Hello from Bar Harbor, Maine!
It’s Sunday night, and my friends and I are driving back to NYC bright and early tomorrow!
My suitcase is packed, everyone is asleep, and I thought, what better time than to share my favorite moments from the incredible adventure we had this weekend!
There were LOTS of laughs, LOTS of lobster, and LOTS of special memories I’ll hold onto forever.
First of all, if you’ve never been to Maine, NOW is the time to go. It is pristine – Mother Nature is fully on display. The mountains meet the sea. The countryside is sprinkled with picturesque inlets and bays. I’d actually LOVE to see it from above.
The next thing you should know is that INNS are IN!
So at least I’m Bar Harbor, there are no major hotels. They’ve taken all these old, magnificent mansions and converted them into quaint, quirky inns!
The houses are SO cute – it is exactly what you’d imagine a little lobster seaside town to be. With an ice cream shop on Main Street, over looking the ships in the harbor, with everyone biking and millimg about.
I mean, the night we arrived, they were having a movie in the town square park…gazebo and all!
Time has stood still, and I am HERE FOR IT!
My FAVORITE thing we did the whole trip was seeing the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain.
It’s the first sunrise in the US, and it was truly the most magnificent display of God’s beauty I’ve ever seen! The sky was exploding with the most vibrant magentas and pinks and oranges. It was unreal. God is so majestic!
That afternoon, we hiked another little mountain (before noon!) right before a big rain storm rolled in. (But it’s okay, we took a big nap!)
The other SUPER cool thing we did was nighttime kayaking to see the bioluminescence in the Castine Bay. And WOW. If you’re up for an adventure, this is it!
Bioluminescence are tiny organisms in the water that glow in the dark. They illuminate as a defense mechanism when they are facing a predator. They are incredibly hard to see, and there are a few spots in the world where the bioluminescence are super concentrated, and Castine, Maine is one of these places!
It was AMAZING. We set out in kayaks at around 9pm, and we paddled across the bay to these little wooded coves where the bioluminescence were visible. And technology can’t capture it – believe me I tried.
But imagine fireflies in the water! I’d dip my paddle in, and the agitation of the water would set off the illumination, and the water would twinkle a neon blue all around my paddle. It was out of this world.
The whole time I couldn’t help but be in awe at God’s creativity when He created – literally – sparkly, glittering water.
I mean, how loved are we, that we have a Creator that wants to delight us with such whimsy and unique beauty through nature!
Ok finally…the FOOD. I was in heaven every meal! The seafood was literally caught right outside the window THAT MORNING.
And lobster rolls are worth. the. hype. We stopped at this roadside shack called Sprague’s Lobster on the way into town and it was truly phenomenal. There was one day we packed a picnic lunch (of lobster rolls) and ate it on the beach! It was such a lovely afternoon!!
Other notable Bar Harbor restaurants, Blaze, Jalapeños, Testa’s, and GET THE BLUEBERRY SOFT SERVE! (All eaten outdoors or takeout!)
Maine is known for blueberries, so basically anywhere I was, I asked for extra blueberries, or extra lobster or crab meat haha
It was a culinary delight to say the least!
And now we’re headed back to reality!
What an incredible blessing to have been able to create such wonderful memories with friends I’ve lived down the street from my entire life. Literally. LIFE LONG friends. These three women are “my people.” My heart is at such peace and in so much joy with them!!
So. Going to hit the hay now. Hope you had a wonderful weekend too! And hopefully you followed along on Instagram – I posted so many fun videos and pictures.
See you Wednesday for a delicious, Maine-inspired recipe!
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
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113 responses to “Maine with My Maine Squeezes!”
Wow. This was amazing to read. I really enjoyed the photos along with the description of Maine and seafood. Sunrise looks beautiful. Caralyn, you definitely escaped and did something great.
Hi Derek!! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you thought so! It was amazing – definitely check it out!! And the seafood was 🔥! Hugs and love xox
You are welcome! 🙂
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I love Bar Harbor,ME. I spent to 2 weeks camping there and in Arcadia National Park between my junior and senior year in high school some twenty 25 years ago! I love your pictures, seeing you and your girlfriends laughing😁 What’s wild isthephoto of your backbend, I snapped a photo just like it of me on a rock near the rocky coast. How cool🤸♀️❤
Isn’t it so spectacular. Oh wow that’s amazing!! Camping there would be surreal! And haha awesome! Hugs and love xox
WOW, glad y’all had such a great time. Memories made!
