The entire coast of Maine is one gorgeous view after another. We found our personal favorite behind a hotel parking lot on the road to Bar Harbor. 

 

This path led to a set of steps that took us down to the ocean. 

Despite its location on a major hotel's property, we only encountered two other people during the hours we spent here. This was especially remarkable considering the timing; with the 4th of July weekend, the tourism season had officially commenced, and there wasn't a parking spot to be found within a mile radius in all directions from downtown Bar Harbor. 

It was like having our own private beach! 

We discovered this secret spot by following our ears. While sleeping nearby, we heard the sound of a waterfall, and set off in the morning to discover the source of the comforting noise. This waterfall was a unique spot where a river flowed into the ocean.  Dave loves this picture because of its optical illusion of being split into four pieces. 

The second time we returned to our private beach was quite a contrast from the first; our first visit happened during high tide, our second during low. 

Low tide exposed so many shells and rocks. We spent hours combing over them and collecting ones we loved. The receding tide also created tide pools, where we found live mussels and snails and hunted for starfish, though we didn't find any of those. 

This entire area had been covered by water during our first visit. 

The seagulls were also happy with low tide and all the extra perching places and shallow bathing spots it produced. 

The place where the river met the sea was rich with life. 

We loved this waterfall and all the mossy rocks leading up to it. 

The ducks loved this spot, too. The waterfall was unique because it was very calm and the ducks could float right next to the edge without going over. 

Shake your feathers, duck! 

We couldn't get enough of this scene. 

Some of low tide's treasures exposed. 

These barnacles grew on all the rocks, and the seaweeds looked out of place without water to cover them. 

The waterfall was perhaps 150 feet away from the mouth of the ocean. 

A frogs-eye view of a lilly pad flower.