A Fabulous Weekend in Maine

AND SOME OF MY VERY OWN PHOTOS

Here are some photos of a recent, and very busy, autumn weekend in Maine.  We actually were there for three separate photo shoots!  It was hard work but we managed to have some great fun. 

Great Duck Island is a pleasant boat ride from Seal Harbor.  Owned by the Nature Conservancy and the State of Maine, it is estimated that the island provides habitat for one in five nesting seabirds in the entire state.  The lighthouse was constructed in 1890 and all the original buildings are still standing.  The lighthouse and 12 surrounding acres are owned by the College of the Atlantic, a small but wonderful school where all students share the same major: Human Ecology, which is the study of our relationship with our environment.  The college uses the island in its nature studies.

A bald eagle sighting –- our national symbol!  Until recently, these birds, along with many other species, were endangered because of the widespread use of the pesticide DDT.  This horrible chemical was banned in 1972, and since then many bird populations have been recovering.

Robert Polidori –- preeminent photographer of architecture.  This distinguished guest is famous for his spectacular books on post-Katrina New Orleans, the contaminated cities of Chernobyl and Pripyat, and the Palais de Versailles.

Mother seals and their babies on Bunker Ledge.  For some reason, they just love this spot.

Guest Dan Dienst sitting with Paw Paw and holding Sharkey.  Dan is the CEO of Metal Management, Inc., one of the largest full-service metals recyclers in the United States.

This fountain is located in Bar Harbor’s Village Green and was created in the 1920s by garden sculptor and potter Eric Soderholtz.

Frederic Lagrange, Francesca, and I enjoying some of Pierre’s delicious food.  Frederic is a world-famous photographer and I am so pleased that he is photographing for my new book on entertaining.

Guest Michael Rips –- lawyer, op-ed page editor, and author of "Pasquale’s Nose: Idle Days in an Italian Town."

This most unusual perennial, Gomphocarpus physocarpus, is called the balloon plant.  I like to call it hairy balls.  A species of milkweed, it is often used as an ornamental plant and is striking in cut arrangements. 

Guest Todd Eberle –- extraordinary photographer and artist.  Todd has been a contributing  photographer to Martha Stewart Living for many years.

Francesca catches her reflection at the Lost Pools.

Some of my Skylands houseguests when we visited the Smith Family Farm in Bar Harbor.

The hand-painted sign at the entrance to Smith Family Farm, which is famous for its rich milk and wonderful yogurt. The milk has a delicious layer of cream at the top. 

Here I am in the azalea garden at Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor.  Designed as a classic Japanese garden, these grounds are lovely all year long, but when the azaleas are blooming in the spring, it is extraordinarily gorgeous.

It seems that cameras follow me everywhere!  Gary and Frederic are not exactly incognito on the bow of my boat.  In fact, they look like movie stars! 

Comments

[Arasto]

Martha, do you know any ordinary people? Or is it just CEOs and world famous photographers?

[Barb]

I am going to Maine next summer on my vacation and seeing these pictures, I can hardly wait. It is so gorgeous there and I have always wanted to go. I really love lighthouses and try to see them where ever we go. I can't wait!

[Marty]

We have a summer home in the village of Round Pond Harbor (Bristol), Maine where we often saw bald eagles soaring over the harbor. It was spectacular to watch. I'm pleased to hear that additional sightings are happening in other locations. We were a bit suspicious, however, that our eagle sightings always seemed to coincide with the arrival of our sweet little Chihuahua, Lola. :)

[Amber]

I love that you call that plant hairy balls. You rock, Martha.

[mary Bernadette]

Martha, really enjoy your pics. They are a great remembrance of my residence in New England --- especially the Fall.

[Kenn]

What wonderful weekend guests and the views are spectacular! Barefoot in Maine.. a dream I long for! Thank you Martha for sharing!

