Hytreks

Oh, For Fun

Month: October 2021

  • Niagara Falls State Park – New York

    Niagara Falls State Park – New York

    Dates we visited: June 23rd, 2021
    Where we stayed: Niagara Falls North / Lewiston KOA

    After visiting Acadia in Maine, we made our way back south and west to New York State. After spending some time with some of Kristy’s family near Elmira NY, we made our way up to Niagara Falls. Technically, Niagara is a New York State Park, not a National Park, but since we were so close, we decided we couldn’t skip it. I’m glad we made the time to see it, as it was an incredible experience!

    The Falls

    Upon arriving at the falls we were surprised by how touristy it was. It was definitely a different experience than the National Parks that we frequent. There was no shortage of souvenirs shops or restaurants.

    Unfortunately, the Canadian border was still closed due to Covid at the time of our visit, so checking out the falls from that vantage point was off the table.

    After taking in the view of the falls from prospect point we debated whether or not to do the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour. We opted in, and I’m really glad we did. If you plan to visit Niagara it is absolutely worth it to experience the falls from the water. An interesting factoid, the Maid of the Mist boats are now all electric, so there is no engine noise or exhaust.

    The boats were operating at half capacity and with mask requirements due to covid. The fact that they were running at half capacity was kind of awesome, there was much more room on the boat than usual. After a short trip, we reached the base of the waterfall. The tumultuous roar of the falls combined with the spray of the mist enveloping us was memorable. Watching the immense flow of water cascade over the falls, it was hard to comprehend the raw power in front of us. This five senses experience had Owen thinking that the boat actually went through the waterfall.

    Even though it was a bit more touristy than we prefer, we thoroughly enjoyed our Niagara Falls experience. We even had time to stop and get some Tim Hortons donuts while we were in the area, which were quite delicious. Niagara Falls is a true marvel to behold, and we’re glad we had the opportunity to experience it.

    Niagara Falls Gallery

    A massive and iconic waterfall, some electric boats, and delicious donuts. Our Niagara Falls visit was a success.

  • Acadia National Park – Maine

    Acadia National Park – Maine

    Dates we visited: June 9th & 10th, 2021
    Where we stayed: Mt. Desert Narrows

    After visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, we headed north up through New England to reach Acadia National Park. Acadia is located on an island along the Atlantic coast, near Bar Harbor, Maine. If you want to sound like a local Mainer, it’s important that you pronounce that “Baahr Haarbahr”. Acadia is home to a variety of ecosystems, and is known as place in the U.S. where you can first see the sun rise. Kristy scored us a great campground right outside of the park, so we were able to make several trips in to explore.

    Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole

    Kristy capturing the Cadillac Mountain view

    Acadia is unique in the respect that the majority of the land was donated over time to from local landowners. This resulted in a bit of a patchwork of park land across the islands and peninsulas. One of the main attractions, found on the east side of Mt. Desert Island is Cadillac Mountain. At an elevation of 1,530 feet, it is the highest point along the east coast. If you want to experience what it’s like to be the first person in America to see the sunlight of a new day, the summit of Cadillac Mountain is where you can make it happen. Cadillac Mountain does require a timed entry pass. Unfortunately, we were not able to secure a pass for sunrise, but we did get one for mid-day. After completing the scenic drive around the area of the park we did a hike at the summit, and took in the splendor of the park from this elevated vantage point.

    We also stopped off at the famed Thunder Hole. This is a section of the coast where the ocean has eroded a unique formation in the coastal rocks. A few hours before high tide, as the tide is making its way inland, this formation creates a thunderous sound that can be heard up and down the trail. We made it to the Thunder Hole, but we didn’t time it quite right and experienced something more akin to a mild rumble, rather than thunder.

    Jordan Pond to Wonderland

    Popovers at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant

    On the recommendation of a friend, we decided to stop for lunch at the Jordan Pond House restaurant. While the restaurant was open for indoor dining, it was a beautiful day and we opted for eating out on the lawn overlooking the lake. The warm sun and cool breeze made for a stunning natural setting. All the food was good here, but their popovers are their claim to fame. If you stop here, order extras of these tasty treats. If you limit carb intake in your diet, plan this stop on a cheat day, because these are delicious.

    Later in the evening we headed to the southwestern tip of the island, known within the park as Wonderland. This area of the park is much less visited, and we encountered only a handful of other visitors. Here we were able to hike through the woods and explore tide pools in search of anemones, crabs and other sea life. We even found a beach where we were able to kick off our shoes, roll up our pants and enjoy the Atlantic ocean lapping at our feet.

    We enjoyed our time at Acadia. We especially appreciated the cooler climate found here as compared to the heat and humidity we experienced further south. With its coastal waters, laid back attitude, and delicious popovers, this was certainly a unique park experience for us. The only thing we feel like we missed on this visit was a trip out to Schoodic Point. The entire Schoodic Peninsula was closed due to rains washing out several trails and roads. Maybe next time!

    Gallery

    The delicious “popovers” were the unexpected surprise at Acadia National Park. We also had a blast exploring tide pools, climbing mountains and visiting lighthouses.