Openings....

What strange dis-ease caused this opening, I wonder. Unsettling.
And beautiful.
Nature is always offering openings, isn't it?
Openings to create - and conversely - destroy.

I came upon this poem by Wendell Berry this morning before I went snowshoeing
on the golf course in Thendara where this photo was taken.

An odd place to reflect on wild things... a golf course.
In season, golf courses are tightly manicured paradises. Yet, this distorted tree lives there.

And in winter, it is as wild and forbidding during a storm as... well, any field.

Here are Berry's thoughts on wild things...
Click here. . . and rest in the peace of wild things.

Cross Country Skiing Long Lake and Raquette Lake NY

Some Cross Country possibilities within 35 miles or so!

Cross Country Skiing Long Lake and Raquette Lake NY

Andy At Ampersand

Up, up and away!

Thoughts on the "ampersand"

The ampersand itself is a symbol used to link two thoughts, ideas, separate entities together.
Today, Norm & I climbed Ampersand.
Today, Andy & Oliver climbed Ampersand.
Today & tomorrow, I hope that Norm & I, & Andy & Oliver, will continue to be so linked by this sexy little piece of punctuation. Some climbs are steeper than others.

From Atop Ampersand Mountain..

A steep climb today - but well worth the trip up (and the pleasure of sliding almost a mile down in the natural snowchute made by fellow snowshoers as a result of their own climb to the top.)

Take Time To Party

FOLK FEST AND OPEN MIKE:
100% Homemade MUSIC offered this Friday (and once monthly) at The Big Moose Inn... on Big Moose Lake. Hosted by Hamilton Folkster Pamme Swan (www.PammeSwan.com)
Begins at 8:00, and features guest musicians, open mike. No cover charge.
Their new by-line at the Inn is "Don't make a reservation, make a memory" - and this is my shameless plug for THAT concept. Call the www.BigMooseInn.com... I know they have rooms available for the weekend, too!

Roll With The Moment

This little video embeds my attitude for the coming year...
and last year provided plenty of practice!
Roll with the moment. And climb.
These pics are from the New Year's Day climb
up Castle Rock overlooking Blue Mountain Lake.
Enjoy the view.
Cathy

Happy New Year from Castle Rock, snowstorm!

A great snowshoe!
Details of this Blue Mountain Lake climb can be found here.
As the article notes, this climb is one of the most picturesque views from
a small mountain in the Adirondacks. . . and was a good 4 mile snowshoe. A solid base, with snow falling in huge powderpuffs most of the walk. Yeehaw.

For Cross Country Skis? One of the best Inlet has to offer!

Walter and his wife moved here from Germany decades ago, and started their cross-country touring and rental shop here at the edge of Fern Park in Inlet. Even with two new hips, Walter is a hard man to keep up with on the hills of this quaint town in the Central Adirondacks. And you won't find better prices on cross-country skis, with a healthy selection of used skis for beginners.

Woodcraft Camp for Night Skiing starting Wednesday, Jan. 2nd - 2008

A great night ski on Wednesdays - lit trail (did I mention, free?)
One (plus) mile around lake. Beautiful setting.
Read more about this historic camp here!

UPPER WORKS HIKE to Lake Colden/Algonquin Mt.

For the link to great info on the Upper Works Hike
being planned for this Sat., Jan. 5th, click here!
This high peaks hike is the closest high peaks experience (and most gradual ascent) to those of us heading up from the southwest ADK's!

Plans for Next Saturday - back to Algonquin Mountain on January 5th

Did not make it to the top yesterday - so have posted in the right sidebar slides that someone took who have made it snowshoeing all the way to the top - I hope to try again next Saturday. Anyone want to join me? The Upper Works Trailhead is 1/2 hour north of Long Lake, off Rt. 28N - details on this great hike (10 miles to the top) can be found at www.adirondackjourney.com. If we get as far as Lake Colden (5 miles in ) I will be happy, as the ascent up Mt. Algonquin is steep (2000 ft in 2 miles) but not un-doable. I will leave home here in Eagle Bay/Old Forge area at 5 - 5:30... with skis for the first mile, and snowshoes for the rest. Call me at 315.868.8436.
by the way, am initiating a weekly moonlit (headlamp) hike up Bald each week, meeting at the trailhead at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Wine and cheese at the top - and dinner later at local hotspot.

From Upper Works Road, to Lake Colden and Mt. Algonquin

Crossing Calamity Creek

A bridge to the New Year.... crossing Calamity Creek in the High Peaks.
Yep. Calamity Creek. Figures. It's been that kind'a year!
More to follow..... (grin)

Night Skiing - Cross Country

Last winter, I skiied several times at night
at the trail maintained by Woodcraft Camp,
and open to the public to ski during the winter season
for no charge (lit at night on Wednesdays)

Will check this out this Wednesday...
company welcome!

Call for details -
Cathy 315.868.8436