Photographer's Assistant in Dog-Friendly Acadia National Park

"Dad, what are we doing here? Is this really why we woke up at 3:30 this morning?"

I had some assistance as I photographed the sun rising over the Schoodic Peninsula in my prior post. My dog usually gets left behind when I'm going out to do photography, but he participated in our entire trip to Acadia National Park -- and he had the time of his life!

My little helper, learning to appreciate the sunrise as much as I do

Acadia is a great destination to travel with a dog, as both the National Park itself and the surrounding towns are remarkably dog-friendly. Dogs are allowed on most of the trails in the park (with the exception of a few that are particularly difficult and unsafe for four-legged companions) and it was easy to find restaurants with outdoor dining areas that welcomed dogs. We were even able to bring him shopping with us in a variety of little shops in downtown Bar Harbor that had posted signs in their windows inviting dogs inside. Acadia is going to be a regular summer destination for us, and it's great to know that there is such a wonderful place to visit without having to leave a certain member of the family behind!

By the way, if anyone in the Boston area is looking to adopt a homeless pet, we had a great experience at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA a few years ago. The staff were really great with helping us to find an adult dog that fit our personality and lifestyle. Our dog has brought so much joy to us over the years, and there are many more at the shelter just like him who are looking for loving families!

Sun rising over the Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia National Park

The late summer sun rises over the Schoodic Peninsula as seen from the summit of Mount Cadillac

One of life's true simple pleasures is seeing the sunrise. This is especially true when you can witness the spectacle from a gorgeous location like the summit of Mount Cadillac in Acadia National Park. Even in mid-August, when we took this trip to Maine, the sun was still rising rather early (around 5:30). But as the colors filled the sky, and the warm golden-light broke the horizon above the Schoodic Peninsula, all sense of fatigue melted away and the excitement of the start of a new day filled its space.

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Pemetic Mountain rises above Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park

Looking south across Eagle Lake to Pemetic Mountain in Acadia National Park

On our first evening in Acadia National Park, we decided to take in the sunset at Eagle Lake. We hadn't done much scouting before the trip and ended up here just on a whim while looking at the park map. It was a lovely stroll along the carriage road on the northern edge of of the lake, with nice views of Pemetic Mountain and the Bubbles all along the way.

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First rays of the sunrise on Mount Cadillac, Acadia National Park

The summer sun breaks above the horizon to start a new day in Acadia National Park

While our trip to Acadia National Park was not explicitly for photography, it's hard to be in such a beautiful place without wanting to take advantage of the golden hours. Seeing the sunrise from the summit of Mount Cadillac is something I would have wanted to do anyway -- it's not everyday that you get to be in the first place in the U.S. to witness the sunrise (well, at least it holds that distinction in the winter months) -- but it really is a "thing to do" there. While the photographers visiting Mt. Desert Island would surely be used to waking up at 3-something in the morning in order to reach their destination by sunrise, I was shocked at the number of visitors who lined the summit each morning. What surprised me more though was how quickly almost everyone jumped back into their cars only a few minutes after the sun had fully emerged from below the horizon.

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Morning light illuminates granite, Acadia National Park

The golden rays of a mid-August sunrise cast a warm glow on the granite in Acadia National Park

My wife and I took a much needed final summer trip to Acadia National Park a few weeks ago. We've been wanting to see the park ever since moving to New England, and it did not disappoint! Two of our three mornings in the area we headed up to the summit of Mount Cadillac to catch the sunrise, which was a definite highlight of our time there. Acadia is certainly not a park to visit if you're hoping to photograph wildlife, but the landscapes are incredible. There's something very special about the mix of granite, water, trees, and sunshine on Mount Desert Island and I can't wait to return!

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