I recently found myself reflecting on the last year, which lead me to decide to share with our readers my Top 5 Favorite Memories of 2015. Now this may sound a bit hokey, but I believe that when you are done reading, you will understand why Schroon Lake is such a special place to live and I hope you will come to visit, or even better yet, move here and raise your family...

Favorite Memory #5: Welcome Home!

In December 2014, I was informed that the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce was doing a search for a new Chamber Director. At the time I was working full-time as a Sales Manager and going through the process of opening of my own business in Plattsburgh, NY. However, when I heard that my hometown was in need of support, I decided, without hesitation, to apply. A few weeks later I was offered the position, and I could barely contain my excitement.

Over the next few weeks I was blessed to have so many old and new friends in Schroon Lake reach out to my family to help with our transition. My first goal was to get moved in to my new office. I had multiple people volunteer to come remove old office furniture, set up new furniture, clean, organize, guide me and etc. One of the most helpful lending hands I recieved was from Roger Friedman, owner of Friedman Realty and Town Councilman. He came almost every day to check in and see if I needed any assistance. He even began to develop the community calender for the year so that I could focus on getting the office and visitors' center organized. I would never have gotten so much done in such a short time without all the volunteers that helped me, and I will forever be grateful for that support.

Our next goal was to find a home for my husband, stepson, and myself. One evening while searching online, I found two or three homes listed in the North Hudson area that I was interested in. One stood out more than the rest, as it was located on Palmer Pond, a pond named after my Palmer family. My great-great-grandfather was an employee at Roths Forge Village in the mid 1800s, and my great-grandfather grew up at the pond his entire life, passing away in 1968. His daughter, my grandmother, grew up there too. After reviewing the three properties on-line I contacted the realtor that was listed for one. Her name was Brooke Van Riper-Clark and it said she was located in Albany. But I would quickly find that the world is a small place, after speaking wth her I learned that Brooke had grown up living on Schroon Lake every summer just one street over from my parents, and she married into a family I have known my whole life. So it was nice to have someone that understood how special it is to live in the Schroon Lake Region guiding us through our process.

Brooke was an exceptional realtor, helping my husband and I through the entire process step by step. She is so dedicated that she even drove to North Hudson in a snow storm and showed us the three houses we wanted to see. We quickly picked the home on Palmer Pond. From the moment our offer was accepted till the closing, she was constantly in contact with us and keeping us grounded when we were worried, or stressed. We will forever be grateful for her help and the tools she used to make our house purchasing experience a great one.

Once our closing was complete, we traveled to our new home to evaluate the work that needed to be done before we began moving in. Lucikly, it was a fairly new home so the work was mostly cosmetic. An hour into our visit, we heard a knock on the door and Jean Gokey (the listing realtor) arrived to remove the lock box. Not only is Jean a realtor, but she and her husband are the the owners of Gokey's Trading Post and Auction Service in North Hudson, NY. As she entered our home, I noticed that she carried something under her arm, which she announced was a gift from her and John. As she stood there, she turned the gift around and I was viewing a huge colored 1960s photo of an aerial view of Palmer Pond. The photo included the original Palmer farm house and barns. She explained that the item came through the auction 20 years ago and they had been saving it, hoping that the right person would come along that they could give it to. When she heard that I was the great-granddaughter of Frank Palmer and moving to the pond she knew that the photo had to go to us. That photo is now framed in a beautiful oak frame and hangs above our stone fireplace. And I will admit I got very choked up and will forever be grateful for this kindness showed by the Gokey's.

As we made our transition in to our new home, we corrected the few cosmetic issues we had with the help of Shawn at ATD Painting, Mountain Petroleum Services, Coop's Plumbing and Heating, and Jimmy & Debbie Duntley who removed two large trees from our yard.

Favorite Memory #4: Dining Out!

One of the privilages of having a semi-empty nest is the ability to dine out more. Since moving here, we have been pleasantly surprised with the choices. We've had fun dining at or doing take-out with all the restaurants in the Schroon Lake Region. One of the first places we had to visit was DeCesare's Pizzeria so that my husband and son could try some of the best pizza in the North Country. I do not know who is the biggest fan now, myself or the seventeen-year-old. He gets very excited when he finds out that I am bringing home a DeCesare's pizza for supper. Just the other night he stated, "This is unique pizza... Most pizza is better the next day, not this one, it's best right out of the pizza oven, and it tastes so good it makes you want to eat it all the first night!"... Yep. I think he is addicted...lol.

Our next adventure was a Sunday drive around the back side of Schroon Lake to visit the Adirondack General Store. I have to tell you, this is a memory that will keep me smiling for years. I learned to drive on the back side of the lake as a teen, and when we first started out on our adventure I forewarned my husband that he needed to take the road gently. Well he chose not to take my advice and we went around the first two corners up on two wheels ... he quickly understood my suggestion and settled down to a nice leisurely speed. After a few minutes of enjoying the scenery he asked me how he will know when he is close to Adirondack. I just chuckled and said, "When you head down a long hill and see the only operating red-paneled glass phone booth along the side of the road!" He looked at me like I had four heads. I just laughed. Almost on cue, 5 minutes later, he stated, "You weren't kidding, there is a phone booth on the side of the road!" I laughed again and said "Yep, and it works...The general store is across the road."

As we pulled up to the Adirondack General Store, he was a bit skeptical - but I told him to trust me. We entered the double doors and were greeted with a smile from Maureen, the owner. After visiting briefly, we made our way to the deli where we ordered some of the best subs we have ever had. On top of that we were able to purchase some delicious jams and sauces, and get our Oscars Smokehouse fix, purchasing smoked sausage, cheese spreads and more. Since our first visit this spring, my family and I love to visit this great little hidden gem on the back side of Schroon Lake.

Besides these two visits, we have also learned that we love the burgers and appertizers at Flanagans Pub & Grill, chicken wings at Timerbwolf Pub, homemade soup and pies at Pitkin's Restaurant, salads & desserts at Sticks & Stones, the best calamari and bread w/garlic olive dipping oil at Drakes', melt-in-your-mouth prime rib at Witherbee's Carriage House Restaurant, great baked pies at the Adirondack Buffalo Company... So many choices...

Favorite Memory #3: Enjoying the Outdoors!

One of the things I had missed most about living in the Schroon Lake Region is being outdoors. There is always something to do throughout the four seasons: skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, kayaking, swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, hunting, and so much more. It was nice to move back home and be able to go out on a boat and enjoy the lake after so many years. There is nothing better than loading up the towels, sunscreen, drinks, snacks, and taking a cruise down the lake; the mountains towering on either side of the lake, children out swimming on the shore giggling and having fun, the sun warming you to the bone, and the rocking of the waves putting you to sleep. However, I also love to take my fishing pole and wet a worm. The quiet and solitude first thing in the morning is amazing on Schroon Lake, where the water is like a mirror. You can often see the fish coming up to the surface to feed. A few of my favorite fishing spots are at the northern end of the Word of LIfe Island, the rock beds in front of Grove Point, and the northern bay near the mouth of the lake.

