Dawn Watch at Cadillac Mountain 9/8 180 miles

We arrived at 4:38 A.M. We eased into the last parking spot. Ed dosed as I watched a steady stream of fellow adventuers arrive to greet the rosy fingers of dawn. I knew we wouldn't be the only ones here, but I'm a little surprised by the  traffic jam. It's warm (73), very windy, and a few stars are twinkling overhead. It's about 5:15. The sky is beginning to get light, so I'll wake up the gurgling Edwardo so he can officially begin his retirement. Most amazing besides the natural wonder is that we're here with at least five hundred of our symbiotic sungazers. More and more people arrived, even past the official sunrise time of 6:04 A.M. When the sun fully rose from behind the cloud bank, we made our way down to Bar Harbor to the This Way Cafe, which I smelled yesterday on our walking tour. It didn't disappoint, but if this prologue doesn't end soon, the locals will try to harpoon me. Nevertheless, we're taking the good life as it comes. Having said that, we spent the rest of the day worrying about the arrival of Ed's bike. In the best case scenario, it arrives tomorrow morning, which puts us on the road one day late. As of 2:15 P.M. today, it had been tracked to Shrewsberry, MA. I'm hope it will make it up here to the end of the earth in the early A.M. Meanwhile, we drove our first day's route (not bad in a car), stopped at a favorite Bangor Irish pub for Father Pat's famous fish chowder and a sinfully (I'm Catholic) rich piece of Irish Cream pie: Oh, my.

Ed awaiting first light.

Just before sun up.

6:04 A.M. (The official beginning of Ed's retirement).

An empty Bar Harbor, the morning after Labor Day.

Kit's Burrito. Quite yummy.

In another time, I might have boarded this lady for places far distant.

Father Pat's Famous Fish Chowder.

Oh, my!