We went to Oli’s Trolley Offices on the pier and talked to them. The trolley leaves from a court across from the Post Office and goes down Main Street to the pier before leaving town. Note - from the last time we were here, the main area to get on the trolley is at the Ice Cream shop on Cottage Street. When you leave the pier, go up Main Street about 5 blocks and turn right onto Cottage Street - go about 3 - 3 ½ blocks and you will see the Ice Cream Shop on the left next to Subway.
They flagged down the trolley as we bought our tickets. We got on the trolley (really a diesel powered bus made to resemble a trolley car) and began our tour. There are three fifteen minute stops included : atop Cadillac Mountain; at the Wild Gardens of Arcadia; and at the Thunder Hole. The tour winds in and out of Arcadia national Park with commentary and historical discussions. Our driver pointed out the grey and pink granite formations used in the making of the many bridges and overpasses. He pointed out the mountains and named them as we climbed Cadillac Mountain. As we rose to the top of the mountain, the fog closed in and at the top you could see only a few hundred feet down the mountain. We stopped for fifteen minutes for viewing and rest room breaks. We then descended the mountain and continued with the discussion of men and women who contributed to the formation of the park grounds.
We stopped at the Wild Gardens for fifteen minutes. This stop is a series of natural flowers and trees that are native to this area. You cannot see much of the wild flowers in the time allotted. There are rest rooms available. There is a national park rangers structure that houses some stuffed animals - mostly birds - and some post cards. We then continued along the coast to Thunder Hole for another fifteen minute stop via a view of Sand Beach from an upper road. Sand beach is not really sand - it is comprised of finely ground up sea shells. Thunder Hole is a small inlet that has eroded into a series of rock formations extending into the bay. The incoming waves and tidal flow of water causes surges that look like a whale spouting water from its blow hole. The crashing waves are supposed to add sound to the water spouts. We were there at slack tide. No tidal surge; no water spouts; no noise except the chatter of too many tourists. Oh Well !!!! Then it was on back to Bar Harbor - we were running late. I thought that this tour took us to Pond House - but it doesn’t. We were surprised to see that a few of the trees had already turned a fire red color. For the first time visitor to Great Desert Island, This tour is an excellent way to be introduced to Acadia National park. HAL charges $34 and you ride on a big bus. Oli’s trolley is only $29 and there was only 26 of us on the trolley.
We were supposed to have stopped at the Pond house, but our driver got behind in his time schedule and we had to by-pass that stop.
#
Bar Harbor - Oli"s Trolley
Linear Mode
