The ten-mile round trip cross-country ski to Great Camp Santanoni is a classic Adirondack journey to a storied destination.

Open House during Three Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni

This year, my husband George Yellott, and friends Pat and John Thaxton, and I skied to Great Camp Santanoni during the first of three New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYS DEC) “Winter Weekends at Great Camp Santanoni.” These open house weekends are co-sponsored with Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), the Town of Newcomb, and the Adirondack Interpretive Center. Each year, the popular winter weekend open houses are scheduled during Martin Luther King weekend in January, President’s Day weekend in February, and the weekend closest to St Patrick’s Day in March.

A Heated Building with Refreshments!

The Adirondack Interpretive Center offers free snowshoes, and staff and volunteers of Adirondack Architectural Heritage are on hand to answers questions and lead tours of the Main Lodge. Best of all, the Artist’s Studio is heated by a woodstove during these open house weekends! Skiers and snowshoers can warm up before the return trip. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are also available!

The Ski

We chose to ski on Sunday of Martin Luther King weekend, avoiding the bitter cold forecast on Saturday. (Surprisingly, over 80 people braved the elements to ski in on Saturday!) The ski conditions were perfect on the old road leading to the camp.

Our trip began in late morning, with lunch planned at the Great Camp. After a mile, we reached the farm. We stopped to read the interesting interpretive signs, of which there are many along the way.

When our two sons were very young, they learned how to cross country ski on this trail, and the farm was our destination until they grew older. Their main interest was the fascinating, huge old barn, which tragically burned down in 2005. There are still several old buildings at this location and it makes a nice destination for families with young children.

As we took a break at the farm, I spotted a woman skier who was pulling a sled, the kind that attaches to your hips, with her young twins and her baby on board! It was impressive! They were making good use of the picnic table at one of the old farm houses.

It was great to see many families along the way, and we met yet another woman skier pulling a sled behind – this particular woman did the entire 10-mile round trip pulling her young daughter in a sled!

There were so many dogs making the trip to Great Camp Santanoni the day we skied, we wondered if they rivaled the human numbers that day!

A second break was taken at the intersection with the trail to Moose Pond reached at 2.2 miles along the road. (The ski to Moose Pond is 14 miles round trip on a typical foot trail after the intersection.)

We continued skiing on toward the Great Camp, stopping along the way when we ran into people we knew, or meeting new people, many from out of state. Well over 100 people skied to the Great Camp that day.

The nearly 5-mile road to Great Camp Santanoni has gentle hills with one steeper hill near the end, but is considered a moderate level ski trip due to the mileage.

A short distance from the Great Camp, I took a fall when my left ski headed too far left! As I lay on the ground, I heard another skier approaching from behind and as he skied past me, I recognized the familiar ponytail belonging to Jim Brundage of Newcomb. Jim is an expert skier who has often given ski lessons in my Town of Long Lake. He works for the NYS DEC and was patrolling that day. I said hello and picked myself up wishing that I’d fallen in front of a stranger rather than a ski expert! We finished the ski to the camp together.

The Main Camp Complex

Staff from the Adirondack Architectural Heritage greeted skiers and snowshoers as they arrived at Great Camp Santanoni.

We headed for the Artist’s Studio to have lunch in a heated building. The studio was a beautiful one-room building with a large window overlooking Newcomb Lake. A rack was hung over the woodstove so folks could hang wet items to dry. It was extremely humid in this building as water boiled for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Steven Engelhart, Executive Director of Adirondack Architectural Heritage, was available to answer questions. Matthew W. Shepherd, a volunteer for AARCH, was offering refreshments. He and several staff members came in with all the supplies on Thursday and were camped in the Artist’s Studio through Monday. I could see that a great deal of work goes into the open house weekends.

After hot chocolate and lunch, we walked around the buildings, which were all open. This is not usually the case during winter, so it is another added bonus of skiing in during the open house weekends.

The History

Great Camp Santanoni was built between 1892 and 1893 by Anna and Robert Pruyn of Albany. They purchased 12,500 acres and employed the distinguished architect Robert H. Robertson to design the camp. The complex of 45 buildings is grouped in 3 different clusters. The Gatehouse Complex near the parking area includes a caretaker’s cottage and the monumental stone gateway arch.

The Farm Complex is located a mile from the Gatehouse and was considered the largest farm operation ever associated with a family estate in the Adirondacks. There were 20 buildings and 200 acres of cleared land that produced vegetables, meat, fruit, and dairy products for the Pruyn family, surrounding community, and their extended family in Albany.

The Main Camp, located nearly 5 miles from the Gatehouse, consists of six separate buildings connected by a common roof and porch system overlooking Newcomb Lake. Separate buildings include the Artist’s Studio and Boat House. Many of the architectural features have been described as Japanese in their influence. Robert Pruyn had spent a great deal of time in Japan working for his father who was minister to Japan under President Lincoln. The Main Lodge features birch bark wall coverings, log grill work on the eaves, hand hewn beams, half log decorative patterns on doors and walls, and impressive field stone fireplaces. All of these features make Great Camp Santanoni one of the most outstanding examples of Adirondack rustic architecture.

Great Camp Santanoni was sold by the Pruyn heirs in 1953 to the Melvin family who enjoyed the camp for nearly 20 years. In 1971, the Melvin’s 8-year-old grandson, Douglas Legg, was lost on the property and never seen again. The Melvins did not want to return to the scene of such a tragedy and sold the property to the Adirondack Nature Conservancy. In turn, the Nature Conservancy sold the property to New York to be incorporated into the State Forest Preserve.

The property sat vacant for nearly two more decades, but still a fascination for hikers and skiers. In 1990, there was a renewed interest in preserving Great Camp Santanoni due to the efforts of Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the Town of Newcomb, and the Preservation League of New York State. New York State announced support for preservation in 1992, and by 2000, the Camp Santanoni Historic Area was officially created and a unit management plan was adopted. A Friends of Camp Santanoni group was formed in 1998 to provide ongoing financial and volunteer support for the Camp. Restoration projects are ongoing.

