Fall trip to Acadia National Park. The 2nd to 3rd week of October is typically when the fall foliage are at peak colors. I flew into Bangor airport, slightly over one hour from Acadia National Park. I stayed in Bar Harbor, at Bar Harbor Villager Motel. This lodge is right in the heart of Bar Harbor - walking distances to restaurants and shops and a short drive to Acadia National Park. The lodge also provides breakfast - typical breakfast foods plus avocado toast.

Day 1

Rained on and off. Focussed on ocean views.

Sand Beach

Sand Beach has hiking trail along the ocean.

Overlook with view of Sand Beach.

Lobster is common in Maine. I had lobster roll each day.

Day 2

Started today watching the sunrise over Thunder Hole. The park recommends coming to Thunder Hole 1-2 hours before high tide for the best chance at experiencing thunder and strong spray. Then hiked in the forest along Eagle Lake. Then visited Schooner Head with view of Egg Rock lighthouse. Finally, walked across the sand bridge to Bar Island - a tidal island across from Bar Harbor. Bar Island has a few hiking trails - the main trail goes up a hill and at the summit you can enjoy views of Bar Harbor. Warning: the sand bridge is accessible 1.5 hours before and after low tide. At other times the bridge is covered by the ocean. You need to watch your time if you decide to visit Bar Island. Allow for 1.5-2 hours to walk the bridge, go up to the summit, and return to Bar Harbor.

Sunrise at Thunder Point

Fall colors along Eagle Lake

Cruise ships arrive Bar Harbor almost daily during peak season

Schooner Head

Egg Rock lighthouse

Sand bridge to Bar Island

View from Bar Island summit

Bar Harbor port from Bar Island

Day 3

Started the day with the sunrise at the summit of Cadillac Mountain. From mid May to late October, reservations are required to drive to the Cadillac Mountain summit. The park releases some reservations 90 days in advance, and the rest 2 days in advance. Reservations book quickly - within 60 seconds - so make sure you're on the park website ready to book the second the booking window opens. The sunrise is as spectacular as advertised. The fall foliage on the mountain added to the beauty. And a cruise ship was arriving.

Afterwords, hiked to the Jordan Cliffs trail. This hike is strenuous with some ladder climbing. The trail leads to two summits with views of Jordan pond. The first summit is 1.25 miles from the trailhead - feel free to turn around if your time is limited. Then headed to Wild Gardens of Acadia. I hiked the Emery Path which leads to several viewpoints of the valley, surrounding mountains, and ocean.

My shadow just after sunrise

Jordan Pond

Summit on Jordan Cliffs hike

Emery Path trail viewpoint

Penobscot Narrows Bridge

Family trip to Ireland in late summer. Nice temperatures - 55-68 F/12-20 C. Mix of sunshine, cloudy skies, and rain. Fortunately, the rain held off for most of our outdoor activities. The country has lots of green land (due to frequent rains), majestic cliffs, castles, and pubs. Great opportunities to hike and explore.

The island is divided into Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland - the latter of which is part of the United Kingdom.

Belfast

After landing in Dublin airport and clearing immigration we rode a bus to Belfast. We stayed at Leonardo Belfast hotel, located in the heart of Belfast and 2 blocks from the bus station.

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, and second largest city on the island of Ireland. Ship building was an important part of Belfast's history. The city has a Harland & Wolff site, where the Titanic and other large ships were constructed.

City Hall

Albert Memorial clock tower

Victoria Square shopping mall. It has a glass dome with an observation deck.

View from observation deck in the dome in Victoria Square Mall. We can see the gates to Harland and Wolff ship building site.

Assembly Buildings. It is a conference center. It also served as the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Grand Opera House

Titanic Museum

The Titanic Museum uses interactive exhibits to show the story of the Titanic - conception, design, construction, and launch. The museum is located near the site where the Titanic was built. The Titanic was unique for its time and it was considered a historical victory when construction was completed. There is a five minute gondola ride through the shipyard where we saw the original construction site. We also explored the SS Nomadic ship, near the museum.

Giants Causeway

We joined Odyssey Coach Tour for a daytrip to Giants Causeway. The bus traveled along the Antrim Coast - lots of sea views. Giants Causeway was the main attraction; other stops include: Carnlough village, viewpoint of Carrick-a-Rede, Dunluce Castle, a distillery, and the Dark Hedges.

