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The staff at Otels hope you enjoy the following Travel Ideas
from travel writer (and enthusiastic naturalist) Mark Kolakowski
Best wishes on your next trip!
The Adirondacks
region of New York State
By Mark
Kolakowski
Copyright © 2008 by the author
During the last week in August, I stopped in the
scenic Adirondack region of
New York. On the way north from New York
City, the Hyde Collection in Glens Falls proved to be
an enchanting little art museum, set in the former home of the
collector, Mrs. Hyde.
Also nearby, north from exit 16 on I-87, is the
summer cottage on Mt. McGregor where U.S. Grant completed his
memoirs, finishing on the day of his death. The Grant cottage is on
the grounds of a correctional facility, and is accessible from 10-5.
On this visit to the north country of
New York, I decided to stay in
Saranac
Lake, rather than in busier and more
congested Lake Placid. That proved
to be a good move. There was less traffic, and Saranac Lake
offered access to a variety of great hiking trails. The one problem
was finding them. Trailheads are poorly marked in this region, and
signage off the roads is virtually nonexistent. Publications such as
Adirondack Great Walks & Day Hikes (see
www.visitadirondacks.com)
and What to Do/Where to Go/How to Get There (www.foreveradirondack.com)
have copious lists of trails, but poor (if any) directions. Bottom
line: research in advance your routes to the trails, to be sure that
you don’t ride around aimlessly for hours, as I did.
To find the Bloomingdale Bog trail, drive north
out of Saranac Lake on route 86. Look for a sign on the
right showing a snowmobile trail. There’s also a sign with a black
dog in silhouette. The trail runs along a bog and stream, and is
good for birding.
To find the Mt. Baker trail in Saranac Lake,
ask for directions to Moody’s Pond. The trail leaves here and
there’s a fine view at the summit of lakes and mountains. Note that
the trail is poorly marked as you near the top. Nonetheless, the
panorama is worth it.
By the way, a barbecue stop called Tail O’ the
Pup, on route 86 in Ray Brook, just east of
Saranac
Lake, has very good pulled
pork.
Driving north to Quebec
on route 30 through Paul Smiths and Malone, I stopped at the campus
of Paul
Smiths
College, which has a
lovely setting beside a lake.
Heading back south, I drove along the western shore of Lake Champlain, which offered many scenic
views across this majestic body of water. Be sure to visit Crown Point, which has the remains of French
and British forts, on a magnificent lakeside site.
Go over the bridge to
Vermont
and stop at the historic site on the other side. Take a look back
towards New York on the south
side of the bridge to see the Champlain monument, with a statue by
Auguste Rodin. Big celebrations are planned for May 2009, the 400th
anniversary of Champlain’s visit to the area.
A bit farther south is Fort Ticonderoga,
another must-see stop. Before leaving the area, drive up nearby Mount
Defiance
for an outstanding panoramic view.
My last major stop on the way home was the
Saratoga
battlefield, south of
Schuylerville,
NY and scene of the turning point
in the American Revolution. The electric map in the visitor’s center
is not to be missed. It puts the tour road in context, giving you an
overview of the battles.
- Food Suggestion: If you need a
bite to eat heading south, take exit 21 off the NY Thruway. On route
23 in Catskill,
NY is a place called the Bar-B-Q
Barn. Go for their pulled pork sandwich.
To make
hotel reservations
in towns in the
Adirondacks region and the rest of New York state, please visit
NYC-Hotels.com.
We welcome your comments or suggestions about the above
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