Many Ways to Travel to the Great Camp

In the summer, you can hike, bike, or travel to Great Camp Santanoni by horse and buggy! Visitors can also camp in the area. In the winter, visitors can ski or snowshoe to the camp, and there is now a new winter method of travel – sled dogs! The sled dogs can pull visitors to the Great Camp in a sled, or wheeled cart when there is no snow.

Two More Winter Weekends Left!

If you would like to ski or snowshoe to Great Camp Santanoni during one of the open house “Winter Weekends,” there are still two more to go this winter! The next Winter Weekend is scheduled for February 14, 15, and 16 (President’s Day weekend), and the third Winter Weekend is scheduled for March 14 and 15.

If you plan to visit, there are many wonderful lodging and restaurant options in the area to make your stay warm and comfortable!

Submitted by guest blogger Julianna Carattini

Give a girl a fish and you will feed her for a day. Teach a girl to fish and you will give her memories that last a lifetime. I have been fishing for as long as I can remember and probably even before that. Family vacations to Paradox Lake included my mom and dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. When my father tried to find a small reprieve from the chaos of our extended family under one roof, I often hijacked his quiet mornings on the lake, tagging along with a red Mickey Mouse fishing pole. Little did either of us know that those mornings on the lake would change the rest of my life. 

Learning to fish on Paradox, I watched my father reel in pickerel, rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass. We would talk as I waited for my bobber to plunge beneath the surface; the anticipation of catching a big one making it hard for a five-year old me to sit still. Most trips I was too impatient to appreciate the stillness of the mind that fishing brings. Combing through tackle boxes, slowly my own collection of lures, hooks, and sinkers began to grow. When other girls were learning to french braid, I was learning to bait a hook with the cool and wiggly earth worms we purchased from the Sunoco Station or the bait shop in Schroon Lake.   

Returning to the dock, I often fished for the small sunnies that lived in the river behind our cabin. As the years went on, our dock grew in importance. I’d face my fear of spiders for an hour or two of independence to practice my cast. Casting did and still does make me nervous; as an uncoordinated person I have fear of “catching” myself. I lost more worms on those casts than I caught fish, yet I’d return to the spot when I craved a place to think or appreciate the beauty of this place. 

Family vacations to Schroon Lake continued and my collection of fishing gear grew as I did. Annual trips to Walmart gave me a chance to purchase new rods, lures, and anything else I thought was missing from my tackle box. Then one day, a group of boys I had met asked if I liked to fish. My affirmative answer got me an invitation to go out on the Schroon River the next day. With tackle box and fishing pole in hand, I arrived ready to spend an afternoon on the water. This trip began as many would over the following years, walking to an aluminum row boat, affectionately named Lucy. We caught small lake trout and began friendships that will last the rest of our lives. 

A few years later, one of those boys introduced me to a family who vacations here every summer.  Once again, fishing provided me with new connections and a new experience. During their stays, I would tag along on trips to the mouth of the Schroon River, standing in the shallow waters fishing with frogs or small bait fish purchased at Crossroads in Brant Lake. Another tradition was born and my favorite place grew a little bigger as I explored other fishing spots like Crane Pond. 

Fishing in Schroon Lake became less about catching a big fish and more about spending the day with the right people. It was a bonding experience that gave us the chance to talk, sing along to the radio, and sit in silence with one another. Now living in Schroon Lake, fishing has given me the stillness needed after a long day of work, friends to call no matter what, and time with my father.  As one of my friends would always say, “A bad day of fishing beats a good day of anything else.” He was right. The days spent on the water with my family and friends far outweigh the fish I will catch over my lifetime. 

OH, a foraging we will go, a foraging we will go, through the woods and by the creek, a foraging we will go. A little tune similar to that of, “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”,  plays in my head over and over when strapping on my boots and heading outdoors to explore the land for mushrooms. I certainly do not have to travel far before I find any mushrooms.

Now I am no professional, and I do not know much about forging except all the little brown mushrooms are called.. Ding Ding Ding, you guessed it, little brown mushrooms. And no, this is not a scientific term. 

My mother is the true expert and guide on these expeditions, I simply tag along to take pictures. She often leads small group tours at the Adirondack Interpretive Center and informs fellow mushroom lovers of what's what. Which mushrooms are poisonous and which are edible. If you eat a foraged mushroom and it makes you sick, chances are you ate poisonous mushrooms.

*Disclaimer: please do not go out and start eating random mushrooms after reading this, do your homework, hire a guide, also don't be that person that just puts things in their mouth they know nothing about, thank you! 

However, this blog isn't about foraging wild mushrooms. Foraging for us, comes in a slightly different form. Now for those of you that are unaware, my mom has a mushroom farm. A micro mushroom farm, but a farm nonetheless. She grows log-grown shiitake mushrooms, dabbles in oyster mushrooms, and occasionally grows a wine cap or two.

When I was younger, like any teenager, I HATED mushrooms. Up until she started growing them I absolutely despised them, and then I had my first Adirondack log-grown shiitake mushroom and thought wow these are good, “am I a mushroom girl now?”

My mom started her micro-farm, High Peaks Shiitake, roughly 6 years ago with a few hardwood logs and a dream. A dream that now has well over 100 logs that fills up part of the front yard. Each year she adds more and more to the fleet. Now growing mushrooms is not necessarily a tough process, but it is a long one. Starting from the beginning, we cut down 20 or so hardwood trees, my father’s a logger so cutting down trees is an easy task, and then cut them into smaller sections roughly a foot in diameter and three feet long. And drill 30 or so holes in each log.

Then it's time to inoculate the logs, fill each hole with the mushroom spores and sawdust mixture, seal it with food-grade wax, and you're good to go, for next year that is. Yes, that’s right, a whole year it'll sit outside. Each log is then labeled and logged into Excel and placed on top of wooden pallets in a cool shaded area low to the ground. They need to be in a place to receive natural rainfall throughout the following year, maintaining moisture during this time is crucial in the growing process of the mushroom. Living in the great white north doesn't matter either, the snow does not hurt them at all, if anything it helps! 

