Latest news with #Gabriel
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Shedeur Sanders speeding ticket: Browns rookie QB can't make mistakes
Rather than avoiding an NFL spotlight that's sparked so many off-field wildfires over the years, Sanders instead provided fresh kindling for a legion of critics waiting to pounce - cited by police for driving 101 miles per hour after midnight ET Tuesday in suburban Cleveland. The listed speed limit where he committed the infraction was 60 mph. Maybe you're thinking this isn't a big deal, easy enough to ascribe this mistake to youthful intemperance. And Sanders, 23, didn't cause an accident. He wasn't driving under the influence. His maximum legal exposure for a fourth-degree misdemeanor is a $250 fine. The Browns haven't issued a public statement. Nor has Sanders. And why should they? This incident - if it's even that - pretty plainly speaks for itself. "I just feel like in life and everything, it's just me versus me, you know?" Sanders said following Cleveland's rookie minicamp last month. "I can't control any other decision besides that. So, I just try to be my best self at all times." Obviously, he fell short of that Tuesday morning. Still, it would be silly to suggest that this is or should be a fireable offense. However it's certainly an (another?) unforced error from a player whose judgment outside the lines has drawn far more scrutiny in recent months than his generally reliable decision-making on the field. And it's fair to say a guy who's been running with the fourth stringers is further distinguishing himself in the Browns' crowded competition to be QB1 in 2025 - and that is not a compliment. There are three men ahead of Sanders on Cleveland's depth chart. Grizzled veteran Joe Flacco is a former Super Bowl MVP who also revitalized the Browns into a playoff squad in 2023. Kenny Pickett didn't pan out as a 2022 first-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he does have a 15-10 record as a starter in the NFL and earned a Super Bowl ring of his own last season as a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Like Sanders, Dillon Gabriel is a rookie. Gabriel was also drafted 50 spots ahead of Sanders following a distinguished college run that saw him start the most games ever (64) by a Division I quarterback while accounting for an FBS record 190 career touchdowns. He led the University of Oregon to a No. 1 ranking last year and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Sanders (somehow?) got his No. 2 - a digit the Browns didn't even see fit to let him select - retired by the University of Colorado, which went 13-12 during his two seasons and didn't win a bowl game. Despite his unremarkable physical skill set, he was unequivocally one of the country's better college quarterbacks - though it also helped to play with Heisman Trophy-winning receiver Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick of this year's draft. Nevertheless, neither Flacco, Pickett nor Gabriel has been ticketed for excessive speeding ... or drawn flak for anything else of note in their personal lives. Meanwhile, Sanders needs to prove he's a superior option to a trio of other ones who have reputations as sterling citizens and, in one context or another, solid quarterbacks. And don't forget, there are also quite a few notable players behind Sanders. Just since 2012, the year Jimmy Haslam became the club's owner, the Browns have spent first-round picks on the likes of Brandon Weeden and Baker Mayfield, the top pick in 2018. Cleveland traded back into Round 1 in 2014 for Johnny Manziel, then gave up the farm and a fully guaranteed $230 million contract to acquire troubled Deshaun Watson eight years later. (Remarkably - or maybe not since we're talking about the Browns - neither Watson nor Manziel ever led Cleveland in passing yards in a season even once.) It didn't take Haslam long to lose patience with Weeden or Manziel, who didn't last two years in the league thanks to his pitiful play and off-field transgressions. (And, as of June 2025, no one should be comparing Manziel's brand of hubris or very serious personal issues to anything Sanders has done, allegedly or otherwise - though the latter also isn't the must-see, dual threat football talent "Johnny Football" once was.) Mayfield often played well - and frequently through pain when he doubtless would have been better off anywhere but a football field - for a fairly flawed team yet was still unceremoniously dumped in favor of Watson, who only remains on the roster due to his onerous contract. And these were all guys the Browns were heavily invested in. Though Sanders was widely expected to go in the first round of this year's draft, more than one pundit suggested the son of legendary Hall of Famer and Buffs coach Deion Sanders would more likely be a Day 2 pick if his name was Shedeur Jones. Turns out, apparently since his name is Shedeur Sanders, who was never the kind of generational talent who'd blind teams with scintillating gifts, he became a fifth-round flier - the type of player who doesn't even need to give a team a reason to cut him. Asked about his approach after Cleveland finally ended his highly scrutinized draft free fall in April, Sanders said this: "Get there and handle my business. Do what I have to do, whatever role that is. I'm just thankful for the opportunity. So that's all I could ask for. "The rest is on me." Yep. Sanders should heed his own advice. If he's not more careful, the next ticket he's served with could be the one-way variety - to football exile. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lily Collins looks as chic as ever in a fitted midi dress as she films scenes for fifth season of Emily in Paris