Fishing on the Schroon Lake was not my only fishing memory this summer. I also took my chance on Palmer Pond in front of my house. Unfortunately, this is not an easy pond to fish, as it originally was a river, and only became a pond after the dam was built many years ago. The north side of the pond is very shallow, so unless you have a canoe, kayak, or rowboat it is hard to get to where the fish are feeding from the shore. If you do have a kayak or canoe, you can spend a wonderful day out on the pond among the loons and wildlife. Without a kayak, it is easier to fish at the bottom of the dam in the river pools. There is a legend that my great-grandfather would take buckets of fish out of the pond, but no one else could catch fish. (Once asked how he caught so many, he replied that it was a secret. It has been said that he used an old-fashioned Adirondack technique that involved something "explosive" to catch the fish, not something I would suggest today as you will be going to spend time in the big hotel with orange clothing!)

Favorite Memory #2: Cultural Experiences!

If you have never been to Schroon Lake you may not realize that we are full of cultural experiences. We have live music every week, art galleries, square dancing, opera, musicals, and so much more. As a young adult growing up in Schroon Lake one of my favorite activities was going to the square dancing/contra dancing in the park on the lake. And it was refreshing to return to a tradition thirty years later that was so much a part of my life as a young adult.

Wednesday evenings through out the summer I attended the square dancing and it brought back so many memories. My foot would begin to tap to familiar tunes I had not heard in years, and a smile would spread across my face as I watched locals and visitors twist, turn, and dance till they were out of breath. There is something about dance that makes everyone feel alive.

I also enjoyed visiting our two art galleries in Schroon Lake this year. Giant Mountain Studio Art Gallery is wonderful and inspiring to take a stroll through as it features work of over 25 local artistans. There is everything from rustic Adirondack furniture to breathtaking Adirondack oil paintings and they are open all year. But that is not the only art gallery in town - I also enjoyed visiting the "Art in the Attic" gallery located at the Towne Store. It is open to the public throughout the summer months.

Besides square dancing and art, there many local organizations that provide opportunities to enjoy the arts. Schroon Lake Arts Council provides open mic on Mondays and live concerts on Thursday in the summer. Witherbee's Carriage House Restaurant also offers an open mic session on Thursday nights throughout the year. Schroon Lake is proud to boast they are the home of Seagle Music Colony, one of the country's premier opera and musical training schools. They produce amazing shows in the summer season.

Favorite Memory #1: 4th of July!

One of the events that I have returned home for every year is Schroon Lake's 4th of July! There is something magical about the 4th in Schroon Lake. The excitement begins to build days before. American flags and patriotic decorations begin popping up all over town. The town park workers begin checking off their to-do list preparing for the crowds. The chamber signs contracts and goes over last minute details, the concert stage is brought in and put on the beach. The school prepares housing out-of-town bands and planning their new annual 5k run. Our local restaurants, motels, and beds and breakfasts begin to stock up on food and supplies as they know they will be full to capacity. The Community Church begins prepping for the biggest meal they will serve for the year.

When I started my new role as Chamber Director, I was informed that I would be in charge of bringing the 4th of July Celebration together for 2015. It was a bit daunting knowing that the outcome of the the day would lay completely on my shoulders, however I took on the challenge with zest because I knew that this holiday means so much to everyone in our community and to the visitors that travel here to spend their holiday weekend with us.

With the help of so many members and volunteers in the community, our 2015 event was amazing! We had concerts on the beach all day long, with people hanging out having picnics and swimming, the top of the park was full of fun things for children to do - from bounce houses to face painting. The chicken bbq at the Schroon Lake Community Church was hopping and making the entire town smell yummy. The lake was laced with boaters, the restaurants were full to capacity, and people were browsing and shopping the stores. The chamber had moved the Adirondack Basket Raffle outside on to the street and the employees were having a wonderful time chatting with our visitors and locals that stopped by. And finally it was time for our parade that had 4 divisions this year. With the guidance of great volunteers, the parade ran very smoothly and was a great success. I will never forget the feeling I had as I saw the parade flowing past the chamber, and the crowds whooping, hollering, and applauding. It was at this moment that I realized that I had made the right choice to move back to the town I grew up loving!

Blessed and grateful...

So as you can see, there are many things I am feeling grateful for this holiday season, and feeling very blessed. Looking back on my Top 5 list, there is one common denominator that flows through each memory, and that is the welcoming year-round and summer residents that you will encounter when visiting our Schroon Lake Region communities. The people that make up this region are amazing; they are hard-working, generous, loving, supportive folks, and I will forever be grateful for my first year back in my hometown. I now understand how amazing the quote is: "It takes a community to raise a child."

Ready to come play in our region? We're ready to welcome you! Join us this winter for ice fishing, snow sports, and a warm meal.

 

 

A Ghost of a Memory

Chasing a ghost of a memory - or a ghost town as the case may be - is, well, like chasing a ghost.

Light as a feather, stiff as a board…

As a child I had dozens of sleepovers at my dad’s camp on what is now the paved and populated, Sweeney Fields Road in Schroon Lake. Back then, we knew it as Old Sweeney Farm Rd - a simple dirt road with 2 other seasonal camps located several miles from town off the winding Hoffman Road. There was no electricity, it was well before cell phones and internet access, and it was, simple to say, the perfect breeding grounds for pre-teen girls to tell ghost stories, hold "seances" with the highly sensitive store-bought Ouija Board, and basically try to scare each other into a sleepless night.

It was also the perfect launching point for my older brother to take me on adventures - aka "he didn’t want to sit around playing games and babysitting," so off we’d go. Hunting for something, anything, to make the day more memorable. I was obsessed with the "olden days" at that point - due perhaps to my love of Almanzo Wilder and the Little House on the Prairie series. And, I think my brother - in his newly acquired second-hand car - just liked to drive down random roads. It may have seemed a bit morbid, but we often stopped at old graveyards. I loved to read the tombstones of so many people that had come before me, and it always stuck out to me when there was a marker of a child around my age; I felt a great empathy toward them - maybe they walked down the same roads, hopped across the same rocks in the river.

It was like a Ghost Town; actually, it was a Ghost Town…

One day, and this memory has stuck out in my head for years and years (27 to be exact), we found a Ghost Town. I mean, a real, honest to goodness Ghost Town. We had taken a backroad as was tradition, and eventually turned off onto an unmarked right hand road - dirt path is probably more accurate. Soon enough we were forced to stop driving, and we decided to park and walk along the path for a bit. When the trees eventually opened up we found ourselves in the midst of our biggest discovery, ever. It was a town, maybe that’s being generous - it was a small encampment. Every building was abandoned; weeds and trees grew up through the broken foundations. Doors hung off of their casements in crooked angles. In my memory, every house is a bleached off-white, grayish color. The color you see on decaying houses along the ocean’s coast. The color of tombstones.

