♪ SHAYNA: A BIRDS EYE VIEW OF OUR DESTINATION, A 5 HOUR DRIVE NORTH FROM BOSTON.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND IN MAINE.
THIS IS HOME TO ACADIA NATIONAL PARK AND BAR HARBOR, A SCENIC TOWN OF 6000, WHOSE POPULATION TRIPLES IN TOURIST SEASON.
>> IF YOU LOVE THE OUTDOORS, LOVE TO HIKE, THE SITES, THE SHOPPING, THE FOOD, IT IS ROLLED INTO ONE.
SHAYNA: DOWNTOWN BAR HARBOR IS BUILT UP.
TONS OF RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, AND PEOPLE.
MOST HOTELS WERE SOLD OUT WHEN WE VISITED, BUT THE BLUENOSE INN HAD ACCOMMODATIONS FOR LEAF PEEPERS AND TOURIST GROUPS.
ESTABLISHED IN 1916, ACADIA NATIONAL PARK COVERS 47,000 ACRES AND 120 MILES OF TRAILS.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
>> WE ARE FROM GERMANY.
>> CONNECTICUT.
>> COMING FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE SEEN A LOT OF BEAUTY.
BUT COMING OUT HERE, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.
SHAYNA: ACADIA WELCOMES 3.5 MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY, SAYS THIS PARK RANGER.
>> IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN OUR VISITATION INCREASE 60%.
SHAYNA: ONE REASON, THE PARK IS FAMOUSLY ACCESSIBLE.
PARK LOOP ROAD IS A SAFE AND EASY DRIVE TO THE TOP OF CADILLAC MOUNTAIN, 1500 FEET IN ELEVATION.
>> IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD.
AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, IT IS THE FIRST PLACE WHERE THE SUN TOUCHES THE EAST COAST.
SHAYNA: WE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE SUMMIT OF CADILLAC MOUNTAIN, AND IT IS REALLY WINDY AND FOGGY.
I AM HOPING IT CLEARS.
NO SUCH LUCK TODAY, ALTHOUGH WE MISSED SOME DAZZLING VIEWS.
WE ARE NOT DISAPPOINTED ON SAND BEACH, NESTLED IN AN INLET OFF PARK LOOP ROAD.
>> AN HOUR AGO, THIS WAS FOGGED IN AND NOW IT IS A STELLAR LOCATION.
SHAYNA: ANASTASIA IS ACCUSTOMED TO STELLAR LOCATIONS.
SHE WORKED FOR YEARS AT PARKS, INCLUDING DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE IN ALASKA.
BUT SHE BEGAN HER CAREER HERE.
>> I OFTEN THINK OF IT AS PUTTING ON A PAIR OF FUZZY SLIPPERS.
I CAME BACK TO A PARK THAT REALLY FELT LIKE HOME.
SHAYNA: ANASTASIA SAYS THE PARK SERVICE’S CENTRAL CHALLENGE IS ITS OWN SUCCESS.
ACADIA IS ONE OF THE 10 MOST VISITED NATIONAL PARKS.
>> WE ARE THE SMALLEST NATIONAL PARK.
THE ROAD THAT GOES UP TO THE SUMMIT OF CADILLAC MOUNTAIN NEEDED TO BE CLOSED 70 TIMES, AND THAT IS NOT THE TYPE OF EXPERIENCE WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE.
WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH PRESERVATION OF RESOURCES.
SHAYNA: THE ACADIA LURE EXTENDS TO THE REGIONS.
>> WE ARE ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE ISLAND.
THIS IS THE BLUE-COLLAR HARBOR.
THERE ARE BOATS HERE YEAR-ROUND, THEY FISH FOR LOBSTER AND CRAB AND HALIBUT.
95% OF THE LOBSTERS ON THE AMERICAN MARKET COME FROM MAINE.
SHAYNA: HERE AT THE LOBSTER PURE, JUSTIN SNYDER OFTEN CHARMS CUSTOMERS WITH LOBSTER TALES.
HE IS THE DOCKSIDE MANAGER AT BEALS.
ORIGINALLY FROM FLORIDA, SNYDER IN HIS FAMILY WERE LONGTIME THEY BOUGHT IT A FEW YEARS AGO.
>> IT HAS BEEN A PART OF OUR TRADITIONS FOR A LONG TIME.
I GOT HERE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE INDUSTRY AND WITH MAINE.
SHAYNA: THAT ZEAL IS IMPORTANT, SAYS CHUCK CARTER, BECAUSE BEALS IS BUSTLING.
>> DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE BUSY SEASON, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT 800 TO 850 POUNDS OF LOBSTER A DAY.
THE SCIENCE IS ALSO A SKILL, AND TALENT AS WELL.
A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
>> SECOND TIME HERE SO FAR THIS WEEK.
SHAYNA: THEY ALSO OFFER NON-LOBSTER DISHES AND TREATS, INCLUDING WHAT THEY CALL HANDSPUN MILKSHAKES.
90% OF THEM MENU CAN BE -- 90% OF THE MENU CAN BE MADE GLUTEN-FREE.
LOBSTERING IS A YEAR-ROUND BUSINESS, AND THEY SELL ONLINE IN THE OFF-SEASON.
>> ANYONE WANT TO GUESS HOW MANY LOBSTER TRAPS THERE ARE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN IN THE COAST OF MAINE?
100,000?
PLAYOFF.
AT ANY GIVEN POINT, BETWEEN 5 MILLION AND 10 MILLION TRAPS.
SHAYNA: WHY ARE MAINE LOBSTERS IN DEMAND?
IT IS THEIR SWEET FLAVOR, CULTIVATED BY IDEAL OCEAN TEMPERATURES.
>> BEING A LOBSTERMAN IS NOT AN EASY JOB.
I KNOW I COULDN’T DO IT, SO I DON’T.
THESE GUYS GET UP AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING, THEY ARE OUT THERE AT 4:00.
IT IS TREACHEROUS OUT THERE.
YOU PUT VALUE INTO WHAT YOU BUY WHEN YOU REALIZE WHERE IT COMES FROM.
ANTHONY: WE ALWAYS GET EMAILS ABOUT THIS.IT IS SPELLED LIKE MOUNT DESERT ISLAND, BUT PRONOUNCED "DESSERT." THAT IS WHAT WE GO WITH.
SHAYNA: BACK TO JUSTIN, HE IS A HUGE OUTDOORSMAN.
HE SAYS IF YOU ARE GOING TO VISIT MOUNT DESERT ISLAND TO MAKE SURE YOU VISIT SOME OF THE QUIETER ISLANDS LIKE BEACH MOUNTAIN TRAIL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU GO TO ACADIA, IT IS SO BUSY AND THERE IS SO MUCH TRAFFIC THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT ADDING A PARKING LOT YOU HAVE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR.
IF THAT HAPPENS, IT WILL NOT BE UNTIL 2020.
ANTH