Lily Collins looked as chic as ever as she filmed scenes for fifth season of Emily in Paris in the French capital on Wednesday. The actress, 36, who plays marketing executive Emily Cooper, was spotted strolling through town in a fitted midi dress. She teamed the floral number with a pair of chunky black heels and accessorised with quirky angular sunglasses. Lily was joined on set by a man who carried a tan leather briefcase with the pair seen walking down the street. The upcoming series will see Emily juggle her potential new life in Rome and her past life in Paris. Emily was left with a decision at the end of series four, as she was offered the position of the lead of the Italian Agence Grateau office. Despite falling in love with Paris and the agency, Emily admitted she was tempted by a new life - with a new man - in Rome. Fans will remember Emily and Gabriel's (Lucas Bravo) romance fell apart after they finally tried to make a go of their relationship after he broke off his relationship with Camille. Following a fake pregnancy scandal, Camille revealed she wasn't actually expecting and Emily and Gabriel tried to work out a romantic future. However, it wasn't meant to be for the star-crossed lovers who were unable to work out their differences and she was pushed into the arms of Marcello, after they met on the slopes of Megève, when she was abandoned at the top of a slope by Gabriel. They crossed paths again at a polo match in Paris and they enjoyed a night out together in the city, which lasted until the following morning when he asked her to come and visit him in Rome. Emily followed her heart and travelled to meet Marcello, where she was also tasked with acquiring his family's business by her boss Sylvie. However, Emily was reluctant to mix business with pleasure. The pair hit a stumbling block when he learned of her plans to try and secure a professional relationship with his family, who owned a luxury cashmere company, but they eventually managed to iron their issues out. At this point, Gabriel had a candid conversation with Alfie (Lucien Laviscount), who urged him to try and win Emily back, despite previously being romantically involved with her himself. Lily was joined on set by a man who carried a tan leather briefcase with the pair seen walking down the street But despite dashing to Rome with the hope of reuniting, Emily was nowhere to be seen as she enjoyed her romantic day out with Marcello. Speaking about the upcoming series, Lucas said: 'I think Gabriel realized that he doesn't want to let Emily go so easily, and he might have made a big mistake. 'They certainly had a big fight and a cooling-off period. But I think he realized that by the end of the season, that there's something that he doesn't want to let Emily go. 'I don't know what that means. Doesn't necessarily mean they're going to be together instantly or ever. I don't know, but I think he feels there's unfinished business with the two of them.' However, there is hope for the couple as according to creator Darren Star, the season is not fully moving to Rome. He told Deadline: 'She didn't change her Instagram handle to Emily in Rome. She is working in Rome sometimes. Sylvie's company has an office in Rome. 'Emily's getting that on its feet. I don't necessarily think that it means a permanent — in my mind, it's definitely not a permanent — move to Rome. We're not leaving Paris.' The series is expected to air towards the end of this year, but one of the main characters has revealed they won't be returning. Camille Razat, 31, who plays Camille in the romantic comedy-drama - took to Instagram to reveal the shocking news with an emotional goodbye post after fans fumed at bosses for 'destroying the character'. Camille has played Emily's pal and love rival in the show since the programme hit the streaming service back in 2020. Now, after five years on our screens as Camille, the actress is ready to move on. Sharing various snaps from her time on the show, she wrote: 'After an incredible journey, I've made the decision to step away from Emily in Paris. 'It has been a truly wonderful experience, one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories. 'I'm deeply grateful to @starmandarren and the entire team at @netflix and @paramountpics for their trust and for giving me the opportunity to bring Camille to life and leaving the door open for her return, as she will always be a part of Emily In Paris world. 'This character has meant a lot to me, and I feel that her storyline has naturally come to an end. It felt like the right moment to explore new horizons.' She added: 'I've recently wrapped two series: Nero for Netflix and the Lost Station Girls for Disney+. I'm also excited to share that I've launched my own production company, @tazar_production. 'We mainly produce music videos and short films for now, but we're currently developing our first feature film, something I'm truly passionate about and excited to grow. 'I leave the show with nothing but love and admiration for the cast, crew, and fans who have supported us along the way. Thank you for the beautiful ride.' Her fans and co-stars rushed to the comments section to share their support. Lily said: 'Love you sister. It's been a wild ride and an absolute pleasure. You're a rockstar. So proud of you.' Philippine Beaulieu added: 'You'll be so missed ma chérie Frenchie!!!' Lucien wrote: 'From day one you've been my rider on this show. Your passion for story telling, your dark sense of humour, your unwavering ability to stay true to yourself, when everything's pushing you in a different direction. 