There was a circle in the center of the small village - I can only imagine it was the town green, a gathering place for town meetings. This, too, was severely overgrown. And, I can remember as we looked around (snooped around), opening doors and noting that many items still remained in some of the buildings, I can remember the distinct feeling of being watched. Of wondering if we were alone. Of having a chill settle in, and an uneasy feeling come to rest. My brother felt the same, though he didn’t openly mouth these words; I could tell by his stance and the forced levity in his voice as he spoke - he was "creeped out" (for lack of a better description).

I kept catching glimpses out of the corner of my eyes of movement. Wanting to seem brave, I laughed it off, chalking it up to what must be an animal - a bird perhaps, or chipmunk, something quick and fleeting. We decided to start walking back to the car when movement to our right caught our attention. Since the sun was shining, and obviously, obviously this creepy feeling couldn’t be real, we goaded each other into investigating. What we discovered was a graveyard that may have included the whole population of this town. There were very few variations of last names, and I can remember thinking, "wow, this family lost 6 members all within a year." I felt the chill wear off as the inquisitiveness kicked in. I walked from stone to stone in wonder, reading aloud the names. Acknowledging that they had existed, wondering how they lived and why the families had settled here. There were children, so many children’s markers. I wondered if anyone had survived. Was there a plague? Famine? This needed investigating when we got home.

As the sun started to lower, we knew we needed to make our way toward the dirt path and civilization. But it was hard, we didn’t want to leave - we felt a pull to stay to keep taking in the scene. We looked around one last time, still feeling watched - but not scared, or at least not as scared as earlier.

That evening when we talked to my dad about our discovery, he mentioned that it might have been an old settlement called Irishtown. He remembered his dad telling him about it when he was a young boy. To this day, that is what I have referred to when discussing our Ghost Town - I’ve always assumed it was Irishtown. Now, 27 years later, I felt it was time to head back and rediscover it.

It was a dark and stormy night…

Actually, it was a gorgeous fall day, and I was on a mission. I had heard tell of several accounts of hauntings and paranormal activity in the Schroon Lake region - especially in Paradox, and I wanted to track down some more substantial evidence. However, I had no intention of investigating on my own - so I brought Greg, my willing (or at least, agreeable) partner-in-adventure along.

Our first stop was at the historic Paradox House Retreat. This beautiful, restored Bed & Breakfast is described as Great-Grandfathers classic 3-story Adirondack Victorian Farmhouse. It is a serene artists retreat settled on a quiet 80 acres of land. I was given a lead that there may have been some "ghostly activity" at the House, as well as in the adjacent barn.

We were fortunate to talk to Merritt, the current owner (along with wife Analise) and direct descendant of Great-Grandfather Irving Tyrrell who built this house in the 1890’s. The land had been awarded for service in the Revolutionary War, and his great-grandfather chose to live, farm and run his own mill on it. Later the 13 bedroom house was converted into a summer boarding house for "city folk" and most recently it was converted into a comfortable and intimate B&B.

Merritt confirmed what sources had leaked to me. He had, on occasion, been known to tell ghost stories. As a matter of fact, he hosts a story night every year or so, which has become a bit of a tradition in the community - tales are told, snacks shared, children are welcome. Sadly, he also confirmed that his tales are, well, tales. And, that the barn is a "relatively quiet" old building. And, while I could easily spin this story to say the house had an eerie feel about it, that would be a total lie - it is a bright, welcoming, peaceful home. As a matter of fact, I felt a sense of calm as soon as I stepped on the property. Darn it: strike one.

BUT… he was also happy to give me a few leads on my quest to find my Ghost Town.

• First, he mentioned Charlie Hollow off the Charlie Hill Road. While this sounded like a plausible lead, there was one major discrepancy: I know we headed right on Hoffman Road - away from town - to get to Charlie Hill, we would have had to turn left and back toward town.
• Next, we talked about Irishtown (lights go off in my head!!). This was the name my father had mentioned, oh so many years ago. Unfortunately, although it fit many of my criteria, it was better documented and seemed more main stream than the town we had discovered. But it might still be a contender.
• Finally, I described the route I thought my brother and I had traveled. Ah, yes, now we get the lead I have been waiting for: Loch Muller. This has got to be it!! The directions from Merritt are as follows: Drive up Hoffman Road for 6 or 7 miles. There is a paved road now called Loch Muller, park at the end. Across the road there is an unmarked wooded trail. Follow it for half a mile or so into the woods. Eventually you will come to a cemetery. "It’s creepy." Enough said, I am sure this is my town.

Loch Muller - easier said than found...

We head out of Paradox and into Schroon Lake, proper, where we stop to refuel both the Bug and our bellies. We’re driving a vintage VW (sans heat) - which seems fairly appropriate since it, too, was brought back to life. (Ok, that’s a bit of an analogy stretch - even for me - but c’mon I had to give a shout out to this cool ride that has us cruising through the backroads of the Adirondacks & hasn't broken down at all today!)

After passing through town and Greg noting that Flanagan’s was hopping - because it’s Sunday Football (hint, hint) - we turn right onto Hoffman Road. We follow our directions to a tee, and I am amazed to find Loch Muller so easily. However, everything is backward - this can’t be my town. The path was supposed to be on our right - not our left. I’m disappointed, but I do think it’s pretty intriguing that this path is not marked in any recognizable way - maybe my memory had failed me, maybe the town was off to the left. Either way, we are here and it’s worth investigating - I do still love reading historic gravestones.

We park the Bug, and Greg gets out a neon yellow T-shirt. I seriously didn’t even realize he owned anything this obnoxiously 80’s. He indulgently explains that it is hunting season and he knew we would be hiking in the woods. Obviously, I am not dressed appropriately, but I’m loud, so hopefully that counteracts my lack of glow.

It’s late afternoon as we head into the woods. The leaves are crunching under our feet, and the sunlight is coming through the overhead branches in patchwork patterns. Besides the occasional random sound in the woods that has me quickly looking around, it is mostly silent. A comfortable silence, but of course, a bit "creepy" too - thanks to all of the haunting research I have been conducting as of late.

We cross a picture-perfect stream (yes, I literally took some pictures), and the path turns slightly upward. I’m beginning to wonder if we’ve taken the wrong path when a small sign appears.

It is rotting and leaning against the base of a tree: "Cemetery Loop" with an arrow directed toward the right. So, maybe it doesn’t say, "Kim’s Secret Ghost Town," but at least we’re getting somewhere. We walk on, and soon can spot the stones through the trees.

As we round a slight bend, the entrance presents itself, along with a sign of "Unmarked Graves" with a list of names. Right away, Greg notes how many children there are.

We enter the cemetery and it amazes me that this small piece of history exists tucked away so far from civilization. The stones are deteriorating, and we can’t help but note that if we were creating a Halloween scene, this would be it. The ground is uneven, and it makes me a bit uneasy as I realize that the heaves are actually, most likely, bodies in the unmarked graves. This may not be a town, but we have discovered a great piece of history. So, for the count, this is strike two.

We read the stones, or at least the ones that are still legible. Again, I feel a sense of peace as I say the names aloud, acknowledging that these souls walked the earth - almost 200 years ago. 200. I am humbled to see the markers of the children, I think how sad I would be to lose my 5 year-old due to the lack of medicine. I can’t imagine losing two, three or four children in a matter of years.

