ADIRONDACK PARK, DAY 2

June 8^th, Day 2  Glass of milk and a piece of bread was enough to start my day with Lake George Village as the next destination.  It is the weekend of the Americade, a biker’s convention…two wheel, three wheel, four wheel.  Just in time for the parade of over 50,000 that we needed to avoid. 

How do you get around?  Adirondack Pedal Cab to the rescue!  Mike Smith, “Smitty” and Steve Tomb on the owners of this pedal cab service that is more like a bicycle attached to a carriage. Room for two grown-ups and an area to place things that you may be carrying.  With much uphill areas, these cabs have a special battery operated “assist” that make it easier to pedal.  We watched the ending of the parade and then pedaled along the main road for a quick tour then onto the beach area and docks.

It was there that we boarded the Lac du Saint Sacrament for a luncheon cruise.  This is one of a few other ships owned by the Lake George Steamboat Company.  The rain was on and off which kept me in the downstairs inside area and buffet.  The food is what I would term as “decent and tasty” although the “carving station” was no more than having someone carve what appeared and tasted like, “deli meat”.  

Entertainment just near our table. Billing themselves as “Spellbound” were Robert Noah and Cyndie Wade who also had a side line of a company called Custom Creations making unique hand painted gifts like a sort of cartoonish picture of you on a wine glass.  Cyndie has a great sense of humor.  During the cruise you would hear a tour of the lake coming from the pilot’s house.  Otherwise, Cyndie might mention a few things in between songs such as pointing out a house that Barbra Streisand uses for a vacation…not really, but it’s interesting to see who is paying attention.  www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com

Docked, “Smitty” picked us up for a continuation of the tour that took us to Adirondack Winery, located at 285 Canada Street (the main street).  This is a combo winery-tasting room. The company buys the grapes from US vineyards to produce their own wines of which many are created for sipping vs pairing with food.  

I did the proverbial tasting with a little swish in the mouth and spitting in a pitcher.  For me this allows just enough of the wine to get around my palate and just a small amount going down the throat.  Dry, sweet, acidic, fruity…and basically, what tastes the best to me.  I love white wines and found that none of the ones I tasted were “not for me”.  I chose two to take home with me: Semillion, a rich, dry wine with a golden hue and slightly lemon aroma and flavor; and Strawsling, a semi-sweet with the aroma of strawberries mixed with honey and tropical fruit. , www.adirondackwinery.com  

“Smitty” meeting us in front of a Dilligaf store.  In case you’ve ever wondered what it means…Do I Look Like I Give A F*^k.   

A few more spots around Lake George and then back to their store. Cost to take this pedal cab is “whatever you choose to tip the driver”.  Take a tour or just have them pick you up wherever you are in town to another place in town.  www.adirondackpedalcab.com 

On our way back to Copperfield, along route 28, is where we encountered Barkeater Chocolates.  Although there was a sign stating that their grand opening was on the 15^th, they were open for business.  Deb Morris and her husband, Jim are the owners of this gourmet chocolate delight.  Truffles and chocolate bars are their thing.  They create the goodies here at what is classified as “an outlet”.  I asked which bulk chocolate is used so I know (and taste) the quality.  There is a company that makes a combo of peanut butter with chocolate (it’s sold here).  Take this and create a “Reeses cup” using dark chocolate for your fix.  www.barkeaterchocolates.com

 

Relax a bit and time for dinner as we’re back on Route 28 to Basil and Wicks.  Decor is much wood like a ski lodge.  I had an appetizer called Ahi Tuna Log.  The tuna, sweet peppers and scallions are wrapped in nori wrappers, dipped in house made tempura, deep fried and served over a soba noodle salad with Asian dressing then finished with a wasabi and sweet Thai chili dressing.  St. Louis Ribs was my entrée, which were accompanied by veggies of squash and haricot vert. Great atmosphere, murals and food. www.basilandwicks.com.  

Back to Copperfield for dessert and drinks at Trappers Tavern.  I had a piece of flourless chocolate cake and herbal tea. Entertainment was singer Mikki Bakken playing her guitar.  Love her voice and choice of songs.  I got that all that were there enjoyed it as well.  www.mikkibakken.com

 

ADIRONDACK PARK DAY 3

June 9^th, Day 3. Morning clouds. I think we may escape a day of rain. Seemed as if the itinerary gave us a bit of extra time as we headed for Gore Mountain Farm to see some overly cute alpacas.  I never realized that these animals could be described as “unicorns without horns”, but I guess it is so. Barry Finer and Virginia French are the owners of the farm.  Sheared like sheep, the wool produces a much warmer and “non-itchy” piece of clothing that feels more like cashmere.  A tour will have you feeding them with Barry obtaining a particular hay that beckons them.  These alpacas are more intelligent than may appear.

