PONO IN DREAMLAND - II
Although my experiences in Dreamland centered around the Sprites and this P-gram
has more of that, other aspects of Bar Harbor (BH), Maine are also unique.
A few pics here serve to introduce the area, but you really have to see
it for yourselves. Pardon an informational commercial: visit
www.DerbyLaneCottage.com.
Apparently old age makes one a lot more conservative. And the
generational difference is quite noticeable. On this day, I
started out attempting to keep the kids off the stepladder, modified that to
keeping them at lower levels, and ended up with no limits, based on parental
approval. All I could do was check for safe placement of the
ladder and perform watchful oversight. Clover comforted me.
Mount Desert Island (MDI) is the location of Bar Harbor. After a
number of trips to MDI, I tend to think of the island as one gigantic rock!
Now, I don’t even pretend to be a geologist, but I see all kinds of rocks on the
island and I chatted with Courtney about them. Based on that chat,
Courtney arranged a tour for me.
We saw raw formations on the seashore and the summit of Cadillac Mountain,
quarried rock structures (formal walls, buildings, piers and bridges), and what
is probably the majority of rocks – quarry and road construction leftovers that
are liberally distributed as informal borders, gardens, decorations, fill, etc.
MDI is truly made of rock.
JR and Courtney’s garage parking area is bordered by several tons of
granite. Their fire pit has another several tons arranged for seating.
All of these stones are covered with the markings of quarry activities – bore
holes, cracks, shaping attempts.
These layered formations are colorful and fascinating residents of the
coast just a couple blocks from downtown BH.
Stone is a sturdy and long-lasting material for piers.
Roads around BH have miles and miles of roadway bordered with large stones
close together. The feeling one gets is that on MDI, any and every excuse
for the use of stone has been exploited!
Among many buildings constructed of local stone is the Administration
Building for College of the Atlantic (COA) in BH. It was built in 1895,
commonly called Turrets, and transferred to COA at the inception of the College
in 1969. Note the informal stones around the driveway and the Sprites
being unusually quiet.
Courtney cooks, cleans, is a care-giver, helps run the business and the
family, but still finds time for a relaxing session of gymnastics.
Courtney, JR, Clover, Scarlet and Poppy by Duck Brook under the Bridge by
that name in Acadia National Park.
In Acadia National Park on MDI, you’ll find more than 45 miles of carriage
roads with 16 varied stone bridges built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. This
one is Duck Brook Bridge. It was built in 1929 and was undergoing repairs
when we visited it. It boasts four viewing turrets.
Cadillac Mountain dominates MDI. The summit has acres and acres of
stone bared and polished by the glacier and now preserved for visitors to enjoy.
I walked over part of the summit and I think I found Cadillac’s heart-shaped
navel.
Starting from the top, see the Atlantic Ocean, cruise ships, Bar Harbor,
golf course, a patch of bare rocks occupied by JR and family sight-seeing, a
patch of brush and more rocks. I was standing safely on a level path on
the summit of Cadillac Mountain marveling at the scenery and the energy of
youth.
AFTERWORD
I recognize that most of these pics are pretty amateurish (the ones that I took
especially) but if they pique your curiosity, do spend some time on Google
images or the like. You can see all 16 classic Rockefeller
Bridges, all sides of Turrets during different time periods, views of and from
Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, COA, BH, MDI, etc. You will have to furnish your own Sprites or just search for wild ones in the forests. Here’s your bonus of the tap dancing Sprites.
|