So, if you want to start growing mushrooms from scratch you’ll have to do prep the first year so you can yield mushrooms the following year. After you've waited a year it’s time to start mushroom growing. To grow your mushrooms you’ll have to submerge the whole log in water for 24 hrs to “activate” the spores and then set them in a cool damp shady section and wait roughly a week and you’ll have delicious mushrooms. 

Here are some things to remember:

• Mushrooms love moist climates, so watering your logs frequently in the summer is helpful 
• The warmer the weather the faster the mushrooms grow, typically production slows down as the temperatures begin to drop. June-August are the best months.
• Start Inoculating your logs in the spring so they're ready for the following year.
• Mushroom logs can keep reproducing year after year. We have logs still producing Shiitake mushrooms from 5 years ago! 
• Always use a hardwood like maple or oak to grow your mushrooms.
• Have fun and experiment there are plenty of different ways to grow Shiitake mushrooms! 

You can find High Peaks Shiitake at local farmer's markets, our property in Newcomb, and at Cloudsplitter Outfitters in the summertime. They are a very hot commodity and oftentimes sell out very fast! And sometimes they don't even make it off the property! We usually make a delicious meal that very night with fresh mushrooms. One of our favorites is a shiitake mushroom wood-fired pizza with asiago, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. It is just divine.

And last but not least I will leave you with a simple question, where do baby mushrooms grow before they’re born?

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In the mush-womb!!!

To me, summer means long treks into the backcountry. As any serious outdoors adventurer can attest, there isn't a single "correct" way to do that, although there are some guidelines worth adhering to. Those aside, outdoor exploration is a realm of self-sufficiency, an endeavor where tricks are acquired through conversation and experience.

Long days outside means there's no easy way to get food or water. A small, pump-style water filter makes filling up on the trail easy. The filter is lighter than carrying several liters of water, and the streams here are ice cold year-round.

For food, I rely on things that don't go bad. I also consider weight, as a day spent hiking a dozen miles over several summits requires energy, and food isn't necessarily light. That's where dehydrating comes in. The early spring months are a great time to stock up on dried food, and since the prep time is minimal it's easy to do yourself.

Dying to dry

To dry food, all you really need is a food dehydrator and a couple of basic kitchen items, like a mandoline or power slicer, which will ensure everything is the same thickness. That's important to get uniformly dried results.

There are differing opinions on how to prep fruits and vegetables for dehydrating. Some foods, like potatoes, always require some prep before being dried. Typically, blanching — that's a brief plunge in boiling water — or steaming is all that's necessary. But there is a debate about whether or not to prep other foods, like carrots and bananas, and it seems to center around two things: How old your machine is and whether you care about what the finished product looks like.

The age of the machine seems to be the main issue. Older machines took longer to fully dry foods, so many iterms had to be pre-treated to prevent them from spoiling before they were fully dried. Ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfate dissolved in water was often used.

Lightly colored items, like apples, tend to brown a bit when dried unless they're treated. The browning doesn't affect anything but the look of the apple chip, which is why food purists opt not to use them. And therein lies the debate: If pre-treatment isn't necessary, why do it?

A chip on my shoulders

I've never been a big fan of potato chips, but veggie chips are a totally different thing. They don't taste exactly like the veggies they're made from. Eating a beet chip isn't the same as taking a bite out of a beet. The sugar-filled root vegetable actually has a sweet taste in chip form. I've found things like carrots, turnips, and radishes to have a similar sweet taste when dried.

Veggie chips are easy to make. Simply slice them to the same thickness — no thicker than a quarter inch is best — and lay them on the tray of the food dehydrator so they aren't overlapping. Flipping or rotating the food isn't necessary; the spaces in the trays will alleviate that. Set the temperature to 125 degrees and walk away for four to eight hours, depending on the humidity in the air. The higher the humidity, the longer foods will take to dry. The best way to gauge humidity is to check your local weather online. There should be a humidity percentage on the web page that you can use.

The nice thing about dehydrating is it isn't tricky to do successfully. Much like crock pot cooking, there's a huge margin of error. In other words, things don't go from almost done to burnt in 10 seconds like they do when stir frying. Keep an eye on the food and set a timer. When it's dry, it's done. It's as simple as that.

Get creative

I love veggie chips, but that's not all a food dehydrator can do. Fruits can be sliced or cubed, whole green beans cut to uniform length make a great dried snack, and fruit roll-ups can be made by pureeing fruit, spreading it on a nonstick sheet, and drying it like the chips.

And then there's jerky. Chewy, delicious jerky. It's easy to make. Simply whip up a marinade, slice the meat — beef, chicken, venison, fish, ham, turkey — and marinate it overnight. The next day, pull the strips out of the marinade, let the excess liquid drip off, lay them on the trays, and dehydrate at 155 degrees until dry.

Don't be intimidated by the marinade. The basic components are water, salt, and some kind of flavoring. Liquid smoke adds a great taste to the meat, as does cracked pepper, garlic, ginger, and Tabasco sauce.

You can go classic

Marinate 3 to 4 pounds of meat in the following:

• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. cracked pepper
• 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke

Or try something different

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 2 tsp. ground ginger root
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt

The best method is to follow a recipe then adjust accordingly until it suits your taste. Dried meat is an excellent, lightweight option for long day hikes and backpacking trips. Spend a few nights making batches in the spring and you'll have plenty for your summer hikes.

A full spread?

I haven't delved into the world of making dehydrated main courses yet, but I know it can be done. I've seen recipes for things like dehydrated beef stroganoff and pad Thai that probably taste like a thick slice of heaven around a backcountry campfire. It makes sense — dehydrated foods can be reconstituted by soaking them in boiling water and some things, like herbs and leafy greens, don't even need to be soaked. Simply add them to anything that contains hot water and they'll bounce right back.

Looking for a vitamin packed beverage at the end of a long hike? Dehydrate some spinach or my favorite spicy green, arugula, break it up, and add it to warm water for a nutritious trailside tea. Want to make it more like soup? Stir some powdered bullion into the water along with a couple of dried minced vegetables. Onion and parsnip come to mind.

Be careful when trying any of the above suggestions, though. Once you begin dehydrating, it's difficut to stop. Happy drying!