'You're special Camille and I feel absolutely honoured to of been able to dance with you these past seasons. Keep on shining. 'I'm going to miss laughing with you. I'm cheering you on in everything you do.' Emily In Paris premiered on Netflix in October 2020. The synopsis on the streaming service reads: 'New passions. New fashions. New Emily? 'A plucky American marketing whiz spreads her wings in life and love after landing her dream job in Paris.' The show, created by Star, has had 40 episodes run over four seasons. It stars the likes of Lily, Philippine, Ashley Park, Lucas, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie and Lucien.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Anglicans mourn death of former bishop of KZN Dino Gabriel
The Anglican Church is mourning the death of former bishop of Natal Dino Gabriel at the weekend. Gabriel died at Netcare Parklands Hospital in Overport on Saturday. The Italian moved to South Africa in 1987 and over the years endeared himself to many due to his proficiency in isiZulu. In 1992 Gabriel married Nobelungu. Tensions within the clergy forced Gabriel to resign in 2019 as head of the church before his retirement in September 2020. His retirement came before a synod, a meeting of high-ranking clergymen every three years. At the time Gabriel was reported to say his resignation stemmed from threats, character assassination and racists remarks over his leadership style. The archbishop of the church, Thabo Makgoba, said the early retirement stemmed from 'financial pressures'. Anglican Diocese of Natal Bishop Nkosinathi Ndwandwe confirmed Gabriel's death on Sunday. 'Please pray for Mrs Nobelungu Gabriel and the family at this time of grief. Our heartfelt condolences to the Gabriel family. May he rise in glory,' said Ndwandwe. The Denis Hurley Centre in Durban also paid tribute to Gabriel on Saturday. It said Gabriel came to South Africa from Italy as a catholic priest and a Consolata missionary and later became an Anglican bishop in Zululand and then in Natal. The centre credited Gabriel for his frequent visits, including his most recent in March, where he often conversed with homeless guests in isiZulu. A memorial will be held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Friday.
Mint
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Can this small-cap auto ancillary firm's premium pivot deliver big gains?
A key player in the auto component space is undergoing a quiet transformation. Known for its legacy in suspension systems, this Anand Group company is now stepping into high-value, premium product segments, from sunroofs and solar dampers to e-bike parts. The company, Gabriel India, is planning this shift at a time when the auto industry is rapidly evolving, and margin pressures are prompting players to move up the value chain. Gabriel's new strategy promises revenue diversification and better profitability. But while strategic pivots seem promising on paper, they come with execution risks and market uncertainties. Will Gabriel's bet on premiumisation pay off? Can the company sustain margins while navigating the complexities of new product development and global competition? Let's find out. Inside Gabriel India's core business Gabriel India has established a significant presence across all automotive customer segments, including OEMs, aftermarket, and exports. It manufactures over 500 models of ride control products. Its products include shock absorbers, struts, front forks and others. The company's domestic business caters to three main segments namely two- and three-wheelers (2W & 3W), passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles. The two and three-wheeler segment accounts for 63% of the total revenue of the company while the passenger vehicle (including aftermarket) accounts for 25%. Commercial vehicles (& railways) contribute to the remaining 11% of the revenue. In the two- and three-wheeler segment, the company is the market leader with a 30% market share. It supplies most of the two-wheeler (except for Hero MotoCorp) and all the three-wheeler names in the auto industry. TVS Motors, Yamaha and Bajaj Auto are the top 3 customers for Gabriel India. In the passenger vehicle segment, Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen and Mahindra are its top three customers. In fact, Gabriel is a sole supplier of suspension systems for Volkswagen and Skoda in India. In the commercial vehicle segment (&railways segment) as well the company holds a dominant share. Gabriel India is a major supplier of shock absorbers and dampers for commercial vehicles It also supplies various types of shock absorbers/dampers for the Indian Railways, including components for Vande Bharat trains. Also Read: Auto part makers look beyond cars to dodge global headwinds Gabriel India Segment Revenue – FY25 Source: BSE Sunroof revenue While Gabriel India has a stronghold in the various segments it operates in, it plans to leverage its position by actively expanding its product portfolio and market presence in newer areas like sunroofs, solar dampers, and e-bikes. The company has already made considerable headway in the sunroof segment. It has a joint venture called Inalfa Gabriel Sunroof