The weather curse that has dampened CVOA’s autumn trip to Bar Harbor finally lifted this year, rewarding the outdoor club with three dry days, warming sun and near-peak foliage.

CVOA bumped back its annual outing by one week and moved its “base camp” to the Cromwell Harbor Motel. And it’s bad luck ended.

“YES!” said Bill Haefele, a summer resident on the island who was able to join the CVOA gang for hiking and biking activities this year because his summer job had ended.

Close to 30 enthusiastic members of the club spent three days biking the Park Loop Road, the Carriage Roads, and Schoodic Peninsula and hiking the mountains and walking trails of Acadia National Park. They were rewarded with fabulous views and bright orange and yellow foliage fall weather as they traipsed and pedaled around miles and miles of federal park lane.

“I can’t think of a more pleasant group of people to hike with,” said John Morey, a new CVOA member who joined the crew for a Saturday hike over Sargent and Penobscot Mountains and Sargent Pond.

“A great ride,” said Diane Sturzenberger of Augusta, who joined a different group biking the Eagle Lake loop and the carriage roads around Jordan Pond House.

The weekend also offered opportunities for less rigorous activities .. tea and popovers at Jordan Pond House, dining and shopping in downtown Bar Harbor and sightseeing.

Saturday night was the traditional pot luck dinner on the grounds of the Cromwell House featuring a variety of hot soups, hot and cold appetizers and a wide array of desserts. The festive mood was heightened by a full-scale Halloween display just across the street.

CVOA has decided to stick with a good thing and revisit the island in late October next year. In addition, a May get-out-of-the-mud trip has been planned.

To find out more about CVOA’s 2012 outings or to join the club, check out the web site at: www.cvoutdoors.com.