There are plenty of hikes in the Schroon Lake Region to bring your deydrated food on. When you're finished and ready for something more substantial, swing by one of our restaurants and treat yourself to a well-deserved meal.

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The Adirondacks Spring Into Action this week:

Top tips for 3 cool activities

Couch to ouch to 5k

Paddling Q & A

Run through history

Easy storage steps for winter gear

5 trails to reach your goal

2 wheels, countless routes

 

Arts are a vital component of the Schroon Lake Region’s summer calendar. As a matter of fact, the oldest summer music school in the United States has its home in Schroon Lake. The beauty of the landscape and the clean mountain air could have a little bit to do with inspiring artists, whether they reside here or visit. Some of America’s most acclaimed painters have spent time capturing the Adirondack landscape and fallen in love with the region in the process. One of the most well-known, impressionist Winslow Homer, spent a great deal of time painting Adirondack landscapes and personalities in the mid-1800s. The Winslow Homer painting below depicts two Adirondack guides, which was completed around 1875.

People flock to the Adirondacks, especially in the summer, to enjoy hiking, the outdoors, boating, and the cultural offerings that have attracted so many before. For those wanting to be entertained we have several ongoing programs in the summer months.

SEAGLE MUSIC COLONY

2015 is an important year for Seagle. It’s their 100th anniversary this year and they’re celebrating with a blockbuster performance schedule! Locations include Seagle’s home stage in Schroon Lake, as well as performances throughout the Park during the summer season. Seagle’s forte is opera and they do it incredibly well. A couple of the opera performances this season include Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and the children’s opera, The Ugly Duckling. Other performances include Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Schönberg & Boublil’s Les Misérables. There are several more you won’t want to miss, so check out the full schedule for dates and times.

Below: ADIRONDACK SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL'S historic Scaroon Manor outdoor amphitheatre

SHAKESPEARE IN THE ADIRONDACKS

The Adirondack Shakespeare Theatre also has a full schedule, with many performances on their outdoor home stage at Scaroon Manor State Campground on Route 9 just south of town. From The Merry Wives of Windsor to the locally-inspired Songs of the Iroquois: Turtle Island, you’ll want to check out their performance schedule in our events lineup so you don’t miss something truly awesome.

ADIRONDACK ARTISTS & CRAFTERS

Every Thursday on the grounds of the Schroon Lake Town Hall, right in downtown Schroon Lake, you can find some of the Adirondack's finest artists and crafts people gathered in one spot selling their wares at the Adirondack Artists and Crafters show. From now until September 3 this gathering of talented folks will give you the opportunity to shop for that perfect souvenir art piece to take home for yourself or as gifts. What the heck, get a little early Christmas shopping in! Don’t miss this weekly event.

JAMMIN’ ON THE LAKE

For some really great, laid-back music jam, stroll on down to the Schroon Lake Boathouse Theater right in downtown Schroon Lake and take in the weekly Monday Night Acoustic Music Jam. Every week some of our most talented musicians gather for this fun and always changing jam session. Have an early dinner on Main Street and plan to join in. From now until Sept. 7, on every Monday evening the air is filled with great music.

A LITTLE FOLK MUSIC

One of the most anticipated events in Schroon is the Annual Adirondack Folk Music Festival, now in its 26th year. The Adirondacks are full of folksong writers and musicians, including Roy Hurd, Frank Orsini, The Jamcrackers, and many more. Many of these talented folks will fill the stage for this highly acclaimed music event. Don’t miss it on Sunday August 9th.

There’s a lot more happening in the arts world in Schroon, so make sure you check out our events calendar for all the events. Stay a few days and enjoy the lake activities while you visit our attractions and restaurants. Hope to see you at one of these great cultural events this summer!

 

Schroon Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Adirondack Region. It's also home to approximately 1,500 year-round residents, and in the summer that number swells to nearly 5,000 with summer homeowners.

Schroon Lake is also renowned for its therapeutic qualities, having hundreds of visitors come from around the world to sit on its shores and rejeuvenate. These vistors are mostly individuals or families that want to escape the fast-paced life of urban America; however, at times A-listers frequent Schroon Lake. Some of the first A-listers that influenced or visited came as early as the dawning of the town.

Schroon Lake was established in 1804. The origin of its name is still a topic discussed at many dinner tables. There are two versions of how Schroon Lake recieved its name. The first is that the local Native Americans, the Iroquois and Algonquians, named it. It has been noted that the Iroquois gave the name Ska-ne-tah-no-wah-na to Schroon Lake, while the Algonquians called it Skoo-na-pus. The first syllable of Skoo-na-pus is reflective of Schroon.

The second version of Schroon Lake's naming occurs during the 1700s, when French soldiers and officers were encamped in the region. During scouting expeditions, the soldiers found the beautiful lake, which was full of trout and salmon and provided much-needed protein for their diets. Due to the beauty of the lake, the officers gave it the name "Scarron" in memory of the widow of French dramatist and poet Paul Scarron.

Paul Scarron was a poor, crippled poet who was married to a young and beautiful woman who, after his death, secretly married into royalty, thus becoming the wife of Louis XIV. This young lady captured the hearts of many who were entertained at the home of her late husband, Paul Scarron. Schroon Lake may very well take its name from Madame Scarron.

So who was Madame Scarron? Local historian Gary Glebus explained that Madame Scarron’s maiden name was Françoise d’ Aubigne. Her grandfather was a very close associate of Henry IV and her father, Constant d’ Aubigne, was imprisoned for killing his wife and her lover. While in prison he married Jeanne de Cardilhac, who was the daughter of the governor of the prison. Before completing his term of sentence Jeanne had several children, including one who was named Françoise.

After Constant was released from prison he traveled to the Virgin Islands, where he later died in sheer poverty. Françoise and her mother returned to France and took up residency with the Countess de Neuillant, the godmother of Françoise. There she lived as a peasant caring for the poultry and other farm animals. Little did she know the poet Paul Scarron lived on the same street and would someday ask for her hand in marriage. Having wealth at the time, Scarron offered to give Françoise enough money for her to be able to finish her education at a convent. Along with being indebted to him, her beauty and charm soon captured Paul’s heart.

