They nest there, which explains why we've seen eagles there in the past.We paddled down the Saranac River and through the locks, which were "manned" by Martha's friend Margaret,
who invited us to stop for a stretch. Then we packed all 9 boats into the lock
and headed downstream into Lower Saranac Lake. We climbed around on Bluff Island then finished at the boat dock on Second Pond where the cars were waiting.
who invited us to stop for a stretch. Then we packed all 9 boats into the lockand headed downstream into Lower Saranac Lake. We climbed around on Bluff Island then finished at the boat dock on Second Pond where the cars were waiting.
They are especially abundant this year. At the market we met Jini, who invited us to join them for dinner at Charlie's this evening. In between, we paddled on Lower Saranac Lake. We had lunch at one of our favorite spots, atop the rocky bluff on Bluff Island.
We paddled among the picturesque islands.
We saw lots of iris
and some swamp laurel.
And we stopped on Eagle Island, where we had never been. Campsite 1 is one of the few on the lake that has a decent landing spot and the view from the campsite was great.
The woods behind were full of ferny rocks.
When we got home after dinner, we were treated to this view of the flow.
But it cleared and was a sunny 70 degrees most of the time I was in Vermont.
And then this frog, probably a leopard frog, was resting in the pool by the side of the road.
Not bad for an afternoon stroll.
Clintonia borealis in the Liliaceae
Then, since it is supposed to rain tomorrow when the ADK hike to Hays Brook Trail to see the lady slipper orchids was scheduled, we drove up there after the paddle. The orchids are right at the trail head, so we didn't have to walk far.
I did not have my camera - I really must get better about carrying it wherever I go.
I bought them at the Flowering Meadows Nursery in Lake Placid where we purchased our fir and spruce trees, since I thought they would have a good selection. The plants are very nice, but not nearly the selection I'm used to from "down south". I got beautiful tuberous begonias for the shade (they didn't have many left so it is a good thing we went when we did. If they had still had fuschia in hanging baskets, I would have gotten some for the front porch) and in the planters more in the sun I put geraniums (I'm a sucker for those gorgeous clear colors) and Calibrachoa, those trailing flowers that look like miniature petunias.
This is the camp originally built by W's great-grandmother's brother and where the family used to vacation. We know nothing about who owns it now.
This is the group relaxing at lunch on the Rollins boat dock.
On our way home we saw these two huge snapping turtles sunning on a rock across Rte 3 from the post office.
and we are about half done with the pavers on top of the porch. It looks great.
Tomorrow we head to camp for the summer, though we'll come back to NJ once in a while. First thing on the agenda when we get up north is some serious R&R.
