Kayaking and Camping in the Adirondacks, Biking in Vermont

 I told you I was going to fill you in on the trip Steve and I did, canoeing and camping in the Adirondacks.

Unfortunately we had only a window of one night to camp out in the wilderness because the weather report announced scattered storms.  The weather is unpredictable especially in the mountains.  But we found a couple days and one night all together with wonderful weather.

Steve and his wife Margaret used to canoe/kayak and camp.  He love love loves it, especially if he can get to a beautiful spot totally isolated from human noises and where he rarely sees another human being.

So he did the planning on this trip and I just followed along and enjoyed myself.

He has these light-weight one-person canoes for carrying from lake to lake.  They are about 15-17 lbs empty.

We left Steve's trailer parked in the campground. We drove a way (an hour?) to get into a place where we could park.

Before we left the car we signed in and discovered there was one other couple and their dog that had arrived before us.  Steve was disappointed because they would probably be taking the lean-to spot that he had his heart set on using.

We wheeled our loaded canoes down about 1.5 miles to a place between Fifth and Forth Lakes (or Ponds).  Yes, there are so many lakes/ponds in the area they must have just given up and numbered them.

We unloaded the canoes, put them in the water and re-loaded them with all our stuff.  Steve took the wheels and hid them and locked them up.

I normally get in a kayak by standing in it.  These canoes are so light, that it is advised we don't stand in them.  So we have to somehow sit in them from the side while keeping them balanced.  It was a learning curve.  I didn't flip it, thank goodness.  I would hate to test the waterproof bags.

I think I finally got the hang of getting in and out of the canoe toward the end of our two-day trip.

The first thing we did was paddle to the campsite with the lean-to.  It had a grassy area and would have been good for looking at stars.  But we saw a backpack hanging high from a tree.  The other couple had already claimed that spot.  

We paddled on checking out other camping areas as we went.

We found one on First Lake/Pond.  The ground was thick with pine needles.  In places the fround tounted hollow, the composting leaves thick on top of tree roots.  It took a few mi utes to find a spot level enough for our tent.   We had little lightweight chairs and often if we found a level spot, as soo. As we sat down one leg would sink way into the soil.

The campsite had a fire ring and a trail led us up the hill, maybe 1/8 mile, to a box set on a shallow, poop-filled hole.  There was a lid on the box and a hole for the toilet.  It was better than hanging my ass over a log, which I once did in my teens on a Girl Scout hike to campout event.

We did not see another human being the whole time we were kayaking or camping.  There was no traffic noise.  The weather was perfect.

For supper we boiled water with my little camping stove that packs up smaller than my fist.  We used one of the dehydrated dinner packets I bought in preparation for our bike and kayak camping.  This one was lasagna.  

I boiled water, pored it into the bag, stirred, sealed, and waited about 10 minutes.  Presto!  A warm meal supplimented with crackers and nuts and cheese.

We did not carry in water enough for the two days.  Instead, Steve had a high-quality filter he used to refill our water jugs and provide water for cooking.

In the evening, the water on the lake was like glass.  We went for a paddle around the lake.  We encountered a beaver that slapped his tail, but did not stay underwater.  Instead he swam a way with his head above water.  Then he/she slapped the tail again.

We encountered two other beaver while out there and saw several lodges.  We also got to see and listen to three loons.  What a lovely paddle!

I had imagined going out in the kayak after dark to look at the stars.  Our campsite had too much tree cover to see the sky.  But I was sooo sooo exhausted.  Steve went out for a little swim.  It had been a long day.  I think we only kayaked six miles, set up camp, and maybe carried one time about 1/8th mile.  

That night I was cold.  My sleeping bag, rated for 30 degrees, only meant I wouldn't die if it got to 30, not that I would be snuggly warm... even at 40 degrees.

The next morning the lake was covered with a dense fog.  So instead of kayaking first and then packing up, we packed up camp, left our gear on the shore, and went to explore First Lake/Pond some more before heading back through Second, Third, and Forth Lake/Pond to get back to the car.