There is no charge for the tour and the gift shop is a must.  Have them describe the wares. I bought a pair of socks that are a combo of fabrics with mostly alpaca wool as I tend to wear my sandals all year round.  Check out the hats and blankets.  They are certainly worth the price when you live in areas where the temperature goes down to a below zero double digit!  www.goremountainfarm.com

 

Nearby Gore Mountain is next on the list. Located at 793 Peaceful Valley Road, in North Creek, we arrive and board a gondola…the kind that is taken up a mountain vs the one that floats a canal.  I can deal with the height as it is enclosed. Cannot say the same for a ski lift! We are taken to a high place but not to the top. This site allows one to choose from various ski slopes each with its own lift.  During the non-ski season, just the view alone is worth the trip.  Hiking and biking trails are all around the mountain.  There is a café at the bottom as well as a play area for the young-uns. I noticed a pre-bungee ride and new mini-golf course. www.goremountain.com

 

This brings us to lunch back on Main Street at Café Sarah and Bakery. The décor echoes “coffee house” with odd tables and chairs plus a couch and “couchy chairs”. Food is more of the “sandwich” ilk.  I had a wrap of mozzarella, tomato and pesto.  Then there was the gazpacho that I couldn’t resist. Loved it!  Being that this place is also a bakery, I could not miss having a piece of flourless chocolate cake, accompanied by a latte. Weather permitting, you can eat outside.

Continuing north to the town of Speculator and Lake Pleasant, where Lake Pleasant Lodge is located on the main road.  Michael Welch is the manager who lives on the property.  More than a motel looking venue with clean and comfy rooms each having a frig and microwave.  Who wants to spend much time hanging in your room when Lake Pleasant is just out your door?  Take out the canoe or rent a kayak nearby.  It’s all about relaxation, so take the time to sit in the gazebo or spend a cool evening around the fire pit. We did both.  Finally a clear night and all of the constellations eye popping. www.lakepleasantlodge.com

 

Dinner was at Inn At Speculator, located a short distance away on Route 8.  Casual dining and friendly atmosphere.  I had a few appetizers and one entrée as I was in the mood for chicken and seafood.  Chickens wings hit the spot and so did the coconut shrimp.  Entrée was a broiled seafood platter of shrimp, scallops and haddock.  Got to chat with the owner, Neil McGovern as he is also the town supervisor. Looks like “camps” are the thing for families with leaving less accommodations for tourists.  Sort of like the kids moving back home, or perhaps never leaving. 

ADIRONDACK PARK DAY 4

June 10^th, Day 4. Looking forward to another rainy day…NOT!   Breakfast at nearby Timberline Café and Bakery.  I wasn’t hungry and would have settled for a simple glass of milk if it weren’t for a cinnamon bun calling for me.  Hmmm...looks like I have company.

Rain holding up we head North to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.  With over twenty structures and paths about, I decided to check and see how handicapped accessible they are.  Motorized scooter got me in an out of just about every building with ease.  However, we were testing out a particular spot that had flooring in the shape of parallel wooden logs.  Only the video will explain it.  The Adirondack Museum warrants at least a half day taking in the history, structures, lifestyle, flora, non-human creatures and over all “lay of the land” that include activities for both adults and children. There is a café with both hot and cold foods with windows that overlooks…yes, the lake.  www.adkmuseum.org  

Then came the rain. Traveling about, back to the lodge for a bit of r and r, off to The Hedges, a resort camp located at a different area of Blue Mountain Lake.  With twelve and half acres, this historic site goes back to 1880 when owned by Colonel Hiram Duryea.  A few owners later, Rip and Pat Benson bought the much larger camp in 2000 making numerous restorations to maintain the intended atmosphere.  Accommodations are set in four lodges and various sized cabins with a cook-to-order breakfast and full dinner served in the Dining Lodge.  Enjoy fishing, boating, a beach, game room or simply relaxing in the middle of the woods.

We stopped by for dinner to meet with some members of Hamilton County Tourism. I had New England clam chowder; a salad of greens, strawberries and orange pieces; entrée of flounder with a crabmeat stuffing, broccolini and red potatoes; brownie for dessert.

Pat Benson insists on giving back to the military with a Wounded Warrior stay in a cabin that is handicapped accessible. A week to include meals is given gratis for up to a family of four and you do not have to be in need of a wheelchair. www.thehedges.com