In 2023, my husband and I were given Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Fort Campbell, KY, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA. Moving with the military is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The details and logistics that go into the military PCS process can be overwhelming. Though the military facilitates these moves and provides families with the majority of tools necessary to make them happen, it takes an emotional toll on the service member and their family. It’s a combination of letting go of what was and accepting all of the new to come — happening all at once. Once settled, it becomes about finding a new routine and a new normal. Amidst the chaos of adjusting and learning a new area, it proves difficult to intentionally put aside time to nurture emotional connectedness between the service member and their spouse.

Adjusting to the New Routine

We spent the first 2–3 months of our military PCS renovating our new house, re-gaining traction with our coffee business, and simply learning the ins and outs of the new place we called home. Then came work responsibilities, temporary duty travel (TDY), field exercises, and the needs of everyday life. Once November hit, we realized we hadn’t stopped moving to give ourselves time to enjoy what living on the opposite side of the country had to offer us!

We both grew up in Idaho and have been stationed in Hawaii and on the West Coast, so being this close to the East Coast was new and exciting for us! My husband and I LOVE to travel. It’s our favorite hobby! We enjoy trying new foods, experiencing new atmospheres, and seeing the beauty each state has to offer. We take any and every opportunity to explore, so we made it our goal to adventure our way down the new coast — starting with the beautiful state of Maine.

We Finally Pressed Pause

​​About an hour southeast of the Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine, lies the beautiful coastal town of Bar Harbor, nestled up against what is considered the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast — Acadia National Park. Surrounded by rocky headlands and scenic routes, this little tourist town is one of the most romantic places my husband and I have ever visited. It felt like stepping into a storybook. The streets are lined with candy stores, boutiques, and restaurants staffed with the kindest people. Although we visited during the park’s off-season, we still had the most wonderful experience.

Peace and Solitude for a Military Couple

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. It’s one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States, and I can certainly see why. The most popular time to visit Acadia runs from mid-April to the end of October; however, there are still plenty of things to see and do during the off-season.

We visited around the end of November, and let me tell you, it was a surreal experience! Although it would be incredible to see the park during the summer months when everything is in full bloom and the sunshine beams down on you, there was something extra special about being in this beautiful place and feeling like you were the only people around. Sixty miles of coastline and only a handful of people in sight, we had nearly the whole park to ourselves! Just my husband and I — alone and together, a quiet and meaningful national park visit for a busy military couple.

Day #1 – Park Loop Road

Picture this: you wake up and walk to your hotel room window to see the most picturesque landscape. There are boats of fishermen in the bay reeling in the morning catch, an older couple snuggled close, strolling the oceanside path, and the sun is rising in the sky, bringing with it visibility of a lighthouse way out in the distance. You get dressed for the day in something cozy and drive about 3 minutes into downtown to a café called 2 Cats. Here, you fill yourself with a warm cup of joe and mow down on some of the most delicious biscuits and strawberry butter you’ve ever had. Once you’re full and energized for the day, you hop in the car and make your way to the entrance of Acadia National Park.

My favorite spot in Acadia was the Park Loop Road, from Sand Beach to Otter Point. Just a short walk down some steps and through the trees, you’ll find the beauty of Sand Beach. What is usually the most popular stop along Park Loop Road was nearly empty during our visit. I counted 10 people along what is considered the largest sandy beach in Acadia National Park. We spent a solid hour here simply holding hands, walking up and down the beach, watching the waves crash into the cliffs, and listening to the tide roll in and out.

After walking back to our car, we pulled back on the Park Loop Road and continued down the “Ocean Drive.” Every once in a while, there is a spot where you can park your car and hop on any number of the trails available. Further up the loop from Sand Beach is a spot referred to as Thunder Hole. Here, we parked, got out, and were able to walk out onto some of the flat tops of the rocky cliffside. We just sat there, not worrying about anything we had to do or anywhere we had to be. We were simply able to enjoy the peace, quiet, and each other’s company.

The sun started to set, so we decided to jump back on the loop and finish our drive with some dinner in downtown Bar Harbor. We ate some delicious haddock and clam chowder at the Thirsty Whale Tavern, and for dessert, we made our way down the street to Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, where we indulged in some famous Maine blueberry pie and a box of chocolate clusters and truffles. We drove the 2 minutes back to our hotel room and settled in for the night.

