Enjoying a Hike and Then Popovers
Last weekend when I was in Sweden, my tech guru, Eliad Laskin, took a little road trip to Maine. I needed him to upgrade the computers at Skylands, my home in Seal Harbor. Eliad kept a close watch on the weather reports, as Hurricane Earl was threatening to visit the northeast. Fortunately, the damage predicted was minimal as the storm blew off to sea. After completing his tasks, Eliad got to enjoy Skylands and a bit of Acadia National Park. Inspired by my photos of Jordan Pond, he set off for that amazing hike and then paid a visit to the Jordan Pond House, where they serve wonderful popovers.
1 It was a magnificent day for a hike around Jordan pond. The remnants of hurricane Earl were long gone.
2 This gorgeous pond is flanked on the west by Penobscot Mountain and on the northeast by the two mountains known as The Bubbles.
3 The water in Jordan Pond is crystal clear, with visibility normally 46 feet and, on occasion, up to 60 feet! The maximum water depth is 150 feet.
4 This pristine water serves as a public water supply for the nearby village of Seal Harbor.
5 The pond was formed by the Wisconsin Ice Sheet during the last glacial period.
6 An elevated footbridge over an inlet stream allows for higher water levels.
7 On very windy days, a white fluffy foam, caused by rippling water, washes up on shore.
8 The pond is home to landlocked salmon and lake trout. Fishing is allowed, but boats with motors over 10 horsepower are prohibited.
9 One edge of the lake has a wooden boardwalk. Hikers are asked to stay on the boardwalk to help preserve the beautiful and fragile surroundings.
10 A cormorant perched and waiting for its next meal. These expert swimmers dive and pursue fish underwater.
11 They are so adept at catching fish that in Asia, cormorants are used by fishermen who collar the leashed birds to prevent them from swallowing their catch.
12 Another rim of the lake trail is a pleasant gravel path.
13 Pond flora dancing with the ripples
14 A tribute to Joseph Allen - Chairman of Seal Harbor Path Committee 1914-1945 - lover of rocks and high places, builder of trails, conserver of natural beauty
15 A lovely view of the pond across a verdant heath
16 The Jordan family of Seal Harbor, for whom the pond is named, built their farmhouse near the pond. In the 1870s, the house became a restaurant, known as the Jordan Pond House.
17 The trail around Jordan Pond begins near the Jordan Pond House. It's so fun and convenient to enjoy tea and popovers after a vigorous hike.
18 The outdoor seating area offers spectacular views of the pond.
19 The inside seating area is also light and airy.
20 I love this classic, heavy duty restaurant ware made especially for Jordan Pond.
21 And these great napkins
22 Obviously, popovers, their claim to fame, are prominent on their menu.
23 But, there are many other great dishes to enjoy.
24 The North and South Bubbles grace the logo.
25 The Jordan Pond House is the only full-service restaurant located within Acadia National Park.
26 Waitress Emily presents a scrumptious basket of fresh and steamy popovers.
27 What a perfect pop!
28 The hollow inside of a popover - moist, warm, and yum!
29 Soft sweet butter and heavenly strawberry jam to accompany the popovers.
30 Freshly squeezed strawberry-infused lemonade is quenching after an energetic hike around the pond.
31 The tomato-basil bisque
32 A delicious vegetable quiche served with a fresh garden salad and cucumber-yogurt dressing flavored with fresh dill
33 The quiche is made with broccoli, mushrooms, and havarti cheese
34 How about dessert? Double rich brownie a la mode with homemade ice cream and chocolate sauce
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Oh Martha you make America glamourous
Posted by: Erin Saucke-Lacelle | September 10th, 2010 at 12:04 am
That day actually turned out to be fabulous ...perfect weather for hiking!
http://www.meandmartha.net
Thank you for showing so many people the wonders of our state of MAINE..it truly is a wonderous place here!
Dan Viger
Hollis center, Maine.
Posted by: Daniel J VIger | September 10th, 2010 at 12:13 am
What a beautiful place Jordan Pond is!!! I like anything in it's natural beauty.
And, the food looks delicious!! Would you believe that I've only had quiche once in my long life?, and I have to say, I have been wanting more ever since.
How far is Jordan Pond from your home?
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | September 10th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. Upgrading computers can be a pain but not if that's the kind of atmosphere to do it in. What type of computers did you upgrade to?
Posted by: Sonya | September 10th, 2010 at 1:01 am
Loved Eliad's photographs, the popovers look like French brioche is that correct?
