Maine & Boston 2015 {Day One}

Last week I set out for Maine and Boston for my Summer 2015 trip. It wasn't the most ideal time to go, but it was the only time that fit into my summer schedule. I have had Acadia National Park on my "must see" list for a few years, so that was my very first stop. Acadia National Park is just outside of Bar Harbor, Maine. I think most people would recommend flying into Bangor, Maine, because then the drive is only about an hour to Bar Harbor. I chose to fly into Boston for a couple of reasons: (1) you have to fly to Boston and then Bangor anyway; (2) it cost more to fly to Bangor; and (3) I wanted to include Boston in my trip.

So on Thursday, I had a 10:30 a.m. flight out of DFW to Boston Logan. I flew Jet Blue for the first time based on an article I had read that said Jet Blue had the most leg room of any airline in the United States. I will say, that it was a noticeable difference. Also, like Southwest Airlines, they don't charge to check bags. Free checked bags + More legroom = Big Win in my book. My flight was a little delayed, so I got to Boston later than I planned. It wasn't significant, but I had a long drive ahead of me, so that was a bit of a bummer.

Day one didn't have a lot of fun built in, but I knew when I planned it, that it was primarily a travel day. I made one (a little out of the way) stop on the way for dinner, and didn't end up arriving in Bar Harbor until 11:30 p.m. Here is a map, so you can place Bar Harbor... It's WAY up there!

By the end of the day, I had been in 4 states: Started in Texas, landed in Massachusetts, drove through New Hampshire, and ultimately ended up in Maine...

The stop that I made along the way was in Ogunquit, Maine. Specifically Perkins Cove. I had been there 15 years ago, loved it, and wanted to stop there for dinner. Unfortunately by the time I got there, most of the stores and things were closed, but I was able to get some food, and take some pics, and get back on the road...

I decided to eat at the Lobster Shack, because I thought it might be the quickest option of the places still open.

I had a lobster roll. The first of many lobster meals I ate in Maine! I thought this roll was just "ok", but I especially loved their cole slaw.

Let me take a minute to talk about hotel accommodations in Bar Harbor. I found deciding on accommodations in Bar Harbor to be quite a challenge. There was everything from little roadside motels, to some of the chains (Best Wester, Days Inn, Holiday Inn), B&B's, to independent & seemingly high end hotels.

I consulted my go to spot, Trip Advisor, and looked at every single place in the area. I noticed that some of the $200+ a night accommodations looked nice on the surface, but when I looked at travelers' recent photos, most looked kind of run-down. I ultimately decided on a little independent owned place called Highbrook Motel. It was cheap... like $87 a night cheap, but looked clean and as good, if not better than, the expensive spots. Plus it was rated #2 on Trip Advisor for places to stay in Bar Harbor.

Since it is a family operation, it said call if you will be arriving past 10 p.m. for special check-in instructions. Since that was my situation, I called, and the special instructions were "You are in Room #3, we will leave your door open with the key inside". Are you kidding me?!? I was convinced I was going to get murdered, or end up locked out and sleeping in my car, but I went with it. Luckily when I pulled off the very dark road, into the very dark parking lot, my room was all lit up!