Acadia National Park: Day 1

I meet up with Matt. Matt looks different, almost dog-like. And what's with all of the hair? I thought he had shaved his head? Hmm... Well, he still likes to play frisbee! But I came to climb, so as much as I enjoy a good toss, I don't toss it at all.



Oh! It's not Matt! That's Matt's dog, Ginger! Here's Matt, sunglasses and sunhat on, ready to go! We pack up the car, say goodbye to Wendy, Matt's mom, and hit the road. We drive to Acadia National Park in Maine. This is on Mount (Mt.) Desert Island, which encompasses four towns: Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, and Tremont.
Matt and I head into Bar Harbor to find a shoppe that will likely have a rock climbing guidebook for Acadia National Park. We do. We get it, and we look up a place to go climbing as we drive into the park. At the trailhead to South Walls, we sit on small rocks and make some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Then, with all of our trad gear, head up to a 5.9 and then a 5.8R.



Keep in mind that this is Matt's first time climbing! We stop at the top to snap a few photos and admire Matt's scrapes and cuts! Trad. routes aren't always pretty! Left is Matt at the top of the first climb, happy to be there. Below is Matt on a thin fingernail crack, getting used to high feet!

After a day of climbing, Matt and I head to Bar Harbor again for some ingredients for dinner and for some rest and relaxation! For dinner we're running out of options and contrive our own awesome sandwich: The Inglacias, a.k.a. Nacho Sandwich: Muenster cheese, cheese salsa, and tortilla chips with bread. We find out that Bar Harbor is awesome: the Village Green has outlets on nearly all lightposts and the town provides free wireless internet there. I know this is good. I whip out my laptop as it gets dark and Matt whips out his patience. We do battle: me updating blog that's three days late, and Matt stretching out his limbs and trying to ease his war wounds from the day!

After dinner and internet we go to our reserved campsite on the other side of the island that Matt graciously reserved weeks earlier. Thanks, Matt! Next one's on me! Quietside Campground makes a wooden platform upon which you shall post thy tent! Why? You got me! I guess tourist-tenters can't take the rocks?! Anyhow, we posed. Por supuesto!



And after talking and laughing and a tent party and tea and books and headlamps and noticing neighbors, we get some much-needed shuteye. After all, this is but Day 1 for Acadia National Park. And Day 2 will dawn soon enough!



"Yay, Acadia" says your Landescaper, N8