My Summer in Maine 2018
I love my summers in Maine and whenever I am there, I always like to fill the days with as much as possible.
In addition to my birthday celebration at Skylands, we enjoyed a visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, hikes at Acadia National Park, a stop at one of my favorite farmers markets, and boat rides aboard Skylands II, my Hinkley picnic boat. This year, the weather was quite warm and humid, but I had a spectacular time with my daughter, Alexis, my grandchildren, Jude and Truman, and all my dear friends who visited.
Here are more photos featuring some of the many things we did in Maine - enjoy.
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- Before my birthday dinner at Skylands, I visited the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. The garden was designed by the legendary landscape architect, Beatrix Farrand, for John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller in the 1920s.
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- Set within acres of beautiful moss-carpeted woods, the Garden is designed to be at floral peak this time of year.
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- I call this the “slit” – I just love how the moss covers the area.
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- This is a reproduction of the Moon Gate created by Beatrix Farrand in 1926. My friend, interior designer, Michael Smith, stepped into the Moon Gate – like the Vitruvian Man, or L’Uomo Vitruviano, in the drawing by Leonardo da Vinci around 1490.
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- My friend, photographer Douglas Friedman, stepped into it next – he seemed to fit the circle a little better. Vitruvian Man was da Vinci’s own reflection on human proportion and architecture. The purpose of the illustration is to bring together ideas about art, human anatomy and symmetry in one distinct image.
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- The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden is enclosed by this high pink stucco wall. Here I am standing at the entrance. The wall is capped with orange tiles that were imported from China. The Rockefeller Garden is a wonderful place to visit. If you’re even in this part of Maine, I encourage you to stop by. https://www.gardenpreserve.org/
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- The next day, we went to Sand Beach, in Acadia National Park. Sand Beach is nestled in a small inlet between the granite mountains and rocky shores of Mount Desert Island. This gorgeous 290-yard long beach is one of the most popular points of interest on the island.
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- From the beach you can see Beehive Mountain. The Beehive rises above the terrain near Sand Beach on the eastern side.
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- Schooner Head is best viewed from this place known as Overlook – a high vantage point along the east shore. We stopped for a short while to take in the breathtaking views.
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- Here is one of the trail markers. They are always made to be as natural as possible.
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- Here we are looking back at Sand beach and Beehive Mountain in the distance.
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- During the week we also took several rides aboard my Hinckley picnic boat, Skylands II. Here are my friends Jim and Lisa Cohen and Douglas.
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- On this day, we all got up early for a big hike, but when this photo was taken, the destination was still unknown – I wanted to surprise them. Pictured here are Jim, Jayne Abess, Susan Magrino, Hannah Milman, Lisa, myself, Leonard Abess, Yolanda Berkowitz and Michael Smith.
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- I took everyone to Beehive Mountain – my favorite trail. We hiked up the rather vertical climb on the beehive shaped mountain overlooking Sand Beach in Acadia. I am always so energized when I am in Maine.
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- There are two very steep ascents and narrow paths on Beehive, where one has to cling to the rock face. The trail is designated as “strenuous” and is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights. Everyone loved the challenge.
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- Here is Susan making it through one of the narrow rock spaces. It was quite a busy morning – we met several other hikers along the way.
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- After about two and a half hours from bottom to top, we were all very happy to reach the summit. It was a great way to start the day.
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- The dogs also love hiking. On this day, we took Emperor Han, Empress Qin, my daughter’s dog, Blue, Creme Brulee, and Bete Noire to Cadillac Mountain. At 1530-feet, Cadillac is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7th through March 6th.
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- I always hike as much as possible when I am in Maine. On this day, we took a walk around Jordan Pond. The pond covers 187-acres, with a maximum depth of 150-feet and a shoreline of 3.6 miles. It is a good walk for both humans and dogs.
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- Jordan Pond serves as a wildlife habitat and provides water for nearby communities as well as Jordan Pond House. Here is Empress Qin leading the way along one of the wooden paths.
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- Here is a photo of me and Chef Aron on the walking bridge – with Qin, Han, Creme Brulee and Bete Noire.
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- Carlos joined us on this hike – he loves hiking with the dogs.
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- One of my favorite summer farm stand stops is at the Triple Chick Farm in Town Hill, Maine. Whenever I am in Bar Harbor, I always try to visit. Here I am with Cindy and Steve, who have been guiding Triple Chick Farm’s operations for more than 20-years. http://triplechickfarm.com
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- Triple Chick Farm has seven greenhouses in all including two high tunnel greenhouses, which are great for climate control and head room.
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- They hand select their best, freshly-picked produce each morning, to sell at the stand. The latest harvest included this okra – so fresh.
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- And here is a box of potatoes. Triple Chick Farm grows the most lush vegetables and fruits, and all their produce is organic and chemical free.
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- And look at these beautiful carrots. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop in at Triple Chick Farm – you won’t leave their empty handed.
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- And this is the South Ridge Trail, a moderately steep climb to the summit of Dorr Mountain at 1270-feet. Throughout the hike there are a few areas where the trail becomes somewhat steep, but it’s another fun ascent to the top.
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- When we emerged out of the woods, we came along this view of a small pond called The Tarn. Depending on the weather in the area, the Tarn is either a pond or a dry meadow bed – right now it is a pond.
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- And here we are on level ground next to The Tarn. I just love all the beautiful panoramic views. Acadia is one of my favorite places on Earth – I hope you have the chance to visit. Tomorrow, I will share more from my summer in Maine and the great meals we enjoyed.
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