Dinner at Ocean Drive in Acadia National Park. Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Hi! I am Adele Wise and I am a fourth-year at COA. Not surprisingly, my fourth and
final fall term at COA has looked a bit different from the past three years. I am taking a combination of classes online as well as in person. With most of the campus closed, I definitely miss aspects such as TAB (our dining hall), and other activities that were held on campus. However, I am extremely grateful to still be living in the town of Bar Harbor with access to all of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
Classes
The one in-person class I am taking is called Mapping the Ocean’s Stories. In this class, we have delved into the historical past of the waters and fisheries surrounding MDI through oral stories, interviews, and visiting historical societies.
Looking out into Frenchman Bay from Osprey on a class fieldtrip. Credit: Adele Wise ’21
We have taken multiple field trips by boat this term to explore the harbors and islands in our vicinity. I’ve really appreciated having at least one class in person this term to break up all the screen time, especially when it involves trips in such a beautiful location!
Dr. Todd Little-Siebold's Mapping Ocean Stories course uses Osprey to learn about the history of Maine coastal fishing communities. Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Downtime
One night my housemate Angela and I met up with some friends at Hadley Point for a physically distant fire to roast some veggie-dogs and marshmallows! We also caught an amazing sunset! I have found that scheduling in time every day away from screens has been especially crucial in my routine at COA this term.
Roasting veggie dogs over a beach fire at Hadley Point Park in Bar Harbor, Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Enjoying a warm fire and a colorful sunset while physical distancing. Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Work study
While living on MDI this term, I have had the opportunity to continue my work study position. I am working at Beech Hill Farm, one of two COA owned farms. This term I have been delivering CSA bags to people on campus. Once a week on Wednesdays I help load a van with fresh veggies and deliver them to campus– of course spending some time to decorate the sign!
The COA Beech Hill Farm fall CSA program offers weekly fresh veggies, delivered to campus. Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Food
One thing I have missed a lot this year is not having the physical space of our dining hall open. Luckily we’ve still been able to receive the delicious TAB food that our cooks and work-study students prepare for us. In an effort to still feel community, once a week or so I meet up with friends to have a distant TAB dinner. This photo shows my housemate Angela and I eating lasagna at Bar Harbor’s Agamont Park just in time for some beautiful colors.
Agamont Park in Bar Harbor is a great spot for dinner prepared by COA's Take-a-Break kitchen. Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Wildlife
Deer and wildlife are everywhere on campus and on the island. I took this photo as I was driving back from work at the farm. We had a stare off for maybe five minutes until another car came and scared it away.
Deer in the road are a common sight in the area around College of the Atlantic -- drive slowly! Credit: Adele Wise ’21
Getting Outside
Every year, COA celebrates Peaks Day where over the course of a weekend, students, faculty, and staff sign up and climb one of Acadia’s 26 peaks with the intent to hike them all. Of course, Peaks Day looked a bit different this year since much of the COA community is spread out across the country and internationally. However, the COA community was still encouraged to celebrate Peaks Day wherever they were living and hike a peak no matter how small.
On this day I hiked the Precipice trail to Champlain Mountain in Acadia. It was a very foggy day, but the autumn foliage was bright and made me very grateful to be able to move my body in such a beautiful place.
Hiking the Precipice trail to Champlain Mountain in Acadia National Park on World Peaks Day. Credit: Adele Wise ’21