Our bloggers take on mountains, celebrate Halloween, and enjoy the best of fall.
Two Wheeling and Dealing in the ADK
1.
This is how we roll
In case you haven’t heard, the forests around Wilmington and Whiteface Mountain have become a destination for mountain bikers of all skill levels in recent years. New trails are added every year, and the ever-expanding networks get better and more interesting with each passing summer. Right now there are more than 25 miles of mountain biking trails in the Wilmington Wild Forest. That’s about about 9 miles in the Hardy Road section, 15 miles in the Flume area, and about 3 miles for Poorman’s Downhill.
2.
It's peak time
There's something special about a crisp autumn morning in the Adirondacks that can't be beat. There's a reason that fall is in a four-way tie for my favorite season in Malone! Drive around anywhere this time of year and you are all but guaranteed to see beautiful foliage in the peak of its vibrancy. People come from all over the country, and the world, to see the colorful autumn leaves that we are lucky enough to have in our backyards. When life gets busy we often forget the beauty that surrounds us, if we only just took a moment to look! Driving to work the other day, I had a moment of awe when I came around a bend and saw the beauty of fall in the Malone area. It reminded me of how easy it is to fall in love with the place I call home.
3.
A spook-tacular town
No other town does Halloween quite like Lake Placid. There is something special about a mountain town with autumn colors as the backdrop, and kids dressed in their spooky costumes during the middle of a Wednesday afternoon. The entire community and travelers visiting from all over come out to celebrate. From the Main Street parade to the trick or treaters in the neighborhoods, this is an event filled day for all. There is so much going on in town for kids and adults. Recently, Lake Placid was named "The Best Town For Halloween" by Leisure and Travel Magazine. Once you experience it for yourself you will understand why this honor belongs to this perfect town.
4.
Get your winter on, soon
As winter approaches, I am putting together a new bucket list -- it's a compilation of outdoor activities that I have been wanting to do, but never get around to. My plan is to keep it realistic, and focus on the winter months. If I keep the activities fun, maybe I will stick with my bucket list and get some things done that I have been wanting to do. I am thinking SNOW! Keeping it simple -- here are three winter activities I want to accomplish before the snow and ice melts!
5.
Trailing ahead
Many people know about the fantastic trails located in and around Saranac Lake. The 6er Peaks, Dewey Mountain, and the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center are just a few of the numerous places to walk, hike, forest bathe, or even trail run! I’d like to take a few minutes to introduce you to the fantastic world of this last sport, trail running, an activity for which Saranac Lake is perfectly set up. I hope that, by the end of this blog, you’ll have a good idea of why you might want to trail run, what you’ll need to start, and where you can go in Saranac Lake to experience such a sport.
6.
Two-wheel leaf peeping
The Adirondacks is one of the most spectacular places in the world to see the leaves change. People from all over the world travel to set foot where the mountain peaks touch the sky, to absorb the vibrant splashes of color painted across the vast Adirondack mountainscape. It was early October and the leaves were just starting to change; I was heading out the door on a foggy fall morning for a long bike ride. The plan: bike to Westport from Lake Placid. I love the Northeast, especially when the air turns from hot and humid to cool and crisp. It’s an instant splash of rejuvenation, the sensation of change.
7.
A welcomed rain check
Many Adirondack plans are made when you are picturing that perfect crisp royal blue sky day….But, the weather may have other ideas in mind. Instead of getting frustrated and feeling that you have to ditch your whole agenda, use those rain drops to your advantage and adopt a different perspective on your stay here in the Adirondacks.
8.
An Adirondack ghost town
When most people think of mining towns, they might not think of the Adirondacks. Yet, this form of settlement shaped many towns here. One of them still lies deep within one of the most remote areas of these mountains, and it has a mining history that stretches further than all the others.