We encounted these carnivore plants on a floating log.  Pitcher plants and ... oh I forgot the little ones with the hairs that catch insects.  Oh ya, Round Leaf Sundew.  It was pretty cool.  Steve got some great pictures, but I can't find them.

Once we got to our put-out place, Steve, who normally is all do do do, began to just stand around.  It was evident he just wasn't ready to leave this solitude and beauty behind.  We will be back, for a longer time next time, I assured him. 

 

There was a big snapping turtle high on a rock, watching us carefully but not leaving his sunny spot.

There are many places like this in the Adirondacks and elsewhere, where we can kayak and camp far from the crowds.  In fact, I have planned for us to visit the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota next year on our way to visit the western states.

I think it was the next day that we were going to do some more kayaking on a chain of lakes. 

My trailer was parked in over-flow parking.  I went there to get something.  But when I stepped in I noticed some spots on the floor.  Hmmm.  How did that happen?  They look kind of  brown.  Where did that come from?

Then I noticed some dripps on the wall.  I looked further up.  Oh wow, the brown drips got thicker and became streams further up the wall.  And the ceiling in the back of the trailer was covered in brown liquid mess!  What the heck????

The source... can you guess?

Steve and I had stopped at a Harvest Host site in our travels.  It was a lovely brewery.  I had bought a four-pack of stout as a gift for my sister in Wisconsin.  It had traveled well with me up to this point.  But before my latest journey from Steve's house to the campground in the Adirondacs I had done some organizing.  I had bought some wine in the Finger Lakes region of NY.  And Christie had given me a case box to carry the wine safely with dividers.  I only had four bottles of wine, so I took the four pack and hung it over the dividers in the box.  I didn't think that would be a problem...

But...

And yes, it had attracted lots of ants too.

Fortunately the spray didn't destroy the picture of me and my friends, Frankie and Debra.  

So instead of kayaking, I spent three hours washing and wiping up the beer that was dry and sticky.  Then I went to town and did laundry for another two hours.  All my bedding and all the curtains.  

Steve had offered to help, but the weeroll is small and it was good he didnt' get to witness the dust-bunnies living under my bed.  Ha ha.

It was a good thing I was forced into this spring cleaning.  It wasn't going to happen soon without this "shakeup".

Once I had all the bedding off the bed, I thought I would take a picture so you could see what I have been sleeping on.  It is an army-style cot with plywood attached to the top. (Thanks again, Dave Hable) And a yoga mat on top of that.  Then a 23 inch wide thermo-rest on top of that.  It is very comfortable and just right for my small space and me.

Also, to counter-weight the weight of the fridge, I store my cold-weather clothes and my spare tire under the bed.  I am blessed.

The pretty design on the ceiling left by fizzing Stout.

I put a lot of stuff on the floor when I am packing up to travel so it doesn't fall.  It was all covered in brown droplets.  

Two cans were empty.  Two cans seemed swollen but intact.

I thought I wouldn't try to transport the two cans that were so swollen.  So I put them on our picnic table with the intention of sharing them with Steve some evening.

But when the time came I discovered that one can had a leak in it and had lost all it's fizz.  

Ok, we can share the remaining can.  Luckily I thought to point the top of the can away from me and anything or anyone because when I did, there was a huge bang and the beer shot of out of there and kept coming.  It was funny.  

Sorry, Mary.  No Stout for you this trip...

**********

I am at the library on a Sunday in Burlington, Vermont.  It closes at six and it is already 5:10.  So just one more story before I leave you to your own lives.

Birthday Fun Days

Two days before my birthday I went to Niquette Park and took a hike.  It was lovely.  There was a lot of climbing stairs and up hills.  But the forest was brilliantly green and happy.  The view over the lake was obscured by the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

 

One of the trails had poems placed periodically.  This one spoke to me, except the last paragraph.  Unless you want to include cleaning house and clearing out emails as old burdens.

After my hike I was meeting up with a former neighbor and friend, Allen.   I quickly grabbed a bite at a little corner restaurant.  I was surprised at the presentation and wonderful flavor of the meal I ordered.

Allen not only biked with me, but gave me the grand tour!  He showed me the sites including the Burlington Tree House and the tallest file cabinet.

