At the edge of a steep, tree-covered hill overlooking a secluded cove, a wayside exhibit features an informational panel angled atop a stone base. Near the exhibit, wooden steps lead down to the beach. The railed stairway crosses over a small waterfall and narrow stream. Waves crash along the rocky shore.
The exhibit's title, "Cobbling the Cove," appears over a carpet of smooth, glistening cobblestones along the shore as water sloshes over them.
Text explains: "Ancient ice and powerful waves worked for eons to round the cobbles that grace Acadia's beaches. Glaciers carried many of them great distances to this spot. Now the sea endlessly tumbles them with local rock creating an every-changing mosaic of colors and textures. Today these cobbles are part of a critical shoreline habitat. Small creatures hide from predators in the spaces between them. Larvae cling to larger cobbles to keep from washing away when the tide goes out. These irreplaceable cobbles are an integral part of Acadia's natural history and scenery. Photograph, sketch or ponder them, but leave them in place when you go."
An illustration shows currents tossing cobbles underwater. "Strong currents and storms pull cobbles into the surf and then deposit them in new patterns on the shore." Be sure to listen to the music of the cobbles tumbling against each other.
A quote: "The waves rattle the stones, as if a child has dumped over a large bucket of marbles." - Bob Trebilcock, "In Defense of Maine's Cobblestones," Yankee magazine.
