Memories of the Adirondacks

It is amazing to me where the inspiration for my blog posts come from. When I was encouraged to start a blog three years ago, the first thought that came to mind was, “How can I come up with enough material to keep it going long term?”

At work, one day last week, I was walking down the hall, my mind racing on several projects I am juggling at the moment. When I’m in this kind of mindset, I rarely notice the people around me. The hall was crowded with people since I was in an area where the general public, as well as employees, can be found.

There was Leslie walking toward me. I met Leslie several years ago when I was working in the Cancer Center at work. Since then, she and I both have moved on to other jobs within the Medical Center. She started waving both arms at me like she really wanted to get my attention.

Leslie is active in her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She wanted to ask about possibilities for a weekend or a several day trip this summer to the Adirondacks the troop could plan.

Although this brought back a flood of fond memories of times spent in the Adirondacks, in all seasons, over the past 30 or more years, it was difficult for me at that moment to spout out specific ideas they might consider. “Tell you what,” I began, “let me think about this. I’m sure I can come up with a lot of ideas.”

Where do I begin? I have hiked hundreds of miles on trails in the Adirondacks in summer, fall and winter. I have climbed 17 of the 36 High Peaks (peaks over 5000 feet high), many of them several times in both winter and summer. I have paddled countless miles there. I have been on the Jack Rabbit Trail on cross country skis more than a few times, a delightful all day trip. I have backpacked the entire Northville-Placid Trail. I came within 10 feet of a first year bear cub while sitting around a campfire at Rollins Pond Campground. One night in a leanto, a mouse ran across my face and my backpacking companions on that trip tried to convince me I was dreaming. I have been awed by the spectacular scenery in the Adirondacks and overjoyed with the many, many good times I have spent there. I had a lot of fun days at the Adirondack Loj, owned and operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Then there is the Mountain Meadows B&B in Keane Valley, another great place holding a lot of memories for me.

So how do I begin to funnel all this into a list of activities these Girl Scouts would enjoy on no more than a 2 or 3 day trip there? In a series of e-mails to Leslie over the weekend, I named several spots and activities that the girls might enjoy. When I was done, I said a prayer that at least some of these young women would some day come to love and appreciate the Adirondacks as much as I do.