Goodbye Clarence,...

It was with sadness that I read about the passing at age 104 of an Adirondack icon, Clarence Petty. I had the privilege of his acquaintance a few years ago when he served on the board of an organization where I was employed. He was an amazing man, always ready to chat and tell stories of the Adirondacks. The photo above is from an internet search, published on Flicker by "storycorps." I think it shows that famous twinkle in his eyes,... thank you "storycorps" for sharing such a great shot of Clarence with all of us who loved him.

The NY Conservationist ran a story about Clarence in their February 2009 issue. There he is on top of an Adirondack peak, one of the many places where it was natural to find him. The cover photo for his book, Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty shows him in a guideboat. No matter where he was, speaking before large groups, at his desk writing a letter to legislators in support of conservation, paddling across a remote Adirondack lake, or flying his plane, he was one of my heros. A "hero" with a capital H! Goodbye Clarence, I'll see you out on the land...

The Heart of the Adirondacks...

Long Lake, NY is one of my favorite places to visit. The web page for the village calls it "The Heart of the Adirondacks."

The ice is out, the snow has melted, however the village is still empty of summer residents and tourists. It was very quiet when I was there yesterday.

One of the biggest attractions in Long Lake is the seaplane rides over the many lakes and mountains. Helms Aero Service is a family owned business. I am sure it's in the second generation, if not the third generation of flying sightseers, fishing and hunting parties in the Adirondacks.

Great food is served here at the Adirondack Hotel. I enjoyed lunch there a few years ago.

I was in town only a few hours for an event, with no time for flying or lunch at the hotel. But just doing this post has me thinking that I should take a day and do those things in Long Lake... stay tuned later this summer!

Ice Fishing,...

As soon as Lake Champlain and other Adirondack lakes freeze to a safe thickness the annual trek begins to catch a "mess" of fish. The fish most popular fish are either Smelt or Perch. Local organizations such as churches, fire departments or restaurants host fish frys. The small smelt are fried crisp and eaten complete with tails! Those are my favorites.

These photos were taken yesterday at Lake Champlain's South Bay just north of Whitehall, NY.

Some people fish from inside shantys complete with small stoves for heat. Circular holes are cut in the floor to match the holes cut in the ice. However these hardy folks were just sitting outside on pails. Fortunately the day was mild.

Snow on the Bog,...

When visiting in Tupper Lake on Saturday we made a side trip to the Bog River Falls. In any season it's one of Mother Nature's most beautiful places. After a fresh snow it seemed especially magical!
Looking up-river from the bridge...

Turning to look the other direction from the bridge over the Bog River,... we see camps on Tupper Lake.

If you wish to go, travel south from the village of Tupper Lake via Rt 30, then a short way after a right turn onto Rt. 421. You won't be disappointed!

Campsite views,...

I'm home again after a great four days camping again at Macomb Reservation, a NY state campground. I chose the same site as earlier this summer for this great view,...The pond below was a resting place for a flock of Canada geese,...

This Great Blue Heron was hunting for breakfast,...

Here is Mother Nature's pinwheel!
And of course,... another great campfire and toasted marshmellows!

This campground closes on Labor Day so it will be next May before I can return to one of my favorite "views."

Macomb Reservation...

In the 1930s over 6,000 acres from 76 tracts of land in the northern part of New York State was acquired by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and developed under the WPA, (Work Progress Administration project). More than 300 men trimmed underbrush, and built approximately 14 miles of road.

The land was then transferred to The War Department on July 1, 1939. That year the largest peacetime war games were held on those acres. Then on April 28, 1947 the property was signed over to The People of the State of New York.

Ten years later the NYS Dept. of Conservation opened a campsite at Macomb Reservation. In 1968, 700 of the original acres were transferred to NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

This campground is north of the Adirondack Park in Clinton County. Consequently, it is often overlooked in favor of the more known state campgrounds within the "Blue Line" of the official Adirondacks... Last Thursday I began camping at Macomb, expecting to stay for three nights. I found it so enjoyable that I have extended my stay for seven more nights!

The forest is predominately Red Pine, Maple and Birch, with sandy soil.

What would a camping trip be without a campfire?

The night of this campfire good friends stopped by for a glass of wine, conversation and laughter,... it doesn't get any better!

Fish Creek...

The Adirondack region has many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, hiking, .....


For me, whatever I choose I enjoy most being near the many lakes and ponds. Fish Creek provides not only a NY State Campground, but almost every site has access to the water to launch your kayak or canoe. If you launch your boat at the public launch site you can then bring it to your campsite to moor it as many of the sites have shoreline that makes that easy.


This recent campsite of mine was ideal for that.


Here's my Fish Creek campfire,... I know,.. they all look alike! But for some reason on every camping trip I take a picture of my campfire. I'd never be able to tell them apart if it wasn't for the particular photos folder it was in. But,... just gotta do it!


Despite the rain forcast for today I will be leaving to go camping until Sunday. I'll be back here Monday morning,... have a great weekend everyone!

Picnic at the Lake,...

Many years ago back when I was in highschool,... (yes, many years ago!) a group of girlfriends used to spend time at one of the girl's family camp. Over the years this old camp has changed very little which is a comfort to me. So many happy and funny memories were made here.




This week my high school chum has been in town visiting with her family. We always enjoy a lunch at the old camp by the lake. She makes a delicious lunch and I bring a bottle of "bubbly"...

After lunch I enjoy walking down onto the lake shore, this view is looking south along the NY shore of Lake Champlain.

Here a sailboat under motor power is heading south. That is Vermont across the lake. The lake gets much wider as you go farther north.

Cedar trees, my favorites, grow along the rocky shore.


Any little crack in the rocks shows grasses and wildflowers


Can you spot the small piece of driftwood that is caught in this bush? It was at least two feet above the rocks, apparently washed into the bush at the time of spring ice-out and high water.
It was a grand day, a wonderful vist with a life-long friend!

Cascade Lakes...

In the pass between Cascade Mt. and Pitchoff Mt. are the Cascade Lakes, and the narrow road, rt. 73, from Keene to Lake Placid. Longer ago than anyone can remember there was one lake where there is now two. A torrential rain and resulting landslide created the small bridge of land between the lakes as they are today. For a few years a hotel and stagecoach stop stood on that spot. When the road was improved in the 1930s the dynamite blasting damaged the old hotel so that it had to be torn down. Now there is a day-use area there.
A little brook now flows between the two lakes at the site of the landslide years ago.
Sheer cliffs rise on both sides of the lakes. The lakes are very deep. Because they are protected by the mountains on both sides they freeze smoothly to make wonderful skating in the wintertime.
No motorized boats are permitted on these lakes which creates a peaceful spot for canoes and kayaks.A young couple was just preparing to launch their kayak and were making a second trip to their car for paddles and lunches. The lake looked like it was going to give them a wonderful day!

Morning Coffee and Lake Breezes....

Ten miles east of my home is Lake Champlain. Yesterday morning a good friend invited me to go out for a light breakfast and coffee. We stopped by a deli near a local marina where she and her partner keep his boat,… coffee and danish in hand, we boarded the boat and sat and munched and sipped and caught up on each other’s news. Most of the boats are much larger than their 1939 mahogany beauty. But none had the charm as his nicely restored boat.

Looking up and down the docks finds boats from Canada, Vermont, and Florida. Some are full-timers aboard their cabin cruisers. Others, like my friend, use it mostly for peaceful evenings on the lake. Sailboats were heading out for a day’s relaxation.

It was a brilliant morning at the lake ….