By Kathy Rivers

You are on vacation in beautiful Bar Harbor Maine. Acadia National Park awaits you. How do you plan your day so you can see all the sights? While thinking about this, you start walking down Main St. As you do so, something catches your eye. It is a green and maroon trolley passing by. This is the answer you have been looking for. The name is Oli’s Trolley. This old fashioned trolley alleviates the stress you might have while trying to find Acadia National Park’s hidden gems. What could be more relaxing than riding in a trolley while the Conductor does all the work for you? Just sit back and relax as you hear the history of the area. Have you ever missed a breathtaking view because you were trying to drive? That won’t happen on this trip.

Oli’s Trolley offers two tour options. You can choose from a 1 hour or 2 ½ hour tour. If your schedule allows for the longer tour you must take advantage. My daughter and I were able to recently do this. We were unaware of how little we knew about Bar Harbor’s history. Being from Downeast Maine you would think we would know the history of our most beautiful island. Well, we didn’t. Our conductor, Ronnie was extremely informative.

The tour begins with learning about Bar Harbor when it was a playground for the wealthy. You hear about Rockefeller constructing the Carriage Roads, the fire of 1947 and much more. As you ride along, not only will you see the very first summer house in Bar Harbor but also homes that were originally owned by famous families like the Vanderbilt’s and Campbell’s.

Now it is time for the park, so the trolley turns onto the Park Loop Rd. A magnificent view of Frenchman’s Bay is the first sight on the left. Then it is onto Eagle Lake. This lake is not only the town’s water supply but also gravity fed from the highest point of land on the East Coast. This point of land is none other than Cadillac Mountain and is the first stop of the tour. Get your camera out because Cadillac Mountain is a great opportunity for photos. This view of Acadia National Park is the most spectacular of all. Next stop is Wild Gardens of Acadia. Here you can explore the Nature Center or walk through the garden paths. Back on the trolley you go. While headed to the next stop there are a few sights in between. The first is Beaver Pond where you are able to see the huts that nature’s carpenters have built.

The second is the toughest hiking trail on the island, the Precipice Trail. The Precipice Trail is also the home of the Paragon Falcon. Have you ever heard of such a falcon? If not, you must know that this is a protected bird that is capable of flying up to 200mph. That tidbit of information, I found very interesting. Last sight before the tour’s 3rd and final stop is a splendid view of Sand Beach. This crushed shell beach is a hot spot for sunbathers but only the brave swim in these cold waters.

Thunder Hole is the last stop the trolley makes before the trip back to town. This is a must see! If your timing is just right, not only will you hear the thunderous boom but will feel the earth beneath you tremble. A cave has formed in the granite from the mighty Atlantic Ocean waves crashing into it. This causes that thunderous sound.

While heading back into town your conductor tells you facts about the great Maine lobster. Now everyone is ready for that lobster dinner they have been waiting for.

I can’t imagine a more relaxing way to view the sites of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Call or stop by Oli’s Trolley to reserve your ticket. 866-987-6553 or 207-288-9899 or log on to acadiaislandtours.com