An Acadian Adventure

From Ann Arbor to the Cadillac Mountain in Maine

The ensemble

The cast consisted of two old timers who were no strangers to ambitious road trips. This time, though, we had a third member who made her debut and walked away with the best performer award. She was my buddy’s stiffly sprung and delightfully compact Porsche Cayman. Not a car you would consider first for this role, especially when the role calls for long distance interstate travel and camping at a national park, but she outdid herself.

Her trunk space was just about right to squeeze in two sleeping bags, one tent, two duffel bags and other additional loose items. She ate up interstates. She was able to park right up to the campsite. On the twisties she romped her true colors.

My friend on the other hand was no debutant. His ability to drive patiently at the speed limit for over 700 miles is absolutely uncanny and almost Zen-like. He is not much of a talker and allows no food or drink inside his car. On paper, he appears to be a bad choice for a road trip companion. But after knowing him for well over a decade, I couldn’t have asked for a better mate. Together we annexed the North east and came back to tell the tale.

The route (and the hidden agenda)

We planned to head out east; North-east rather. As far as land’s end would take us and then turn back. Our zenith would be the stunning Acadia National Park in Maine. We had a week to get there and get back. That involved some serious driving commitment and spirited performance from the Porsche and two able souls.

I also had a secret and selfish objective of adding to my state count. The fact that I count the state only if I spend a night in it made trip planning easy and difficult at the same time. But our route put us at Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont where we spent at least one night. That gave me four more states and a chance to color in my state map.

The Highlights

Camping and hiking at Acadia was phenomenal. It is that return to basics that heightens your senses. There is no email, there is no phone, there is no iPad and there are no showers. Between your tired soul and the ground lie a tarp and perhaps a piece of foam. Yet, sleep comes and restores a body lost in the routines of 21st century. It is a different kind of 9-to-5 where you start hiking in the morning and came back only in the evening. On the way you are challenged by incredible terrains, slick rocks and potential opportunities to physically damage yourself.

Equally, however your eyes are bombarded by some magnificent vistas. The air is clean, crisp and life restoring. The fancy cameras struggle to adequately capture what the eyes have just seen. Your body is tired but your mind is wired. It finally is thinking new thoughts and shaking of all that clad which it had built living your daily routine. I cannot stress how beautiful America’s national parks are and this one was no different. In a matter of days we climbed mountains, saw island necklaces, witnessed rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and crossed crystal clear fresh water lakes within an island.

The rolling green mountains in Vermont and ski areas were also very pretty. The sheer lack of interstates made us drive through the state roads and we were treated to some great views. The coastal towns of Maine and New Hampshire had a sense of rogue about them. They had the air of serious fishing communities despite the tourist attractions. Their coast was their way of life and lobsters were more than just a fancy meal. Often grey skies and a cold Atlantic Ocean reminded me of the grimness of these place when summer ends.

Boston was fun to revisit. That city is undoubtedly historic. We walked a freedom trail and brushed up on our knowledge of America’s revolution. I digested the city over a lobster roll and Sam Adams in the very tavern where they allegedly cooked up the plot to over throw the British.

The dramatics

The vastness of this country continues fascinates me. You simply cannot fathom this if you fly to your destination. The superbly capable Cayman devoured interstates but at the same time gave us a taste of a different America. The plains of the Midwest were exchanged for the oldness – coldness – mountains of the north east. These founding states had such unique personalities that no plane ride would ever successfully educate you on.

I am in awe of the largeness of this country. I find it amazing that I have to sometimes drive 300 miles to even cross over a state boundary. I struggle to recall what my eyes have witness in that one week but I know for certain that the only way I could have seen those views is from a window of four wheel device. This country was designed for road-tripping. Just as my friend, his car and me were!

The stats
Total distance traveled from Ann Arbor = 2388 miles
Total gas consumed = 88 gallons
Longest distance driven in a day = 779 miles
Shortest distance driven in a day = 59 miles
Average cost per person for the entire trip = $550