Acadia - Part 4

I went to The Wild Garden on the second day. It was too crowded for me, so I decided to take some photos of a beech grove that happened to be in a bog, and then decided to push myself up a steep 600 foot mountain nearby, to see if I could get an eagle’s view of the valley. I’d heard it was a nice view, but it turned out to be much nicer than I expected. I had to stop often to give my legs and back a rest and to catch my breath. My camera pack always feels heavy, but this climb requiring hundreds of half-deep knee bends was almost enough to make me want to call it quits. I’m glad I didn’t! Huffing and puffing up the trail, when I got to the first substantial view, I got pretty excited, because it would it make a perfect view while resting- it made me feel a little bit like I was getting paid for my pain, and it offered me a good opportunity to get a photo!

There were other people on the trail, and I had to be careful where I placed my tripod… it was off the trail, precariously perched on top of some rocks on the edge of the cliff…not a great place to bump my gear.

When I hike up a strenuous section, and finally get to an open view, it’s always nice- always a blessng to be able to look out into a long view from a mountaintop when your brain is pumped with endorphins and your legs are thirsting for oxygen! Unfortunately, being fatigued from a strenuous hike often impairs my good photographic judgement, A view that I’m thinking is “great” when I’m starving for a break, often turns out to be fairly mediocre. Fortunately, my first stop above wasn’t too bad, but the next stop was more exciting, and the views just kept getting better as I dragged myself higher above the valley floor.

After my second photo, I packed up the gear and resumed my walk to the top, where the view was expansive and colorful. I could almost see the entire valley, and even though it was bright white midday light, the colors were nicely saturated and the picture was as nice as the actual scene was in the valley.

If you want to see my favorite photo of the afternoon, please click this link, and if you see something you like, let me know, or subscribe to my email address if you’re so inclined.

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