There are very special places in the world that align with the direction our soul is taking us. We are called to these places by a silent undercurrent driving the reality that flows around us. It is a current that was created by those who came before us and is refreshed by our participation in it connecting the past with the present and delivering us into the future.
In the heart of Acadia National Park there exists a network of packed gravel roads created by John D. Rockefeller Jr. so he could enjoy a carriage ride throughout the vastness & beauty of his estate on Mount Desert Island. While over 79 miles of roads exist only 45 miles are open to bicycling, hiking, horseback & carriage riding. From 1992 through 1995, The National Park Service and The Friends of Acadia united to refurbish and restore the roads and bridges for future generations to enjoy.
The Carriage roads provide passage through the magnificent wilderness that exists on the coastal islands of Maine carrying those that follow them to some of the finest views along the northeastern seaboard. Designed for horse drawn carriages, the 16 foot wide roads are graded so as to not overtax the animals as they ascend and descend the terrain without violating the integrity of the land. Rockefeller has created a generational journey for all who would take it to enjoy.
There is a plethora of visual treats, vistas and facilities to be savored along the journey, places such as Jordon Pond, Eagle Lake and the Gate Houses are but a few that come to mind. Travel the roads and you will find places that speak intimately to you and in the end reveal a deeper view of who you are and ultimately what connects us.
The last morning of my five day visit to Acadia National Park, I awoke early to hit the roads and found myself following the hoof prints and carriage tracks of John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s horse and buggy into the mist and beauty of the Carriage Roads and Mount Desert Island. There are indeed times and places that reunite us with the undercurrents of the past heralding us into the present and preparing our hearts for the future reminding us that miracles happen every day if only we open our eyes and hearts to see and experience them.
