Chillin' In the Adirondacks

The weather continues to be fantastic.  We departed our camp at Pulaski NY and headed east towards the Adirondack Park.  We topped off with diesel and visited our last-chance Walmart for some grub in Lowville NY, about half way to our next camp.  We knew we would be entering Canada in 6 days, so we were careful not to buy too much restricted stuff.





We checked into Limekiln Lake Campground in the early afternoon.  We had originally reserved site #24.  When we checked in the ranger said that was not a very good site for a rig of our size and began looking for alternate sites.  We mentioned that a site open to the sky would be great, so we could use our solar array.  After several attempts (oops, that one is occupied) he suggested #47.  Oops again, that's an administrative site, which means it is held open for some honcho that sometimes comes by.  They called the honcho, who said she would not use the site during the next 6 nights.  So, we were reassigned to site #47, which was perfect.  It was large and open, and we were able to park parallel to the road providing a good bit of privacy.

Site 47: our home for 6 nights

The rangers warned us that bears were very active in the area.  Each site is equipped with a steel bear box.  I set up my wildlife cam, but I didn't even see a mouse.

The "bear box"

We spent one afternoon paddling on Limekiln Lake.

Paddle on Limekiln Lake

Old homestead on Limekiln Lake

A primitive camp site on Limekiln Lake

Ducks on the pond

"We have to go that way!"

Matilda says "I like to run!"

New York is apparently too poor to build speed bumps in the park.  Instead they build "speed pimples" which are much smaller and cheaper.  They are strategically placed, about every 100 yards, and you will generally hit them with your right wheel.  They apparently can't afford to paint them either, so you don't usually slow down until after you hit the pimple.

A speed pimple

Everything a Gypsy needs in one convenient location

The Strand Theatre in Old Forge

Dorcas was really excited about seeing the new movie "The Secret Life of Pets" .  It was showing in Old Forge at the Strand, which opened in 1923.  We checked it out one afternoon and really enjoyed the show.

There were tons of film artifacts in the Strand

The Bear, Matilda and me

Lunch at Long Lake

Adirondack chairs on Blue Mountain Lake

Entrance to the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake

The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is fantastic.  It is chocked full of Adirondack culture, lore, art and artifacts.  If you are ever in the area, plan to spend the whole day.

"... and that's the TRUTH!"  (apologies to Lily Tomlin)

The museum has over 1900 boats in its collection, of which only a small number are on display.  There were traditional guide boats, canoes and power boats.

Traditional Adirondack guide boats

Traditional canoes

The Adirondacks also has a tradition of fast power boats

There is a resident boat builder who is currently building a traditional guide boat.  It will take over 2000 hours to complete.  The last guide boat built here was sold at auction for over $28.000.

A guide boat under construction.

Overlooking Blue Mountain Lake

Parked at the beach at Long Lake 

A view from the Dash Cam:  Crossing Long Lake

Sadly we must depart the Adirondacks.  We left our camp at Limekiln Lake and headed east and north through Long Lake and Tupper Lake before leaving the Adirondacks.  We stopped at the Walmart in Ogdensburg NY, a few miles before the bridge that will cross the St. Lawrence River, and into Canada.  There we had lunch, bought groceries, and reviewed our inventory of items on board that may be of interest to Canadian border agents.

North to Canada!