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Our Family Trip To Bar Harbor 2018

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Eva Amurri Martino's family in Bar Harbor, ME.

We got home from our annual trip to our family home in Bar Harbor a few days ago, and reflecting back I can definitely say it was our best ever.  It’s always so special being back at the exact location where I spent so much time as a kid, but seeing my kids on the same shores, in the same lake, hiking the same trails, and downing ice cream cones from the same shops really is a dream come true for me.  There aren’t many parenting moments that live up to the hype you create in your mind before your actual children are born (those perfect children you envision when you’re pregnant who sleep all the time, never get sick, and do everything you tell them to…LOL) but for me there have been a handful of moments that are just as magical as I always envisioned them to be.  And seeing my kids in Maine is one of them!

Eva Amurri Martino is living her best life in Bar Harbor, ME, with a handful of sunflowers and a bag of veggies.

I think this year was extra special because it was the first year as a completed family of four where Major could actually participate in activities with us, and was fully aware of his surroundings.  Looking back at my post from last year’s trip, he looks like a legit BABY– it’s so weird! This year he was paddling a kayak! (I mean, in four inches of water with Kyle right next to him BUT STILL).  We took it pretty easy on our trip, and we had our friends with two girls right about the same age as our kids to hang with– but we still hit up some of our favorite local activities!

Eva Amurri Martino her husband Kyle take their daughter Marlowe for a hike in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's daughter Marlowe with a friend in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino and her husband Kyle and daughter Marlowe looking out on the view in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino and her daughter Marlowe go on a hike in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino looks out onto Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle and daughter Marlowe in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle, daughter Marlowe and friend sit under a tree in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle on a hike in Bar Harbor, ME.

We always go hiking on the same trail in Acadia that is kid-friendly and also insanely picturesque.  There are little blueberry bushes along the trail and Lowie loves picking them for a little snack along the way! This year, I couldn’t believe how fast she was bounding along the trail– she was like a little mountain goat.  It really showed me how much she’s grown up in the past year.  We decided not to bring Major on the hike since he’s sort of in between being carried in a hiking backpack (he would NEVER let that happen) and being able to navigate the trails on his own, and we didn’t want it to take away from Marlowe’s experience.  Ultimately, it was such a special way for Kyle and I to spend some quality time with Lowie doing something all three of us really enjoy.  I can’t wait for a few years from now when both kids can do even longer hikes with us!

Eva Amurri Martino's son Major sits in a canoe in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle pushes their son Major in a canoe in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's son Major sits in a canoe in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle takes their kids Marlowe and Major on a stand up paddle board ride in Bar Harbor, ME.

We also spent lots of time by the lake. Our house has its own little beach, and it was so nice to just relax, take the paddle boards and kayaks out, and enjoy the weather.  We had a couple unseasonably warm days (thank you, Maine!) so it was nice to float around and watch the kids enjoy it.  I personally prefer the ocean and lakes to swimming pools, so I was very happy! Exploring town and shopping a bit is another one of our favorite past times! I linked some of my favorite shops in last year’s post, but this year I was blown away by the Kids/Toy shop Stone Soup.  It’s right there on Main street and has the BEST selection of toys, games, costumes, and even clothes for kiddos and babies.  It’s a must if you’re passing through!

Eva Amurri Martino's son Major in a navy lobster sweater in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major walk around Bar Harbor in matching lobster sweaters.

Eva Amurri Martino's daughter Marlowe in a handmade lobster sweater in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major look on in matching lobster sweaters.

Eva Amurri Martino waves her hands like she just don't care, while her kids Marlowe and Major look on in matching lobster sweaters.

Eva Amurri Martino get nautical in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major sit in adirondack chairs in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe, Major and friends laugh in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major walk around Bar Harbor in matching lobster sweaters.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle looks out amongst the lobster crates in Bar Harbor, ME.

In terms of food, our favorite every year is Thurston’s Lobster Pound.  I just love the lowkey, family vibe– and the setting is spectacular.  Plus they have the MOST delicious lobster dinner. My kids were really in to the visual of their parents wearing plastic bibs, obviously.  On our last night, Kyle and I started a tradition last year of visiting the Cranberry Isles and having dinner at the Isleford Dock Restaurant.  Not only is the boat ride over a great way to see the coastline, but the restaurant once you get there is in the most beautiful location and has REALLY good food.  Unfortunately this year it was super foggy boating there and back so it didn’t have the full charm that we normally enjoy but it was a good time anyway. 

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major walk in a field of flowers in Bar Harbor, ME.

A close up of veggies in Bar Harbor, ME.

Veggies for days in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's son Major runs after his sister Marlowe in Bar Harbor, ME.

A close up of the gorgeous sunflowers from Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major look out at pigs in Bar Harbor, ME.

Pigs in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's daughter Marlowe walking in a field of sunflowers in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle teaches their son Major how to pet a dog.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major look out at pigs in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major look out at pigs in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major walking in a field of sunflowers in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's daughter Marlowe petting a dog in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle throws their son Major in air in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's kids Marlowe and Major climbing a fence in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino admiring sunflowers in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino picks sunflowers in Bar Harbor, ME.