Systems Pvt. Ltd. (IGSS) with Dutch sunroof-maker Inalfa, which has a 25% global market share in sunroofs and a US$ 1.5 billion turnover. IGSS began operations in the March 2024 quarter, backed by a projected investment of $22 million with plans to manufacture 200,000 units annually. Since then, the company has grown on the back of demand for sunroofs, fueled by strong Utility Vehicle (UV) sales and frequent new model launches. For FY25, the company reported a revenue of ₹420 crores with net profit margins of 8.1%. The sunroof business added meaningful heft to Gabriel India's topline, contributing almost 10% to the company's overall revenue of ₹4,063 crores. Going ahead, the company is set to double its sunroof production capacity by the second half of 2025 to meet this growing demand. It currently has an order pipeline for two lines in Chennai and is in advanced discussions for various programs, including some in the western part of India. At present, the company manufactures only the BLTA sunroof, a panoramic variant, which accounts for 100% of its production in this segment. Localization stands at around 30%, which means that about 30% of the sunroof components are sourced locally. Gabriel India plans to increase this to 50–60% over the next 3 to 5 years. However, there won't be much change in FY25 or FY26, as investment plans for higher localization are still being worked out. The company's vision for the sunroof vertical is to achieve ₹1,000 crores in revenue by 2030. It is aiming for double-digit EBITDA margins on a steady-state basis and is actively engaging with other OEMs to grow its presence. The company is also in advanced discussions to finalize the PN3 reapplication related to the structure of the Inalfa JV. While details remain confidential, a 5% technology license fee and royalty are currently shared between Inalfa and Gabriel. The reapplication process is expected to conclude by the end of the current quarter. Solar dampers emerge as the next growth bet Gabriel India is also stepping into the solar damper space, recognizing the potential in solar energy setups, particularly solar trackers. Solar dampers are crucial components in solar trackers, which align panels with the sun to maximize energy capture and improve overall efficiency. These dampers help control motion and reduce damage to the trackers, ensuring more efficient solar panels. According to the company, the opportunity stands at around $326 million in 2025, with an anticipated annual growth of around 15% until 2030. To tap into the space, Gabriel is already working with two export clients and one domestic customer in this space and has secured a couple of export orders along with one domestic win. Mass production is expected to begin later this year, followed by a gradual scale-up. While order sizes haven't been disclosed, Gabriel expects this to become a ₹200 crore-plus business within the next two years. Over the next three years, the company is targeting revenues of ₹200 to 300 crores from solar dampers. The aim is to build a high-margin business, potentially more profitable than some of its conventional product lines. This is not a volume-chasing play just yet. The company is taking a phased approach to better understand the product, technology, and market landscape before scaling aggressively. Production will be housed within an existing facility, with a dedicated line being set up. No new plant is planned for now. Gabriel also has available capacity in gas dampers (a related category), with current utilization at around 68–70%. However, any major push in this area would require fresh capacity investment down the line. Also Read: Automakers urge Indian govt for diplomatic outreach to China for rare earths E-bike components to push margins After making strategic moves into sunroofs and solar dampers, Gabriel India is also tapping into a third high-potential segment, e-bike components, as part of its broader push into emerging mobility solutions. The company is in advanced discussions with three to four OEMs in Europe and has already developed a few products that are being offered to potential customers. In one case, Gabriel is co-developing a differentiated product tailored to specific requirements. The e-bike market is substantial, estimated at over $1 billion globally, with a wide price range for front forks, depending on bike type. While high-end models may fetch as much as $200, the mass-market sweet spot lies between $30 and $70. According to the company, margins in this segment are generally attractive and better than some conventional products. Gabriel is approaching this as a B2B play, working directly with e-bike manufacturers. Although formal letters of intent (LOIs) are still pending, the company believes the potential is significant. At this stage, the focus remains on refining the product offering and securing firm commitments before providing specific revenue guidance. Once LOIs are signed and volumes confirmed, the company expects to have greater visibility on the top-line impact of this promising new vertical. Balancing ambition with execution risk Gabriel India's strategic shift toward high-growth, premium segments such as sunroofs, solar dampers, and e-bike components is expected to diversify the company's revenue streams meaningfully. However, these new bets come with their own execution challenges. In thesunroof segment, while the company is planning to double its production capacity by the second half of 2025 to meet rising demand, the timeline