Day 10 Northeast Harbor for the 4th day

The weather was perfect for a long hike.  The night was again clear with temperatures in the mid 50s. The day was sunny to start and the clouds began to slide in over the afternoon,   High to low sixties with SW wind of about 5 knots.

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Check of the map trip below - we did it!!. Well if you read yesterday's post you will know that "it" is a hike to the Abbie Aldrich Rockefeller gardens. And it was quite a hike as you can see from the stats!!

 

As you will see below, the gardens were in fact spectacular. And it is amazing how few people are allowed in each day - from the check in list we saw it looks like about 40!  It was a blessing that we scored tickets - I have never tried to get them as I have heard they are book weeks in advance - my whim paid off - it feels a great deal like winning a lottery

The hike started like our hike to Jordan Pond by going up to Thuya Gardens from the east side of the harbor.  At Thuya garden we took the Richard Tail - named after one of the Rockefeller's son's. It was a beautiful hike.

These ledges were really amazing with the slabs of granite that look like they would fall out if you breathed hard on them. I wonder how long the freeze thaw cycles will take to make them fall.

Which way Lady Faye? That way!

To Harbor brook and a newer bridge crossing.

I imagine that the stream could be quite full in the spring.

Leaving the stream we had to climb the other side somewhat. This included taking the rock steps up the face if this large rock face

I noticed this amazing tree that has grown from the crack in the rock wall.

And a little further I spy what?

Another door in the woods of course.

Richard's door to be exact.

And we are descending some more toward ....

.. the intersection of the David and Neva (father and daughter Rockefeller) trail along ....,

..... Little Long Pond.

And we are near our destination so we found a nice spot to eat our lunch. But there is a a but......

The gardens are near the east (to the right side) of the Pond, but up some major elevation. So we have to walk along very busy Route 3 for about 1/4 a mile. We did see some horses that I am sure are ridden on the carriage trails around the pond.

And soon the entrance to our objective - the Abbie Aldrich Rockefeller Gardens - and he turquoise flag is out - meaning it is an open day.

The walk up the road is even interesting, The moss in the forest is amazing.

And soon we reach the check in point. And it turns out that our check in fellow is also the head grounds keeper, Ethan. We  had a wonderful chat with this very interesting young man - reminded us of our boys.

And soon it was time to see the gardens.

These photos can only give you a good sense of how amazing was this marvelous place.

The gardens are set around a center lawn with an lower and upper terrace of flowers.

The plants were selected to be in bloom in the month of August as that was when the Rockefeller's spent time at their home here.

And around the gardens are a number Asian and foreign figures.

And there was a walk to ..............

 ..........and overlook of Little Long Pond

We then walked to the site of the where Rockefeller's summer home, Eyrie stood - Be sure to click this link. What a magnificent view it commanded - truly amazing. It was sobering to be there and realize what once had stood there and to imagine what a life in that house would have been. I wasn't jealous but rather struck by the fact that their once incredible life and lifestyle had its time and an end in time. It reminded me of a line from Rush's song Dreamline - "Learning that we're only immortal for a limited time!" And truly we all are.

And then it was time to make our way back home. It was a long walk as we had been on the move since mid- morning. But we again proved that the home is still some time away. And soon by putting one foot in front of the other we again found Richard's Door.

Then our rock outcropping that I was surprised had not fallen while we were gone ........

........ and then along a cedar walk near the early park of the trail ............

............ and then near the trail head where I found a new form of a "rock garden." Hope you smile like I did at some one's sense of humor.

We arrived back at the boat about 3:30. We were tired but not exhausted. And we were quite pleased with ourselves for making such an ambitious plan and carrying it off with relative ease. 

And as a final treat of the day the sunset was full of wonderful color - I can only imagine what the view of it from the Eyrie house perch was like.

 

So you can see it is time for me to sincerely wish you all  .......................

Good Night and May God Bless