Daily activities to choose from, cabin lodging, meal options and female camaraderie where sea and mountains meet!

Saturday, August 28 - Saturday, September 4, 2010
Saturday, September 4 - Saturday, September 11, 2010
       
Acadia National Park, located on Mt. Desert Island off the coast of Maine, is a magical place offering sweeping mountain views, rugged ocean scenery, crashing waves, quiet woods, beautiful sunrises, peaceful sunsets, quaint harbor villages, 120+ miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of rustic carriage roads and fascinating flora and fauna.  This is one of our favorite places to pass the time, especially after the summer crowds have left.  Acadia is considered one of America's favorite national parks.  We invite you to join us for a week of fun, fellowship, exploration, adventure and relaxation in a place seems to "have it all."

There are many ways to experience the scenic peaks, picturesque valleys, dramatic shorelines, off shore islands and harbor communities of Acadia - on foot, bicycle, with a paddle, horse-drawn carriage, auto, boat, ferry, shuttle bus and trolley tours.  With so many possibilities available, we have chosen to offer an "ala carte" vacation package.  We begin with lodging and you add on what you would like to include in your package from there.  Such allows flexibility for budgeting needs, activity levels and weather considerations.  You can choose to be as active or as relaxed as you would like day to day based on how you feel.  This format provides opportunities for exploration on your own to places that are of interest to you.  

Throughout the week active adventures excursions (hike, bike and paddle opportunities, and combinations of such) will be offered.  We will also offer as a variety of sight seeing tours targeting the "must see" places in Acadia National Park.  These tours employ various modes of transportion including automobile, ferry and fishing boats, shuttle and trolley buses and horse-drawn carriage to mention a few.  Our plan is to offer 2-3 experiences each day.  You will be able to choose the experiences that appeals to you most at the time.  Below are some of the experiences that we have offered in the past:

• Hikes along wide-open granite mountain and ridges with breathtaking scenery

• Biking on "vehicle free" roads (a 45-mile network of carriage roads with 16 stonework bridges contributed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in the 1920s and 1930s)

• A stop by the Jordan Pond House for popovers and beverage on the tea lawn, a special and unique Acadia tradition

• Ocean side hiking and nature walks with opportunities to explore the mostly granite shoreline with its many tidal pools and spectacular views

• Visit to Historic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

• Greater and Small Cranberry Island tour

• Sunset sea kayak tour

• Quiet water paddling experiences on inland lakes, ponds, salt water marshes or nearby harbors

• Bar Harbor Whale Watch, Deep Sea Fishing, Historic Lighthouses & Acadia National Park boat tours

We have cabin reservations for lodging on the quieter southwest side of Mt. Desert Island in a secluded, wooded area in Bernard, ME (near Tremont and Bass Harbor).  Southwest Harbor is less than 4 miles away.  Each cabin has 2 rooms (or a downstairs room and a sleeping loft) with a combination of queen and twin beds and will accommodate 2 or 3 guests.  They are also fully equipped with just about anything you would need during your stay, including a washer, dryer, beach towels, outdoor grill and lobster pot!  The cabins are serviced by the Island Explorer Shuttle, which is a free shuttle bus transportation system servicing much of Mt. Desert Island, allowing car-free exploration of the island.  For those flying to Mt. Desert Island, nearby Bar Harbor/Hancock County Airport has direct connections with Boston.  Another option is to fly into Bangor and use a shuttle or taxi service to Bar Harbor.  Both options allow car-free travel to and from Acadia.  Contact us if you would like more information about the shuttle or taxi service.

You may participate in one of the activities offered each day or you may opt to enjoy time on the beach or sight-seeing on your own... maybe a visit to Bar Harbor or the other harbors on the island, spend time browsing the shops, relax at Echo Lake (a fresh water beach) and/or Sand Beach on the ocean, experience a horse-drawn carriage ride, ride a ferry to a nearby island, or visit museums and sites that interest you.

The base price for this package begins with a cabin rental (7 nights lodging in wonderfully decorated, maintained and fully equipped cabin).  As mentioned above, each cabin will sleep 2-3 people in their own beds.  The cabin price is for 1, 2 or 3 people.  Bring a friend or two along with you to share the cost of the cabin and you'll lower your lodging cost 50% or 66%... and increase your fun.  Note that the cabin rates are higher the week of 8/28-9/4 as it is still peak season.

You have the option of providing your own food and meals OR adding a meal package (explained below).  Each cabin has a fully functional kitchen with all the dining and cookware necessary for meal preparations, an outdoor grill and lobster pot.  There are also grocery stores nearby.  You may choose to dine out at times and Mt. Desert Island offers a variety of dining experiences. 

An optional meals package is available for your stay in the event you prefer to leave the cooking to someone else for the week.  We are fortunate to have a wonderful cook on our staff who enjoys treating our guests to fresh home-cooked meals.  Meals begin with breakfast Sunday and end after breakfast the following Saturday.  Included in the meal package is an oceanside BBQ, a lobster bake, lunch at the Jordan Pond House, and dinner out at a local restaurant one evening.  The other meals are served at our "social center" for the week.  We are able to accomodate those with dietary restrictions or preferences.  Milk, juices, coffe, tea, lemonade, ice tea and tap water will be provided in the meals package.  You must provide your own bottled water, soda or "spirits" if you prefer such with your meals.  Please note that a gratuity is expected when dining out and is not included in the meals package.  Contact us with any questions you may have in regards to this package.  

A variety of adventure activities and opportunities to explore the island, as well as transportation for such, will be offered daily.  The duration for most excursions is 4-5 hours and there will be 2 and sometimes 3 opportunities to choose from each day, some more active than others.  In regards to the activities, we are offering an "ala carte" (pay as you go) option and a 4-day activity package that you must purchase at the time you make your reservations.

The "ala carte" option allows you pick and choose which activities and opportunities you would like to participate in.  This options give you the flexibility to join a group for activities that appeal to you and allows more time, if desired, to explore on your own.  Payment for will be accepted the night prior, for any opportunities that do not require advance reservations.  Note that payment on a day-to-day basis for the hike, bike and paddle trips must be in cash.  Tours that require advance reservations accept credit cards.  Many of the other tours prefer cash payment when you arrive.  Please plan accordingly. 

The 4-day activity package is valid for the adventure activities only.  This package option allows you to choose the activities you prefer (hike, bike, paddle or a combination) on any 4 of the 6 days.  The other 2 days are free days for you to explore on your own.  Should yo decide you would like to participate in an activity being offered those day, you may pay at that time. 

We intend to offer 2-3 opportunities for hiking, 2-3 opportunities for biking on the carriage roads and 2-3 paddling opportunities.  Please note that bike rentals, which range from $22-27/day, are an additional fee and NOT included in the bike trip fee or the 4-day activity package. To save on bike rental fees, plan to bring your own bike.  Boats & paddling gear are included in the tour price for the sea kayak and quiet water paddling trips.  Adventure trips and other tour fees generally range from $65-$85/person per activity or tour.

Lodging cost per cabin
8/28-9/4 - $950.00/cabin (regular season rate)
9/4-9/11 - $700.00/cabin (off season rates begin 9/4)
A 50% deposit is required to confirm reservations.  Bring a friend or two with you and reduce your lodging cost 50-66%.  You must provide your own cabin mate(s).

Optional Meal package - $375/person
A 50% deposit is required to confirm reservations.  Does not include gratuity when dining out.

Optional 4-day Activity package - $300/person
A 50% deposit is required to confirm reservations.  Does not include bike rentals for biking opportunities.

  Contact us to make reservations or for more information about this trip.