ADKs Take 2

We took the week of the 4th to head up to the Adirondacks again. But this year, we brought our wee lassies with us!

I've been going to Long Lake with my best friend Laura for about 15 years now. Green's Camp has been in the family for generations, but we haven't been since Lily was 7 months old. It's been quite a while.. and I've missed it terribly.

The House

View from the dock and Laura's young cousin on the canoe

I finally felt like the kids were old enough to really enjoy it, and given our fascination with mountains and trails ( a preoccupation that neither Jim nor I had 6 years ago), we were more than game for a trip north.

I can best sum the holiday weekend's events by sharing Lily's sentiments that "Long Lake is better than Disney World!" (You hear that sound? That is the sound of pride and overwhelming gratitude. First, that our vacation wasn't spoiled by whiny, bored, home-sick kids. Second, that our children enjoyed the wilderness and did not miss their precious TV, computer, play museum, bouncy houses, library, and theme park.) Lily particularly liked the water - tubing behind the motor boat, swimming in the lake, wading at Buttermilk Falls. It also helped that her BFF was there too, and they got to have 3 nights of sleepovers with their best pals.

Like the adventurous lunatics we are, Jim and I decided to try and take the kids up a mountain. With 2 miles to the summit of Blue Mountain and 1750 feet of gain from the parking area, this was no small feat for a 4 and 6 year old, but seeing the mountain on the road from Long Lake, they were excited to try.

Just like all mt. trails in the ADK, it starts out easy...

then ya start doing some of this...

and that....

still going up...

Maya starting to need help

The 1st 2/3rds of the mountain the kids charged happily up the trail - enjoying the scenery, and the big boulders convenient for rest breaks. But after that there was some whining, stumbling, tripping and complaints about heat, bugs, and tired feet.

Taking a break, trying to keep their spirits up

Almost there babies, you can do it!

SUMMIT!

Now, I know this makes us sound like bad parents, but trust me - everyone who climbs a mountain has those moments, we just don't all express them as clearly as the kids. We kept them going and taught perseverence by summiting - and when they reached the top it was all smiles! On the way down we alternated walking and holding them when it was safe to do so.

picnic at the top

hanging out in the firetower

Blue Mountain lake

At Buttermilk Falls which is where the Raquette River flows into Long Lake, the girls had a fun time wading among the big smooth slimy stones and feeling the water rush around their legs above the falls. (Of course, we found out after this photo was taken that there were leeches in that water, and we were all covered in them from mid-calf down.)

I thought leeches didn't like rushing water. These ones didn't get the memo apparently...

The girls spent the rest of their vacay at the beach, in the water, on the boat, having s'mores round the fire, watching fireworks and coloring pictures with their friends.

a little firework action on the doc

Long Lakes spends half it's town budget for the year on fireworks!

Jim and I ate and drank and laughed and talked and hiked. Jim made his way up Owl's Head mountain, in Long Lake,

Owl's Head at sunset

and we both fastpacked up Mt. Goodnow - cutting a 2:30 hike into a 1:15 hike while the kids napped at home, and were rewarded with some of the best dang views in the 'Daks.

View courtesy of the 5 story firetower at the summit

It is a singular feeling these days to be out of reach of a cell tower, computer, newspaper or television set. Maybe you just shivered at the thought, but I can honestly tell you - even my uber busy husband who is on call 24/7 was dreading the moment we came back in cell tower range. Would that I could stay turned off and unplugged forever and live amongst the ADKs 2000 miles of trails. Dear Mr. Thoreau, I understand now.