for setting up a new facility in Western India remains unclear. This expansion is contingent on customer-led discussions, making the outcome hard to pin down. Meanwhile, competitive intensity is rising. Current margins are elevated (15-20%) due to special pricing on a localized programme, but management has guided toward a normalized Ebitda margin of 10-14% for this business, signalling pressure ahead as new players enter and pricing dynamics evolve. In thesolar dampers vertical, Gabriel is still in the early innings of market development. The company has acknowledged the need to understand the product, market, and technology in more detail before scaling materially beyond its initial revenue target of ₹200–300 crores over the next three years. Adding to the uncertainty, the company notes that current orders are open, making it difficult to offer precise revenue visibility despite expecting this business to cross ₹200 crores within two years. Thee-bike businessis at an even earlier stage. While product development is underway and discussions are ongoing with three to four OEMs in Europe, firm LOIs are still pending. This makes both topline and margin contributions harder to estimate in the near term. Read More| From red to black: India's top automakers see EV business turning around Solid fundamentals back strategic bets Gabriel India's financial track record over the past couple of years strongly supports its ongoing pivot to premium products. Over the last five years, the company has delivered consistent growth in both revenue and profitability while maintaining a debt-free balance sheet. Sales have grown at a 14% CAGR, supported by steady domestic demand, while net profit has compounded at 20%. Operating profit margins (OPM) have also improved, rising from 6% in FY21 to 9% in FY24 and FY25. The company's shift toward premium segments like sunroofs, ride control systems, and EV-compatible components has supported this expansion. Going forward, this trend is expected to continue as these newer businesses scale. Higher profitability has translated into impressive capital efficiency. The company's Return on Equity (RoE) and Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) stand at 19.6% and 26.4%, respectively, among the best in its peer set. The company also maintains a solid balance sheet, with a net cash position and efficient working capital management. The company has cash and cash equivalents of ₹37.5 crores as of FY25. Long-standing relationships with suppliers and OEM clients have enabled favourable credit terms, resulting in a lean cash conversion cycle of just 21 days. Valuations Gabriel India's stock has delivered impressive gains, rising over 40% in the past year. However, the surge in share price has driven valuations to elevated levels. At a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.2x, the stock trades at almost double its 10-year average P/E of 21.6x. This premium pricing underscores strong market confidence but also implies a limited margin for error. Expectations are high, and any execution miss or headwind in key verticals could negatively impact sentiment. Will the premiumization bet pay off? Gabriel India's pivot toward premiumisation is both bold and well-timed. As the auto components industry undergoes structural changes, the company is choosing to play offence, not defence. That said, premiumisation is a long game. Much depends on execution. Competition, pricing pressures, and capex timing will also play key roles in determining whether these verticals deliver sustainable value. However, Gabriel India's strategy is sound and its financial base solid. If it can execute with precision, its bet on premium auto components could very well redefine its growth trajectory over the next decade. For more such analysis, read Profit Pulse. About the author: Ayesha Shetty is a research analyst registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. She is a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and is working toward the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Disclosure:The author does not hold shares in any of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Island off the Coast of Maine Has One of America's Most Beloved National Parks—How to Visit
We arrived on Mount Desert Island just before Labor Day weekend, after which our sons, Louis and Gabriel, would be returning to school. The summer up until then had been built around extended visits to family and friends. This trip to Maine, my wife, Anne, and I had decided, would be a retreat for just the four of us, with as few distractions as possible. We pictured rocky, remote islands, pine trees, and tents under a night sky filled with stars. There would be days with no cell phones or computers, spent wandering around Acadia National Park, which covers roughly half of Mount Desert Island. This wasn't our first trip to Maine. Two years earlier, we had visited a friend's oceanfront home just outside the town of Rockland. We ate soft-shell lobsters fresh from the ocean and witnessed afternoon storms followed by sunsets that turned the sky a vivid shade of pink. Anne and I developed a habit of describing that trip in near-mystical terms, as somehow both ordinary and magical, familiar and unlike anything else. Cadillac Mountain, in Acadia National Park. Our five-day itinerary on Mount Desert Island was intended to recapture that magic, with visits to nearly every corner of Acadia, along with enough lobster shacks, pie stands, forest