Breakfast:
A continental breakfast will be available at the motel.
Morning:
Using authentic gear and live lobsters, a local lobster expert will show us how Maine’s most famous sea creatures are caught and what the future of the industry looks like. We’ll then meet a “Vanderbilt maid,” who will take us on a delightful stroll through Bar Harbor, highlighted by tales from the Victorian “cottage era,” when Bar Harbor was among the world’s most exclusive and illustrious resorts.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot, we’ll have our bagged lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll ride through picturesque Somesville, the oldest settlement on Mount Desert Island. From there, we’ll take in the sights of the western side of Mount Desert Island — the “back side” or “quiet side” as many natives call it. At the Maine Granite Industry Museum, we'll participate in a fascinating session on granite cutting by a local granite quarrying expert. We’ll have a chance to lend our hands in prepping and cutting. The museum houses tools used by the quarrymen, blacksmiths, stone cutters, and stone carvers, as well as many historic photos and related documents. Moving on, we’ll visit Southwest Harbor and stop at Seawall, a natural rock formation that offers some of the loveliest ocean views on the island. We’ll then meander in and out of Acadia National Park and areas that many tourists never see. Returning to Somesville, we’ll visit sites that will reveal more about local history and culture including the so-called Monet Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in the state of Maine.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.