At the young age of 17, Françoise married Paul. He was 34 years of age. Many intellectuals and French philosophers were entertained at their home. Françoise always captivated her audience, even royalty. Unknown to many, Françoise became the secret governess of the children of Louis XIV by Madame de Montespan. It became a competition between her and Madame de Montespan to win the heart of the king, who had every intention of making Queen Maria Theresa of Austria his mistress. Theresa's death influenced Louis to marry the widow, Françoise, instead. Madame de Montespan had brought embarrassment to the king earlier and thus he had no desire to ask her hand in marriage.

The wedding between Françoise and Louis XIV took place at midnight in June 1684 at the Palace of Versailles, and thus Françoise became the queen of France. The uncrowned queen became known as the Marquise de Maintenon, a title bestowed on her by Louis XIV, who placed her in charge of his estate Maintenon. For many years thereafter she continued to have an influence over the history of France.

Thomas Cole paints Schroon Lake

Thomas Cole, a famous landscape artist who worked with and inspired many famous American landscape artists during the early 1800s, was the founding father of the Hudson River School for artists. Born in England in 1801, he emigrated the United States with his family when he was 17 and first worked as a wood engraver in Philadelphia before going to Ohio, where his father had established a wallpaper manufacturing business. Not happy working in the wallpaper business, Cole began working with an artist in Ohio, learning to paint portraits and landscapes.

Once he gained self-confidence, Cole set out to seek his fortune. By 1825 he had moved to New York City and soon thereafter made a trip up the Hudson River to stay at the Catskill Mountain House Hotel, located in the Catskill Mountains. This young painter was a very talented artist who had a gift for painting breathtaking American scenery. Cole caught the attention of various art buyers and quickly was included as part of the inner circle of the cultural world of New York City. He soon became one of the founding members of the National Academy of Design in 1826.

Cole expanded his travels and subjects to include scenes of Schroon Lake, other Adirondack towns and landscapes, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He later did illustrations for James Fenimore Cooper’s popular novel The Last of the Mohicans. By 1829 his success enabled him to take a tour of Europe, where he lived for many years painting nobles and landscapes.

Movie stars ascend on Schroon Lake

Schroon Lake is unqiue and has bragging rights most other Adirondack lakes don't have. A Hollywood movie was even filmed on the lake.

In 1957 Scaroon Manor, a very popular resort and playground for vistors from New York City, became the set of the Hollywood film Marjorie Morningstar, which was based on the bestselling book by Herman Wouk. The soundtrack of the film was by Max Steiner, the same composer for the hit films Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and Wouk's The Cain Mutiny. The director was Irving Rapper, who had also directed The Glass Menagerie, The Corn is Green, and Rhapsody in Blue.

The leading actor was Gene Kelly, who played Noel Airman, and sang A Very Precious Love, a song that became a hit that year. Kelly's co-star was the young and beautiful 19-year-old actress Natalie Wood. Wood was an experienced actress who started in the business at the young age of four. Her best-known roles were West Side Story, Splendor in the Grass, and Rebel Without a Cause.

Not only did Natalie bring her beauty to Schroon Lake; she also brought her hot romance with actor Robert Wagner. During the fiming of Marjorie Morningstar, Wagner stayed at Scaroon Manor to be near Wood and was often seen out boating and skiing on the lake.

Marjorie Morningstar was a film about a young Jewish woman from New York City who worked at a girls camp and fell head over heels in love with Noel Aimran, the musical director at a glamorous hotel across the lake from the camp. Airman was handsome and charming but the wrong man for Morningstar. Their romance does not end happily, and Airman tries to make it big on Broadway, but fails and returns to the hotel in upstate New York to continue to be the in-house Casanova.

Not only did this film bring Hollywood to the shores of Schroon Lake; it gave the local residents a chance to have a role in a Hollywood film. A few of these extras are still with us today to tell the story of how Marjorie Morningstar was made. If you are lucky you may meet up with one and hear a tale or two.

Nationally known opera singer resides on our shores

In recent years, famous and internationally known opera singer Patrice Beverly Munsel and her husband came to live on the shores of the beloved Schroon Lake during the summer and soon year-round.

Patrice Patrice Beverly Munsel was born May 14, 1925 in Spokane, Washington, and became a famous American soprano and the youngest singer to star in the Metropolitan Opera. Munsel first sang at the Metropolitan at age 17 in March 1943. She made her official Metropolitan debut on December 4, 1943, at the age of 18, singing Philine in Mignon. Perhaps best known for the role of Adele in Die Fledermaus, she performed 225 times at the Metropolitan. Her opera roles included Rosina in The Barber of Seville and Despina in Cosi fan Tutte.

Munsel's late husband Robert C. Schuler developed and produced the ABC-TV primetime variety series The Patrice Munsel Show, which starred his wife and was broadcast during the 1957–58 season. Munsel appeared on many other TV shows during her career, including the role of Marietta (Countess d'Altena) in the January 15, 1955 live telecast of the operetta Naughty Marietta. She also portrayed the title role in the 1953 film Melba, which chronicled the life of the great opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.

Munsel made frequent television appearances on The Bell Telephone Hour, and was the central singer in the Camp Fire Girls' famous TV commercial and song "Sing Around the Camp Fire (join the Camp Fire Girls)," which aired in the mid-1960s. Munsel ended her career as an opera singer in 1981 and began to perform in musical comedies.
Munsel's husband Robert C. Schuler was an advertising and public relations executive and producer for 55 years until his death at age 90 in 2007. They were blessed with four children. Munsel still supports schools for students that are studying opera, including the Seagle Music Colony.

Schroon Lake is loved by so many, from all walks of life. Staying in Schroon Lake is considered a peaceful heaven away from home for many. Come and enjoy our clear cool spring water, the breeze in your face, the beautiful views, and the fresh crisp air. Whether you want to relax at the beach, go on an adventure, or shop and dine in style, Schroon Lake has something memorable to offer. Come find out for yourself why so many stars have called it home!

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Information for this blog was gathered from a number of sources: Header photo of Patricia Munsel from Wikipedia; the history of Schroon, Paul Scarron, and Madame Scarron, as well as pictures of Madame Scarron and King Louis, are from Gary Glebus, town historian and Glebus Realty website; information and photo of Thomas Cole from Adirondack Museum; film photo from Warner Bros. site.; information on Marjorie Morningstar from Schroon Lake Chamber.

