Be Mindful & Enjoy the Journey

Tag: Natural Beauty

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Cape Elizabeth, ME – A Town of Lighthouses, Lobster & Views

Where to Find Lighthouses, Lobster & Ocean Views

Cape Elizabeth is known for Lighthouses, Lobster, and Ocean Views. This little town boasts some of the most scenic lighthouses and iconic landscapes that make Maine such a popular travel destination. Cape Elizabeth is located about 5 miles southeast of Portland on Maine’s southeastern coast (1). The town of Cape Elizabeth has five lighthouses that are great spots for photo opportunities. Moreover, exploring the light houses gives you a wonderful chance to relax and enjoy some mindful moments.

A lighthouse in the distance

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Eastern Lighthouse

The lighthouses are surrounded by parks and other outdoor attractions. This along with Maine’s famous lobster rolls are the makings of a very mindful excursion as scenic beauty and ocean breezes will be the distinguishing points of your trip to Cape Elizabeth, ME.

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Atlantic Ocean

My wife and myself drove from New Hampshire to Cape Elizabeth for the day. Our itinerary included exploring lighthouses, state parks, and eating some lobster rolls. When we arrived at the Lobster Shack, which is next to two lighthouses, we were a little disappointed that the lighthouses were not as easily accessible. However, we were able to take some pictures from the distance.

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The grounds are owned by the restaurant, which include all the picnic benches on the ledge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The area is not large and is easy to walk around. With that in mind, you will only need about an hour or two to explore and eat lunch.

A white house with a lighthouse on the side

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Eastern Lighthouse and Driveway

Things to Consider when Traveling to Maine

There are some things to keep in mind when traveling to Cape Elizabeth, Maine for your lighthouse excursion. First and foremost, the drive is a distance and out of the way from many major highways and towns. Furthermore, when you are researching lighthouses to visit, make sure that you have the appropriate name and directions as each one requires different travel routes. Moreover, the lighthouses can vary by location and can be next to restaurants, in state parks, or in very remote places. Most state parks will ask for a nominal entrance fee. Therefore, plan accordingly as some surprises are not always enjoyable.

Moreover, if you are not familiar with driving through Maine you might want to consider their tolls, which can be costly at times and there are a lot of them. My wife and I drove from New Hampshire to Cape Elizabeth, ME. Our round-trip costs were roughly $12.00, and we did not get very far into Maine. This is not a crazy cost, but it is one to consider when you are in the budgeting and planning phases of your trip. Consequently, the small fees and unanticipated costs associated with travel are the ones that can add up the fastest eroding away at funds you had set aside for other intentions.

Where to Eat and Enjoy the Views

The Lobster Shack

225 Two Lights Road

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Lobster Shack Outdoor Patio

The Lobster Shack Restaurant has great food and the prime location for photographs. Although, the food will make for a unique experience, we must mention that it is not reasonably priced. In other words, if you are on a budget, we would recommend having your lunch at one of Portland’s downtown restaurants and splurging on a desert at the Lobster Shack. Nevertheless, the location is amazing as you have access to indoor and outdoor seating that will give you incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Picnic tables and umbrellas on a beach

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Lobster Shack outdoor patio

The Lobster Shack is extremely popular and can produce long lines. However, the restaurant is efficiently run, and can go through a line quickly without diminishing customer service or quality of food. The restaurant itself represents an authentic fisherman lobster shack that has warm wood and large windows that provide a lot of sunlight and astonishing views of the Atlantic Ocean. For that reason, The Lobster Shack is one of Maines iconic restaurants and gives you a true immersion into the culture, atmosphere, and food of Maine.

Lobster Roll Boat

A lobster roll and fries in a white container

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Lobster Roll Boat

A generous portion of steamed lobster that is lightly salted, peppered, and infused with a dash of lemon juice. This dish is served in a hotdog bun that is topped with a dill pickle and paprika seasoned mayonnaise. The lobster boat is accompanied by a side of crinkle fries. This Maine delicacy is well revered throughout New England and the world.

A slice of pie with whipped cream on top

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Raspberry Pastry

The Raspberry pastry is a flaky outer shell that is filled with a raspberry jam, topped with buttercream and a dash of powder sugar.

Ocean Views

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
View from the outdoor seating of the Lobster Shack.

The outdoor patio offers unobstructed views of the ocean, which makes for a wonderful place to relax and take it all in. This is also a great spot to eat and enjoy the boats passing by.

