Autumn at Skylands
The weather here in the Northeast has been rather mild for this time of year. After lots of rain yesterday, it is expected to reach nearly 60-degrees Fahrenheit today at my Bedford, New York farm.
These last few weeks have also been warmer than usual up at Skylands, my home on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. As many of you know, I love Maine - it is truly a magical place and I always wish I could spend more time there. Cheryl Dulong, who works at Skylands, keeps me updated by sending photographs of the property and the surrounding areas from time to time. She recently sent me this selection of autumn images.
Enjoy the photos - and remember, today is the last day to order the Martha & Marley Spoon Thanksgiving Box - just click on the highlighted link to order yours right now.
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- This is the circular driveway in front of the stately main entrance to Skylands. Skylands is beautiful in all seasons, but I love the reds and yellows of autumn and all the falling leaves.
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- The circular driveway is planted with hay-scented ferns, which turn yellow in fall, purple smoke bushes, and spruce trees, Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’. When I found these trees, I got many to plant here in Maine.
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- This is a view of the front circle from the opposite direction, and part of one of the many retaining walls that hold the mile of driveway around the property.
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- This view looks up from the main driveway into the woodland.
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- Here is a moss covered forest floor “looking up the big hill” from the driveway. During summer, we always fill several garden planters with moss and other natural elements. Once the season is over, we always make sure the moss we harvested is returned to the forest where it can regenerate and flourish.
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- Here is another view into the woodlands of firs and spruces – the green moss is nearly all covered with autumn leaves.
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- This path leads to the playhouse. Outdoor up lights on both sides illuminate them so guests don’t get lost.
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- This is my lobster cooker down by the shop. You may recall, this is where I had my birthday party this summer.
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- A closer look at the maple tree above with its stunning yellow and red leaves.
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- Here is the carriage road that leads to my house. During warm months, the carriage roads are lined with beautiful pink gravel. And just before the autumn leaves fall, it is all picked up and stored until spring.
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- Fog is slow to lift from this part of the woods.
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- This is the back drive going up to the house. Just inside the gate on the left is the counsel circle and fire pit – a wonderful place to gather on warm summer nights and tell ghost stores.
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- This is a beautiful autumn view of Seal Harbor as seen from the terrace at Skylands. Notice that most of the boats have disappeared from their harbor moorings? Sutton Island is in the distance – a small, private island south of where I am on Mount Desert. One never tires of seeing this view.
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- This is the view of Seal Harbor from my Skylands “cracked ice” terrace.
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- This maple tree is off of the west terrace.
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- Also off the west terrace is the pergola with the kiwi vines and the Dutchman’s Pipe. The west terrace is where I often enjoy brunches and lunches when I am here.
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- The bowl planter is on the ledge of the west terrace. It is a Soderholtz pot made out of reinforced concrete from the 1920s. Eric Soderholtz was a pioneer in American garden pottery and a most creative artist of concrete formations.
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- Yes, that is a maple leaf on the leaded window with the view towards the front circle.
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- During an autumn tour of the surrounding areas, Cheryl captured this view looking out towards Cadillac Mountain within Acadia National Park. It has an elevation of 1,528 feet, and its summit is the highest point within 25-miles of the shoreline.
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- This is Dorr Mountain, a narrow north-south formation with steep cliffs on its east and west faces. Sandwiched between Champlain Mountain to the east and Cadillac Mountain to the west, Dorr Mountain offers outstanding summit views in all directions.
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- Little Harbor Brook is a stream located near Seal Harbor.
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- Here’s the tide coming into Babson Creek, a salt marsh, which is an extension of Somes Sound. The 36-acre Babson Creek Preserve, consists of meadows, salt marshes, and a small wooded area.
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- Somes Sound runs deep into Mount Desert Island, the main site of Acadia National Park. Its deepest point is approximately 175-feet, and it is more than 100-feet deep in several places.
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- This is Northeast Harbor where many sailboats are found in summer. It’s been a most stunning fall. I am looking forward to spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Maine with my family.
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