On the Road with Maya: Adirondack Fall...

Big Moose Lake near sunset

The fall leaf websites were not wrong. We arrived at Indian Lake, New York in the center of the Adirondack Mountains Park after a breathtaking drive through some of the most gorgeous fall foliage we had ever seen. What is it about colorful leaves? We could not stop smiling or exclaiming how beautiful everything was.

Driving into the park

What a big relief that the Adirondacks were a state-owned Forest Preserve and not run by our ‘shut-down’ national government. We would have been very disappointed otherwise. As it is, we will have to make new plans concerning the national parks, forests and historic sites we had planned to visit on our way back to Texas. Unless a miracle occurs...

View from the top of Mt. Van Hoevenberg near Placid Lake

Along the trail to Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Although we managed to see a great deal of the park when we were in the Adirondacks back in July, it was very hot and we cut our visit short and headed north for cooler weather. It was so good to be back and get the chance to enjoy the park in a different season and visit the places we missed.

View of Long Lake from Castle Rock Mountain

We took hikes near Indian Lake, Long Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, the Fulton Lakes Chain, Lake Placid and the Keene Valley. Some days were sunny and many were cloudy, but it made no difference – the leaves were still beautiful. After our fourth day, many of the leaves started dropping. Our campsite and the trails were covered in multi-colored mounds. I guess if the leaves covered your grass and had to be raked you might have a different perspective, but we could think of nothing more wonderful than heaps of leaves as far as the eye could see.

Out the window of our RV at the campground

Maya likes the leaves too...

Our picnic table disappears in the leaves...

The temperatures were perfect once we put on our down comforter (last year’s Christmas gift from David’s brother) to keep us warm at night. Days were in the 60s to low 70s while the nights were in the low 40s and sometimes as warm as 50.

Color as far as the eye can see

We met the nicest people out on the trails. Many New Yorkers were taking advantage of the last few weeks of beautiful weather and enjoying ‘leaf hikes.’ One couple that we talked to on the summit of Rocky Mountain near Old Forge suggested a good restaurant. Later on we ran into them at that restaurant, the Big Moose Lodge on Moose Lake, and we all had a lovely evening sitting outside by the lake having dinner.

Blue Mountain Lake from the Adirondack Museum grounds

Private railroad car taken by wealthy visitors to visit the Adirondacks

Towards the end of the week we began to get some light rains so we did more car touring and one day visited the Adirondack Museum. The museum overlooks Blue Mountain Lake and has many outdoor attractions on its 32 acres. There are over 22 exhibit buildings plus an Adirondack fire tower, log cabins, lean-tos, rustic gazebos and gardens. Quite by coincidence, we learned that we were visiting the museum on a “Furry Friday” which meant that Maya didn’t have to stay in the RV. She was welcome at the museum and they even had dog sitters available so guests could tour the indoor exhibits. We all had a very fun day!

'Family' portrait from summit of Rocky Mountain with Fulton Lakes

As I think I mentioned in a previous post, the Adirondacks are truly a hiker’s paradise. We've had so much fun this past week that we are going to stay a few more days even though there is rain predicted. If it is not too rainy and the leaves don't all get 'rained' away, we will hike a few more days.