Giants Causeway consists of cliffs and rock formations. It is the result of 60 million years of volcanic eruptions and erosion. History of Giant's Causeway

Port in Carnlough

View of Scotland from Ballypatrick

Viewpoint for Carrick-a-Rede. We could only see it - tour buses are no longer allowed to park at the site.

Close up of Carrick-a-Rede

Northern Ireland coastline

Dunluce Castle

Walking down the hill to Giants Causeway

Dark Hedges, where intertwined tree branches to create a tunnel.

Dublin

We rode a Dublin Express bus Belfast to Dublin. We stayed at Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre, next to River Liffey and the EPIC Irish Immigration museum.

Temple Bar, one of the most famous pubs in Ireland

Custom House

Samuel Beckett Bridge, cable bridge noted for its unique harp outline.

Ha'penny Bridge.

Christ Church Cathedral

St Patrick Cathedral

Dublin Castle

EPIC Irish Immigration Museum. 20 exhibits about the stories of immigration to and from Ireland. You also get a passport to stamp as you visit each exhibit.

Pub replica inside EPIC

Howth

Visited Howth, 30 minute train ride from Dublin. Walked around the harbor and up a trail along the cliffs. Nice views.

Galway

We rode a train Dublin to Galway. We stayed at Eyre Square Hotel, a few blocks from the train station. Galway would be our base for exploring west Ireland. Latin Quarter is a neighborhood within Galway and has lots of pubs and restaurants. Many visitors focus on the Latin Quarter especially in the evening so restaurants here can get crowded. We found the restaurants outside Latin Quarter to be much less busy.

Latin Quarter

Galway Cathedral

Large organ inside Galway Cathedral

Some fall colors showing in trees along River Corrib

Kylemore Abbey and Connemara

Day trip to the Connemara region and Kylemore Abbey. This day trip was my first experience driving on the left side of the road. Not too big of an adjustment - takes about 15 minutes to get oriented. I adjusted the side mirrors to show the painted lines on the road - important to know where your car is all times since many roads in Ireland are narrow. Also downloaded google maps of the region to navigate without requiring data service. And always remember - turn to the left side. The rental car was a Toyota Yaris hybrid, which got 82 miles per gallon, or 34.8 km per liter.

Kylemore Abbey is a beautiful castle located on Kylemore Pass in the Connemara region. Mitchell Henry built the abbey in 1868, after having spent his honeymoon in the area. The architecture is best described as neo-gothic and the castle still displays all the characteristics of that period. Today, the Benedictine community runs Kylemore Abbey and have lived here since 1920. Visitors go through several rooms showing the history of the castle and its occupants.

Lough Inagh Point. Sheep often hang out here.

Gothic Church. Mitchell Henry built the church in memory of his wife Margaret.

Inside the Gothic Church.

Victorian Walled Garden

Apple trees in the Victorian garden

Connemara Pony

Screebe Waterfall

West Ireland, Between Galway and Cliffs of Moher

Dunquaire Castle. Walk up to the gate and make a wish.

Poulnabrone Dolmen. Stone Age tomb built with large rocks in a table formation.

Sheepdog demonstration at Caherconnel Stone Fort.

Viking sheep

Hazel Mountain Chocolate. They make chocolates shaped like sheep.

Corcomroe Abbey.

Burren, moon-like landscape. Rocks with crevices and cracks tumble to the ocean.

Doonagore Castle

Lahinch Beach

Cliffs of Moher

Visited the majestic Cliffs of Moher. One of the most visited sites in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher have inspired musicians, artists, and scientists. The cliffs are as high as 700 ft/214 meters above the ocean. Hiking trail runs 9 miles/14 km along the top of the cliffs. WARNING: stay on the trail - the ground off the trail at the edge may not be stable especially on a windy day. Lots of spectacular views. As a nice bonus, we saw two fiddlers playing Irish music. If you plan to park at the lot near the visitor center, purchase entry tickets online to save money.

Visitor center built inside a hill.

The visitor center has a photo booth. You choose a background, have your photo taken, and emailed to you.

O'Brien Tower

Clontarf

We rode a train from Galway to Dublin, then a taxi to Clontarf Castle hotel for our final night in Ireland. Clontarf castle was originally built in 1172, rebuilt to its current form in the 1830s, and started operating as a hotel in 1997. Staying in a castle is definitely a unique experience.