[jamaila]

Is any information available about those lounges you and Frederic are sitting on, and that Francesca is looking so cute on in the previous post? I love the style.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, The more I see and read the things on your new blog site, the more I love it. It's like a travelog only better because it's about my/our friend Martha. Thanks for all you do. (I had trouble viewing the pictures at first but after coming back for a third time to this blog site everything appeared.) Jan

[DenaR]

Love the photo in the azalea garden Martha...I bet it is an absolutely GORGEOUS place to have a wedding in the spring when the azaleas and flowers are all in bloom..I envision the wedding ceremony right there where you are standing. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[ruth]

why don't you come and visit us in Ireland?

[Jenna]

Hi Martha- Your visit to Maine looks beautiful. Great shot of the Bald Eagle.

[Pam from CA]

Hello Martha Ma'am,

Photos are always a nice addition to a blog but it's the personal touches that bring readers back to read you. I love when you blog about your day and adventures, travel, family & friends when you stray away from that and your blog reads like a professional magazine this is when you lose me. The Martha Newsletter I hoped would be up close and personal and this is what I hope/wished your blog will/would continue to be- you were getting there with it on myspace so many wonderful and personal blogs you posted over the summer of your travels, so I hope the fans don't lose that side of you with the new blog here on the MSLO web site. Hopefully your presence will continue to be felt on myspace and face book and then you make everyone happy. I appreciate you finding the time to blog in your very busy and hectic life but my time is of value too and I can read magazines any day of the week but a real blog from someone who really wants to share their life with you is a really GOOD THING and a gift to all !
Thank you Martha.

[Nina]

Not sure what that last post was about. I view your blog because I enjoy it. If I did not I would look elsewhere. Please continue. You know your business. Enjoying the reasons why most of us, enjoy you.

[Faye]

I liked your other blog format better then this new one but it looks like from reading the comments posted here everyone else seems to think it is great.
I like the photos sure but I want to hear more about the every day little things then the famous people you hang out with and all the business stuff. I like when you chat with us as if it is one on one, I hope we don't lose that with your new blog. I am hopeful you won't leave my space behind for good.

[George]

Martha
I liked your old blog this one is difficult to view everything is tiny and the photos show up and othertimes nothing.
When something isn't broken why fiddle with it?
Sincerely,
George.

[domestika]

Maine is such a lovely and overlooked part of the USA, how terrific that you draw more attention to its beauty and diversity. Thanks for sharing your photos (and especially the portrait of Francesca at the Lost Pools!) -- it's clear that you feel a real affection for the region. ~ Jen

[Clarissa]

Martha, dear I believe this blog is far better than what my space offers for the fact it is clean and I'm not sorry to say I won't go on my space for many reasons, keep up the new blog, its great!!
Thank you for sharing your life w/us here on the net...
:')happy holidays

[Pat]

What happened to Martha's other dog that looked like paw paw.

[Rita White]

Hi Martha,
I Love your blog. You put such nice pics and captions. You are my hero! We vacationed in Maine and New Hampshire this summer, I was looking for you in Bar Harbor! Love to be able to share in your off tv moments. Thank you for sharing with us!

[Nathaniel from Out of the Fog]

The Smith farm looks great! We have a sheep dairy in Union and the milk is made into fantastic yogurt and cheese in Appleton. They sell at farmers' markets.
I wrote a Haiku the other day and you're in it!

thank you for coming
martha please have some coffee
how about those sox

[Therese Laurdan]

Martha,

Have you ever heard of the Weston A Price foundation? They are big on RAW MILK - the stuff you drink! They are also into high quality nutrient dense foods that nourish the body and soul. Check out the book/cookbook NOURISHING TRADITIONS!!

[Jeremi Jackson]

Martha,
A little late, but wonderful photos. I'm living in Maine while my husband is stationed at NAS Brunswick. I know that there are so many places that our family should visit, but haven't, before we leave. We haven't been to Bar Harbor in a few years and I think that we'll be heading that way this summer.
Any suggestions on fun places for families?
Cheers!
Jeremi