Tag: Maine

🌅 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!
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.
Capturing the Magic: Sunset To Sunrise Timelapses By The Seashore

On a summer trip to Maine a few years ago, my main mission, other than consuming mass quantities of lobster, was to capture sunset to sunrise timelapse videos. The magical transition from setting sun to rising moon always fascinated me, and I was determined to capture the dramatic and compelling beauty. My wife and I rented a seaside cabin in the small coastal town of Bernard on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island just outside of Acadia National Park. A perfect idyllic location on the rocky shoreline of Duck Cove.

Before the trip, I took crash courses absorbing YouTube how-to videos on capturing sunset-to-sunrise timelapses with my GoPro Hero 9. I did the research and duplicated the steps needed to complete the mission without damaging my GoPro. After all, there are risks leaving a camera overnight exposed to misty humid air, sea breeze, possible rain, and even theft. I was less concerned about the latter since we were in a pretty remote area. As for the other risks, I bought a a portable charger and protected it in a Tupperware container. I cut a small hole in the container to thread the power cord through to connect to my GoPro. I then used silicone gel ear plugs you can buy at any pharmacy and sealed the hole and the exposed camera cord input. Made everything as water tight as possible.

With the camera securely mounted on a tripod at the edge of the shore, I framed the shot at the best possible angle as dusk fell, put the camera in timelapse mode, double-checked the settings recommended by those Youtube tutorials, and hit the start button. Then I walked away. Back at the cabin, I watched as the sky became the ultimate masterpiece as the sun dipped lower and vibrant hues spread across the sky. When morning came, I felt great anticipation. Did the camera lose power? Was it knocked over by a wind gust? Was there a breach in my waterproofing? So consumed by questions , I headed back to the shore before the first pot of coffee brewed. Soon, all my questions would be answered!

To my delight, the camera was in tact and operating. The portable charger still had power after running for twelve hours. In the end, all my preparation paid off. But, did I have good images? Back at the cabin, I downloaded what was on the SD card to my laptop computer. Thousands of images loaded! My video editing software compiled them all into a sequence and compressed hours of images into a timeline lasting just about two or so minutes. I did some minor tweaking to brightness, contrast, highlights, and shadows, but that was it. I was amazed with the result. A mesmerizing tapestry took shape before my eyes.

Sunset To Sunrise Timelapse Loop (Video By Steve Geiger)

The rolling clouds moved gracefully across the sky, creating ever-changing patterns and casting shadows on the moonlit water. It was as if nature had choreographed a celestial dance. The absence of significant light pollution revealed a myriad of stars. Several shooting stars streaked across the canvas of the night.

Sunset to sunrise timelapses are more than just a visual spectacle; they encapsulate the passage of time, the ebb and flow of nature’s rhythms, and the profound connection we share with our surroundings. They serve as a gentle reminder to pause, appreciate, and immerse ourselves in the breathtaking wonders that surround us.

Sunset To Sunrise Timelapse Loop (Video By Steve Geiger)

If you ever get a chance, I urge you to embark on your own timelapse adventure, especially at a serene seashore setting. Create your own visual masterpiece that tells a tale of beauty, serenity, and wonder.