I can’t imagine how hard life must have been, and how crazy our inventions would seem to these folks. I am more determined than ever to learn about the history of the Adirondacks, and after doing a bit of quick research this week, I will happily be re-visiting the Schroon Lake-North Hudson and Minerva Historical Societies and the Adirondack Museum.

The sun is getting lower and we need to head back home. The woods are active, I hear a few odd sounds - a high pitched moan, and maybe it’s just my imagination, but I have to confirm the origins: "What was that? It’s a bird, right?" My counterpart answers with a shrug and an indifferent, "I don’t know." (For those playing along at home, that was not the right answer.)

Next Up: Irishtown?

I quicken my steps and feel the relief of seeing the bright blue Bug through the trees. We load up and after one failed start (yes, I almost freaked out), we are up and running and decide to continue heading toward Minerva. It’s almost 5:30pm now, and that means my search has a limited window of opportunity. I am craning my neck to the right - straining to see up every road, trail, path and turn-off that we pass. Nothing matches my criteria. Nothing. But, I KNOW we were somewhere around here.

Eventually we come to a cross roads and I note an old cemetery to our right. We stop to investigate and as we peer up at the old church building I see the words, "Irishtown..." This is, although a wonderfully restored piece of history, not my ghost town. Strike three.

I will say, though, after doing a bit of research - the settlement (originally called Dominic) would almost match my memory perfectly. IF it was abandond and all still standing at the end of an overgrown path. From the Stafford Gazeteer of 1813: "The settlement called Dominick was first begun about 1800 and contains a few families who have one sawmill, a grain mill and a school house in which are held the meetings for worship. The state road from Chester to Canton lies through this settlement."

The Ghost of a Memory…

My whole life I have been holding the memory of my Ghost Town. I’ve referred to it as Irishtown. My brother and I reminisce about it at family reunions - I know it’s real. I mean, really, how hard is it to find an abandoned town in the mountains?? I know, somewhere, out there, off a little backroad there is a path. I know if you follow it you will find an abandoned town. It may be totally overgrown by now, but I know if you find it, you will be as awe-inspired as I was. But, I beg you - if you find it, write down the coordinates, send me the gps info, take pictures. I know this wasn’t just a tale. This is my ghost story: My Ghost Town.

Now... a bit thrown in for good measure. By choosing to head home via Irishtown and Minerva - we passed by a bit of Presidential History. Grab your bikes, mining gear and hiking boots, and find more info about Tahawus - where the road to the Presidency began for Roosevelt.

 

 

 

Concerned that your summer “to do” list is going to interfere with your time on the water?

Not to worry.

These hot August days were made for “getting all your work done during the day” and “fishin’ early and late.”

If you’re looking for a quiet paddle on a pond or lake at a relaxing pace, or a quick and productive fishing outing on your boat, stick to sunrise and sunset.

Once the kids roll out of bed and grab some breakfast, chances are they’re heading down to the lake, especially with the daytime temps we’ve been experiencing. Mom and Dad will outfit the boat for a day, probably tow behind an inner tube or two for some fun and there go the fish, headed down to the depths.

Recreational boat traffic on some of the region’s larger lakes can be pretty significant during the dog days of August, and it can make for a tough time for an angler, particularly if you’re trolling.

You may find a quiet bay or backwater if the lake is big enough, but you’ll miss out on the solitude that many look for.

As the temperatures soar on either side of the noon hour, it’s best to leave the fish alone, anyway, especially if you’re plying the area’s trout streams. Water temperatures are extremely important to the trout, from regulating their body temperature to holding enough oxygen and when the stream thermometer inches it’s way toward 68 degrees or so, neither are working very well, and it’s time to get that yard work done and come back later.

Sure, you can still catch fish, although they might be a bit more sluggish in the warmer water. But if you’re a proponent of catch-and-release, the warmer water makes the “release” end of the statement a dicey proposition.  You’re not the only one stressed by an afternoon in the 90s; but you have options. The fish? They’ve got no place to go and no choice but to live with that 100 percent humidity. The energy they’ll use to get to your fly and the fight after they’ve taken it won’t leave them much to go on once you’ve let them go.

If you’re headed to the stream, however, to catch a few for the dinner plate, don’t worry about it, but remember, you’re going to have to get that fly right in front of their nose; they aren’t moving very far during the dog days.

So that leaves a fish-early-or-fish late scenario for a lot of anglers.

I’ll opt for fish early. It’s going to be cooler at sunrise and the overnights (hopefully, they’ve been clear and cool) have dropped the water temperature to acceptable levels. If we’re really lucky, we may have even gotten some rain overnight. And, honestly? There’s nothing more I hate than getting on the stream and slowly losing sunlight. I’ve got a hard enough time tying knots and these small flies. It gets exponentially frustrating the darker it gets. At least if I hit the stream in the dark, I know it’s only going to get better.

And later, when it gets really hot – too hot for yard work – there’s always that inner tube.

Before all the state paved highways and backroads, the easiest way to move around the Adirondacks was via the intricate system of rivers and lakes that flow through the six-million acre park. Loggers, guides, and hunters used these waterways to avoid dense forests and otherwise challenging terrain. Today, the rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds that make up the Adirondacks are not only used for transportation but for recreation as well.

The domed-shape of the Adirondacks lends itself to water flowing down river north, south, east, and west. What does that mean for recreational paddling the Adirondack Hub? Well, that just means you can paddle headwaters where the water’s journey begins! The rivers that start here are the Hudson, Opalescent, Boreas, and Schroon. On top of those, there are tons of lakes and ponds of all shapes and sizes where every paddler can find something to enjoy.

The mighty rivers

315 miles from where it empties into the Upper New York Bay, the Hudson River begins its long, diverse journey through the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley. You may know the Hudson as the wide, gentle river in New York City, but here in the Adirondacks, it’s very different; near Upper Works, you can practically jump across. In Newcomb, accessing the Hudson is as simple as putting in at the Lake Harris boat launch. From the launch, paddlers can enjoy a calm lake before heading into the Hudson. The river can move swiftly, and within a mile of leaving Newcomb, you’ll reach a set of rapids known as Long Falls. There are other rapids along this route, but all can be carried around. For that first mile after the boat launch, paddling on Lake Harris (which is a beautiful lake to paddle by itself) and the Hudson are wild and placid.

The Opalescent River is a truly wild river. If you want to get away from developed shorelines to find peace and solitude, this is the place. It is a wonderful pairing with a paddle on the Hudson. The water of the Opalescent can be quite shallow, but it is a delightful paddle nonetheless. As it winds and meanders through the forest, you'll find sandy beaches on the bends and magnificent views of some High Peaks and surrounding mountains. You may only be able to travel 1 mile up the Opalescent from its confluence with the Hudson, but in high waters, further travel may be possible.

For a more accessible route closer to town, the Schroon River is the perfect choice for a day trip. Its slow current and abundant wildlife make for a great outing. For the most adventurous paddler, the Boreas River is great whitewater.

