Mellow Wanderer

Tag: Acadia National Park

🌅 Golden Hour in Acadia: A Sunset Cruise You’ll Never Forget
✨ Early Fall Magic in Acadia

Early fall is a magical time in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Daytime temperatures stay pleasantly warm, while evenings bring a cool, comfortable breeze—perfect weather for spending time on the water. My favorite moment is the “Golden Hour”, that radiant stretch before sunset when the light softens and the landscape glows.

Golden light spilling over the rocky coastline of Acadia during early fall.

🚤 A Sunset Cruise with Sail Acadia

On our latest post-summer adventure, we booked a two-hour sunset guided cruise with Sail Acadia out of Southwest Harbor. At 5 p.m., we boarded the Elizabeth T., a 33-foot wooden lobster boat, ready for an evening of sightseeing, wildlife encounters, local history, and lobster fishing.

The Elizabeth T’s hands-on lobster experience.

Dressed in jeans and light layers, we felt perfectly at ease as the sun lit up the mountains and rocky islands with a warm golden hue. Bottlenose dolphins and seals surfaced nearby, playfully escorting us through the harbor. We passed elegant waterfront estates owned by entrepreneurs, professionals, and celebrities—now mostly shuttered after the busy summer season.

🦞 Local Life & Lobster Fishing

Our captain, a seasoned lobster fisherman, hauled up a trap and pulled out a couple of lobsters, proudly sharing stories about the rewards and challenges of a profession that has shaped generations of island families.

Our captain demonstrates how lobster traps are hauled and checked for size and gender.

🌍 Shared Moments on the Water

A dozen fellow travelers joined us on benches lining the bow. Over the course of the cruise, we became a little community—swapping stories about where we’re from, our travels, and the special ways each of us experiences Acadia.

Moon rise over Acadia

📹 Our Video Diary

I have a saying:

Any day on the water is a good day. But in Acadia National Park, it’s a spectacular day.

📌 Travel Tips for Your Own Cruise
- When to go: Early fall (September–October) offers warm days, crisp evenings, and fewer crowds.
- What to wear: Jeans and light layers work well. Bring a windbreaker for the ride back.
- Where to book: Sail Acadia offers sunset tours and private charters departing from Southwest Harbor.
- Tour length: 2 hours (5–7 p.m.) is ideal to catch Golden Hour and sunset.
Steve Geiger

Mellow Wanderer Creator & Publisher

Susan Geiger

CFO & Website Photographer
Acadia National Park: Starry, Starry Nights!

I played with the stars over Acadia National Park not knowing what the results would be. Boy, was I ever pleasantly surprised. Our rented cottage in the small village of Bernard, Maine is by the water in an area called Duck Cove.

Light pollution is virtually nil at night so it’s a good environment not only to view stars but to photograph them. I’m mostly a video guy.

GoPro is my camera of choice because it’s so easy to travel with compared to a DSLR camera. I fixed my GoPro to a tripod in star trail mode, focused the lenses on the night sky, which was clear but with a crescent moon off to the east providing a faint backlight.

The camera rolled for about 90-minutes, about the life of the battery. An external battery would have added considerable time. I’ll remember that for my next attempts. The video below is short as a result, but I like it. Let me know what you think!
Sitting By The Dock Of The Bay Watching A Tall Ship Pull Away

Excuse me for borrowing the title of the well-known Otis Redding song—slightly modified. But it feels fitting.

Labor Day Monday finds me sitting at the Bar Harbor Inn’s outdoor restaurant, overlooking Frenchman Bay in Maine’s Acadia National Park. My view is spectacular, centered on the schooner Margaret Todd. A tourist favorite, it offers a relaxing sail of an hour or so. (I enjoyed it myself a few years back.)

As my wife and I settle in for lunch, I notice the Margaret Todd filled with passengers and preparing to set out on its next journey. I have my GoPro with me, as I almost always do—something my regular readers already know. Our table sits in the perfect spot, right by a stone ledge overlooking the walkway and the bay. I place the camera on the ledge, switch it to timelapse mode, and let it run.

The result is brief—but, I think, beautiful. I hope you do, too.

A Mellow Wanderer Video
From Maine: Happy Labor Day Weekend!

I woke up in our cozy seaside cottage to a brilliant morning in Bernard, Maine. Tucked on Mount Desert Island, right on the edge of Acadia National Park, Bernard is often called the “quiet side” of the island—away from busy Southwest Harbor yet close to incredible restaurants, charming shops, and stunning hiking trails. We’ve visited many times, but each stay feels like a fresh chance to explore and discover something new. Acadia never fails to impress.
Spring Teaser: A Boost Of Color To Get Through The Winter Doldrums

Thuya Garden in Maine’s Acadia National Park is one of my favorite summer gardens. It’s a natural paradise with a variety of blooming plants. May this video lift your spirits and prepare you for spring ahead.