Exploring the East Coast’s National Park
After a grueling week of finals, six dedicated outdoor enthusiasts packed their bags and joined Mary and Mikayla, along with their advisor Mira, for a four-day adventure in Acadia National Park. Bright and early on Sunday morning, the group departed for Mount Desert Island on the rugged coast of Down East Maine, fueled by excitement and the promise of a much-needed escape into the outdoors. Though the drive was long, the hours passed quickly between animated conversations, off-key karaoke performances, snack breaks, and some much-needed naps.
As the group rolled into the charming seaside town of Bar Harbor, their first priority was food. They stopped for a well-earned brunch at Jordan’s Restaurant, a beloved home-style restaurant famous for its wild Maine blueberry pancakes and baked goods. The restaurant buzzed with energy, packed wall-to-wall with locals and tourists alike. Servers rushed between tables balancing towering stacks of pancakes while the warm atmosphere made everyone feel instantly at home.
With everyone happily full, the group continued to Blackwoods Campground, which would serve as home for the next three nights. Tents quickly began to rise as camp was assembled, but setting up camp also became an opportunity for learning. Conversations naturally turned into lessons about campground expectations, outdoor ethics, the “bear-muda triangle” (camp triangle), and useful camping tricks that make life outdoors both safer and more enjoyable.
Once camp was complete, the group eagerly ventured out to explore Otter Cove, a peaceful coastal cove scattered with tidepools, shells, and smooth stones. The calm water and endless small discoveries kept everyone entertained as they wandered the shoreline. Eventually, they piled back into the vans and drove a short distance to Thunder Hole, whose name alone provided endless entertainment for the group. After taking in the crashing waves and dramatic rocky coastline, they returned to camp to prepare dinner: the legendary walking tacos, a UNE Outdoor Rec staple. Everyone pitched in, chopping ingredients, assembling food, and sharing laughs around camp. The evening ended with full stomachs, clean dishes, and a glowing campfire crackling beneath the night sky.
The following morning began with breakfast and preparations for a packed day of exploring. Their first stop was the Sieur de Monts Nature Center, where they met the incredibly knowledgeable park ranger, Kathie Petrie. Ranger Petrie guided the group through the rich history of Acadia National Park before leading them around the Visitor Center grounds. Along the way, she discussed internship and career opportunities within the National Park Service while emphasizing the park’s dedication to environmental stewardship and conservation. After thanking Ranger Petrie for her time, the group continued along the Hemlock Path Loop, enjoying a peaceful walk beneath towering trees and through the quiet woods surrounding the center.
The adventure continued at the scenic Jordan Pond Loop, with a slight detour to summit South Bubble, home to the famous Bubble Rock precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff. The group paused to admire sweeping views of the surrounding landscape before continuing along the trail. Still energized, they made their way to Beehive Trail, one of Acadia’s most iconic hikes. Though not especially long, Beehive is unforgettable for its steep granite staircases and iron rungs bolted directly into exposed cliff faces high above the coastline. With breathtaking views overlooking Sand Beach and the vast Atlantic Ocean, the climb challenged both first-timers and returning hikers alike. By the end of the day, tired legs and satisfied smiles carried the group back to camp for another UNE OR classic dinner: pasta and chicken. Before long, the group had settled into another evening of OHO (“officially hanging out”) around the fire.
Tuesday brought an entirely new adventure: rock climbing with the well-known Noah Kleiner, owner of Equinox Guiding Service. After breakfast, the group loaded the vans and met Noah and his intern Alden at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Once everyone was outfitted with climbing gear and the plan for the day was discussed, they headed back to South Bubble, but this time, not for hiking. The group established a small basecamp and spent the morning climbing routes along the rock face, encouraging one another through every challenge.
After completing several climbs and enjoying lunch at a nearby picnic spot, the group still wasn’t ready to end the day. They traveled onward to Otter Cliff, a renowned climbing destination where routes tower dramatically above the ocean below. That’s right, climbers scale cliffs directly above crashing waves! Every participant pushed beyond their comfort zone, taking on new challenges while soaking in the incredible coastal scenery surrounding them. Feeling accomplished and exhilarated, the group thanked Noah and Alden before heading into town for a much-needed dinner at Pat’s Pizza. Ice cream followed, of course, before the group drove to the summit of Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunset on their final night in Acadia. Although clouds obscured the view, the glimpses of color breaking through the sky were beautiful nonetheless and served as the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
The following morning arrived slowly, as several nights sleeping on rocky ground finally caught up with everyone. Eventually, sleepy campers emerged from their tents to prepare one last breakfast of “fancy” bagels and bacon before packing up camp and loading the vans for the journey home.
The drive back was much quieter than the ride there. Most people slept as the miles passed, but the silence offered time to reflect on the previous days. The trip marked the end of another academic year, for some, their very first year of college, and for others, one of the final chapters before graduation. Between surviving finals, sharing countless overtired laughs, and experiencing the beauty of Acadia together, the group created memories that will last far beyond the semester. Without question, the trip was the perfect way to close out the year.