preserves, and coastal villages to fill an entire summer. We would first spend two nights at Under Canvas Acadia, a glamping site a 35-minute drive away on the adjacent Blue Hill Peninsula. Then we would cross the short causeway that connects the mainland to Mount Desert and stay four nights in Bar Harbor, the island's largest town. On the drive from our home in upstate New York, we detoured east just as we crossed the border from New Hampshire into Maine. I explained to my wife that I wanted to spend as much time as possible driving along the edge of the continent, to be reminded that we were always near the end of something. As we drove, I asked our sons which, of all the places we were planning to visit, they were most excited about. They had made it clear that the heated pools and hot tubs at Salt Cottages and at the Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina, the two places where we would be staying in Bar Harbor, were the predetermined highlights of their trip. Still, I couldn't help hoping that at least one of them would choose the two nights of glamping. Four years earlier, driving cross-country, our family had spent an unseasonably cold summer night at an Under Canvas site near Yellowstone, huddled in a king-size bed while a wood-burning stove crackled in the corner. 'Is it the tents at Under Canvas?' I asked them. Thunder Hole, on the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island. Gabriel, who would be turning 15 on the last night of our trip, could sense my nostalgia, and made clear he considered it his job to bat it down. He shook his head. 'Sorry, Dad. It's not the tents.' When we arrived at Under Canvas Acadia, the sun was close to setting. We had seen photos of the camp on its website, but these did nothing to diminish our sense of wonder. With their uninterrupted views of Union Bay, the gleaming white canvas tents rising out of a clearing in the woods had an almost fairy-tale quality, as if they had been conjured rather than constructed. That first evening, we ate lobster rolls and maple-marinated steak by a firepit. The restaurant at Under Canvas, while staying faithful to the idea of a semi-rustic canteen, was a showcase of just how extraordinary a simple menu of local ingredients can be. The lobby tent at Under Canvas Acadia. Had we been anywhere else, we would have returned to our rooms after dinner, spent a few minutes watching cable TV or looking at our phones, then gone to bed. A luxury campground in Maine, however, required a break from old habits. Our teenage sons, in a moment of joyous regression, insisted on roasting marshmallows. Licking the sugar off their hands, they then pleaded that we join the crowd of young families that had gathered in the common room to play bingo. My wife and I looked at each other, trying to recall the last time they had asked us to play a game with them. We knew not to betray even the slightest hint of surprise, and kept our composure through all three rounds—after which Louis, our youngest, declared it was still too early to go to bed. 'One game of Scrabble?' he asked, knowing that, of course, we would say yes, because the last thing any of us wanted was for the evening to end. The next morning, my wife suggested we forget, at least for now, all the maps and itineraries I'd compiled. 'Let's move slowly,' she said, 'and see what happens.' From left: Moonrise in Acadia; Little Fern, a restaurant in Southwest Harbor. Rather than head straight to Mount Desert Island, we drove a short distance south of Under Canvas to the town of Blue Hill, perhaps best known as the home turf of author E. B. White and the setting for his beloved children's classic, Charlotte's Web. As we ambled around its streets, our children, confused at the absence of a clear agenda, asked if we had any idea where we were going. We all looked at my wife for an answer. 'We are going to walk slowly through this town,' she said. 'We're not tourists. We're wanderers.' Unscripted wandering came with its own unexpected rewards. We toured a few local art galleries, followed by an early lunch at the Fish Net, a roadside restaurant that, by noon, was packed with locals. We ate lobsters and corn at picnic tables and then, in our search for dessert, stumbled upon the Blue Chill, a family-run ice-pop stand that served distinctly Maine-summer flavors, such as blueberry lavender cheesecake. The sun unexpectedly broke through the clouds just as we were finishing our ice pops, turning what had felt like an early fall day back into summer. We knew the moment might not last, and that what we needed right away was a beach, or at least direct access to a body of water—both of which we found at Harriman Point, a 138-acre preserve on the southeastern side of the peninsula. From left: The pool at Salt Cottages, a resort in Bar Harbor, Maine; grilled salmon with butternut-squash curry and sweet potatoes at Little Fern, a restaurant in the Claremont Hotel, in Southwest Harbor. As the day grew warmer, we hiked through the forested wetlands adjacent to White's former house (which is still privately owned), the path covered in a layer of pine needles that made the ground feel almost tender. When we arrived at the shore, we were surprised to find that the small stretch of sandy beach overlooking Mount Desert Island and Blue Hill Bay was entirely ours. We waded into the clear water a few inches at a time so we could adjust to the cold. My wife took photos of the shoreline, while our sons prepared an elaborate burial for a dead crab that they claimed was almost certainly an alien. It was only when I felt a slight chill in the air that I remembered the time and suggested we leave before it grew dark. Back at Under Canvas that evening, we spread out a map of Acadia while our sons played cornhole with a pack of other young guests. My wife pointed out that this was the closest thing to an American summer-camp experience anyone in our family had ever had. 