New paddles in town

The best part about paddling in the Adirondack Hub is that there’s always something new to explore. Within the last few years, two new paddling destinations have been opened to the public. The Essex Chain Lakes Complex has eighteen bodies of water to paddle, ranging from the small Chub Pond to the 216-acre Third Lake. Conveniently, the Hudson River actually flows from Lake Harris to here! The Boreas Ponds also offer paddlers something “new,” as this tract was officially opened to the public within the last five years. Both locations have stunning views, serene paddles, and great opportunities to view wildlife. Moose and river otters are frequent visitors here.

Quiet lakes and ponds

There are lots of other lakes and ponds ready for you to dip your paddles in the water. Some are wild and remote, and some are located closer to town. Henderson Lake is a picturesque option that sits in the shadows of the High Peaks. Oliver Pond is small, and while nearby Balfour Lake is larger, both see little visitation. You might spend more time paddling with the loons! 

In North Hudson, Courtney Pond sits right by Route 9 and is only about six acres in size, making it a great spot for families testing the waters to see if they like paddling or just want to get out on a pond that doesn’t have motorboats.

Eagle Lake is developed and has motorboat access, but it’s a wonderful place to paddle. Paddlers can put in at a DEC launch in a quieter corner of the lake and then venture under Route 74 (seriously, it’s fun!) out into the main lake.  At the far end, there’s a sandy beach and a lean-to for picnicking or camping.

Love your lakes and ADK

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks. By pledging to Love Your ADK, you’re committing to protect, among other things, lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds. For paddlers, that means being mindful of the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning and drying all boats and equipment. Many of the lakes in the Adirondack Hub are pristine, and we know you’d like to help keep them that way!

Another thing to keep in mind if paddling in spring: don't forget your PFD! Air temperatures may be warm, but waters can remain cold for a lot longer. Life preservers are required to be worn from November 1 to May 1, and must be in your craft during all other times. Children under 12 must wear a PFD all times when paddling.

Of course, this isn’t a totally comprehensive list of all paddling destinations in the Adirondack Hub. If you’d like more suggestions, talk to local guides or outfitters for recommendations, or even get rentals if you don’t have your own gear. 

Above all else, enjoy your time on the water this summer!

*Note that the Tavern at The Schroon River Falls is closed as of this blog's update, 8/1/2024

SCHROON LAKE — Clean out your cupboards, because alcohol has been outlawed in Schroon Lake.

On Thursday night, the Schroon town board voted 3-2 to re-institute Prohibition in the quaint Adirondack town.

According to the town board members who voted in favor of the decision, visitors were having too much fun, so they had to nix it.

“It’s just too much — people laughing, grinning, singing, playing all the time,” Town Grand Pubba Ike Arnell said after the vote. “This is a serious place, and we need to take it seriously.”

The scene on the streets of Schroon Lake this morning.

The two who dissented, Town Councilors Robert Bakedman and Mara Chibbs, immediately quit the town board in disgust.

“This is absurd — it’s 2024!” Chibbs was heard declaring as she stormed out of the town hall.

The vote came despite an impassioned plea from Pammy Smitty-White, chief tour guide for the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, who insisted that alcohol is far from the only reason people have fun when they’re in Schroon Lake.

“We have tons of hiking, paddling, fishing, boating, waterskiing, plays, live music, awesome attractions, the best beach ever, and, jeez, so many other things I can’t even list them all!” Said Smitty-White. “Seriously you guys, people have a blast here all the time, and alcohol is just one small part of that.”

Owners of the Silver Spruce Inn Bed and Breakfast spent all night preparing to reopen their famed speakeasy. Current owners Millie and Sheldon Copperwoman took a page from the B&B’s original owner, Sally Miller Smith, who bought all the liquor in three liquor stories before the country-wide Prohibition passed in 1919 and built hidden cubbies all over the B&B to stash bottles in. Smith ran a raucous speakeasy in the basement of the Silver Spruce throughout that era, complete with the bar from the original Waldorf Astoria luxury hotel in Manhattan, which she bought before the hotel was torn down to make way for the Empire State Building.

What a lovely place for an illegal drink.

The Copperwomans have been quietly stocking up on liquor since the first whispers of teetotaling were heard in town, taking all the empty display bottles out of the hidden cubbyholes and filling them up with the real deal. The speakeasy, called the Tavern at The Schroon River Falls, is officially set to open tonight, around the time that all the town’s anti-fun residents have gone to bed. Ask around town for the secret knock to be allowed in.

“There wasn’t much of a market in speakeasies, so we didn’t bother to open that part of the establishment,” Millie said. “But thanks to those dumbasses, we’re gonna make a killing!”

The Paradox Brewery already has plans in place to take its delicious brews underground — quite literally. They’ve been digging ditches for days in the woods, and they plan to move their huge brewing tanks into an underground room that they insist no one will ever find. Plans are currently in the works to create tasting rooms out in the woods.

The old tasting room. Drinking inside is overrated, we guess?
Sign up for the brewery’s newsletter and follow it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Google+, Tumblr, Flickr, Vine, MeetUp, Tagged, Friendster, MySpace, and VK. Each day they’re open, someone from the brewery will send a message with coordinates of the tasting room to one of those networks — but you’re going to have to watch all of them, because it’ll change each time in order to keep police guessing. They’ve also buried bottles and growlers of beer throughout the region, and if you find their tasting room and want to purchase a six pack, they’ll give you coordinates for where to dig one up.

And owner Saul Frocka said he expects that even though it’ll be a little more work, his customers will put in the extra effort because they love the beer the brewery brews.

“People drool over the mention of our Beaver Bite IPA. We get beer geeks coming from California to taste our Coffee Milk Stout. I’m not too worried about it,” Frocka said.

At Sticks & Stones Bistro & Bar, the plan to skirt the law is to offer all the same amazing speciality cocktails, just list them in the menu as "virgin." The Boat House cocktail will now be listed as a Virgin Boat House, with virgin Smirnoff vodka, virgin Bacardi rum, virgin amaretto, shaken with virgin milk and topped with virgin Pepsi. The Charlie Hill will be listed as the Virgin Charlie Hill, with virgin Tito's vodka, virgin Baileys, virgin Godiva Liquor and virgin milk, shaken and served in a virgin chocolate syrup martini glass. Owner Stan Foam said he doesn't expect the authorities to catch on.

Meanwhile, managers at Flanagan’s Pub and Grill and Timberwolf Pub both said they are excited to focus their energy on their wonderful culinary offerings, rather than having to deal with ordering and buying and selling beer, liquor and wine.*

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*The preceding story is fabricated in celebration of April Fools day, popular for the commission of good-humored practical jokes of varying sophistication.

