Otter Creek Inn, Mount Desert Island, Maine

SIGHT SEEING

Acadia National Park: Located on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park encompasses over 47,000 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline. Such diverse habitats create striking scenery and make the park a haven for wildlife and plants.

Bar Harbor: The magic of Bar Harbor...romance, adventure, the rock-bound coast and soaring granite cliffs. From the stonewall-lined and tree-covered road leading you into our village, to the sweeping vistas from atop Cadillac Mountain, there is a special mystique to Bar Harbor. Nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island, surrounded by Acadia National Park, we have welcomed visitors for over a hundred years. And now we welcome you, too! Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park have a wide variety of offerings for visitors. There truly is something for everyone.

Cadillac Mountain: It is said that, at some times of the year, the sun touches the slopes of Cadillac Mountain before any other place in the United States. At 1,530', Cadillac is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. It is one of 17 mountains that rise from the sea and comprise much of the island on which a portion of Acadia National Park is located. These mountains inspired the explorer-navigator, Samuel Champlain, to name the island Isle des Monts Desert in 1604, the Island of Barren Mountains.

Carriage Roads: Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads, the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family, weave around the mountains and valleys of Acadia National Park. Rockefeller, a skilled horseman, wanted to travel on motor-free byways via horse and carriage into the heart of Mount Desert Island. His construction efforts from 1913 to 1940 resulted in roads with sweeping vistas and close-up views of the landscape. His love of road building ensured a state-of-the-art system. Rockefeller's interest in road building grew naturally from his father's. John D. Rockefeller Sr., the founder of Standard Oil, had built and landscaped carriage roads on his Ohio and New York estates. From his father the junior Rockefeller learned many techniques that he applied to building his Mount Desert Island carriage roads.

Eagle Lake: The town of Eagle Lake, located in northern Aroostook County running north/south along U.S. Route 11, is characterized by ruggedly sloping terrain dissected by brooks and streams as they flow into the pristine Fish River and the expansive Eagle Lake. The town of Eagle Lake is not only visually breathtaking, but offers an exceptional quality of life. Residents of Eagle Lake enjoy these community attributes:

Quiet, peaceful, safe community

Strong work ethic of a loyal, trainable labor pool

Excellent educational facilities

Abundant natural resources

Clean environment

Low crime rate

Four season recreational opportunities.

Echo Lake: Echo Lake, located on Route 102, provides excellent lifeguards swimming at Echo Lake Beach, a sandy, park-maintained strand nestled in a cove at the lake's southern tip. Trails leading up Beech Mountain and Beech Cliff are accessible from the Echo Lake parking lot.

Jordan Pond: The pond has a maximum water depth of 150 feet and swimming is not allowed. Non motor boats such as canoes and kayaks are permitted. Carriage Roads are adjacent to the restaurant and pond area. Auto access to the restaurant is provided via the Park Loop Road. The Island Explorer Shuttle Bus has a drop-off and pickup point here.

Long Pond: The northern end of Long Pond is accessible for swimming and canoeing at Pond's End on Route 102 West. Canoe rentals are available at Pond's End through a privately owned firm. The southern end of Long Pond is accessible from the Seal Cove Road in Southwest Harbor, although swimming and canoeing are not allowed at this end of the pond.

Otter Cliff: Otter Cliff, in Acadia National Park, Maine, is one of the most spectacular sights along the North Atlantic Seaboard. On the east side of the Park Loop Road, about .7 miles past Thunder Hole, is the famous 110 foot high Otter Cliff - one of the highest Atlantic coastal headlands north of Rio de Janeiro. There are several vantage points along the Ocean Path from which you may partake in this visual feast in all its splendor and it is highly recommended.

A bell buoy located just off the shore from Otter Cliff has special historical significance. It marks a rock formation called the "Spindle." Centuries ago, while sailing around Mount Desert Island at high tide, the explorer Samuel Champlain was drawn closer when he noticed smoke rising from a Native American encampment near Otter Point. After striking the "Spindle," his ship was forced into Otter Cove for safety and repairs.

Use utmost caution when near the cliffs. The rocks may be slippery and little bits of sand and rock particles can act like marbles causing you to slip and fall. Severe injuries can result.

Park Loop Road: The Park Loop Road is 27 miles long. From this road you can see such sights as Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, Bubble Pond and Jordan Pond House in the shortest time.

Sand Beach: This salt-water beach is considered the most popular beach in Acadia National Park. Located on the Ocean Drive section of the Park Loop Road, the beach is actually composed of very little sand, the bulk of its broad surface being made up of billions of particles of crushed sea shells .

Seal Harbor: Seal Harbor, Maine, located on the southeastern part of Mount Desert Island close to Acadia National Park, is actually not a township at all but part of the municipality of Mount Desert which covers 25,699 acres and has an approximate population of 2,109 (per the year 2000 census). There are often many sailing and other vessels anchored in Seal Harbor adding to the seaside ambiance. A quaint and chic little village offering peaceful views of the harbor, it has become the preferred summering place for many of the rich and famous. For "less privileged" locals and visitors alike, the public beach (next to Route 3 in Seal Harbor) offers a less crowded alternative to the better known Sand Beach near the beginning of the Park Loop Road.

Somes Sound: Somes Sound is the only fijord on the Atlantic coast of the United States and one of few in North America. It was formed by the titanic forces of the great glaciers nearly 20,000 years ago. The Sound divides the island into two sections and they are joined at Somesville with Southwest Harbor, Manset and Seawall on the westerly side gracing the beginnings of the Sound. The views of the Sound are spectacular from Flying Mountain, and Valley Cove and Fernald's Point lend a historic significance to this area of Acadia's heritage. The Penobscot Indian Nation, travelling by way of the river from the Bangor area, made Fernald Point their summer camping grounds enjoying the fresh spring water and abundant fishing in the Sound. In the 1600's the Jesuits joined them in the encampment and thus was the beginnings of the European settlement of the island.

Thunder Hole: Thunder Hole, is located along the Park Loop Road. People come from all over to witness the powerful sound that it creates when the water forces into a narrow channel and traps air which then creates the thunderous explosion shooting water back up to forty feet. This can be seen during high tide.

Otter Creek Inn...You OTTER Be Here