Th m you so much! Yes! SO many magnificent memories!
Hugs and love xox
What a blast, and being with good girl friends in quaint cities…it rejuvenated the soul! Looks like a lot of fun was had! Hold onto the memories! Pretty rad! ❤️
Thank you Lisa!! 🙂 you’re so right – there’s nothing like incredible company!! Rejuvenated the soul FOR SURE!! Hugs and love xox
Looks like you had a fun time and the lobster looked delicious
Aw thank you Alice! It was SUCH a fun time! The lobster was OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! Hugs and love xox
I visited Boothbay Harbor MANY years ago. We took a cruise out on the ocean out of sight of land and went by abandoned islands that fisherman use when they’re out so they don’t have to go back to the mainland. Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch of the West) owned on island just off shore. She had a dock and an airstrip. It was a fun, informative cruise, and the food… Well, you know!
Oh that’s Awesome! Sounds like a cool cruise! Isn’t it such a piece of timeless Americana?? And oh
My gosh – the food was UNREAL. So much fresh seafood. Dinner tomorrow is going to be so disappointing after all the good Eatin’ I’ve been doing! And even tonight on our drive home, we stopped at one of the girl’s parents houses! She’s like my second mom, I’ve known her my whole life. And she had made us A SPREAD! fresh swordfish, pesto pasta, a charcuterie board all overlooking the river in Connecticut. It was the perfect ending to an amazing trip!! Now back to reality! Hahah hope you and your girls had a wonderful weekend!! Hugs and love to you all!! Xox
I’m just glad that you could get out of the city, relax, and re-energize! Your 2nd mom sounds like quite the chef! Made me wish I was there!
yes! hahha oh my goodness, it was phenomenal! and sooo good to see her after not seeing my own mom for so long! Hugs and love xox
Ah. I love lobster rolls, and it is special in Maine.
Oh my gosh the lobster rolls were unreal!!! They really are! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
You are very welcome. I hope to get to Maine one day.
🙂 Yes! definitely get there!!!
I was just up there two weekends ago! Your entry reminds me of the short trips I’d take with my parents before the school year ended or just after it started. I remembering being in like 6th grade and still going swimming in October. No idea how I braved the cold. I’ve probably seen 15 sunrises on Cadillac Mountain but it still blows my mind. Only thing prettier in the world is sunset at the Grand Canyon. But unlike Bar Harbor, I didn’t grow up 90 minutes away from Bar Harbor.
Oh that’s so fun Joshua!! Oh my gosh you SWAM in October! You were a brave youngin! Such beauty at sunrise! Hugs and love xox
I really enjoyed reading this, Caralyn! I’m so happy you and your life-long besties had a perfect time. The food looks realllly good! The yoga pose would snap me in two… Stay safe!
Thanks so much John! I’m so glad you enjoyed the read! It was hard to describe how special it was!! Hahah you’re funny! Have an awesome week! Hugs and love xox
Some gorgeous scenery in the NE. A bit too cold for me to live there though in winter.
Thank you so much Ian! Oh my gosh it was SO BEAUTIFUL! Yeah – even in August it was brisk!! Hugs and love xox
1-10 what do you rate lobster rolls ? Tried to get my fix where I live 😞..just no.
Oh my gosh they were an 11/10! The little place we went gave us SO MUCH lobster meat. And we’re talking BIG CHUNKS!! Go just for the food! haha thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Awe so fun! Thanks for sharing your trip 😊
Thanks so much for taking the time to read! It was such a special time!! Hugs and love xox
Woah! Seems like you had so much fun Caralyn! That’s nice! I hope your week goes well. I hope you don’t miss Maine too much.
Oh yes! It was such a special trip with special friends! You too! Yeah I will definitely be having the post vacation blues – but I’m grateful for having been able to go at all!! Hugs and love xox
Hugs right back!
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Nova Scotia was Pat’s favourite vacation place; we had planned and booked a holiday there just before she die.
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry about that. Maybe you should take that trip in her honor 💛 thank you for sharing that 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Did you see any polar bears?
hahah no! but we did see seals!
