Instead of wandering all over the world the world we could be equally happy breathing in the sights and air of the
Adirondacks – roadways with views of lakes, streams, mountains, and valleys; small towns each with its own character; a system of hiking trails - more than enough to cover in a lifetime. We ended our US trip with a family gathering at
Inlet, New York – less than 3 hours from Albany and Rochester. Originally planned as a weekend to visit and explore we also celebrated a birthday and a wedding.
Inlet's
year round population is 390 with a nearly equal number of cottages, b & bs, other accommodations. We arrived in early June - black fly season. Tourist season starts in July. The biggest challenge was finding a wedding cake. A birthday pie was on its way. The Inlet bakery was only open on weekends and a cake would have to be pre-ordered. We drove to the next town, Old Forge (population 756) - no bakery, but a grocery store where we could buy a frozen cake or cake mix. We chose the later.We also spent an hour in
Old Forge Hardware; we bought a reciprocating saw (birthday gift) and spent an inordinate amount of time looking at kitchen gadgets. If you ever feel a need to make an egg square check out their on-line offerings. And on a rainy day, or any day, the hardware store is worth a visit.
At
Arrowhead Park in downtown Inlet we found a playground designed for very young children.
 |
| Arrowhead Park - "First Born" |
In Inlet as elsewhere in the Adirondacks we can always find a
hiking trail - with so many trails we were almost guaranteed to be the only one on the trail We chose the trail to Cascade Lake and walked along for about an hour until the rain clouds and mosquitoes motivated us to turn around.
The
Adirondacks Museum, located on the site of former hotel, has exhibits and explanations that easily interest adults and children. Since I was reading Catherine the Great I was captivated by the sleighs and descriptions of getting around over snowy or thawing roads.
 |
| Snow roller - compresses the snow instead of removing it |
The information on logging showed a time when human labor was primary. Of course, humans are innovative especially when it makes their work easier. Here is a treadmill that was powered by goats, sheep and large dogs.
The recreated hotel reception and rooms weren't that different from pleasant budget hotels that we have stayed in South and Southeast Asia. Although we haven't seen one with a coal burning stove or an oil lamp.
 |
| Reception |
The big even was the wedding, Part 1.. Brendan and Frank got a wedding license in Dunkirk, New York during Memorial Day weekend. Finding a justice of the peace in the Adirondacks wasn't as easy as we expected. In Inlet and other small towns their hours are Tuesday evening. So Brendan did on-line searching to find some one authorized to perform a civil ceremony. She drove up from Syracuse and we all gathered in the town house living room. Part II is the church wedding to be held in Indianapolis in October.
 |
Doing the paperwork - making the marriage legal
Officiant Firenzeweddingministries.com. |
 |
| Saying their vows |
 |
| Birthday boy contemplating birthday pie |
Inlet's year round population is 390 with a nearly equal number of cottages, b & bs, other accommodations. We arrived in early June - black fly season. Tourist season starts in July. The biggest challenge was finding a wedding cake. A birthday pie was on its way. The Inlet bakery was only open on weekends and a cake would have to be pre-ordered. We drove to the next town, Old Forge (population 756) - no bakery, but a grocery store where we could buy a frozen cake or cake mix. We chose the later.We also spent an hour in Old Forge Hardware; we bought a reciprocating saw (birthday gift) and spent an inordinate amount of time looking at kitchen gadgets. If you ever feel a need to make an egg square check out their on-line offerings. And on a rainy day, or any day, the hardware store is worth a visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment