Maine's Schoodic Peninsula, part of Acadia National Park, is located just to the east of the more famous section of the park, Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island. Described as a secluded part of the mainland, a six mile loop road follows the coastline around the peninsula, leading out to Schoodic Point at the southern tip. Here in Maine's Down East Region, the park road offers plenty of pullouts and overlooks where visitors may take in the signature shoreline. Here, the coast is covered in pink granite, broken with ribbons of dark basalt. Spruce and jack pine look for any opportunity to gain a foothold along the rocky peninsula. Lobster boats, lighthouses, seabirds, fishing villages and a pounding surf are some of the delightful sights along the Schoodic Scenic Byway. An unpaved spur leads out to the highpoint at Schoodic Head. From this raised elevation, panoramic views include Frenchman Bay, Mount Desert Island and Cadillac Mountain.
   Maine's Penobscot Bay, Acadia and Downeast areas are surrounded by a frequently treacherous Atlantic. Beside strong winds, fog and fowl weather, the intricate rocky shoreline, narrow channels and small bays offer plenty of hazards for unwary sailors. This particular stretch of coastline is dotted with over 40 lighthouses, making it a paradise for lighthouse fans.
   One of Maine's tallest lighthouses signals a warning of an underwater sandbar in the cut between Petit Manan Point and the reef just offshore. The first lighthouse built in 1817 was only 50 feet in height. However its replacement tower, completed in 1855, rose up 120 feet. Built of granite block, the new lighthouse replaced the insufficient first tower. Strong winds quickly set this tower rocking, leading to some further engineering evaluations and stiffening cables. This striking sunrise view shows the tower, fog signal buildings and light-keeper's house at its island location. The island, governed by the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. is one of 49 islands protecting nesting gulls, common eiders, and bald eagles.

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