So far we have seen a couple of concerts in town, a boat show and enjoyed working the winery for there Grand Opening.  The boat show was about 30 antique wooden boats that had been either very well kept or refurbished and these boats all looked like they were being used currently, not just for show. 

Antique boats

There are 8 lakes in a chain and you can access all of them without leaving the water – one of them you have to walk but the rest are navigate from a boat.  The most populated one is 4th lake which is the lake where Paul’s family had a resort.  We went there to see the place and it is way different now, not nearly as resort like but still the same great view of the lake.  We stopped into the bar that had our New York Wedding reception and had a drink!  Amazing views.

The view from Daiker's

With all this outdoor adventures we have decided that we need some supplies!

Now that is a great idea!

We didn’t buy it cause it costs $65 bucks but it is a great idea although we all agreed that he would be really slowed down if we start having him carry his own supplies!

2 bedrooms, 1 bath & screened porch!

A small town with a lake about 10 miles from Old Forge.  We stayed here when the girls were 4 & 5 for a month.  It is at least 5 miles from real civilization but quite beautiful other than the house is very creaky!!!  Paul and I drove here the other day just to see what it looked like now.  Not much has changed!!!  These shoes have doubled in the past 20 years!

What an interesting hobby

The past 2 weeks has been full of hikes, canoe trips, concerts, boat shows, little league, swimming and visiting old friends.  The Adirondack State Park in the town of Old Forge is a cute little town where the summer population grows with all the people that have summer camps.   There is so much to do here that we are not even sure 2 1/2  months is going to be enough time to do the things we were hoping to.  

There are a lot of deer and bears in this area.  One evening the neighbors got there bird feeders distroyed along with a 5 gallon tub of bird seed that was sealed and clamped shut – the bear just smashed the tub!  Everyday around town you see deer.  This little family we have seen most days near Paul’s sister’s house. Our first night in town we were having dinner at Judy’s and the deer were in the yard begging for food just like a dog!  One of them stuck his head right up on the deck railing and took an apple from Ethan’s hand. (Paul’s nephew!)  It is so odd to see deer just wandering through yards, around businesses, and along the roadways. 

local wildlife

We  took a canoe trip down the Moose River with Judy, David & Ethan one day.  The canoe company takes you about a mile up the road where you put your canoe in and then you are off for about 4 hours canoeing back to the base!  The river has so many twists and turns that we paddled most of the time with only a little time out for swimming and lunch to go the short distance that we traveled by car.  

Taking a break

Mini rapids

This is the spot where you had to take your canoe out of the river and walk a ways across the river and put back in beyond these rapids!  They really didn’t look too dangerous, only shallow but the canoe company requests you take out here and walk.  It was a good time to take a short break. 

Where is the trail?

We have been trying to do at least one hike each week around 3- 4 miles.  This one was to a nice little lake that was only accessible from the hiking trail.  They had several walk in campsites that looked really nice but there was no ELECTRICITY!  Great for hiking but we are kind of use to amenities.  

At the edge of the lake

Duke has become a water dog!

This hike was 2.5 miles and went all the way around the lake.  Everytime we came near the shore, Duke went right for the water.  He has definitely become a water dog.  The only problem is it is so damp  here that he stays wet forever! 

8 inches across

A bridge across the inlet stream.

Another hike took us to a pond that was very hard to get to.  Grass pond was a pretty strenous hike up a mountain and then thru swamp areas.  It was beautiful with no one around but when we got to the pond, about 2 miles there was no way to get to the pond for  a swim so we just looked and made our way back to the trail head. 

Grass Pond

Paul carving a hiking stick. We definitely needed these!

Paul has been gone over a week now and I survived; the power, TV, and Internet all still work!  I have been staying busy hanging out in the RV park which has been very quiet until yesterday and now of course it is full of weekend visitors.  It is so much fun watching everyone arrive, set up the RV or tent, roll out the carpet, set up the chairs and start a fire!  There are so many fires going that last night when I returned home from town you could see this huge cloud over our campground.   I love walking around the park meeting people and of course Duke is meeting many friends.

