Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain

One thing that my husband has always wanted to do while visiting Maine and Acadia National Park was to see the sun rise from the top of Cadillac Mountain. He’s talked about it every time we’ve gone up there and each and every time, I’ve always said, “sure, just wake me – I’ll go.” But he knows me well. He knows that I really don’t want to wake up at 3 AM and drive an hour to the park and up the mountain.

However, this year was different. This year we were staying right on Mount Desert Island, and only about a 15 minute drive from the summit of the mountain that is purported to be the first spot in the United States to see the sunrise.

Mount Cadillac only sees the first sunrise in the fall and winter, when the sun rises south of due east. During most of the spring and summer, the sun rises first at Mars Hill. For a couple of weeks around the time of equinox the sun rises first at West Quoddy Head in Lubec, which is the easternmost town in the United States. ~WikiAnswers

Regardless of where it rises first in the summertime, we were there to see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain.

 

I think my husband was shocked that I woke right up, bounded out of bed and was in the car within moments for the drive. He’d already made some coffee which came in handy because wow – was it cold up there on the top of the mountain. I brought my winter coat just in case, and had to use it.

The wind was whipping too ~

 

I don’t know why my husband was so surprised to see SO MANY PEOPLE. Observing the sunrise on Cadillac is one of the main tourist things to do while visiting the national park.

 

 

He dropped me off to find a spot and that was the last I saw of him until it was time to go home. The sky slowly turned wonderful colors which was a joy to behold.

I was really surprised to see how some people had dressed. Those wearing shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops were complaining of the cold while wrapping themselves up in blankets. Many people only had fleece hoodies on, but I had on my winter coat with the hood up because I knew from experience that it can get really cold at 1,528 feet.

And I was quite comfortable as I shot the scenes unfolding in front of me.

 

 

I think the sunrise occurred at about 5:10 a.m. on July 25, 2012.

 

 

I turned around after it rose to view the scene behind me.

 

 

And this is only a small portion of the crowd.

 

 

I took a couple of silhouette shots as I headed down to the parking lot.

 

 

I think this one is fun.

 

 

People from all walks of life come to enjoy this view.

 

 

Looking out over the Cranberry Islands.

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After we left the mountain, we headed down into Bar Harbor and took the walk that included the capture of the owls (see post down below).

And that concludes our trip to see the sunrise before anyone else in the country (unless you’re in Mars Hill, Maine – but it’s debatable).

Hope you enjoyed ~