Some great (and totally legal) establishments to get a cocktail

War Cannon Spirits

Before the days of prohibition, War Cannon Spirits' original structure stood proudly in Crown Point, New York. Now a distillery utilizing a refurbished and repurposed 200+ year old landmark building. War Cannon Spirits offers a tasting room, restaurant, indoor and outdoor dining, outdoor games, a special event space, and a retail store onsite to buy merch and other locally-crafted goods. Tuck into their tasting room, built in 1820, and indulge in delightfully revolutionary-themed cocktails like the Cannon Ball Old Fashioned, The French Quarter, or the Campfire Martini. 

The Brown Swan at The Lodge at Schroon Lake

At Schroon Lake's beautiful lakeside resort, tuck into a meal and a wide array of drinks to choose from at the The Brown Swan at The Lodge at Schroon Lake, prohibition who? Pair your farm-to-table eats with craft beers and IPAs, or if you're feeling extra dangerous, try the bourbon mac and cheese, or the maple bourbon chicken with your drink, no one said we couldn't sneak it into the food!

Paradox Brewery 

As we previously mentioned, Paradox Brewery is a committed and delectable choice for your next drink. And they aren't literally going underground, on the contrary, the brewery here in the Adirondack hub has never been more popular! Brewing innovative beer of the highest quality, their state-of-the-art facility near the old Frontier Town in North Hudson opened in 2020 and features a tasting room with beautiful indoor and outdoors views combined with great beer and an always lively atmosphere! Try their unique cans like the IPA, DIPA (double india pale ale), The Great Kolsch Affair Blood Orange, or the Ay Up Duck. 

Piece of the past

If you combine all of the gifts we’ve received, travel souvenirs we’ve collected and event swag we’ve been given, we have about 26.2 million t-shirts at our house. Though I have some favorites that I refuse to give up, older shirts eventually become painting garb, then rags before outlasting their usefulness and being thrown away altogether.

The other day, though, I was surprised to find a survivor that I hadn’t seen in eons. Though obviously my husband had added it to his workshop wear of late, it had gone unnoticed by me for 17 years - that is until it became the first t-shirt I grabbed from the dryer to go running that day. When I saw the logo on it, I realized that I had donned a piece of history.

The shirt is from the Inaugural Adirondack Marathon, which was held in 1997 in Schroon Lake. Seeing it brought me back at least 18 years to a meeting that I attended with about 6 other people one evening. Someone in the group had circumnavigated Schroon Lake itself in a car and noticed that the drive was almost a full marathon distance.

Thus began a community’s quest to create an annual event - the Adirondack Marathon, with the tagline: “The most beautiful 26 miles 385 yards you’ll ever run.”

Evolution of Race

The first year, I was one of the many volunteers who supported the sanctioned event. My t-shirt categorized me as “emergency personnel”, and my post was to help with traffic detours. Though I wasn’t issued a flashing light or anything, I’m sure the bright red shirt that has more recently been used as a painting smock helped to identify me as a person of great importance and top-notch emergency services caliber.

In 1997, 421 runners finished the Adirondack Marathon. Last year, over 1,500 runners registered for the weekend’s events, supported by over 700 volunteers.

Participation numbers continued to increase following that first successful event. Hand cycle and wheelchair divisions were added, and in 2001, a half-marathon was added, too.

In 2003, 5k and 10k races were added to the Festival weekend, and in 2009 a 2-person relay was added. A 4-person relay was added in 2012.

Right now, over 400 runners are registered for the 2014 marathon (the cutoff is at 500), and 650 are registered for the half marathon. 36 states are represented, and a number of countries from around the world, including Mexico, Brazil, Sweden, Germany and Canada.

 

Those beautiful miles and yards

That marathon begins with an exciting mass start on Main Street in Schroon Lake. The Half marathon starts at 10am at the 13.1 mile marker, so that both races finish at the scenic Schroon Lake Town Beach on Leland Avenue.

The course begins heading north on Route 9 to a right onto Alder Meadow Road, (which is also the road to Crane Pond and some of the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness hikes I’ve enjoyed.) Runners take a right off Alder Meadow Road to East Shore Drive along the eastern shore of the lake. The course stays relatively flat for the first three and a half miles but quickly gains elevation to 1,100 feet by the six mile mark.

Miles 4-12 feature some short, challenging climbs - this is the hardest part of the race. The good news is that they are very SCENIC challenging climbs, with nice views of Schroon Lake. The course eventually goes through the town of Adirondack and around the southern end of the lake back to Route 9 and rolling terrain that goes north again to the town of Schroon Lake and the finish line at the scenic town beach.

Festival

The race has become a full weekend of activity, earning its moniker as a “Festival”, with the 5k and 10k and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, followed by the Full and Half Marathons on Sunday.

One of the great features of the marathon itself is the Pace Bears. These are leaders who will support runners who want to meet their finish time goals. For instance, if a runner is aiming to finish in 4 hours and 15 minutes, there is a Pace Bear at the race start assigned to that finish time with whom they can run the race. The Pace Bear keeps people on pace to meet their goals, provides support and encouragement, and can be a great social aspect to the race.

There has always been a fundraising aspect to the Adirondack Marathon. This year, event organizers are pleased to offer the “Racing for Good” fundraising campaign, which supports organizations that serve individuals and families who face catastrophic circumstances. Donations via the online Crowdrise site will benefit 6 carefully selected organizations in the region. Learn more (and donate!) on the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival “Racing for Good” page.

In addition to the races, the Festival features a Race Expo on both Saturday and Sunday that features running retailers, clubs, events, and health and fitness specialists, and is open to the public.

Here’s the full schedule:

Friday, September 26

6-8 p.m. - 5K/10K packet pickup

 

Saturday, September 27

7-8:30 a.m. - 5K/10K registration

9:30 a.m. - 5K/10K start

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Race Expo & Packet Pickup

2 p.m. - 1K Children's Fun Run

3 p.m. - Strategy Session with former Runner's World shoes & gear editor Jeff Dengate, a 6-time finisher of the Adirondack Marathon.

4:45-6:30 p.m. - Pasta Dinner

 

Sunday, September 28

6:45-8:15 a.m. - Packet pickup

7 a.m. - Early Bird marathon start

8:40-9:05 a.m. - Half-marathon and relay buses depart

9 a.m. - Marathon and relays start

1 p.m. - Half-Marathon awards ceremony

2 p.m. - Marathon awards ceremony

2:30 p.m. - Course closes

4 p.m. - Postrace party at Witherbee's

 

Race or Ride

The 18th Annual Adirondack Distance Festival is set for September 27-28, 2014. Visit the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival website for more information and to register for any of the races!

And/or, like me, perhaps you’d like to review the course map and try this route via bicycle. I plan to wear my newly-found old but bright-colored t-shirt for the occasion!

 

Kim Rielly is the director of communications for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

In case you missed our top-rated social posts from the past year, here you go!

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Video:

The Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival was amazing this year, as usual!

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Photo:

Lake ahead!

Time to hit the lake!

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Blog:

Go big!

Schroon Lake fishing is awesome whether you choose the big lake or a backcountry river! Check out our fishing blog to learn more.

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As the snow settles in and we realize the year is quickly coming to a close, we're looking back and giving thanks for all the great adventures we've had this year. Check out these top posts you may have missed:

High on the Coast

Cast, climb, clip in

Cool as ice

Tri to discover us

Going up?