Did you hug the seals?
hahahhaha oh gosh – you’re hysterical! unortunately not, we saw them from a sunset boat ride. but they sure were cute little guys!
Wonderful pics! Have a safe drive back 🤩
thank you so much Paula! We’re all back safe and sound! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Glad to know that you are happy and enjoying your life .The happiness of your life is the wonder works of the Lord.It is a clear sign that the Good Lord loves you a lot and that is enough for me and others to be happy.The Lord is good ,kind and generous to all those who wait upon him for joys and pleasures of life .Thank you very much dear,take care.🌹👍🙏
thank you so much Francis! yes! God is good, and I am so grateful! Hugs and love xox
Most welcome.🌹👍👍
xox 🙂
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Wonderful pictures. How refreshing to have a change of scenery. It certainly seems that it paid off to tackle those pre-trip jitters that you wrote about in a previous post. The Lord for sure blessed you for refusing to let those fears hold you back.
Thank you so much Shelly! 🙂 Yes – it really was so refreshing!! 🙂 amen to that! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Dear Caralyn,
So sweet to see you all in happiness. You surely had much fun. Thanks for sharing this report of your journey.
The sun-set you shared is just stunning, I love it! Beautiful sun-sets and sun-rises are also my favourites.
Now your inside battery is fully loaded again to meet your everyday life with the colour of strength and happiness that you could achive from this trip.
My heart is waving to yours in thankfulness.
Hugs and love
Didi
Thank you Didi! Oh my gosh there was so much happiness this weekend. you’re right- i have had a full dose and am now ready to tackle anything! 🙂 much love to you my dear dear friend! have a wonderful day! Hugs and love xox
Thank you, my dear Caralyn 🙂
Hugs and love
Didi
xoxo 🙂
Thanks for sharing your wonderful time in Maine. I really enjoyed it and the pictures were superb.
thank you!! absolutely!!! the pictures don’t even do it justice!!! Hugs and love xox
Ow~ really glad you enjoyed your time with you besties~ 🥰 stay safe sister~🙈🥰
thank you Yiena!! 🙂 the memories we made are going to last a lifetime for sure!!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
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xoxo 🙂
Great blog Caralyn! Really enjoyed reading and viewing it. Made me wanna visit next time in the US! From sunny England! 😎
Thank you so much Andy! oh my gosh YES – please please put it on your bucket list! it is so worth the trip! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Stunning pictures.. Stunning you.. Stunning friends.. All in all, I’d say this post is quite… Stunning.
Reading about the Lobster did make me hungry.. And to be fair, well, I read it and thought.. Lobster doesn’t sound vegan.
Oh well… its your choice.. and honestly, quite a delicious sounding one. 🙂
Glad to see that you are having a great trip.. And one that is away from all the craziness that is happening in the U.S. right about now.
Just saw online, people can’t even sit quietly to have a coffee or a meal. They’re harassing people. It ridiculous. I pray for a safe and wonderful vacation for you and your friends.
Thank you so much! haha oh yes – the lobster was not quite vegan! hahah 🙂 aww you’re too kind 🙂 yes – the US needs lots of prayer right now! i hope your week is off to a great start! big hugs xox
Sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain looks awesome. Maine look a good place to visit.
it was literally the most beautiful thing i have ever seen in my life! thanks friend! Hugs and love xox
I’m glad you had such a wonderful trip. Now I want to go to there… 🙂
oh my gosh please please add it to your bucket list, Jim! it is absolutely worth the trip! it is so quaint and pleasant and you’re able to really stop and take a deep breath there and enjoy God’s creation! Hugs and love xox
who could turn their back on such a recommendation!
for sure! 🙂
Your enthusiasm for your trip came through! I’m going to see that sunrise. Cameras cannot fully capture God’s beautiful creation. Thank you!
aw thank you John! i’m so glad! because it really was tsuch a fabulous trip! amen – camera’s can’t do it justice! Hugs and love xox
Love it, glad you are having a great time. That lobster, butter and French fries is too good to be true. Have fun, re-energize and stay safe
thank you so much Brad! 🙂 oh my gosh – the lobster was positively out of this world! and boy, did i get my fill of it!!!! hahaha Hugs and love xox
God has truly blessed us with beautiful sights!!! …..and yum delicious, mouth-watering food!!!
