This will be an exciting long weekend on the spectacular and untrammeled Downeast Coast of Maine. Our two full days, Sun. (7/27) and Mon. (7/28), will focus on two of the most scenic hikes on this part of the coast. On Sun. (7/27), we'll get an early start and drive to Acadia National Park where we'll walk down Ocean Path then climb Gorham Mountain (525') and the very steep Beehive (546').  Not for the faint of heart, the Beehive trail's steepest sections include iron rungs and ladders as well as an iron bridge!  It will all be worth it as we take in exhilarating  views of Frenchman Bay, the islands, the open Atlantic, and Mount Desert Island on this 5-mile hike before ending at scenic Sand Beach, where the brave ones can jump into the cold waters of Newport Cove.  Finally, we'll drive back to Machiasport to end the day. On Mon. (7/28), we'll hike on remote Great Wass Island, a preserve of the Nature Conservancy that extends out into the Atlantic.  This 6.5 mile hike will take us across breathtaking rocky headland shores with open ocean views and through an unusual maritime forest with rare coastal jackpines and heaths with carvnivorous plants such as sundews and pitcher plants.  This promises to be a memorable long weekend. I can recommend reasonably-priced accommodations for your stay in Machiasport and Machias for the 3 nights (7/26-7/28). The first night we'll all meet at 6:00 p.m. at my house and have dinner together. Please be in touch with me about any and all details.

We'll all meet at my house in Machiasport, which is located on Machias Bay. The goal is to meet there around 6:00 p.m. on Sat., July 26th. The house is located at 264 Port Road (Rt. 92), Machiasport, ME. Here are the directions: Take I-95 North through Maine to Bangor. In Bangor, take Exit 182A to merge into I-395E toward US 1A/Bangor/ME-9/Brewer. Take Exit 6A for Rt. 1A East, toward Route 1/Ellsworth/Bar Harbor. Take Route 1A for 25 miles to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take a left onto Rt. 1 North. Take Rt. 1 North for 58 miles to Machias. In Machias, take a right at the bottom of College Hill (before crossing the bridge over the Machias River) onto Rt. 92. Take Rt. 92 for 3.3 miles to my house, Heron View Cottage, on the left at #264 Port Road (Rt. 92) in Machiasport.