Camping on Mount Desert Island with friends 2016

We just spent the loveliest of weekends in one of the most beautiful places: Acadia National Park. This year we were fortunate to be able to spend it with some really wonderful friends, which is what made the trip especially great.

Jordan Pond Loop Trail

Before setting up camp, we head into the park to do the 3.5 mile loop around Jordan Pond. We were supposed to meet up with friends, but we ended up being a couple hours behind schedule so we had a leisurely afternoon hike ourselves. This flat hike rewards you with amazing views across the pond with every step. We were all tired by the end but it was good to stretch our legs and exercise after being in the car for four hours.

There was a mother loon sitting on her nest.

Campsite Night One

This was Pippin's very first camping trip. Since the campground and all of Acadia National Park have strict leash rules, we kept Pippin either on a leash or in his big wire pen while we were outside. Inside he slept in his kennel so that he wouldn't tear the tent our puncture our sleeping pads. He didn't complain at all and we were pleasantly surprised by how well behaved he was the entire trip.

We were able to all camp next to each other, which was awesome. The kids played together the whole time and loved it.

They all loved being read books by the campfire.

Meo said that one of his favorite parts of the trip was roasting marshmallows, which they did every night.

Both Jacob and Anita had birthday during the trip which made it an extra special occassion.

Happy 5th birthday to Jacob

Gorham Mountain Hike

On the second day we hiked Gorham Mountain, which is one of our favorite hikes that is doable by all the little kids. We had one 5 year old, two 4 year olds, one 3 year old, and one 2.5 year old, plus a 6 month old puppy.

Sallie and Amara

On the Summit

Max and Link enjoyed being carried down the mountain.

Sand Beach

Meo, Jacob and Max are all Lil' Dragons together so they had some fun doing some martial arts poses on the beach.

Bar Harbor

Making wishes

Ice cream in the park.

There were a couple girls doing gymnastics in the park and Link ran over to them and started to try to copy them. I think they weren't terribly excited about it because they were trying to make a video of themselves, so I ended up doing some cartwheels with the boys to distract them.

We saw and eagle and a seagull.

Campsite Night Two

For the past 9 years we have had a 2 person tent. Last year it was pretty cramped sleeping four people inside it and we were dreading cramming a dog in there as well. So for our 9th year anniversary present to each other, we upgraded to a 6-person tent and got two additional sleeping pads (so now we all have one and I don't have to share), and it felt luxurious.

Eating together at the campsite.

Link was super obsessed with climbing this rock, much to everyone's dismay. Fortunately he didn't get hurt playing on it all weekend.

Link loved running back and forth between Anita and Sallie telling them all sorts of stories. A lot of it came out sounding like babble, but he was very excited about whatever he was telling them.

Beech Mountain and the Fire Tower

On Saturday the rangers opened up the fire tower on Beech Mountain to the public, so we hiked up to check it out.

Amara and Meo both really liked being leaders on the hike, and also love jumping off rocks. They were like a couple of mountain goats.

Sailing on the Windjammer

In the afternoon, we surprised the boys with a trip on a huge sailboat. They couldn't have been more excited.

This was Pippin's first sailing adventure. He napped most of the time, when he wasn't being pet and snuggled by everyone on board.

Poor Meo was so excited, but started feeling sick not too long into the trip.

Link was a wiggle worm as usual, but I was able to tame him by singing to him for most of the trip...when Robbie wasn't taking a turn in distracting him.

Stephen and Jacob took a nap.

Pippin took a nap too, but he stuck his nose out of a hole on the side of the ship.

We were rewarded with lots of beautiful views of islands and other ships, but we were definitely most excited when some harbor porpoises came to swim alongside the ship for a little while.

Dinner in Bar Harbor

While we waited for food, Meo drew a picture of our sailing trip.

Campsite Night Three

The boys spent a lot of time playing Wild Kratts that evening. Link mostly rolled a car in the dirt (which is what he does when he is sleepy). I know that Meo really enjoyed having other kids who also loved to play pretend with.

Pippin stole Amara's shoes; she thought it was hilarious.

Meo and Jacob played "Race for the Treasure".

Sallie and I played a round of "Bingo" with Link.

The boys also enjoyed dressing up and playing super heroes during the trip.

Cadillac Mountain Summit

After we packed up the campsite and were ready to head home, we all drove up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for one last hoorah.

We just

Meo and Amara walked like bears on the summit.

Sallie brought strawberries to share.

This camping trip was just really awesome and will one we will always remember fondly. I'm so thankful to have been able to spend time with such wonderful friends in such a beautiful place doing some of our favorite things.