the ocean and Porcupine Islands. Atlantique is one of few properties on Mount Desert Island that features all of the amenities and solitude of a private estate, yet steps outside the gate brings owners and guests into the heart of Bar Harbor. We wonder though if one would even want to leave the confines of the estate with its dramatic and magical gardens, USGA putting green championship croquet court, and myriad secret spots for repose. If so, tide pools on the shore, fine restaurants and shops downtown and world renowned Acadia National Park are all close by.
$3,900,000
- See more at: http://www.exoticexcess.com/estates/estate-of-the-day-39-million-tudor-mansion-in-bar-harbor-maine/#sthash.oZ6o69xl.dpuf

Atlantique, one of architect Fred Savage’s true masterpieces, was commissioned by John Jacob Astor’s grandson in 1904. Awarded National Registry status in 1992, the 14,500 square foot tudor mansion was masterfully restored in 2000. The entire estate is landscaped for utmost privacy that dramatically presides over the ocean and Porcupine Islands. Atlantique is one of few properties on Mount Desert Island that features all of the amenities and solitude of a private estate, yet steps outside the gate brings owners and guests into the heart of Bar Harbor. We wonder though if one would even want to leave the confines of the estate with its dramatic and magical gardens, USGA putting green championship croquet court, and myriad secret spots for repose. If so, tide pools on the shore, fine restaurants and shops downtown and world renowned Acadia National Park are all close by. - See more at: http://www.exoticexcess.com/estates/estate-of-the-day-39-million-tudor-mansion-in-bar-harbor-maine/#sthash.oZ6o69xl.dpuf

Me--on the shore path
heading up toward Main Street

A restaurant with homemade branch-trellises

A restaurant along Main Street

Someone's beautiful home

A small Greenbelt area/park

Another beautiful home and one of it's many porches

Another home along the walk

We walked quite a distance on this trail and then took another side street toward Main Street. We found a frozen custard stand (with 24 flavors), stopped and enjoyed our licks and moved on. After a while, both of us were obviously done with shopping so we headed back to the car. The car--where did we park again? We found the car and headed home. Traffic was crazy, but we weren't in a rush.