Mt. Desert Island - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 824

To gain a quick introduction to many of the park's plants, visit the Wild Gardens
of Acadia. Although only about an acre in extent, the gardens are rich in variety, with
samplings of native grasses, ferns, mosses, wildflowers, and trees.
Sand Beach, snugly set between headlands and forests, is a favored spot with sun-
bathers and swimmers (who must be game enough to brave the chilly ocean temperatures).
A trail from the parking lot explores a small peninsula and leads to Great Head, a volcanic
rock that looms nearly 150 feet above the ocean.
Farther south a trail leads to Thunder Hole, a chasm carved into the cliffs by the some-
times raging sea. When strong surf teams with an incoming tide, a booming blast resounds
from the hole.
AnothertrailparallelsOtterCliffs,precipitousgraniterocksthatrise110feet.Theview
looksoutonEggRockIslandanditslighthouse,aswellasNovaScotia,whichappearsasa
speck on the horizon. Wild roses grow here, and arctic plants thrive in the cool seaside cli-
mate. The ocean below also teems with life—harbor seals, starfish, rock crabs, barnacles,
squid, herring, and many other marine denizens. Although many of the land animals stay
outofsightforsafety'ssake,attentiveobserversmightberewardedwithglimpsesoffoxes,
coyotes, snowshoe hares, great horned owls, and hawks.
4. Seal Harbor
Continuing past Hunters Head and densely forested hillsides, the one-way section of the
loop road soon joins two-way traffic. At that juncture the drive turns to the south and, after
a short stretch, enters Seal Harbor, a pretty town with elegant homes and a sandy beach. At
the intersection with Rte. 3, turn to the west for a seaside drive to Northeast Harbor, stop-
ping on the way at the informal gardens surrounding Thuya Lodge in Asticou.
5. Northeast Harbor
With its large marina, beautiful homes, and upscale art galleries the village of Northeast
Harbor has long been a mecca for sailboaters and well-to-do vacationers. Throughout the
warmer months hundreds of craft anchor in the harbor, periodically heading out to the
oceanforregattas.Ferriesalsoplythechoppyseas,shuttlingtothehistoricCranberryIsles.