Outdoor fun for the entire family.
Family Day, Tee Time, and Hot Hikes
1.
High on a mountain top
I am an unabashed city person accustomed to walking the hard surfaces of broken sidewalks. More the flaneur than trailblazer, I’m still a novice at hiking mountains. Novice or expert, the views at the top never get old, which is just one reason why we do it and come back for more. On a balmy Adirondack day I chose to hike Haystack Mountain in Saranac Lake. It’s one of the Saranac Lake 6ers, so Haystack would be the third accomplished on my list. I began with the shortest —Mt. Baker — which is a great way to work your way up to accomplishing all six. Haystack is known for being more challenging and twice the experience that Baker offers because it’s a longer and steeper trail. It’s not the steepest or the longest of them, though. Its distinction may be the vivid, up close views of High Peaks from the summit. Or, the refreshing dam you have to cross. Or, the fairly level surface of the trail for 2 miles and the impending steep climb in the final stretch to the summit.
2.
The fair is here!
It's that time of year again, when you see the big rigs trucking into Malone with the Amusements of America rides in tow. That's one way you know the Franklin County Fair is getting ready for ten full days of excitement with endless things to do and see. Here's a list of ten things I enjoy, in no particular order.
3.
Get a grip on vacation
Being fortunate to live and play in Lake Placid, here is where I suggest golfing when you visit or are looking to book a golf getaway.
4.
Peak family fun
Even if you don’t have the personal connection to Whiteface that our family has, being on an open summit, especially one that sits just below the 5,000 foot mark, is something everyone should experience at least once. The Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway stops just below the peak, and there's an elevator that can carry you the rest of the way, making it easy for people of all abilities to experience a summit.
Before you go, check out these seven tips to make the day more pleasant and memorable!
5.
Don't forget the s'mores
A favorite pastime of my family here in the Adirondacks is camping. We love go for a weekend to take in the sights and really appreciate the beauty of where we live. It is an easy thing to overlook and take for granted when you see it every day.
We love to pack up the car and head out to the woods. Whether we stay at a state campground such as Moffitt Beach or Lewey Lake, or if we go the more primitive route such as Spruce Lake or Cedar River, we try to make sure we are as prepared as possible before we head out. Here are a few items you will want to bring with you:
6.
The perfect basecamp
You need a basecamp for your vacation. A place to leave your gear, get a great night’s sleep, and put your feet up. You want proximity to outdoor activities, attractions, and maybe even some shopping. The Schroon Lake Region is your perfect basecamp, full of natural wonders, a variety of lodging options, and opportunity for the Adirondack vacation of your dreams.
7.
Kids just wanna have fun
I've been a parent long enough to have figured a few things about traveling with kids. But one of the hardest things to get used to, I think, is that your own idea of a perfect itinerary will likely need to be reworked pretty heavily to prevent mutiny among the younger members of your crew.
But that doesn't mean you can't come to the Adirondacks and put together a game plan that makes everybody happy. You can get an outdoors fix, a hands-on experience, good food, and even sneak in a pint or two if you'd like. And you can do all that in Tupper Lake.
8.
Turn back time
In this technologically fast-paced world, sometimes it is nice to slip away to the Adirondacks and slow down a bit. With mountain and lake views to cast a spell of wonder and amazement, tuck yourself into a quintessential Adirondack chair and relax! When traveling to the Ticonderoga area, visitors can take a stroll downtown and step back in time on "nostalgia row," aka Montcalm Street.