Blooms in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's daughter Marlowe and son Major holding sunflowers in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle and son Major pet a dog in Bar Harbor, ME.

This year was our first time ever driving to Bar Harbor from Connecticut, and it was surprisingly not as bad as I anticipated.  We started driving at bed time on the way there, which proved to be much smarter than the extra long, extra mind-numbing trip back in Summer Sunday afternoon traffic.  FAIL! I don’t think we’ll ever do that again, but all things considered the kids did great, and the prep I did for the trip totally worked in our favor.  I will write a blog post about my family road trip tips to share my tactics!

Eva Amurri Martino and husband Kyle in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino wears a geometric printed dress with a flare of pink and a denim jacket in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino wears a geometric printed dress with a flare of pink and a denim jacket and white tassel earrings in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino wears a geometric printed dress with a flare of pink and a denim jacket in Bar Harbor, ME.

Eva Amurri Martino's husband Kyle and their kids Marlowe and Major hang out in Bar Harbor, ME on a foggy day.

It seems that each year one of the gifts of our annual vacation is seeing and noticing how much our kids are growing and changing in just those short 12 months.  I can’t imagine what next year will bring but I do know that I can’t wait to get there! I never imagined that bearing witness to the “growing up” would be one of my favorite parts of parenting.  I’m always in awe of my two little souls and the people they are becoming.  I hope they continue the annual trip to Bar Harbor when they have families of their own!

Eva Amurri Martino walks along the water in Bar Harbor, ME.

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17 Comments

  1. melanie chiasson says:

    Bonjour Eva,

    C’est magnifique cette ville,nous sommes aller il y a 8 ans!Un beau weekend en amoureux!

    Merci

    08.02.18 Reply
  2. Shana says:

    I love that you have another picture of the carrots and radish’s a nice touch of how some things never change ?

    08.02.18 Reply
    • Ha! I was wondering if anyone was going to catch that! One of my favorite things about that farm stand is how frozen in time it is! 🙂

      08.03.18 Reply
  3. Lisa says:

    Spectacular photos, spectacular life
    ♥️??

    08.02.18 Reply
  4. Mallory Lepak says:

    Love everything about this!! Thank you for sharing. I love living vicariously through you!! Lol What a beautiful family vaca.

    08.02.18 Reply
  5. Jill says:

    That’s a great vacay!! You all look super relaxed and HAPPY! Major in the kayak! Sooooo stinkin’ cute! And the matching sibling lobster sweaters?! I. Can’t. Even. ? The hiking there looks like paradise! TY for sharing this, I was so excited to see the pix and read all abt it. Hands down one of my FAV blogs/bloggers? Keep up the stellar work!

    08.02.18 Reply
    • Aww thanks! It was really such a special time all together. Too short tho! lol

      08.03.18 Reply
  6. Charmaine says:

    Sounds like a wonderful trip. You are so lucky to have a special place to go back to each year! I want to try and create a similar experience for my kids too. I’m torn between going to a new place each time versus going back to the same place/location. Both have benefits. We are planning a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne later this year so can’t wait to hear about your tips. Thanks Eva

    08.03.18 Reply
    • I know! It’s really so special. I am a total travel lover myself so what we do as a family (we usually take two trips a year outside of the surrounding states) is to do one consistent trip (Maine) and then one adventure trip to someplace we haven’t been before! This Winter we are going to Jamaica as our adventure trip!

      08.03.18 Reply
  7. Amy D. says:

    Lovely pictures and traditions. We just returned from our 12th annual family cottage trip. Same one I went to as kid too. We have a core group of 57 (!) that go up for the same 4 days every year. Between two houses and a bunch of tents it’s the trip my kids and their cousins talk about all year long! Keep up with doing some of the same shots, my family nags me about them but my 17 year old was stunned this year when I showed him a collage of the last 11 years.

    08.03.18 Reply
  8. Dan Woog says:

    Great photos, of a wonderful family. Maine will mean as much to your kids decades from now as it does to you. I’m heading to Maine soon myself. A wonderful place.

    08.03.18 Reply
  9. Lauren says:

    I love this! I definitely want to go to Maine. I’m working on traveling more with my kids. I went to Salem, MA on my own a few years ago and want to bring them soon!

    08.04.18 Reply
  10. Jess says:

    Hi Eva, my boyfriend and I are in Bar Harbor right now- loving it so much! Was wondering which trail you and your fam did exactly in Acadia. We’re looking for an easy hike (bf has an injured back), so thought the family friendly one you did could be perfect!
    We’re also heading to Thurston’s tonight 🙂

    your pics are amazing from this trip, so i was inspired. Love you and your family in general, and hope to have what you have myself someday!

    Xoxox

    08.23.18 Reply
  11. Brigit Rotondi says:

    Beautiful. It sounds like a beautiful special time. Its important to have traditions and, spend quality time together. I’ve been wanting to go to Maine for some time. I hope to make it soon. I love the pics!

    10.16.18 Reply