Camping in Acadia National Park with friends 2017

This past weekend was our third year of going camping with our friends the L-P and R families. All of our oldest children have known each other since they were infants and we are grateful to have this tradition to keep connected and have fun together.

Jordan Pond Shore Loop Trail

We all had trouble parking and had no cell reception so we ended up hiking around this pond separately. The boys practically ran the three miles. It's such a beautiful spot.

First Night Camping:

Working on their junior ranger books.

Day 2: Walk to Bar Island at low tide.

Ice Cream on the Green at Bar Harbor.

Another family had bubbles, and our boys couldn't resist joining in on the fun.

Touch tank at the Dorr Museum of Natural History (College of the Atlantic).

When I asked Meo what he learned at the touch tank he said, "that star fish eat blue mussels by attaching to their shells and prying them open." When I asked Link he said, "that sea cucumbers feel like poop, hahaha."

Campsite Night Two.

Day Three: Hiking Champlain Mountain. This is my favorite hike in Acadia National Park. Not only because it is where Robbie proposed to me with a dandelion ring 11 years ago, but also because I think it is the most beautiful hike and there are usually very few people on the trail. This day it was very cloudy so the view wasn't as clear, but it was still a beautiful hike.

On the top there were some frogs in the pond. Meo was obsessed about catching to them, to the point that he got in a little trouble from Mom and Dad for not listening when we told him it was time to come out. But I can understand that desire to get closer to wildlife.

These kids hiked 4.6 miles today. They are champs!

Top of Cadillac Mountain on a cloudy evening.

Night 3 at the campsite:

Being sworn in as junior rangers.

Day Four: Back up Cadillac in the sunshine.

I guess the whole time Amara and Link were walking the were saying to each other, "You're the cutest! No, YOU'RE the cutest!"

Tide pooling in Southwest Harbor. Sally's friend told her about this lesser known path to a quiet beach that is great for tide pooling at low tide. It took us a while to find it, but it was worth the wait and a nice way to end our trip.

Thank you friends for camping and adventuring with us. We love your companionship and this annual tradition. You are such wonderful people to spend lots of time with, even when its rainy, or super hot, or the dog is barking, or if the kids start going nuts. Love you guys!

ready for a shower