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Two Lights Road Beach

The beach at the end of Two Lights Road is both beautiful and naturally undisturbed. Evidently, this seems to be a prominent theme throughout the Coastal Maine region. As a result, the natural unperturbed rocky beaches help contribute to Maine’s abundance of seafood and their fishing industry, making them one of the top exporters of seafood in the United States (3).

A path with grass and rocks by the ocean

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Atlantic Ocean View From The Lobster Shack Grounds

Undoubtedly, the grounds near the Lobster Shack provide spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The beautiful and scenic views offer the mindful traveler excellent photo opportunities and a nice ocean breeze that can cool off any sundrenched traveler. Moreover, the natural landscape of wildflowers offers the photographer a beautiful canvas, and the mindful traveler an enjoyable and peaceful stroll along the ocean’s edge.

A lighthouse on a rocky shore

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PHOTO: Nina Gradwohl
Two Lights Eastern lighthouse seen from rock jetty

The above image captures the view of the eastern lighthouse, which is still active today and is one of the brightest lighthouses in Maine. The eastern lighthouse is visible up to 17 miles at sea (2). Unfortunately, this lighthouse is not accessible to the public and it is not associated with any public park.

A white lighthouse in the distance

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Two Lights Eastern Lighthouse

Overall, Maine and Cape Elizabeth are both known for lighthouses, lobster, and ocean views. The lobster was great, and the coastline views were legendary. In other words, this beautiful place is worth the visit.

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References

  1. Town of Cape Elizabeth (2021) https://www.capeelizabeth.com/
  2. Maine Office of Tourism (2021) https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/parks-natural-attracMaine tions/two-lights-state-park
  3. 10 Things to Know About (2019) U.S. News https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2019-03-15/10-things-to-know-about-maine

Copyright (2025) TravelingMindfully All Rights Reserved

Mackinac Island, MI – A Mindful Travel Guide

Where to find Horses, Nature Trails & Fudge

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl

Explore the beauty and allure of Mackinac Island in this mindful approach travel guide. Mackinac Island is known for its horse drawn carriages, breathtaking nature trails and delicious fudge. Mackinac Island is the most iconic summer vacation spot in Michigan. This beautiful place offers a relaxing experience and the opportunity to explore nature trails and small unique fudge shops. In addition, Mackinac Island is a place of wonder where you will not encounter any vehicles driving on the roads. The main sources of transportation are bikes and horse-drawn carriages. A beautiful island where horses, nature trails and fudge can be enjoyed all summer long.

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Gazebo and garden on Mission Point Resorts Great Lawn

Mackinac island is located in Lake Huron between the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. To experience this place of wonder, visitors must take a ferry or a charter plane to get to the island. If you decide to take the ferry, it is a short ride of approximately 20 minutes. The ferry departs every 30 to 45 minutes depending on the time of the year.

Furthermore, the island is famous for prohibiting chain hotels and chain restaurants, which gives its visitors a unique shopping and diverse dining experience. In addition, Mackinac Island is known for its world renown fudge, that offers a sweet tasty treat while enjoying the scenery that Mackinac Island has to offer.

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Fudge shops, restaurants and more on the main street in downtown.

There is plenty to see and do in Mackinac Island in addition to the famous horses, nature trails & fudge. This unique island is an amazing place to spend a day or even a couple of nights, as there is something to do for everyone.

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Mission Point Resort seen from their Great Lawn

In addition, to Mackinac Island’s natural beauty and environmental friendliness this famous summer resort island is an extraordinary experience for all groups and ages. Mackinac Island allows the historian to peek into simpler times, the foodie to try the wonderful and diverse cuisines and the adventurer to hike and bike along the abundant trails found throughout the Island. This is a must see experience and should be on everyone’s travel list as you will be impressed by the extraordinary natural beauty the island has to offer its visitors.

Nature Trails

Arch Rock

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
This famous limestone formation has been attracting visitors for years with its picture-perfect views overlooking Lake Huron.
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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Looking up from Lake Shore Drive at Arch Rock
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History of Arch Rock
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Arch Rock Staircase to the top.

Lake Shore Drive

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl

If walking or biking is your kind of thing, then take a day trip around the island. There is an opportunity to bike or walk around the whole island. The main road from downtown Mackinac Island is a pathway that takes you around the entire island. Once you are outside of the town, the road turns into Lake Shore Drive and can be very scenic.

Also, an interesting and important fact that you should be aware of if you are planning to embark on a walk around the island would be the total walking distance. Although, the island may only be about 3.776 square miles, it translates to 8.3 miles around the perimeter. The walk around the island can be quite a distance and therefore, we would recommend bringing a snack and some water as it gets increasingly remote in some parts of the island.

