long weekend in adirondacks, where everything is green and beautiful.

I could write a whole rambling post, poetic even–if poetry was something I was good at–about the drive alone to get to the Adirondacks. Through Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest, Middlebury’s campus, the rolling farm fields, a bridge (or ferry, in some cases) over Lake Champlain or the Hudson. Lists and lists exist, with some overlap and some not, of America’s most beautiful drives. Going West across Vermont into upstate NY should be on them if it isn’t already. You know the destination will be promising if just getting to the place takes your breath away.Then, and here’s something I really loved, when you see the sign for Elk Lake Lodge and turn off 84, you drive almost five miles on a dirt road to even get to the lodge. Through the woods, you wonder, “are we almost there? is this the right road?” and sure enough, after about ten minutes, here you are. Elk Lake Lodge. It sits in front of you, and the lake just beyond that. Pristine, untouched beauty, no motors of any kind be it car or boat, just the quietest of lakes with one lodge, and a whole lot of charm. We stayed in the Little Darling cabin, pictured above, which is about a five minute walk to the lodge. Did I already say charm? So much charm. Along with Big Darling, it’s one of the oldest structures on the lodge property. Late 19th century! Remarkable to me that the bathrooms are entirely updated out here in the woods. Sometimes I wonder to myself what is the process of getting pipes in a place as remote as this, and gosh wouldn’t an outhouse be so much simpler (though less desirable for all, no doubt). Here is the view from the lodge, and many of the cabins, and isn’t it spectacular?A four and a half hour drive from us, approximately, Adirondacks is almost getting up there to Canada. In fact, one of the people we spoke with was telling us how much they pay attention to Canada’s economy, as they’re so heavily influenced by it. It’s wildly beautiful, and, at least in my circles, wildly underutilized. Maybe because of the distance from Boston? I’m not sure. Is two hours more doable to people? Steve doesn’t blink an eye at long road trips, and this has rubbed off on me in the years we’ve been together, so almost five hours? Even eight or nine? When do we leave? Last time I spent any length of the time in the Adirondacks was a camping trip years ago, and before that was another camping trip (this one was almost two weeks long and very much off the grid as in no showers, going to the bathroom in the wild, taking all your own food with you and pitching a tent in different spots every night or sleeping in the already built lean-tos in the wild) and both are such positive memories for me. So, to me, Adirondacks is a really sweet northeastern jewel with so much to discover. Step out your door and you’re immediately in nature, that’s how it feels anyway.The collection of rocks and sticks that piles up in my car at their feet after every trip is becoming a bit absurd. Steve and I got a drink and took it to the dock after check-in. An Adirondack lager for him, and a glass of white for me. A nice bonus is that you can bring your own alcohol to the place. A nice way to save money, but still have a glass of wine. The boys used fishing nets and waded in the lake. And guys, the quiet was amazing. At any given moment, all you could hear was the wind in the trees and a loon call (my favorite). The communal living area in the lodge was so cozy, with a big wood fireplace going almost the whole time we were there. It was chilly! There were cards and some games to play, books to look at if you didn’t have your own, and every day at 1 pm there was tea and cookies, and 5 pm cheese and crackers. Everyone eats together in the main dining room, though it’s smaller than most restaurants, so it’s still a cozy experience. This overlooks the lake, and the hummingbird feeders which were buzzing the entire time. I’ve never seen so many hummingbirds. The food they serve is really yummy–ribs, salmon, salads, fresh bread. After the hiking, you need some stick-to-your-ribs food. And perhaps my favorite touch of the entire place is the little card on your table at dinner. You circle what you’d like for lunch the next day, and there it is brown-bagged on the table at breakfast the next morning. You take it away for the day’s hike, canoe ride, or otherwise. I loved that. Some iPhone pictures of glimpses around the lodge. Another top-notch touch? Their s’mores kit. I’d never had a Reese’s PB cup s’mores, until Elk Lake Lodge. Move over Hershey’s, it’s an elevated experience.Top left