And a great peice of art-work on the trail into Burlington.

Thanks Allen!

Two days before my birthday, I was blessed again... doubly blessed.  

When I left the Adirondacks, Steve went home and I continued my journey.  But Steve came to help me celebrate by birthday at Grand Isle!  I had missed him already.  Only thre days!  Omg!

Each time we part for days, it is a transition for me to get used to being on my own again.  It's not a pleasant experience.  After a couple days I get my groove back.

Also, my friends, Louise and Richard from Florida that also live in Canada, contacted me and arranged to come ride with me the day before my birthday!  Perfect!   We agreed to meet up at my campground at 11 a.m. and ride from there.

They contacted Allen and he also joined in the fun.

At nine a.m. Steve arrived.  Steve brought me lovely flowers from his garden, some dark chocolate, and a huge hug.  

Our ride was lovely around the island with lots of views of Lake Champlain and the farms and lovely homes.  We got lucky.  The place we chose for lunch was a nice new outdoor bar and grill called Bravo-Zulu.  The food and venue and view was great.  Everyone was pleased. 

The place announced it was having music in the evening.  So Steve and I returned for dinner later.  The music was canceled.  Bummer, but the food and beer and company and view were great!

My birthday was awesome.  Thanks to all of you who reached out to me via email and Facebook and text.  And thanks to my sister Mary and my son Jeremy and his wife Mel for the lovely phone calls.  And thanks to Steve for making the effort to be with me and make the day special.

First I went down to the boat ramp where I had some cell service and I studied Spanish a bit on Duolingo.

Steve had a bike rack and was hoping to get both our bikes on it for our travels.  It took some puzzle solving, but we got them both on nicely.

We biked the trail into Burlington.  I had picked out a place I wanted to go for brunch.  

Skinny Pancakes has several location in the area.  Man it was yummy!  It isn't just pancakes or breakfast.  We shared a huge salad and I got a breakfast thing with egg, veggies and pesto rolled in a crepe instead of a tortilla.  Yum!

When Steve got back from the bathroom he told me I had to go.  The hallway was covered with a mural showing endangered species.  There were the sounds of the animals playing in the back ground.  I heard a Whipperwill.

The door back into the restaurant was also painted.

We then found some live music playing on the square in downtown Burlington.  It was lovely watching the parade of people going by and next to us a fountain where kids were playing and entertaining us.

After our bike ride we went back to camp, showered and got ready to go out again.  Steve had asked what I wanted for my birthday.  Since I don't have room for more stuff, I said, take me out to dinner. (He also got me a pair of warm Smartwool socks, which I needed.

We found a place with music.  We called ahead to make sure the music was still going on.  But when we got there we discovered that their menu was more pretzels and cheezes than a real diner.  And the band didn't float our boats.

So we drove back downtown and went back to Skinny Pancakes for supper.  I had been eyeing the fresh strawberry, banana, chocolate nut spread crepe.  We shared one for desert.  It was heavenly!!!

Thank you, thank you, Steve!

And now, my friends that were married on my 2nd birthday have now been married 68 years.  And I am no longer living in the sixties... if you get my drift.  But I still am feeling pretty dang young.

Ok, the library is closing.  Time to close this up.

Enjoy your moments, until next time, I will leave you with some more pictures from my time traveling to and in Vermont.

But consider this the end of this post.  You can linger or you can go.

*****

I stopped at a Fort, before crossing the river into Vermont, at Crown Point.

The road to Crown Point took me along a lovely river.

While in the Adirondacks, Steveand I rode our bikes to The Wild Museum.

This Luna moth was on a volleyball net in our campground.

In Tupper Lake, NY, the GPS took me here when I searched for a laundromat.  

  It was a laundromat and a donut shop!  Fortunately for me, the donut shop was closed when I was washing beer soaked curtains and bedding.

I stopped at the Shelburn Museum on my way toGeand Isle, VT.  It reminded me of the House on the Rock in Wisconsin.  Only this had classier stuff and displays.

I took a picture of this bed.  It looks thinner than mine.

More pics of Crown Point, out of order.