Paddling the Flow

Yesterday's planned ADK paddle was delayed due to rain and we had other things planned for later in the day, so we didn't go.  So this morning we went out onto the Flow instead.  I knew we had an air quality alert due to the fires in Canada, but didn't really notice the effects until we were out on the water.

  That "haze" is actually smoke and it is thick enough we noticed a slight odor.  After the paddle we decided the insects had abated enough that we could spend time on the deck, for the first time this summer.  We ate lunch out there and I was sitting there reading when I forced myself to come inside so I can go downstairs to sew on my latest quilt.  I was very surprised to discover my chest was quite tight after going upstairs.  Apparently I should not be outside without a mask.  What a bummer.

Walking the Rail Trail

We have been walking a lot recently.  We walk our road when we don't have time to go elsewhere.  One time this week we walked on the Deer Pond Loop trail for 2 miles round trip.  There were LOTS of mosquitos and deer flies but insect repellant and the deer fly patches on our hats controlled them enough.  And since we are at an intersection with the rail trail when we get veggies Saturday mornings, we have been walking there sometimes.  This morning we headed from Route 86 toward Lake Placid.

There were lots of wildflowers along the trail, including lots and lots of milkweed coming into bloom.

And we saw the largest aspens I've ever seen in the park.  They were at least 12 inches in diameter.

Paddling the North Branch of the Saranac River

We decided the North Branch of the Saranac River would be a quiet place to paddle on a holiday.  We were correct, except that a large group of people with several cars and tents completely took over the campsite below the bridge, blocking our normal put-in.  So we were forced to put in below the steep sandy slope upstream, but we managed.  There were lots of blooming swamp laurel around.

Unlike last year, there was a lot of recent beaver activity.  We managed to get around or over all the new small dams, but later in the season it could get quite tricky.  We didn't get as far as we did last year, stopping at one of the larger dams instead of trying to go farther.  We managed to pull out on a sand bar near the dock to stretch our legs.  Here is the view from there, showing how shallow the water was by this point.

We paddled a little over 4 miles round trip. 

Paddling the Raquette River from Axton to the Crusher

Today we paddled from Axton to the Crusher, but this time under very strong winds.  It was in our face a lot of the time, so it must have taken us longer than usual.  It was good we were going downstream with a fairly strong current.  We never would have gone out in a lake today with that wind, so the river was a good choice.  There were 12 of us on the paddle, with the usual set of boats.

Paddling Upper Osgood

We had a nice 8 mile round trip paddle on the Upper Osgood today, though we were very tired at the end.  The winds picked up so we were paddling upstream and against the wind.  We put in off White Pine Road.

We saw an eagle just as we were setting out, then saw one loon on the pond.

I'm noticing the difference in the sky in these pictures from the photos I took at Rainbow Lake.  The Canadian wildfire smoke is upon us again.

I like all the different greens.

Paddling Rainbow Lake

We were thrilled to have warmer temperatures, sunshine, and blue sky today after a week of mid-40's temperatures and rain.  That was perfect for our first paddle of the season.  This was the traditional Memorial Day paddle to Rainbow Lake followed by a picnic with friends.

There were turtles everywhere.  I guess they were as happy to see the sun as we were.

We stopped at the usual place for lunch and the lady slippers are just starting to open.

To Camp for the Season

We drove to camp today.  Due to construction in Syracuse, friends recommended we take a different route.  So we tried the one suggested by friends who live in Keene Valley over the summer.  We took 276 east to Rt 1, to 295 into to NJ, then Bear Tavern Rd and Harbourton-Rocktown Rd to Rt 31, stopping for a break at the QuickChek at the corner.  Then 31 to 202 to 287 to 87 north.  We got off 87 at Warrensburg the way we used to and stopped at Oscars before heading to camp.  That is a much more scenic route into the Adirondacks than via Cranberry Lake.

Quilt 80

 This one is a mystery quilt which I did with a number of my Adirondack quilting friends.

Franklin Institute

We went to the Franklin Institute today, mainly to see the Body Worlds exhibit of the full-body palatinates.  It is so easy to go to Philly by train, and the parking at Wawa is still free on weekends.

Back Home

We packed up Monday, drove to Sanford for the train yesterday (which took less than an hour), and are finally home after the 2 1/2 hour drive from Lorton, VA.  The train was on time and service was fine.  We even got to eat in the dining car at 5:00 pm since we checked in early enough.  The only complaint is still the hard mattress, which made sleeping difficult.  And I'm having some vertigo issues again today, presumably just needing to get my land legs back after the motion of the train.

We are still trying to assess the success of the vacation.  Our paddling trips were great but we did too much driving.  It would have been so much better if we had been able to stop at Sanibel for a while on our way south.  This was probably our last trip to the Everglades.