Hard to believe, I know, but every now and then a smidgen of good news, a sensible idea, does emerge from that locus of inaction, bad actions, empty suits, tax-mongering, and general corruption, Washington, D.C.

The House passed a measure, which President Bush is expected to sign, that will provide more dollars to Acadia National Park to do a number of good things:

* Acquire more land by either purchase or swap, further protecting our magnificent natural treasure.

* Build a mainland transportation and visitor facility (in Trenton near the airport most likely) for visitors and commuters, who can then park their cars and use the Island Explorer bus service, a car-free transit experience of the highest order.

This is good news for the park, for us.

Carey Kish photo

Continued investment in land conservation on high-value Mount Desert Island will be expensive but necessary and worthwhile in the long term as development pressure mounts around the present park boundaries.

Continued investment in the model transportion infrastructure supporting the Island Explorer bus is always a wise decision. Traffic on the corridor onto the island and in the park is a detriment to both the local resident needing to get to work, and to the visitor wanting to enjoy the park.

The Island Explorer can and does take a big chunk out of the congestion and truly enhances the visitor experience by making it so, so easy to get around without a car.

I can sure vouch for the system, having tried and enjoyed a "car-free" trip to Acadia last summer. The bus rocks!

The off-island facility and "park & ride" will continue to grow the service and help to grab riders before they become part of the congestion problem. What a concept. Kudos folks!

All good.

Carey Kish photo

Note to the story author: There are two national parks in Maine: Acadia and the Appalachian Trail. Yep, it's true.

On with spring my Trail Head friends. A great time to visit Acadia, by the way...

Carey Kish photo