Road Trip

On Friday morning at 9:30, I left the Cape bound for Forestport, NY for a quick visit with friends with the intent of picking up some chickens at Winters Grass Farm on the way home. Though I missed all the dates for picking up fresh (not frozen, freshly killed) chickens Jordan Winters agreed to meet me at the farm on Sunday to purchase some whole birds that he had frozen.

I drove the Matrix for the better gas mileage (30+ mpg) and it has considerably fewer miles on it than the 4Runner. I was accompanied only by my little travel mascot that we recently named Bill. It was an easy, enjoyable drive and was filled with music including Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, and John Mellencamp.


Bill going over my favorite bridge of the trip on the Berkshire Extension of the NY Thruway over the Hudson River.

I arrived at my friends' place just before 4 pm. I had the place to myself for about an hour until they arrived home. We decided to get Friday Night Fish Fry down the road a bit at Campbell's Diner on Rt 28 in Forestport.
Campbell's Diner.

I was informed earlier in the evening that after fish fry, we would be taking a hike in the dark. I had no idea where as I had never been to the particular place before. Whatever. I was game.


It was not very late when we arrived at Alder Creek Gorge B.R.E.I.A. Cross-country Ski and Snowshoe Trails, but it was dark. Very dark. We put our headlamps on and headed into the woods. I also had brought along my Mag-lite flashlight. It was windy and rather chilly. Probably in the mid to upper 40s.

Star, Jeff and Jester on the trail.

We had gone a good distance into the woods on what I think was a loop trail when we came upon this old, abandoned foot bridge over a flowing stream. Once we got to the other side we found the old trail had become significantly overgrown, but Jeff bushwhacked his way through the brush and sloppy, wet footing - it was rather boggy - and found the good trail.

Frightening things can be found in the woods at night.....

I see these pictures sometimes and wonder about myself and my friends... Then I think about how wonderful it truly is! We made it out of the woods alive. I broke a good number of my own rules including, but not limited to:

- Always tell someone where you are going.

- Always carry matches or some type of fire starter

- Always carry a first-aid kit.

- Always have at least some food source (granola bars are a good example).

We made it out just fine, and truthfully I had no real concerns. My feet did get a little bit wet, but other than that it was a wonderful walk in the woods. I would like to ski and or snowshoe here someday.


Jester!


Some years ago Jeff built this wonderful little outbuilding they call "The Chapel". This is the second time I have used this as my sleeping quarters. It is about 8'x8', has a double bed, a desk, a chair, electricity and a propane heater. Jeff had turned the heat on about 30 minutes prior to my heading off to snooze, but I shut it down when I got in there. It was in the lower 40s, so no heat needed.
Back of The Chapel.

Front of and access to The Chapel.

I really enjoyed sleeping here. I slept well and hard. Nothing disturbed me. I had my sleeping bag and a down comforter. Snug as a bug.

I woke at about 7 am. Not long after, Star came out with a steaming cup of coffee. My plan for the day was to head north to The WILD Center Natural History Museum in Tupper Lake. I left at 10 am. Overcast and 42°F.

Just beyond Woodgate, NY Rt 28 enters the Adirondack Park heading north. One of my favorite sights on Earth.

I stopped in Old Forge briefly to shop at Old Forge Hardware. This old place changed hands fairly recently. Not quite the same as when I first started visiting the region in the mid-80s, but still very much worth a stop.

Old Forge Fire Department next door to the hardware store.

Eventually Rt 28 turns to the east just beyond Blue Mountain Lake. I continued on 28N/30 to Long Lake.
At Long Lake Rt 30 continues to the east and then North again and 28 N continues north to Newcomb and beyond. I continued on Rt 30 north towards Tupper Lake.


Long Lake Fire Department.

Float plane on Long Lake.

I arrived in Tupper Lake just after noon and followed the signs to The Wild Center.

Main entrance at The Wild Center. There are some informational videos at the web site about the museum.

In front of The Wild Center. Initially I was concerned that the museum may have been closed. There were very few cars in the parking lot. I was pleased to find it open and had the place almost all to myself.


It was a bit difficult to get photos inside the museum. This is an area between the otter exhibit and the trout pool and stream. I love river otters and was so pleased to see them up close. The fish pool and river exhibits were also great. There is also an indoor pond exhibit with fish, turtles, and even a pair of wood ducks.

The glacier exhibit. this features a large moving wall, running water and a LOT of information about the last ice age and the impact on the region and the role it played in what we see today.

A couple of the residents in the pond exhibit enjoying the warming lamp.

The WILD Center from The Long Bridge with Greenleaf Pond in the forefront.

I enjoyed a sandwich for lunch from the cafe. I was about to leave when the volunteer at the door stopped me and insisted that I stay for a few minutes and watch a short video presentation of the photography of Carl Heilman on the big screen in the Panoramas Theater. I am quite glad that I did. I have known Heilman's work for some time, but it was quite different watching it on a substantial screen.

I do plan to return to the museum and spend some time really taking in the exhibits and there are many walking trails to explore as well.


When I arrived back at the cabin, Star and Jeff were just wrapping up a birthday party for an 8 year old girl they care for. One of her friends was still there and they were running around screaming. Excellent. The friend eventually left and we had a fantastic supper of T-bone steaks from Winters Grass Farm cooked over the fire pit outside. All of the vegetables we had came from the gardens around the cabin. Salad with Jerusalem artichokes, potatoes and onions (also done over the fire), beets, corn, and green beans. So local and SO delicious!

Star gave me several winter squash of different varieties as well as some potatoes and a quart of grape juice she canned this season to bring home.

I slept very well again that night. We all got up early as the three of them had to be at church and I had to meet Jordan at 9 am at the farm.

They left at about 7:00 so I enjoyed some peaceful time in the cabin. My plan was to leave a little bit early and take a drive around the area. I also wanted to stop at a roadside establishment to buy a wreath for Christmas. Star knows the lady who makes the wreaths and other decorations. We try to buy something from her each time we are up. She also makes wonderful wreaths for all seasons out of twigs. I chose a large wreath (see the empty space under the star between the doors?) for the house. This is an honor system shop.


I was running early for my meeting with Jordan at Winters Grass Farm on Mallory road in Holland Patent, NY, so I topped off the tank in the Matrix and had some coffee. On the way to the farm I had excellent views of a pileated woodpecker flying over Coombs Road.

I am afraid I have no pictures from the farm. It's at Jordan's home so I did not feel right about snapping shots of his place.

We packed my coolers with 20 chickens and I also got a 9.2 pound ham from one of his hogs as well as some sausage to try. We are considering getting in on one of his brush hogs next year.

Jordan has been running the farm since 1999 and seems to very much enjoy it. You can view a short clip of the farm and interview with Jordan here at this link.

I left the farm at 10:30 and headed for home.