Halfway through our week in Acadia and we’ve already packed in enough adventures (and laundry) to last a month. We’ve gone tide pooling in Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor where we found approximately one million snails, kept our eyes peeled for crabs, and spotted one live one (a major win) along with a few fascinating dead ones — which the kids thought were just as exciting. At Seawall, we caught sunset and high tide — and also got absolutely soaked when we weren’t planning on it. So now we’re traveling with a collection of dry-but-crusty saltwater clothes. Delightful. Our ‘hikes’ so far have been short enough to technically count as walks… but we’re branding them as hikes anyway, because parenting is 50% re-labeling reality. Jordan Pond Restaurant came through with the legendary popovers + tea — honestly delicious — but we spent the whole meal trying to outmaneuver bees that were obsessed with our strawberry jam, lemonade, and tea. (They were relentless.) Campfires in the mornings and evenings have been the highlight — equal parts marshmallow sticky and coffee necessary — and the kids are so tired that car naps have basically become a core activity. Still ahead: a seals + fjords cruise, the Ocean Path hike to see Thunder Hole at high tide (because apparently the ocean yelling is a tourist attraction), and maybe even the Beehive summit if the stars align… and if we don’t run out of snacks. So far, this first trip as a family of five has been equal parts chaos, magic, and a little bit of salt crust. 🌊🔥🐚 acadianationalpark visitmaine familytravel familyvacation travelwithkids adventurewithkids familyof5 newenglandexplored naturekids traveljournal vacationvibes familyadventures takeahike eastcoasttravel oceanlife nationalparkfamily kidsinnature hikingwithkids travelmemories adventuretime getoutside travelwithfamily roadtripwithkids campfirelife popovers maineadventures natureexplorers familyoutdoors snailspotting housealadventures