is the trail log. I loved that. Put in your name, time of departure, and what trail you’re heading out on. I suppose if you don’t make it back, search party goes looking. Bottom left is potty training away from home, if it wasn’t already obvious. Little explorer.At check-in, you’re given a map that’s loaded with information on hiking one can do straight from the steps of the lodge. And there’s a lot of it. The lake is surrounded by mountains and some pretty impressive peaks. Should you take a kayak out or head for the top? The toughest question you’ll have to answer. We did neither–a hike, but no serious peaks for the Hunts until these boys get a little older. Parker would take issue with that last statement, declaring himself ready now for anything from Everest to El Cap. Looking for a moose. Didn’t see one. Maybe next time. See that bell? It’s the lodge’s dinner bell, and they usually employ an eager child to ring it at 6 pm for dinner. Anders and Parker each got to take a turn. Charm! There, I’ve said it again! Struggling to bring out floating cushions for our row boat ride.You can bet our bagged lunches were on board. These rolling, tumbling rocks and waterfalls are right off 84, just by the entrance to the Elk Lake Lodge. A few minutes walk from the road and you’re there. On a warm day, you could stay and splash all day. I want to plant the biggest kiss on his face when I see the little expression in this picture. God, I love that kid. This is the view when you drive by. Adirondacks, you sure are pretty. We went to Schroon Lake for an afternoon one of our days there, and Steve and Parker got matching ADK shirts. They’re awesome. Basically an outline of the whole park, and the word Hike in the middle. Upon leaving Elk Lake, I hoped I’d return, but wondered if I had crossed through some sort of secret threshold to find myself here in the first place. Will I find it again? Will I come back? Gosh, I hope so.  Thank you Katie (who works with Adirondacks Tourism) for the above photograph! This is the Rainbow Falls at Ausable Chasm. They call Ausable Chasm the Grand Canyon of the East. I had no idea the east coast even had something like this. This narrow section of the river was 90 feet higher (!!) during Hurricane Irene. You may recall that nearby Vermont got really pummeled by that storm.You can tube or raft down the river, in addition to hiking, rock climbing and other adventure packages. Check out the site for more of the options. It’s such a cool place.Again, Katie to thank for the above photograph! Parker took this picture of us afterwards eating at the Ausable Brewing Company. We spent the day with Katie and Eric from ROOST (Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism!) while they took video and photos of us in the Adirondacks. Then, afterwards–beer and food (Northern Feast food truck parked there) and great conversation. They were awesome. More pictures by Parker.Our next and final stop was DaCy Meadow Farm. I don’t have as many pictures of this place, but that’s not to say that our time there wasn’t so wonderful. It was beyond. Reminded me that among the greatest surprises and blessings of traveling is meeting people along the way. David and Cynthia are a retired (if you can call it that–the two of them are so active, it made me feel lazy) couple who own a farm, farm store, and airbnbs. They take care of the animals, make incredible meals for their guests (Cynthia even wrote down one of her recipes for me on an index card before leaving!), and manage their properties. I’m certain I’m missing a whole lot more that they do. A better picture of their matching shirts. Available at Bark Eater in Schroon Lake!We had a whole finished barn to ourselves, and we ate together with them in a different barn on the property that had a kitchen. David took the boys on a tractor ride, which was so exciting for them. They also got to go in and gather eggs from the chickens the next morning. That’s the barn we slept in. Loved it.A trip to the area would not be complete (for Steve) without a visit to Fort Ticonderoga. He gets so jazzed doing historical things like this with the kids. It’s pretty sweet.But how did they get all the weapons back to Boston? Steve asks. I ask, but Ethan Allen took it, as in the furniture company? My historical knowledge is never so obviously lacking as when in the presence of a Hunt man. What an incredibly wonderful long weekend with the people I love in a place that I love.

Thank you a thousand times to ROOST for partnering with us on this post. We were so happy to visit your gorgeous neck of the woods. And we feel strongly that you all need to visit too!