Preparing for a Hike

Some snack suggestions that will help keep you energized, hydrated, and nourished are the following:

Honey Stinger Waffles are a great way to keep you energized throughout the hike. I like the Honey Stinger Organic Vanilla Waffles. These delicious waffles are packed with a thin layer of organic honey, potassium, and other ingredients that will help you with endurance and enhance your hike. The Waffles are also USDA organic, non-GMO making them a great selection for a healthy choice snack to keep your energy up during the hike.

In my opinion GU Energy Gels in Carmel Macchiato flavor are a great option if you would like a little extra pep in your step. These gels are great as they give you much needed energy that will not only increase your endurance but also performance. The Gels have about 40 mg of caffeine for this flavor, but they do offer other flavor options with less caffeine and no caffeine as well. These Gels are not only great performance enhancement but also on the healthier side as they are Vegan and Gluten free and considered a Kosher product. My personal favorite would be the Caramel Macchiato as it tastes like a caramel infused macchiato, and I am a man who enjoys a good cup of caramel favored macchiato. Delicious!

Power Crunch Protein Bars are another great snack to have while you are on your hike as they give you higher levels of protein that will fill you up and reduce hunger. My personal favorite is the Strawberry Crème flavored Power Crunch bars. For one I love strawberries and these bars really know how to bring out the flavor. The power Crunch bars contain 13 grams of protein and only 6 grams of sugar which is the perfect balance as it still tastes good, but it also has a lot of nutrition that your body will use. These bars come in various flavors including key lime pie, lemon, vanilla, peanut butter, and many others. This snack is also easy to transport and a smart choice for a protein rich nutritious snack.

You need to keep hydrated during your hikes and should bring a couple bottles of water. As we discovered when you leave the tourist spots, Mackinac Island despite its size can become increasingly remote. We appreciated the bottled water we had after the sun was beating on us for a couple hours. My personal favorite bottled water is Evian. Evian has a balanced mineral composition and naturally occurring electrolytes which help keep you hydrated for longer periods of time. Evian is naturally filtered through glacial rocks for over 15 years, giving Evian a neutral balanced 7.2 pH for a delicious natural spring water and smooth taste.

Disclaimer: The products listed are of my personal opinion and you should follow your doctor and dietician recommendations, which are based on your own nutritional needs. Some products contain caffeine and other compositions that could affect each individual differently.

Architecture

Sainte Anne’s Catholic Church

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
St. Anne’s Catholic Church entrance off Lake shore Drive

St. Anne’s Catholic Church was originally built in 1743. Nearly a 130 years later in 1873 the church was torn down and rebuilt to what it looks like today. Sainte Anne’s is one of the oldest congregations in Michigan that was established by Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary in the 1670’s. The church has an abundance of history and beautiful architecture that every visitor should explore. (steanneschurch.org/history.htm, 2020)

Horses

The source of all transportation outside of walking and biking is the horse (Percheron draft horse). These horses haul hotel shuttles, cargo trailers and some island tours. In addition, the Draft horses are the main source of deliveries for the entire island. 

A horse pulling a carriage

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Main source of Transportation on Mackinac Island
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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Lake Shore Drive Estates
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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Metivier Inn front garden
A boat on the water

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
Star line ferry passing Mackinaw bridge en route to St. Ignace
A large building in the distance

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
The Grand Hotel seen from a ferry entering Mackinac Island

The Grand Hotel, which was featured in the movie “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. This prestigious hotel is perfectly situated on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron and all of its glory. It is located a short distance to downtown.

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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl
The Grand Hotel personal taxi service
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PHOTO: Christopher Gradwohl

Just another beautiful day on Mackinac Island. The beautiful and iconic Mackinac Island lighthouse also known as the Round island lighthouse is seen in the distance.

Mackinac Island is a special place that will leave you and your loved one with lasting memories. A place where you can enjoy world renown fudge, horses and nature trails. In conclusion, Mackinac Island is known as Michigan’s most iconic and historical island and can be enjoyed by everyone. A beautiful island filled with hisotric buildings, natural beauty and endless views of Lake Huron.

Summers in northern Michigan are spectacular for those who have visited you know what I mean. For those who have not, it’s never too late to experience peace and relaxation surrounded by the beauties of nature.

CHRISTOPHER J GRADWOHL

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Copyright (2025) TravelingMindfully All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2026 Traveling Mindfully. All Rights Reserved.