Eighth Annual NSPN Downeast Retreat, Bar Harbor, ME September 9-12, 2022
 Initiator: Peter Brady

This now-traditional  4 day event will be from Friday Sept. 9th to Monday Sept.12th , with group paddles each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday is a travel day, with options for  a shorter trip winding down midday or early afternoon.  
Most people travel & arrive on Thursday afternoon or evening and depart on Monday afternoon. Some arrive sooner and leave later, 
There will likely be some options for biking the Acadia National  Park  carriage  trails and day hikes in the area. 
   Each day there will be  organized paddles (likely two or three) around Mount Desert Island, based on weather and conditions that day. We have a menu of trips suited to this area, and experienced participants familiar with the area to lead trips . We can meet at Rose Eden  every morning and around dinner time to create and confirm paddling plans for the next  day. 
    Our base of operations will be at Rose Eden Cottages Rte 3, Bar Harbor, 
Rose Eden is a cottage resort  with some 12 cabins. We can gather there for car caravans to launch sites, and in the evening to plan next days trips.   We have moved our base of operations for 2022  to Rose Eden, across the road  from LLangolan Inn,  to ensure reservations for more people earlier for the coming year. A number  of yearly attendees will have already reserved at Rose Eden.  
Accommodations are on your own. Make your own arrangements  (including reservations, cancellation deposits whatever) for your entire stay during this event. You are encouraged to make reservations (at Rose Eden or elsewhere)  as far in advance as possible, as Bar Harbor is becoming  more popular as a travel destination.    
Each day there will be  organized paddles (likely two or three) around Mount Desert Island, based on weather and conditions that day. We have a menu of trips suited to this area, and experienced participants familiar with the area to lead trips . We can meet at Rose Eden  every morning and around dinner time to create and confirm paddling plans for the next  day. 
      There is a full moon on Saturday this year, so we will try to organize a full moon paddle if weather and conditions allow.  
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP (" I’m going")  here in the calendar posting on  Sept. 9th. 2022.   
A Group PM  with all of participants will get going in the  months before the event , for information sharing,  planning and communication .

Some recommended lodging: 
Rose Eden: our vase of operations. 12 modest cabins, a gathering area in the rear , laundry facilities.   
Llangolan Inn & Cottages :   across the street from Rose Eden; similar to Rose Eden with 8 bungalows and a few rooms in the main inn.  
Hadley Point Campground:  this campground  close by,  on Hadley Point Road. With a laundry room and hot showers. 
Robbins Motel: not far from Llangolan on Rte 3 for those looking for the most economical no-frills lodging on the island.
Eden Village: A cottage resort similar to Llangolan, a short ways away on Rte 3.
Trenton  (off the Island): Just across the bridge to Mount Desert Island, between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor there are cottages and motels that are  probably less pricey than on Mt. Desert Island. 

There are many other options for lodging in the area, including fine (but less conveniently located) campgrounds .  
This is a rain or shine event! This event has been a success because there is fine paddling to be had somewhere around the island in all but very harsh conditions, and if the weather is too crummy to paddle anywhere on the ocean we can paddle the inland ponds and lakes like Long Pond or Eagle Lake, or explore & hike Acadia National Park, or play tourist around Bar Harbor. People  have often  taken a day off from paddling to explore Mount Desert Island and there might well be an organized hike , bike safari or two  mixed into the festivities.
If you have any questions: contact  Peter Brady    (PeterB on the message board )  by PM   
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Event details