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In related Fame In The ADKs news:

No joke. Will Rogers has seen its fair share of famous entertainers.

Dewey’ing it with decimals.

The Adirondack hermit.

A star-studded past with more stars on the horizon.

Lighting the way for the rich and famous.

Meadowmount: Multiple strings attached.

Wheeler goes to Washington.

The lovely Essex Chain Lakes Tract opened to the public in the summer of 2014. This remote area is comprised of twelve lakes and ponds. Paddlers can spend the day exploring the lakes, or stay longer by camping at one of the designated sites.

At the end of last summer, I chose to do a camping trip. I explored Third Lake to Seventh Lake, and reserved the most remote camp site, number 2 on Sixth Lake.

The Carries

After the long scenic drive on backroads in Newcomb, a visitor reaches the large parking area for the Essex Chain Lakes. There are two carries to reach Third Lake. The first carry is a quarter mile and begins on a dirt road. Pay attention! You need to take a right turn off this road on a foot trail to Deer Pond. I walked right on by this trail by hiking with my canoe over my head. The trail drops down to Deer Pond. When I visited, there were ongoing improvements to the carries, including steps on the trail to Deer Pond.

Canoe straight across Deer Pond to access the second carry. This half-mile carry begins on a foot trail that leads uphill to an old dirt road. Turn right on the dirt road and watch for a left turn on a short foot trail that leads downhill to Third Lake.

The carries to Third Lake total three-quarters of a mile. I hiked the carries twice – once with my canoe and paddle, and once with all my camping equipment, so my hike was two and a quarter miles!

The Lakes

Third Lake is the largest in the chain and has four designated camp sites. It also has many Common Loons and Common Mergansers.

From the put-in on Third Lake, a paddler can choose to head west-southwest to Second and First Lakes, and then a carry of four-tenths of a mile to Grassy Pond, or head east-northeast to Fourth through Seventh Lakes (no more carries in this direction).

All of the lakes have signs indicating which numbered lake you are entering.

The transitions between lakes had Beaver houses and many lily pads.

Fourth Lake is small and intimate with only one camp site.

The transition from Fourth Lake to Fifth Lake is through a large culvert under a dirt road. There is a rope with knots and you pull yourself through.

In high water conditions, it might be necessary to take your canoe or kayak out and walk over the road.

Fifth Lake is larger and also has many Common Loons. There is one camp site on this lake. This site can also be reached by hiking the road that leads from the parking area. I met a group of five men coming out as I headed in last September. They said they used a wheeled cart to get all of their camping equipment, which included a lot of refreshments (!), to the Fifth Lake camp site. It is nearly a 2 mile hike, so 4 miles round trip. After they got their camping equipment to the site, they hiked the carries with their canoes and paddled to the camp site from Third Lake.

The transition from Fifth Lake to Sixth Lake was lovely. It has dead snags that likely attract Olive-sided Flycatchers in breeding season. There were Belted Kingfishers rattling as they fished and many lily pads and floating dirt mats. It was fall migration during my trip, and migrant shorebirds were attracted to the floating mats.

Sixth Lake is also small and intimate. There are two camp sites and I spent the night at the site farthest east, so there were gorgeous sunset views over the water from my camp. It was mesmerizing with ever-changing color.

The camp sites are primitive and the privies are the new open-air, wall-less models. With a restriction of no fires, there is more vegetation in the camp sites than at sites where fires are allowed, and campers burn up all the brush and sticks.

The Nightlife

The night was filled with the wild sounds of Barred Owls hooting and “monkey-calling” to one another.

All night, I heard the call notes of migrating Swainson’s Thrushes that flowed over me like a river.

There was splashing in the water and I wondered if it was a Beaver or Moose.

Dawn

In the morning, I heard singing Blue-headed Vireos and Common Yellowthroats, and a calling Pileated Woodpecker. A curious Black-throated Blue Warbler flew close to me as I ate breakfast. A Belted Kingfisher rattled. A Red Squirrel dropped large White Pine cones with a loud thump wherever I happened to be standing.

I explored Seventh Lake. At dawn, the lakes appeared as mirrors of the world above without a ripple. It was blissfully peaceful and I lingered in the wilderness.

Heading West

I finally returned to my Sixth Lake camp site and reluctantly broke it down. I headed west back through the chain. I once again saw the Common Loon families, a Deer drinking at the edge of the water, Beaver lodges, and many wildflowers. It was a lovely paddle back to Third Lake in calm winds. And then I hiked the carry trails twice again with my canoe and camping gear.

If you plan to paddle the Essex Chain Lakes, and you want to camp overnight, a (free) permit is required. The Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) in Newcomb issues the permits from May 15 to October 15. If you camp before May 15 or after October 15, you do not need a permit. A map of the campsites can be found on the AIC website, and they can also assist in describing the various sites since you need to choose a campsite ahead. There is no permit needed for day use.

I plan another trip this summer to explore Second and First Lakes, and Grassy Pond. Plus, I want to experience the lakes in bird breeding season! If you plan to visit, there are wonderful lodging and restaurant options available in the area.

Fall flavors

Fall is a magical season for the Adirondack Hub. When our friendly neighborhood giants are blanketed with rich reds and golds, and our valleys prepare for the season’s harvest, the region shines with its celebration of autumn. Our noses are also greeted with the sweet smells of delectable restaurants and breweries that can be found in every nook and cranny of the region. If you’ve been preparing your taste buds for the fall flavor tour of a lifetime, you’ve come to the right place. 

The Lodge at Schroon Lake 

First, no flavor tour would be complete without booking your stay in one of the premier hotels of the Adirondacks. The Lodge at Schroon Lake is a beautiful 36-acre hotel on the west shore of Schroon Lake, boasting incredible views and a sprawling property, offering everything you could dream of in an Adirondack stay. After a $21-million renovation, The Lodge at Schroon Lake contains 116 rooms, 32 of which are pet friendly, and offers lodging opportunities designed to fit your wants and needs during your stay. Choose from your own hotel room, standalone cabins and chalets, or “rough it” in their upscale glamping sites. There is plenty of space within the resort’s recreational amenities to try your hand at pickleball, paddle boarding, or even book a ride on the resort’s own Chris Craft boat!