Posted by: Aussie gal | September 10th, 2010 at 4:52 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | September 10th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Hi Martha,
I can't get over how clear that water is - what a great place to visit! Thanks Eliad for the nice pictures. I don't believe I've ever had a popover but I’m sure I would like them. They look easy enough to make too but are they…won’t know unless I try and you have recipes right here on the site. I don’t have a popover pan but the recipe said we could use a 6 oz. custard dish or muffin tin so I’ll try one of those. I usually don’t get excited over a bread product but must have a popover!
~
As with everyone else who is lucky enough to get the Hallmark Channel, I am really looking forward to your show on Monday and also the 19th when you air your special on women who clothe America. Have a great weekend everyone! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 10th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Needless to say, i want to be on Jordan Pond and experience the popovers at Jordan Pond House...lovely!
Posted by: sherey | September 10th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Hi Martha, Super tech guru Eliad must have had a fantastic time up there in Maine. These photos are absolutely fabulous and the weather looks so great after that Earl storm left the area. Jordan Pond looks so beautiful and so does the Jordan Pond House. The popovers sure do look delicious and I could almost taste them. Tell Eliad thanks so much for sharing this beautiful blog. Have a great weekend. Can't wait for Monday, September 13th!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 10th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Eliad's pictures made Jordan Pond look so refreshing! I wonder what the temperature of the water is ... is swimming allowed or possible?
Posted by: Leslie | September 10th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I love how the sun sparkles on the water in the first picture!
Posted by: Wendy | September 10th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Acadia National Park is one of my absolute favorite places on the planet. Great pictures!
Posted by: Julie | September 10th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Are you kidding me? I am starving now. The food looks wonderful! We don't have a place like that around here. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Judi | September 11th, 2010 at 12:20 am
Thank you Eliad for the beauitful photos. Good luck Martha with season 6 TV show, looking forward to another wonderful and great TV Show.
Bonne chance!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 11th, 2010 at 2:20 am
From a true native, we do live in a beautiful spot.
I grew up here when we had tons of neighborhoods, small stores geared to us and you could go any where on your bike and be safe.
Posted by: Nykki | September 11th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Jordan pond house,big part of my families' life for as long as I can remember. All you Martha people need to try the lobster stew. Yum FYI.Pond water is very, very cold.
Posted by: Caroline | September 11th, 2010 at 10:46 am
My husband, son and I were fortunate enough to enjoy the popovers at Jordon Pond this summer. They are wonderful! We're from the Chicago area and visit Maine as often as possible. This was our second visit to Acadia National Park. If you can get there, you won't be disappointed.
Posted by: Edie | September 11th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
We just celebrated our 10th Anniversary there last year exactly one year ago. The popovers are delicious as well as the lobster roll and of course the view is amazing. If you haven't been you must go. Thanks for the wonderful timing on this post!
Posted by: Aimee | September 11th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
such beautiful images!!! the food looks delicious and the landscape is so calming and peaceful... have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Punctuation Mark | September 12th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Hello Martha I'm writting you in Turkey.When I have times my first job is watch your programe.I am seventeen years old.I'm cooking on our kitchen.My friends and my parents like my meal.I have an idea about my next career.I want to learn more coocking.I want to go Le Cordon Bleu Paris or London to be a grand cheif.But there is not a university.If you now another school or cheif university. I need your help.Will see...
Posted by: Oytun | September 12th, 2010 at 3:40 am
Jordan Pond is such a wonder to visit........All of Maine is such a wonder! Thanks for posting these great pictures. I can't wait to visit later this fall to hike the area of the pond and reward ourselves with popovers......What a tradition!
Posted by: Nancy Hamann | September 12th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
What a lovely blog. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Margie | September 13th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Wow, the popovers look just like our Yorkshire Puddings which we would have with a roast dinner, although I do remember eating them cold with my Grandad with strawberry jam. Great photos and hopefully one day I will get to visit Maine.
Posted by: Michelle | September 14th, 2010 at 10:17 am
We are from NYS, near Saratoga Springs, and have visited Acadia National Park over 45 times! Except for home, it is our favorite place on earth. The photos of Jordan Pond were great...it is a beautiful spot that we love and the popovers ARE as good as they look.
Posted by: Don & Doreen Clemens | September 15th, 2010 at 9:27 am
These are beautiful pictures and the popovers look so yummy. There are stories and other Maine destinations on boatinglocal.com
Posted by: Debbie Jacobs | September 20th, 2010 at 11:52 am
I miss your latest shows. I'm now living in the Philippines but it's a good thing that at Lifestyle Network here is showing Martha Stewart Classics and I still enjoy watching them and also the new show of your daughter and Jennifer Whatever Martha. I find it amusing and funny especially when they are making fun at you.
Posted by: edith ghanz | September 21st, 2010 at 10:52 pm