This past week has had some interesting weather.  Monday it rained so hard that I thought we would float away. That is not far off as the river came up really high from the run off.  Several of the seasonal sites on the river were flooded until yesterday afternoon. One trailer was sitting in several inches of water and their fire-pit looked like it’s own little island!  By last night the water receded and this morning they were sitting around the fire-pit already!!  Wednesday it was so cold that I had to get out an extra blanket for the bed and the heavy coat during the day.  Today it is beautiful blue skies and about 80 degrees.  It is a spectacular 4Th of July weekend here in Old Forge.  The local economy relies on this weekend and labor day to carry them through the winter.

Tonight the group around us who are mostly seasonal folks had a potluck and I joined in.  Just like everywhere they were curious about this lifestyle although no  one was ready to join in one couple said they were going for it when their daughter was old enough.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Enjoy our independence.

We are settling in and getting reaquainted with the place Paul called home for a lot of years before he arrived in California.  Old Forge is a beautiful little community in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, certainly not New York City!  We will be staying here until about Labor Day and then we will begin making our way to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta, then back to California for the winter.  

South of Old Forge

Definitely not NYC!

The Adirondacks are not really high mountains but there are trees and lakes everywhere.  Old Forge is located where the Folton Chain of lakes flow into the Moose River.  The area is a destination summer retreat for people all over the east coast and this year Paul and I get to enjoy the area as tourists.  The town has lots of shops to explore, restaurants to try, bars for great conversations and lots of outdoor adventures which we hope to enjoy in the next few weeks. 

Singing Waters RV Camp

Beautiful trees

Singing Waters RV Camp is where we will call home for the next 2 months and it could not be more beautiful!   Surrounded by trees and blue sky with the Moose River runs right through the park (my neighbors have a riverfront site!).  The park is full of people that call this home for the summer, excaping the heat of the city.  Many come for the whole summer and others leave their RV here and come on weekends. 

Enjoying the River

After getting settled Paul returned to California on Thursday where he will work and see the girls before returning July 5th.  While Paul is gone Duke and I will spend our days getting to know the town and enjoying our temporary home.  

As soon as I dropped Paul at the airport a giant storm started through the area.  Duke and I got caught about an 1/8 of a mile from home and were drenched when we got home.  My clothes are taking forever to dry out as it is damp here in the mountains.  Today I spent the afternoon in town enjoying the Farmers Market which was very definitely local, and then later in the day we enjoyed The Sourmash Blues Band in the town square.  They were very good and the crowd was very into their music, although the crowd was only about 50 people so every seat was a good one.  

And, I started my job pouring wine for the Montezuma Winery tasting room here in Old Forge.   What a great job- pouring wine for people on vacation!  This is going to be an awesome summer.

Our goal was to be in Old Forge, New York by Father’s Day which only gave us 4 days.  We managed to see the rest of Maryland; a slice of Delaware; southern New Jersey and the middle of Pennsylvania and we did arrive in Old Forge about 2 pm on Sunday. 

In New Jersey we got to spend the afternoon on the Jersey Shore in Ocean Beach which is just south of Atlantic City.

Atlantic Ocean

Bay at Ocean Beach

Delaware was only about 20 miles so we won’t even count it although we did notice that license plates have less letters & numbers than other states!

Duke says "when is this bus going to STOP?"

We hit Philadelphia at 5 pm on Friday evening!  Not a good plan but going so slow through the city actually works out cause no one can make a quick decision so we don’t have to worry about being cut off!  Pennsylvania was beautiful but we mostly drove on the interstate.  When we stopped for the night Paul decided to check the engine.  Not sure why he chose this time but he did get a surprise!

Someones home!

No babies! thank goodness

I guess while we were relaxing in North Carolina someones mom found a nice cozy spot to call home.  I was relieved to find that the nest had been vacated!