Acadia National Park 100th Anniversary

Thunder Hole Acadia National Park

2016 is the 100th anniversary of Acadia National Park! Lots of events are planned for the park and surrounding towns. There will be a parade of windjammers in Somes Sound on August 2, 2016.

For more info on Acadia National Park:
Acadia National Park -hours, admission fees, camping reservations, etc
Acadia Centennial - events, park history, etc
Acadia Magic - park info, places to stay, restaurants, etc
Acadia National Park Community - conservation, history and cultural info

The Bumps Acadia National Park

You know us, we travel in the off season! We usually hit the road the first week in November with our friends Karen and Dave from Timbercliffe Cottage. This year we went by ourselves as Dave was in for a 'tune-up' at the eye doctor's. (He's fine as can be now!) I've wanted to go back to Acadia for a few years now. I drove the eldest grandson, Kevin, to camp last summer in Northeast Harbor but it was a quick drop off and run, no time to really see anything. So, yes, you CAN drive there and back in one day, but you have to leave early enough to enjoy the park before heading home. We've had guests stay for sunset on Cadillac Mountain and then arrive back at the inn around midnight.

Of course, continuing my photo collection of lighthouses, we had to go to Bass Harbor while we were there. It was a stormy day at high tide and I'm a bit of a self-preservationist, so I did not climb out on the wave-swept rocks to get the 'perfect' photo.

Bass Harbor Light

We hope you get to come to Maine for Acadia's Centennial in 2016. Bookend your trip to Bar Harbor with a stay here at White Cedar Inn. We have books and maps so you can plan out your trek before you hit the park.

Here are some pix from our trip to whet your appetite:

The 'bar out to the Bar Islands

Out of the clouds, Cadillac Mountain

In the clouds, Cadillac Mountain

The crashing surf off Bass Harbor Light

Be sure to check the tide charts so you can walk across the bar to another bit of Acadia National Park - Bar Island. Short, one mile hike to the top of the island affords views of Bar Harbor.

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main St Freeport, Maine 04032

www.whitecedarinn.com

Freakin' Good Blueberry Thing

That's what a guest called this blueberry bread pudding. And doesn't that sound more interesting than 'Blueberry Bread Pudding'? I think it does. We've made this once; the same guest has already requested it for next Sparkle weekend. So, along with the Egg Nog French Toast, this Freaking Good Blueberry Thing will be on the menu the first weekend in December. In case you want to be here, too.

Serves 15, 16 in a pinch, 12 if you want to give really big servings

Ingredients:

6 large croissants (or 12 'deli' size)
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 8oz packages of cream cheese (not whipped)
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 tsps vanilla
2 cups milk


Butter a large baking dish (9x13). Tear the croissants into small pieces and cover the bottom of the baking pan. Use all 6 croissants. Spread blueberries over the croissants. Mix the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Slowly add the milk. The cream cheese will be chunky, that's ok.

Pour the mixture over the croissants. The cream cheese will settle to the bottom of the mixing bowl so make sure you spread it out in the baking dish. (Ask me how I know this...) Let the liquid absorb into the croissants for about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees while waiting. (You can also let this set up overnight, covered in the fridge.)

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes, or until edges are nicely browned. If the top is browning too quickly, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes. You want to be sure the egg mixture is cooked.

Remove from oven and let stand until slightly cooled. Serve warm with powdered sugar.

Can also be made in separate ramekins. Halve the cooking time and adjust the amount of ingredients based on the number of servings you're making.

(Sorry, no photo this time...it was all gone after breakfast!)

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main St Freeport, Maine 04032

www.whitecedarinn.com