Day #2 – Schoodic Peninsula

The next day, we ventured into the Schoodic Peninsula of Acadia National Park. Here we drove along the coastline and visited the towns of Winter Harbor, Birch Harbor, and Prospect Harbor. We stopped at Grindstone Point and were able to walk out and touch the ocean. Being from the West Coast, we’ve had the opportunity to visit the Pacific Ocean, but never the Atlantic, so

this was exciting. Because of our adventure to Acadia, we can now say we’ve been from ocean to ocean together! This kind of coast-to-coast military family travel experience was something we’ll always remember.

The rocks were slippery, and it was a challenge tonavigate the way down without our feet slipping out from underneath us, but we held on to each other while taking peeks between the rocks to see if we could find some marine wildlife waiting for the next tide to come in. Our drive through the Schoodic Peninsula was full of moments like these — talking, laughing, pointing out cool sights, stopping to search for sea glass, and being fully present in each moment.

We rounded our day trip out with a stop at a mom-and-pop cheesecake stand in Ellsworth, ME. What a treasure that was! We found our way inside and couldn’t believe our eyes at all the wonderful options available. What stood out to me most were the sticky notes that lined the walls. Each sticky note was a message from one of the hundreds of visitors this little shop has had in the past, from all over the country. And we got to be one of those visitors! We signed a sticky note and stuck a pin in the spot of our hometown on the map hanging by the door. We hurried back to our hotel room so we could end the night sifting through our sea glass collection and enjoying every last bite of Momo’s Cheesecake.

The Healing Power of Nature for Military Couples

What I just described was one weekend. One weekend all to ourselves spent in the beauty of Acadia National Park, reconnecting with each other and experiencing something totally brand new. One weekend was all it took to help release the stresses of moving and adjusting to a new lifestyle. It was just what we needed. A reminder of all that is important. A reminder to pour into each other’s cups and intentionally set aside time to nurture our relationship.

The military asks a lot of service members and their families, so it can be hard to dedicate time to emotional connection. However, the reward in doing so is well worth the effort for any military couple.

A Thank You to Those Who Make Moments Like This Possible

Training schedules, deployments, and living on one income all significantly impact a military family’s ability to plan activities that foster deeper connections. Thanks to organizations like the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), military families and military couples across the country have opportunities to reconnect.

ASYMCA offers programs to help service members and their families throughout the community, such as:

• Operation Ride Home – Helps junior enlisted service members and their families travel home for the holidays by covering travel costs they might not otherwise afford. This program enables military families to spend quality time together, creating cherished memories despite financial constraints.
• Operation Camp – Offers military children the opportunity to attend camp where they can learn new skills, build resilience, make lasting friendships, and develop character in a supportive and fun environment tailored to the unique experiences of military life.

Love, Laughter, and the Military Life

The time spent with my husband in Acadia National Park will be something I’ll always remember. I will never take the opportunity to spend quality time together for granted. The demands of military life can sometimes feel all-consuming, but I’ve learned that if we invest in nurturing our relationship’s emotional well-being, it flows into every aspect of our lives.
We found calmness in the waves of Acadia National Park. Who knows what’s waiting for you?

Military Family Giveaway: Heroes in the Great Outdoors

A very special program is underway this summer, offering free stuff for the military! For the second year in a row, the Armed Services YMCA has partnered with the National Park Service to honor the resilience of military families through the Heroes in the Great Outdoors: Military Family Giveaway. This initiative will send one lucky military family on an all-expenses-paid visit to the breathtaking Grand Teton National Park.

Military families are the unsung heroes behind every service member. Yet they face frequent moves, time apart, and limited resources, making vacations like this feel out of reach. This giveaway is a chance to reconnect, recharge, and experience the healing power of the great outdoors together.
Eligibility & Entry:

• • Open to all active duty junior-enlisted U.S. military families (E-6 and below)
  • To enter, submit a short story about why your family loves the outdoors, along with a family photo
  • The entry with the most public votes wins the trip!

Don’t miss out — register now and share your story! Whether you’re a military family ready for your next adventure — or know one who deserves it — register today and help create memories that will last a lifetime.

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