'The only difference,' she added, 'is we're lucky enough to be with them.' From left: Nautical style at Salt Cottages, in Bar Harbor; steamed and deep-fried lobster at Beal's, in Southwest Harbor. The next day we woke before sunrise, our clothes pungent with smoke from our wood-burning stoves. On the drive to the Harborside Hotel, my wife and I debated how to spend our morning in Bar Harbor. We joked that, after almost two whole days living rough in the woods, we were ready for a bit of luxury. Since the late 19th century, Bar Harbor has been associated with America's wealthiest families, and while I knew it had changed significantly, I still imagined cobblestoned streets and restaurants with wood-paneled walls—a town small enough that we could see it all in an hour, two at the most. That morning, we kept to one of my original plans and made a brazen attempt to take in every ice cream parlor, café, restaurant, landmark, and souvenir shop in Bar Harbor. After two hours of walking, we'd covered at best two whole blocks. When we paused to rest on the town green, I was ready to admit the flaws in my approach. 'Slower,' I told my wife. 'I promise.' She pointed to our children, who were setting their own pace. One was having his second ice cream of the day, while the other was lying on his back, reading a graphic novel. Boats at anchor in Bar Harbor. Later that day, we took a tour of Bar Harbor with Eben Salvatore, whose company, GEM, rents out electric buggy-like vehicles for tooling around the island. According to Salvatore, Bar Harbor is no longer just a summer destination. Cruise ships come to town from May through October, and an October marathon attracts a younger crowd. 'Because the cruise ships were coming,' he noted, 'the restaurants and shops would stay open.' A longer season benefited the hotels as well. 'From there it just continued.' Over the past 14 years, my wife and I have spent at least two hundred nights sharing a hotel room with our children. Fortunately, our suite at the Harborside Hotel was more expansive than any place the four of us had stayed before. It was extravagant without being opulent, as if even the furniture knew not to distract from the waterfront views. Standing on the roof deck, which came with a hot tub, we had the sense of being at both the edge and the center of the island. That afternoon, we made our first trip into Acadia, keenly aware that regardless of how ambitious we were over the next four days, we would see only a fraction of it. The first national park to have been assembled almost entirely out of land donated to the federal government, Acadia sprawls across roughly 50,000 acres of Mount Desert Island. Since its inception in 1916, the Schoodic Peninsula and 19 other islands have been added. From left: Ice pops from the Blue Chill, in Blue Hill; arcade games at Salt Cottages. Acadia holds some striking natural landmarks—Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, the granite cliffs of Otter Point. As much a part of the park's identity are the 45 miles of carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller and the wild gardens and memorial paths of the Sieur de Monts Spring. With nearly 4 million annual visitors, it is almost as popular as Yosemite, despite being less than a tenth of its size. When we arrived at the entrance to the park, the price of that popularity became evident. The 27-mile-long Park Loop Road, which skirts around Acadia's eastern half, was lined with cars, nearly all of which seemed to be looking for parking near the most popular sites. And while we entered Acadia knowing there was no wrong choice, no single experience that superseded others, we each had a wish list. Anne wanted to walk along the carriage roads, our sons had their hearts set on Sand Beach, and I remained fixed on seeing Cadillac Mountain. We wound our way slowly along the loop, which offered occasional views of Bar Harbor and the surrounding islands. As we neared Sand Beach, we learned that all the lots were full. The same was true at Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. Our youngest son reminded us that we were in a national park, and regardless of where we stopped, it would be better to be on foot than in a car. 'What happened to wandering?' he asked. Dusk at Acadia. I pulled over at the first available parking spot. We were only a short hike from Thunder Hole, an inlet on the southeastern coast known for the resounding boom that occurs when the waves hit the inlet shortly before high tide. A crowd was watching the water swirl and crash, and while there was no thunder that afternoon, the relentless drive of the waves into the shore was spectacular. Anne and I tried to follow our children's lead as they climbed the rocks down to the ocean, but we quickly gave up and made our way back to Ocean Path to enjoy the view. Of all the trails in Acadia, this one is perhaps the most beautiful—and accessible. The 4.4-mile loop hugs the southeastern coast from Sand Beach to Otter Cliff, and on the afternoon we visited, it was populated with a multigenerational