Just Ok

Ski, eat, repeat

This year plan to go ADK for the holidays!

Let's hit the road!

As a recent college graduate, I currently find myself preoccupied with a heavy combination of work and summer classes – both of which keep me more than busy during the summer months. A little too busy, as they often prevent me from engaging in some of my favorite outdoor activities. Camping certainly being one of them. I remember when I was younger, as I think back to my teen years, I would do anything to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

Recently, I channeled my inner-kid when I was presented with the opportunity to spend my Sunday afternoon at Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground. This was exciting news as I haven’t been camping in what feels like years. So, I hit the road for a quick 50-minute drive before arriving in beautiful Schroon Lake.

Plenty of Great Attractions!
My intentions were to walk around the campground and check it out because I want to plan a weekend trip with some of my close friends in the near future. Long story short, I will most definitely be going back for a couple of nights. And sooner rather than later as I was very impressed with what they had to offer.

Upon arrival, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect because it’s been a while since I’ve last gone camping. I was also unfamiliar with the area. In fact, this was my first time in Schroon Lake and I have to say, I really enjoyed the surrounding area, the town, and the many local shops and restaurants located on the main strip. When I first arrived at the campsite, I saw that there were plenty of different activities and attractions available for the guests. The place was packed with RVs and tents set up throughout the various lots. As I continued walking around, I noticed there were hardly any open lots – I could tell that this is a very popular spot to camp during the summer and fall months. And boy, I wasn’t wrong.

Bring the kids!
As I walked slowly through the campsite enjoying the outdoors and observing everything it has to offer, one thing in particular that stood out to me was the fact that there was this sense of a very family-friendly atmosphere. As soon as I walked in, I noticed the visitor's office where there were people standing outside talking and laughing as they were petting their dogs. I quickly took note that this is a pet-friendly campsite which is always a plus for all the dog lovers out there!

After about twenty minutes of walking around, It didn’t take long for me to realize that this is a great place not only for adults to get away and relax, but for children and families to hangout and have fun together as well. Unfortunately, it was a rainy overcast day when I visited, so there weren’t many people outside but I could still tell how alive the place was.

Other campsites I have been to in the past don’t necessarily provide many activities for children but this place seemed to have it all. As soon as you enter the campground, on your immediate left stands a huge open area consisting of playgrounds with a pirate boat swing set where kids can play for hours on end without getting bored. As a child, I would’ve loved this place. I’m actually upset I’m just finding out about this now looking back at all the fun I could've had here.

There is also a nice space to shoot some hoops if you’re into basketball or want to get some exercise on the trails nearby. At Medcalf Acres, I would be surprised if kids ran out of things to do because the campground offers endless amounts of fun and activities for everybody. There is also a really nice mini-golf course available which stands close to the visitor’s office as soon as you arrive.

As I continued walking down one of the paths, I noticed there was a river that runs through the back where guests are able to kayak, canoe, and fish. Talk about a pretty cool spot to cool down after being out in the blazing sun all day. It seemed to me that everything here is very close in proximity as well. This, in my opinion, is very convenient considering you don’t have to do much traveling. Everything is right there in front of you.

Secluded yet convenient
Another great quality of this campsite is that it appears to be secluded and out of the way – but in actuality, it's only a couple miles off the highway and still very close to the busier part of town. If you are trying to stay somewhere where you feel like you are miles from home, yet still have the convenience and luxury of being close to all the action and somewhat in town, then this is the place for you. As I was on my way out, I also noticed that there is a small beach about a mile or two from the campsite. It was marked private but it has beautiful views of the lake and is within walking distance from the campsite. You truly get the best of both worlds here!

All in all, I can say that I am very excited to get back out here for a couple days and enjoy the various attractions and activities that the Medcalf Acres has to offer! The Schroon Lake Region is an ideal base camp for all your Adirondack outdoor activities, whether it be hiking some of the areas highest peaks or taking the canoe or kayak out for a day trip on the lake! I'm hoping to avoid the rainy weather the next time I'm here in Schroon, but I'll be prepared regardless and will be ready to experience what I believe will be an all-around great Adirondack camping trip! Check out all the great places to pitch your tent and park your camper in the Schroon Lake Region!

 

The Schroon Lake Region stretches far and wide, allowing for dozens of possibilities for cross-country skiing. Schroon Lake village makes for an excellent basecamp location for a long weekend or an extended vacation with the family, so why not pull back the covers and stay a while. We will fluff your pillow, feed you, pamper you and make you wish you never had to go home; besides, there’s nothing like a warm room waiting for you after a day of skiing the trails.

Below you will see a short list of Nordic skiing destinations that will fall into the easy to moderate user level. There are so many more to choose from, but here is a start that will branch you throughout the entire region.

 

 

Crane Pond – Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness – 4.0 miles RT

Crane Pond is an access to much of what the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness has to offer. Utilizing an old woods road this ski is a very easy approach to the back-country. From the end of Crane Pond Road you will find a rather large parking area where your ski will start from. You will be on the extension of Crane Mountain Road which is no longer open to motorized vehicles. The grade is very mellow with little change in elevation. Skiing past Alder Pond to your right you will also gain the benefit of the vistas over this long narrow body of water. Located at the end of Crane Pond Road is a short spur to an old boat launch onto Crane Pond, a foot trail will continue to the right and heads toward Pharaoh Mountain.

Lost Pond – Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness – 4.0 miles RT

From the opposite side of the wilderness area rests Lost Pond. Lost from what, no one is sure. The trail is a fairly flat one in the beginning but will slowly climb through forest. The grade is never too demanding making it quite forgiving for cross-country skiers. Once at the pond you will notice that the trail loops around it. The loop is not recommended for Nordic skiing but on occasion has been used for such. The slopes tend to be too rocky and steep as they flow down from Abes Hill.

Bass Lake – Hammond Pond Wild Forest – 6.4 miles RT

Bass Lake can be approached from the East or the West; this description is from the east off Ensign Road near North Hudson. This ski will bring you through a pristine area, which gets rather heavy use, mainly from locals. Skiing in this area is excellent and shouldn’t be missed. This trail feeds you through a tall forest on a rather mellow grade with only a couple small short steeper pitches. You will ski high above Berrymill Brook and to the north end of Berrymill Pond before turning a hard right and heading west to Bass Lake. If you want to shorten your trip you can stop on the eastern shore of the lake or continue along the shore to the western portion where additional viewing is had.

Hammond and Black Brook Ponds – Hammond Pond Wild Forest – 4.4 RT

This ski is located from the same parking lot as the Bass Lake Trail above, but heads off on a secondary trail that gets much less use, but is still a decent late-season ski. There is a slight bit of climbing in the beginning as you quickly come to a short spur trail to Hammond Pond on your left. Hammond Pond is well worth the 0.3 mile spur. Back at the main trail you will remain on a moderate course that is on the side hill of Berrymill Hill. A small descent to cross Black Brook will come in before your final approach to one of the Black Brook Ponds. This pond no longer holds water and has been overcome by grasses. But, with the cover of snow, you would never know.

