I discovered where Cheryl had selected for us to travel for my surprise birthday gift on the morning of our departure. She told me a few days before what the temps would be so I could select proper attire, but that was my only hint. Not only was I pleasantly surprised by this creative gift (and grateful for all the effort put into it), but I was thrilled to be going there. Actually, we visited several locales which were generally in the same geographic area. Although I didn’t uncover gold much granite was observed and walked upon. A treasure trove of memories were made in the process of exploring this island.It was David Patterson, the brilliant photographer and fellow blogger who helped me fall in love with this island. He lived in Bangor, Maine and would travel to Acadia often, especially at dawn and dusk, to photograph some of the most breathtaking natural images I have ever viewed. Some time ago I had told Cheryl about this place, David’s photos, and my desire to meet him at Acadia someday. She remembered !Unfortunately, David died of cancer last year. So, in a sense, this visit to Acadia is a tribute of sorts to him. Our photographs don’t compare to David’s, but they give others an idea of how beautiful this island and national park are.Acadia has a rich history and was the first national park designated east of the Mississippi River (the first was Yellowstone). Most of the park is on one island, Desert Island, and was discovered by the French explorer, Champlain, in 1604. In the early 1900s It became a national park through the efforts of several wealthy businessmen. John D. Rockefeller created hundreds of miles of carriage roads for the benefit of visitors…they are still in pristine shape thanks to the original engineering and the efforts of the park service.The island has several harbors and light houses which connect the locals and travelers alike to this enchanted place. Lobster is the mainstay for coastal fisherman and is at the top of most menus. “Have you tried the lobster yet?” was a common, daily question.The island also contains many fresh water lakes and an abundance of Lupine flowers, forested hills and miles of hiking trails. Below is Jordan’s Pond, a pristine lake, 150 ft. deep, and one source of the island’s drinking water.We will return to Acadia someday for there is so much to explore. My next post will reveal another destination which will amaze you. Until then, thanks for visiting my blog.