You are so absoluetly right about that! just one look at the sunrise or at the gorgeous foliage all around us is such a reminder of how truly loved we are! right! i mean – the fact that we have taste buds, and the incredible cornucopia of foods available is another huge indicator of His love for us! when you think about it, He didn’t have to make that such an enjoyable aspect of life! But He loves to delight us! wow – just amazes me 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Amen!! I think about that too and I’m always fascinated by the diversity of trees, flowers, animals, colors, and people’s facial features and body types…ya His creativity is endless!
isn’t it amazing!!! ENDLESS!
Looks wonderful–relaxing, peaceful, and safe!
thank you so much! oh my goodness it was such a special trip! i want to go back!!! hahaha 🙂
Such fun vibrant pictures!!! I’m able to live vicariously. 😊 So glad we’ve connected on here! 💜✨
thank you so much! yes! and the pictures don’t even do it justice! Hugs and love xox
Enjoy yourself! Glad you are getting to have some down time 🙂
thank you Christopher! it really was a great time 🙂 Hugs and love xox
The pictures are beautiful! You have piqued my interest! Definitely adding to my bucket list!
thank you so much!! yes please do! and the photos don’t even do it justice! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful pictures. You guys certainly had fun.
thank you so much! oh my gosh we had a blast! and the photos don’t even do it justice! haha Hugs and love xox
Aaawe you look like you really had a great time!!! Hope I could do the same here in the Philippines but sadly, the pandemic is still so bad. :(((
thank you so much Hanna! i’m sorry that the pandemic is still raging! praying for you and your country! (btw – a special man in my life is Filipino 🙂 )
Wow that’s awesome! I hope you guys are doing great. Thanks for keeping my country in your thoughts. Keep safe and healthy there! 🙂
Looks like you and your besties had a great time! Maine looks like a beautiful place!
thank you! oh my gosh we DID!!! it was such a gorgeous trip! so much nature, laughs and lobster! haha Hugs and love xox
So glad you’re enjoying yourself and your friends. Glad you all made it there safely.
thank you! yes! it really was such a special trip – so many laughs – gorgeous nature, and absolutely irresistible lobster and seafood! hah Hugs and love xox
I enjoyed reading about your beautiful trip to Maine. Years ago, reading One Morning in Maine, I idealized going there, but then I lost the dream. Thank you for recovering it for me 🙂
Living in Ohio, I would appreciate a future trip to upper New England . . . Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Carolyn, thanks for sharing your experiences through words and photos. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
Oh yes! It made me miss the buckeye state so much! (I’m from Cincinnati by the way!) maine was amazing definitely get there if you can!! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful sceneries and food too although I’m not a seafood fan lolol 😀 bless God for that blessed opportunity prior the trip! Blessings & peace. 🙂
Hi Tammy! You’re on a reading roll! Thank you!!! Yes Maine was an absolute dream! Definitely add it to your bucket list!! Hugs and love xox
Hey girlie! Yes I was cause I don’t really be online as before due to my busy work schedule. 🙂 most welcome!! I looks so prior the pics! Ha! Thanks for the suggestion. Same to you always!
the pics don’t even do it justice!! hard to believe but in person it’s even more vibrant!
Girlll I know that for a fact!!!
Hope you had a good time
Oh my gosh we did! thank you! Hugs and love xox
Looks like you had fun. Glad you were able to enjoy it.
We had an absolute blast!!
Hey BBB, looks like you had a great weekend. I was south of you that weekend and we had great weather. Spent most of the weekend on the boat. Looks like you and your posse are official Maineiacs!
Thanks! Oh my gosh we had the absolute BEST weekend! Maineiacs for sure!! Hugs and love xox
Yeah, I love Maine! I have family there so I have been there a bunch over my life. It is very beautiful. Maine is nicknamed the vacation state. It is fitting because it is a great place to go to get away! Looks like you all had a great time!
oh my gosh it was just the best trip ever! the vacation state!!! thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
No problem! I have enjoyed reading your blogs. I don’t have a lot of free time right now, so it is taking me awhile to get through them. However, I will sometime. Have a great week!
you too!!!