Big Pond – Hoffman Notch Wilderness – 3.0 miles RT

Your skiing adventure here is on a mostly level trail and it will remain so for the majority of the trip. The start brings you through an attractive forest of large growth trees as you pass over what looks to be an old woods road. Soon you will drop slightly down to a bridge crossing near a long narrow pond where you will have a neat view out over the snow covered ice. The trail will climb slightly and head over a couple of small rolling hills before you can see Big Pond through the trees to your left. Big Pond is slightly off the main trail but can easily be reached by using a path that will lead you 100-feet downhill to the shore. The path may need to be walked rather than skied, but you can make that choice. Looking out over the massive “Big” pond there are outstanding vistas welcoming you.

Have Skis Will Travel

Now that we've caught your attention, what trail will you choose? Don't forget your camera, catch those awesome moments and share them with us on our Schroon Lake Region FB page! Want to try out some additional cross country trails, snowshoe treks, or maybe a little downhill skiing or family tubing fun? We are just waiting for you to explore all we have to offer. What are you waiting for!?

It's not just bears who need their caves in the winter. We can have fun with our own, human version.

Our winter wonderland offers fun ways to explore something new, and for a very reasonable outlay, too. The abundant outdoor options, with dining and lodging that is "just right," adds up to a great time.

Here's my day. It was great fun.

Extraordinary Wilderness

This is what I'm talking about:

This vista from one of the snowshoe trails at Natural Stone Bridge and Caves has plenty of "wow factor."

In the summer, this is the only cave attraction in the Adirondacks, but it is an amazing one. The Stone Bridge itself is solid marble, and a marvelous sight in any season.

During the 16th century, Portuguese explorers named this structure Ponte de Dios, or "Bridge of God."

The ancestor of the current owners, Jacob Van Benthuysen, was gifted the site in the 1700s for his Revolutionary War service. Early on, it was the site of a sawmill, powered by the ever-running water that flows through the caves. Lost logs can still be seen inside the cavern.

In the winter, the proprietors open their extensive set of snowshoe trails through the glories of this amazing geologic area. We have a lot to choose from, like the short and scenic route around the waterfalls and cave opening, to the "Experts Only" trails which are located near the top of the mountain.

That's thirty-six trails and fourteen and a half miles -- plenty of territory.

The terrain has more than a skill range; it offers a whole mountainside of sights. There's the Natural Stone Bridge cave opening, frozen waterfalls, and ice flows. The river underground keeps flowing all year. It is how nature created the sinkholes, boulders, and vertical ledges.

There's faster moving natural features too, what the attraction calls "local residents." Look for large fallen trees and pencil-sharpener stumps that indicate beaver industriousness. Small cave dens shelter fox, rabbits, fishers, and pine martins. There are tracks in the snow from deer, bobcats, coyotes, turkeys, and squirrels.

I showed up on a gorgeous sunny day, and rented snowshoes and poles, all day, for only $5.00. This is a real bonus if you don't have our own; my own snowshoes finally gave it up and I have not replaced them yet.

The attraction is open Friday through Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm. We are still in the shorter days of winter, so make sure to arrive early enough to enjoy all this place has to offer. The all-day pass ranges from adults at $13, down to children under five who are let in free.

The many bridges and walkways, the provided map, and the clearly marked trails, all make navigating easy. Even for me, who is somewhat -- challenged -- in that respect.

But even if we didn't bring a compass, we can point our hand, straight out to the side, at the sun. Now we know that is East (in the morning) which means we are facing North, or West (in the afternoon) and we are facing South.

If the sun is overhead, it's lunchtime. Break out those trail goodies and find a bench, log, or rock for some authentic al fresco dining. That's the Adirondack way.

Exploring Made Easy

Snowshoeing is a great way to get out into the snow, from pre-school kids to... people who only feel like kids.

I heartily recommend getting or bringing the trekking poles. They are very useful for negotiating narrow or tricky terrain, and if you are new to snowshoes, it will help you extricate yourself from stepping on your newly acquired clown feet.

This is Bobcat Ledge, a stunning expanse of rock that rose from the earth's depths.

Be sure to bring a camera, too, because we will be offered amazing vistas, huge rock formations, and delightful patterns of sunshine and shade dappled along the forest paths.

Here we see the contrast between the deep shade under the evergreens, and the amazingly sunny forest where the birches and maples live.

Natural Stone Bridge and Caves also offers a fully-guided evening tour on Saturdays. This 2-3 hour guided snowshoe tour offers stories and amazing sights, but if you start running out of steam, you can return to their lodge any time using the Trout Brook Trail. At the end, there is a campfire, marshmallows for toasting, and hot drinks. Those Portuguese explorers wished they had this waiting for them.

If you didn't get to see it all, or would love to come back, just add a season pass for $5, and take to the trails all weekend, or, all season.

A Fine Finish

By this time, I am hungry like a bear. Just fifteen minutes north on scenic Route 9 is my destination for tonight's dining and lodging, the village of Schroon Lake. It is a charming little town on the shores of Schroon Lake, the lake.

I will be having dinner at Sticks and Stones Bistro. This is a happy, welcoming place, and I hit the first snag of my day: there are so many good things on the menu I really have trouble choosing. Steaks, seafood, wood-fired wings, maybe the fig & goat cheese salad?

But the owner drops by to assure me that he imported his pizza oven from Naples, Italy. And they have gluten-free pizza. While he likes the regular kind better -- "Everyone does," I say with a sigh -- he is proud of all his efforts.

I chose the Meat Your Match, with pepperoni, proscuitto, pancetta, and hot Italian sausage. It is so delicious I have no room for dessert. Must return: the dessert menu features such delectable choices as Adult Root Beer Float (made with vanilla bean ice cream and "hard" root beer), gluten-free molten lava cake, and tableside S'mores. I can bring my own gluten-free graham crackers if it comes right down to it.

After the exertion of the day and this wonderful meal, I am ready for a good night's sleep. In summer, the Caves offer their own cabins, but since it is winter, I have a cute little cabin booked at the Maple Leaf Motel.

I am utterly charmed by my temporary cave. From the stained-glass window in the door to the deer in the forest mural on the wall, from the high beamed ceiling to the wall-inset gas fireplace, it is a warm, dreamy, Adirondack kind of place.

I know that where most people live, motels are frightening places. But not our Adirondack motels. Despite their reasonable price range, they have anything a traveler might want; clean, simple, and with a fridge and microwave to make longer stays more afforable. They have often been in the family for generations, and they usually have the owners on the premises, answering questions and making sure everything is to our satisfaction. There's often a wide range of lodging available such as a cabin like mine, or a suite with a hot tub; just ask.

I washed up with the complementary organic citrus soap, and curled up with my latest book downloaded onto my iPad with the free wifi.
This is my kind of wilderness experience. Just enough wildness, plenty of comfort, and some very delightful caves.

Find your own "cave." Explore all our dining. Go fast on snow at nearby Gore Mountain.