We parked at the Echo Lake Beach parking lot and headed out on the Canada Cliffs trail, picked up the Valley Trail to get to South Ridge Beech Mountain Trail. We could see the Fire Tower from our cliffs hike yesterday, and could now climb to the lower observation deck. The upper deck and building are closed. We talked for a bit to other hikers at the fire tower, a couple with two dogs and a mom and 5-year-old son with a dog. We took the Beech mountain loop back to trails we hiked earlier to return to the beach parking lot.

This is what is nice about taking your home with you—we’re on our own time schedule and we had all of our stuff with us. We fixed lunch, changed into swim clothes and enjoyed the beach in the afternoon. The water was crystal clear, but cold as expected. The east end of the beach is roped off for a protected wetland that includes a floating loon-nesting raft. The nine spines stickleback fish are plentiful and fun to watch in the clear water and dragonflies and damselflies are easily spotted in the reeds and lily pads.

We tried to eat at Archie’s again, but they were closing at 5:00 just as we arrived. We drove back to Seafood Ketch so Tony could have his steamed lobster dinner. We ate on the patio by Bass Harbor smelling the salty seaweed, and watched the fog roll in. The food was great, the bread was fresh out of the oven, and I enjoyed a salad and baked potato.