Halfway through the second week now. I opened the shop up alone this morning. Mackenzie and Daniel came in during the day; it’s more fun and laid back now that we all kind of know each other and basically know what we’re doing. Two cruise ships were in town; we handled everything that came up. We’re Acadia Corp’s main and busiest store, so that’s something.

I like the people that come in. They’re from everywhere. A lot of them will laugh and chat with us — who their gifts are for, things they collect, where they’ve been.

I’m starting to get a feel for Bar Harbor. A lot of locals have come from somewhere else and have stories to tell. It’s not a big place, so people from our other stores can be seen passing on the street when they’re not at work, that kind of thing. I’ve run into park visitors in town again too, people who’ve been in the store buying souvenirs. To them I’m a local.

I stopped at the dollar (-ish) store on my home tonight to buy a $4 yoga mat and ended up standing around for probably 10 minutes talking to the lady working. She told me about the weather here, what to expect as far as crowds go in the busy season, and she had a few useful tips for me as well. “Pack your lunches, and if you do want to eat in town, check the ship schedule. You can’t find a seat at lunchtime the days they’re in!”

About the weather here: It snowed on Cadillac last night. I can’t say I hate it.