The Brown Swan

A resident of The Lodge at Schroon Lake, the Brown Swan is the resort’s artisanal restaurant, serving up unique creations blended with hints of Adirondack comfort food. The Brown Swan is proud to source many of their ingredients locally, and offer many farm-to-table dishes, for those curious about the local harvest here in the Adirondack Hub! Start your dining experience with the Artichoke Spinach Blue Crab Dip, or the Short Rib Poutine. For your main course, break out of your comfort zone with Squid-ink Linguini, or play it safe with their NY Strip. After your meal, wander outside to the stone fire pit, or cozy up inside in the lounge. 

Paradox Brewery 

Paradox Brewery is a certified Veteran-owned, independent craft brewery in North Hudson, serving up delicious craft drinks year-round in a spacious brew house and tasting room. You’ll find it hard to choose between all the flavors they offer, including Beaver Bite (or its cousin Beaver Overbite), the Great Kӧlsch Affair Blood Orange, or the One Handed Applesauce Mosaic; my favorite! Pair your favorite drinks while looking out from the property onto the sprawling leaf show around you, or sip away during open mic nights with friends. The brewery also offers delicious goodies in the form of pizzas, sandwiches, a hot IPA pretzel, and poutine. In my personal opinion, there’s no better way to celebrate fall than with a craft beer and some good poutine. A staple for its unique brews, the brewery has just rebranded, with their new motto, “RoughlyRefined,” and a brand new logo! Their new facade is perfect for photo ops to give your fellow beer lovers some FOMO.

 

Sticks and Stones Wood Fired Bistro and Bar

If you’re in the mood for an authentic Adirondack atmosphere with good food to boot, Sticks and Stones is your place. A casual dining gallery cafe featuring fresh food and a full bar, this restaurant will transport you to the rustic dining experience you’ve been looking for. Their lunch and dinner menu is stacked with options, so picking from all the delicious choices may be a challenge! Choose from entrees like their lobster ravioli, wood fired pizzas, or burgers served up on a pretzel bun. When you’re done munching away, take a seat on the patio, or hang out by the fire inside. 

Newcomb Cafe and Campground 

For a delicious home-cooked meal made with love, be sure to stop by Newcomb Café and Campground! The moment you step through the door, you’ll feel right at home. Serving up hearty breakfasts and lunches Thursday through Sunday, it’s a must-visit on your next trip through Newcomb!

Experience the flavors of fall

Fall flavors abound in the Adirondack Hub, from impressive lodges and breweries, to rustic Adirondack eateries. Complete your stay with a fall hike, scenic drive, or perhaps a peaceful paddle in between all the delicious dishes you’ll try!

It's tradition: Scenic Driving

Long before cell phones and high-speed internet, back in the day when you couldn't google directions, my dad and I had a Sunday ritual. We would leave our camp on Hoffman Mountain, and "go for a drive." My dad would proclaim this statement like clockwork, let's "go for a drive" ... when I was younger it brought on the sighed reply of "okayyyy" - I couldn't act like I enjoyed it, that wouldn't be cool. But honestly, we didn't have electricity or running water for many of our years at camp, so I never really minded these excursions into the world.

We would head out into the surrounding Schroon Lake back roads. No plan in mind - we'd just drive and stop when something looked interesting. We loved to explore the Adirondacks, and I have many memories of discovering cool things ranging from a ghost town to finding the perfect secret swimming spot.

This week on a beautiful early-fall day, in the tradition of my childhood, I took to the roads - with no solid plan in mind. I remembered that I used to love driving over Route 74 toward Ticonderoga (I confess it's because it was the closest "big" town, and had some cool things like a Fort to visit!). While this isn't a real back road, I was by myself today and on a bit of a time constraint, so the thought of getting really lost (a distinct possibility in my world) was weighing on my mind. Plus, if memory served, there was a place in the road where, at certain times of the year when the snow had melted or it had rained a lot and the lakes were full, it almost felt like you would tip the car into the water. I was going to go in search of that spot and see what I found on the way.

The sun is shining, the top is down on the Jeep, and the radio is playing - I am ready! Starting from the one-and-only light in town, located at the intersection of Routes 9N & 74 at the base of Exit 28 from the Northway, I head east toward Paradox. And, since a traditional Sunday drive is all about the view, I took lots of pictures for this blog - hey, they speak louder than words or something like that anyway, right!?

Today's only guiding principle: If it looks interesting, stop.

Playing it by ear, I was just meandering along when to the right I saw a trail marker and decided to stop. Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area!? Hey, I have read about this place - Spencer has written a family-friendly hiking blog about it... SOOOOO... this is how you get to Crane Pond and Pharaoh Lake!

Now, today's blog is about riding, not hiking, but I suddenly have a plan. I am going to check out any of the Trail Markers that catch my attention so when I have more time I can come back and hike the ones I am interested in.

I continue along 74 and not long after to the left I see my next trail marker. It indicates driving down a little road for 1.0 mile to reach Peaked Hill Pond. Sounds like a plan. I drive down a bumpy road that leads to an awesome boat launch I didn't know existed!

What a day to be on the lake! But... again... this is about the drive, so off to my next discovery! I head back up to 74 and take a left. A few more miles down the road I see my next big marker on the right side (who knew the 18 mile stretch between Ti & Schroon Lake would have this many public trails!?). It is another pull-off for the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, this time for the Short Swing Trail - yet another section of wilderness I remember reading a blog about!

I stop to talk to a few hikers at this juncture. I had noticed within a mile or so of getting to this spot that the air had become quite smoky and it smelled like campfire. The hikers asked me if I had noticed it - they were a bit concerned, it has been a dry season afterall. Luckily another passerby confirmed it was a controlled fire. We talked for a few more minutes and it was time for me to bid them happy trails. (*see addendum at bottom)

Off to my next stop. Where will it be? I don't know, but here we go... another right-hand turn is soon on the docket.

