Acadia National Park Adventure

      My seasonal job had just ended and my soul was craving adventure. I made a list of each available option that was close to home and finally decided on Acadia. My father and I packed up the car with all the essentials and off we went! After hours of driving and endless road rage, we were relieved when we spotted the sign to the National Park. We arrived in the parking lot of the main office- we walked up fifty two steps exactly. As we reached the top, we were immediately overwhelmed by the amount of people, especially for it being their off season… We bought our pass and started off the day. We started our adventure on Park Loop Road, it was incredibly scenic and we stopped just about every five seconds to snap a picture. We ended up driving up Cadillac Mountain and then after we made our way to Jordan Pond. It was much later in the day- more like late afternoon which was perfect timing to catch a glimpse of the sunset over the pond & “Bubble Rock”. It was simply magical; the water was so still, crisp and clear. Rocks peaked out above the water creating an interesting dimension as well as reflection. My father and I quickly walked a path that loops around the pond until it got dark and our stomachs started to growl. After dinner, we headed back to our room and watched some T.V. before we got some sleep. The next day we did another random assortment of things - we didn't really have a plan. I would just look at the map and tell my father the places I wanted to visit that day and he made it happen. We visited a beach, a lighthouse, hiked seven miles and then went back to Jordan Pond. 

     This mini vacation made me realize that even though I live with my father, I don’t really actually see him often. We briefly say goodbye before leaving the house or talk to each other at the end of the day. It was nice to see my father truly happy during the trip- laughing, joking, being silly. He pushed himself to walk difficult trails, we had so many amazing discussions- serious and joking- and shared endless smiles. 

     I think we take our parents for granted, we think they’ll always be there, we try to avoid their nagging, or we get angry and say unnecessary words. But the reality is- I won’t have my parents forever. No one will. By not taking the time to be grateful for them and their company you miss out on precious little moments that make your soul smile. I’m so lucky to have a bond this close with my father; I am grateful everyday for him and all that he has to teach me. He’s so patient, so willing, so determined. The fact that we could both just stand on the rocks and watch each wave touch the shore but just enjoy each other's company and the good view makes me so happy. It made me happy just seeing how happy he was; how much he was enjoying the fresh air, the change of scenery. He tends to get too wrapped up in the stressers of life and I see it eat away at him. But everyone has their battles… I just tend to notice it more in my own father. Being able to watch him laugh and be proud of himself for hiking a difficult trail made me beyond ecstatic. He deserved all the happiness he felt that weekend, he deserves it always. 
     The weekend went by much too quickly! I’m hoping to make my way back to Acadia soon enough! But in the meantime, where will I adventure next?

Love always, 
Jacqueline