crowd, including hikers on their way to scale the cliff walls. Having taken in the shore, we headed to Cadillac Mountain. You can't drive to the summit without a reservation, which made it not only easy to reach but also easy to get a parking space. If any place in Acadia can handle a crowd, it's that peak. With limited vegetation thanks to strong winds and poor soil, the summit offers both room to roam and unimpeded panoramas of every corner of the park. A boardwalk trail in Acadia National Park's Sieur de Monts area. We found ourselves drawn to the view of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands from the North Ridge Trail, and a little way along the track we climbed down onto a boulder smooth and wide enough to hold the four of us. As it grew closer to dusk, we decided to see if we could catch the sunset from the western lot. Almost as soon as we began heading in that direction, however, we realized that almost everyone on the summit had had the same idea. Rather than settle for a partial view, we decided we would return another time, maybe for sunrise, or maybe late at night, when, we'd been told, the sky was dark enough to see the Milky Way. Having learned the importance of arriving early, we returned to the park shortly after breakfast the next day. We walked along the tree-lined carriage roads adjacent to Eagle Lake, which retained a sense of intimacy as they wound their way into corners of the park inaccessible to cars. We would find that same intimate connection to the landscape in other corners of Acadia. Standing beneath the carriage-road bridge at Eagle Lake, my wife and I were reminded of the arches in Central Park that our children had once loved to play under. Acadia makes it possible for anyone to find a close connection to the landscape, to see an echo of themselves in its clear waters or on the peak of one of its mountains. When we ventured over to the quieter western half of the park to visit Echo Lake, I asked the kids if the view from the beach reminded them of anything. This time they shared my nostalgia, and agreed, without any prompting, that the clear, still waters of the long, narrow lake, with Acadia and Beech mountains rising along the sides, reminded them of our first camping trip to the Catskill Mountains. It was at that point I began to suspect that similar experiences were happening all over Acadia. The park makes it possible for anyone to find a close connection to the landscape, to see an echo of themselves in its clear waters or on the peak of one of its mountains. From left: Sitting fireside at Under Canvas Acadia; Lindsay McDaniels, right, and her daughter, Lanaia, dropping off their catch at Beal's Lobster Pier, in Southwest Harbor. For our last two days, we traded our suite for a two-bedroom cabin at Salt Cottages, which sits on the road into Bar Harbor. The cabins that arc around the compound offered a different type of splendor, one where the red-and-white-striped picnic-blanket décor was repeated in the pool umbrellas and cushions, the awnings, and the throw blankets. The overall effect of all that symmetry, my wife noted, was 'like being in a Wes Anderson movie.' Each seemingly minor detail was part of a larger vision in which the rustic summer-camp cabins of our childhood, real or imagined, had grown up and now came with overstuffed white couches, a second bedroom for the kids, a saltwater pool surrounded by speakers, and batched cocktails at the snack bar. We spent most of our first afternoon moving between the pool, the Ping-Pong table, and the cornhole board, sharing them with a young couple from Georgia and a post-wedding party of friends from Rhode Island. Had we done nothing else but play, we would have declared the day a success. It was our second-to-last night, however, and we had dinner reservations at Little Fern, in Southwest Harbor. The restaurant is in the Claremont Hotel, one of the few remaining properties on the island that dates back to the Gilded Age. From left: Ice pops at the Blue Chill; the pool at the Harborside Hotel. For the first time that summer, our children put on button-down shirts and dress shoes. As we took our table, which had a misty, fog-filled view onto Somes Sound, it was easy to imagine returning someday as the guests of our grown-up sons. Having eaten nearly every possible version of lobster over the past few days, there was something special about feasting on local mushrooms and indulging in a dozen exquisite Maine oysters. By the time we finished, the sun had nearly set, and the clouds that had covered the sky all day had begun to show signs of breaking. It was Gabriel's birthday in only a few more hours, so Anne and I agreed to detour into Acadia to see if we could catch a glimpse of the stars. The park at night was an entirely different thing—it has the largest expanse of dark sky east of the Mississippi. The farther and higher we drove, the quieter it became, with our car often the only vehicle on the road. We were almost at the entrance to Cadillac Mountain's Summit Road when the clouds shifted again, leaving a gaping hole filled with stars, including the arc of the Milky Way. We pulled over and woke up our sons, who had fallen asleep in the back seat. We cut the lights and let our eyes adjust. When we finally got out and looked up, it was even better than we'd hoped, the four of us together, breathless in the face of ordinary wonder. A version of this story first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Chasing Summer. "
