Welcome to Armchair Travels, an invitation to travel around the world through the reportage illustration of Studio 1482.We have gathered art from our travels to share with you in the hopes that, while you can’t get out and see these places (yet), our experiences may bring some happiness and light to your day. Please check back often as we will be posting new adventures weekly.
Enjoy Acadia National Park…by Dominick Santise
Like Pavlov’s dog, anytime I see a kayak or a bike rack on the back of a car, I am green with envy as to where the passengers may be headed, my mouth watering at the thought of one day having the same on my car. This involuntary reaction is a result of a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine some 30 plus years ago. A 12-15 hour car ride on a back road into what seemed like an endless void. If only my father was given a map of the highway 3 miles inland that would have cut the travel time down to just over 8 hours we may have returned. But instead I held onto a childhood fantasy for several decades, like the Pevensie children returning to Narnia, that I would someday once again visit.
Bar Harbor is one of four towns on Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park, the true reason for my long desired return. Acadia is in the top 3 most beautiful spots I have ever set foot. It made such an impression on my 12 year old mind that over 30 years later I felt like I had just been there yesterday. The only memory not holding to reality was the size of the beach I swam at with my sister. I remembered the steps leading to the small, secluded sand that we thought would be our only chance that summer to swim in the ocean. Not minding the 58 degree water—the locals seemed to be bearing it—she and I braved the depths as our father’s feet turned shades of blue. Sand Beach was much bigger than I recalled, but still cold and still full of swimmers. Just up the shoreline we took a short hike along the rocks on our way back up the steps.
Time seemed to fold onto itself as we hiked around Jordon Pond, spending the day surveying the water and glacial mountains that were all around.
Eating lunch along the rocks we looked out onto the water and the bubble mountain shapes.
A few hundred feet off the trail I got lost in the woods searching for the wood between worlds.
On our way back home I kept an eager eye out for moose. Apparently it isn’t uncommon to see one along the road, though I was a bit nervous at the thought of it. As I scanned the horizon and we put some distance between us and the island I saw this barn out in a field that vibrated in the landscape. I figured the moose were hiding on the other side. A new memory stuck. I hope to one day return, though with less time in between. I didn’t go chasing old memories, but I certainly found the foundation for my love of the outdoors.
