Acadia National Park - a relatively crowd-free hike

            To avoid the jammed parking lot at Acadia Mountain, I continued along 102 to the St. Sauveur Mountain Trailhead. I climbed the Ledge Trail and turned left on St. Sauveur Mountain Trail towards Acadia. Then I went right on the Man o’ War Brook Trail, the low road that skirts the base of Acadia. I used to consider wide, flat trails through the woods inferior to heights and vistas. But cool woods and gentle terrain were blissful on this sweltering summer day.
            I turned right up Valley Peak trail – there was my steep ascent. I only encountered a few small groups of fellow hikers, some masked, some speaking Russian, all conscientiously distancing. Stunning views include a sweep of all five Cranberry Islands. I waved hello to Sutton. Total loop: two hours.
            Lovely day of rocky outcroppings, jack pine, blue sky, grasshoppers clacking their castanet clicks in flight, and a friendly red squirrel who paused to say hello, but his mouth was full so he couldn’t speak.
 
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 352: 166 words, TOTAL = 57,848; 2,152 remaining