A Ride in the North Country

29A to 10 to 8 to 30 and back.  This time of year, one can't go wrong with a ride in the Adirondacks.

Welcome to the Adirondacks.
Route 30, just north of Speculator.

A nice scenic viewpoint just south of the town of Indian lake.

Mr. Cobb provides a highly recommended salad
at the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake.

Aerial tours start just across the street from the Hotel.

The planes exhibit a certain grace after takeoff.
Come fly away!

The Wild Center is just outside of Tupper Lake.  It is a great place to experience.

What day is it?
Ooops!

Even if not fully open, the grounds of the Wild Center
are perfect for a walk.

Go down to the river and see the iridescent green-headed mallards.

Look up at the closed canopy walk.

See the artistically displayed roots of a deadfall,
picked clean of dirt and rocks.

Observe a living roof.

Guess the name of the flower.

Marvel at the buzzing.

Enjoy the architecture from afar.

Just outside of town, the Raquette River and the lake from which Tupper takes its name
provide unique views on both sides of Route 30.

Divert off the highway to the Whitney Estate on Little Tupper Lake.  The DEC operates the complex now.

The main Whitney house, sited for a commanding view.

Across the lake, the obscured mansion is being updated.
One of only 3 residences on the entire lake,
the millions it cost might well be worth it.

Once the view from Avery's Place on Route 10,
there is no longer any trace of the old hotel.

End the trip with peace as the sun sets beyond Stewarts Landing.

Sunset Cruise

An October evening is an excellent time to be floating in a kayak,  watching as the sun sets beyond the water and trees.

The clouds are in position to provide a canvas upon which
the superb oranges, pinks and reds can contrast with the unscattered blue beyond.

The barest of cool breezes is urging me towards shore,
but the rate will not get me there until after dark.

And I don't want to disturb the mirrored surface of the water with my paddle,
since it is far more disruptive to reflections than the ripples from the rising fish.

The seasonably abandoned camps and cottages are disappearing into darkness
even as the tall, sparse pines come to prominence
as dark silhouettes against the orange of the sky.

I zip my fleece and contemplate the warming exercise of the way home,
but the shifting colors bid me, "Stay a few moments more."

More of the subtle progression from color to darkness is reward enough...

...but while swinging my paddle through its arc
and finally turning my gaze away...

...I am pleased to see that the sunlit moon
had appeared in the east
to illuminate my journey home.

 

Even so, it is impossible to resist one last look.