For Lack of a Better World

Low tide was around 18:30 today so if all of the signage was true we had about an hour and a half on either side of that time to walk across the sandbar to Bar Island.

We walked from basecamp to the sandbar around 17:00 assuming we’d make it in time to catch some of sunset. As we started our walk we ran into a young woman who we’d met the other day on the boat ride back from Great Cranberry who was also headed out for her evening. We chatted as long as we walked the same direction, then bid each other farewell.

By the time we arrived at the sandbar the land bridge connecting Bar Harbor to Bar Island was almost totally exposed. We walked on to the sand taking in the atmosphere and watching the gulls pick through the rocks and shells searching for a meal.

Once we were midway across, the water had receded completely and we continued across. The sun was nearing the mountain horizon. And while there was still plenty of light left in the day, Luna was beginning her posturing to urge our party back home, whining anytime I stopped for very long, sitting, and orienting herself in the direction from whence we came.

But at this point I was realizing that if we ever wanted to walk the trail that runs through Bar Island it might be now or never. Our time in Maine was likely drawing to an end and Mount Desert Island would be in our rear view mirror sooner or later — and although the weather forecast looked promising for the coming days you really can never be too sure.

So we forged on, knowing there was still plenty of daylight for a short trail. I assured Luna that we would be ok and that if it got too dark or too strenuous we would turn back

The trail was idyllic, beginning with a slow incline up a mostly-dirt path through a corridor of pines. It continued through some nice, brightly colored trees as the path widened. About halfway up the hike there was a shallow meadow with a deer grazing, likely one of the deer we’d seen the other night on the beach.

There were at least a couple trails that split off of the main one but we stayed on the one we figured would take us the furthest across the small island.

Toward the top of the trail the walk got slightly steeper and the path narrowed again. It also got rocky, the rocks serving as both stairs or obstacles depending on how much I paid attention to my steps.

At the end of the hike, which wound up being at or near the highest point of the mountain, the trail effectively came to a sort of end in a small, rocky opening with a respectable view of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park across the way. We paused long enough for a few pictures but Luna was pressing me to get headed back every chance she got.

The benefit of an uphill walk is that the walk back is downhill. As such, we made really good time getting back to the sandbar. We passed our deer friend again and watched her for a minute before continuing on.

I was able to get a couple of fellow hikers to take a few pictures of Luna and me. I also tried to get a picture of the comet that’s been visible in the sky for part of October but to no avail.

I was glad to get to walk the trail in Bar Island just to say we had done it. It was a wonderful memory to make with Luna and the hike was nice and easy with a rewarding payoff.