But the blog, and adventure, continues.
This year: Old Forge to Saranac Lake in 6 days vs. last year's 3.5 days.
Like last year, I recruited the same person to paddle the first section. My supportive husband Sam. With promises of golf being part of the "vacation" deal, we left Green Bay on July 19th, taking the afternoon ferry from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI. Saved money by spending the first night sleeping in the back of the car at a Michigan State Forest campground. Took our time traveling across Ontario, stopping for lunch and a quick wine tasting in the Niagara Lakes region. Checked out golf opportunities with ideas of where to stop again the next time we pass through. Spent money that night at the very nice Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, NY in the Finger Lakes region. Sam golfed the next morning before we continued on to Old Forge, NY.
2011 through-paddler Mike Lynch was presenting a talk on his trip in Lake Placid on Saturday night, July 22 and I had hoped to get there to meet him. But...the Iron Man contest was being held the same weekend and we didn't have reservations anywhere and things were all very booked as we headed north toward Lake Placid and it was getting later and later with miles to go. Found a sign pointing to a camping place, which turned out to on Long Lake near the Deerland lean-to and close to Buttermilk Falls, so we pitched the camp and stayed. A lot of permanent "campers", but the tent sites are lower, overlooking the water and quiet. The family who runs The Hideaway Campsite on Long Lake are very nice. You can't tell there is camping there when paddling from the water, which is too bad as it would be a nice option for through paddlers, although it isn't free. ($20) They also had coin operated showers. Took a short drive to the falls and checked on the Raquette River levels before turning in.
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| The lakeside tent area at the Hideaway Campsite on Long Lake |