JACKPOT! Adirondack Treasure: Found

This, this is exactly what a Sunday drive is all about. If I see nothing else today, this week even, I am content. EAGLE LAKE Fishing Access Site. I don't usually fish, so I normally wouldn't stop at a Fishing Site. What a mistake I have been making. Big, BIG mistake. As soon as I pull in I am taken with the beauty of this serene little spot. There is a parking lot with a half-dozen or so vehicles - yet it is almost like I am here alone. The leaves are just starting to change colors, and I am drawn to the little dock.

I am so glad I decided to stop! To the left the lake opens up and in the distance I could just make out a couple of paddlers.

To the right was this beautiful, wild section of lake. I am not a fisherman - but I would guess the "big one" might be hiding in this picturesque section of the lake.

I sit for a few minutes and take in the view. I breathe deeply and appreciate every little detail of the day. I love the Adirondacks. I truly do. It doesn't matter that I left the house a bit stressed this morning, as I take in my surroundings I can be nothing but thankful for all the peace I am afforded by just walking out of my door and into nature. Goodbye, stress.

I am soon joined by another traveler. We exchange beautiful day pleasantries, and I decide to move on - it's time to let someone else enjoy the solitude.

View from the Road

I only have a few more minutes to spare before I must change direction and start making my way back toward home. So I decide I will drive for another couple of miles and then call it a day. And, that's when I see the sign (yes, I pulled over quickly to take a pic!) - this must be the place of my fall into the water memory!

And, there it is... Eagle Lake. Water on both sides and a fun little turn.


Fortunately I was able to pull over & snap pics from the here. Unfortunately, before I actually made it the best viewing spot in the center of the lake, there was traffic around me. So, you'll just have to take the trip yourself and enjoy the actual view!

I drove a bit further and came to my last trail marker spot - this is on the right before the road starts climbing in anticipation of its long descent into Ticonderoga.

I didn't drive in to Putnam Pond this time, I reluctantly needed to turn around and I had already pushed 10-minutes past my designated self-imposed time limit. However this is a great place to hit the next time you're in the area, I camped there a couple of years ago and it's quite a nice little spot for the family. There are a good number of trails that start from the parking lot, and some amazing views.

Whether you decide to get out and explore on foot, or enjoy the view from the comfort of the car, Schroon Lake Region has so many great roads to explore. I urge you to get out and discover your own secret spots - of course, you should take lots of pics and share them on our Schroon Lake Region FB page!

Full Circle

And, as I was inspired to do this trip in the tradition of my father, it seems only appropriate to end it as he would have. After a day out exploring, we would visit the Mt. Severance Cemetery to pay our respects to our family. Now, resting in the shadow of the mountain of one of our favorite family hikes - I stop to pay my respects.

Hit The Road

I am so grateful that my Dad introduced me to the Adirondacks when I was a child. Oh, the memories! Ready to make your own? Book your lodging now - it's the perfect time to catch the fall foliage in full splendor!

* Sadly the information passed along regarding the smoke was incorrect. While there was no cell phone coverage in that particular area of my trip, I later went back to research and learned a valuable lesson - be careful, if something looks suspicious check it out - better safe than sorry. As mentioned is a dry season, and unfortunately the smoke was the beginning of a forest fire caused by an unattended campfire. As of print time, it has burned over 100 acres of Adirondack forest. Here is a screenshot of the NYSDEC post.

The latest AP report (as of Mon, Sept 28):

SCHROON (AP) — State forest rangers are battling a growing wild fire in the eastern Adirondack woods that has scorched about 100 acres since an unattended campfire sparked the blaze over the weekend.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says about 14 forest rangers are fighting the fire Monday at Bear Mountain in the Essex County town of Schroon (skroon), 80 miles north of Albany.

DEC officials say county 911 dispatchers received word of a fire around 1:20 p.m. Saturday in the area of Crane Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness.

Sunday afternoon's dropping humidity and winds gusting to 20 mph caused the fire to spread over 80 acres.

A state police helicopter and local firefighters have been helping contain the blaze.

No injuries or damage to structures have been reported.

 

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What's your ADK ride?

Take your top off - or roll down the windows!

Cruisin’ the country.

Biking the Blueberry Hill trails: best make a day of it.

Who needs plans!?

Pedaling: the long (or short) way to serenity.

A new face on an old favorite

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." – Dave Barry

I remember when I first heard about Paradox Brewery opening up in Schroon Lake, it felt like just yesterday. The brewery was located in a former bait shop, gas station, and general store, which is not necessarily the best-suited location for a brewery; but they managed to make it work. Later on, construction of their new facility in North Hudson started, and after ten years at that location, a new effort of rebranding began! 

A new logo

Paradox Brewery's logo has undergone a transformation. While the original design was a trail marker with yellows and browns, the current logo, hilariously dubbed "Crowntain", tells a different story. The double image of the mountain and crown pays homage to Adirondack's history and location and positions the brewery at the top of the industry. The impossible shape at the bottom symbolizes the back-and-forth flow of water between Paradox Lake and the Schroon River. By appreciating the intricacies of the logo, you can't help but fall in love with it!

Where it began

The transition began in July when the 10-year anniversary of the brewery was announced. Paradox Brewery had an amazing celebration filled with food, laughs, and you guessed it, BEER! Here they unveiled their plans for the future starting with their new modern logo. The brewery needed to attract new drinkers and so began the process of rebranding and diving even deeper into the Adirondack market and beyond! They're looking into their new demographics. And don't worry the beer we have all come to know and love is still the same. The same IPAs and Pilsners that greet you at the door remain. There's no need to fix perfection! The brewery is just trying to keep up with the market and push themselves to the top. 

A new merchandise collection has been released to celebrate the launch of the new logo. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a beer glass or shirt beforehand, you now have a valuable piece of memorabilia. To enhance your collection, check out the new selection of glasses and shirts available at the brewery. Speaking personally, I already have glasses from both the Schroon Lake and North Hudson locations, so it's worth adding one with the new modern logo to my collection. 

Change can be a good thing, and I am personally excited to see what the future holds for Paradox Brewery. We love you PBC!