Saturday, August 8, 2015

More photos from the Adirondacks

These are from Brad's camera.


Hmmm - Cemetery or Bliss? Cake or Death? I'll take Bliss, please.



Nice sunset over one of the multiple lakes we encountered.


The Great Hammock Experiment, night #1. I learned that you need insulation underneath you if you are going to sleep in a hammock in temps below about 65 degrees. Next time, I'm bringing a pad. Naps, however, are awesome in a hammock. Maybe I'll just bring a really lightweight hammock and use it for napping.


Another lovely campsite on a lake.


Absolut Adirondack.


Comic relief in Lake Placid


Mighty Mica and her trailer. Tires fully pumped.


Trusty steed, waiting for the day's ride in Lake Placid.


Practicing my ski jumping form in the shadow of the Olympic ski jump platform


Just another lovely little lake.


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Adirondacks Bike Tour

My brother Brad and I rode the Adventure Cycling Association's Adirondacks Loop bike tour in late-July. Details are here:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/self-contained-tours/2015-new-york-adirondack-loop/

The basic loop was about 250 miles and made a big clockwise loop from Saratoga Springs, up and around Lake Placid, and back. The tour was completely self-supported, so we carried our tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, stoves and everything else needed for the tour.




This is one of the NY state parks that we stayed at and here is the campsite.


Several of the campsites were on lakes, so we could take a dip after the ride. The weather was really hot the first few days, so the water was a relief.



Couldn't pass up the opportunity.


A lot of the route was along rivers and lakes, no surprise given the topography of the region. Following the water was a lot more sensible than trying to climb the hills. This is my bike, with the big group frying pan strapped to the outside of one of my panniers.



My bike and Brad's next to our tent.



We stopped into the Olympic training center in Lake Placid and watched a regional ice dancing competition for a while. It is better live than on TV.


It wasn't until after Lake Placid that I really felt like I was in the Adirondacks. The mountains got higher, and everything was more rocky.

The campsite at Port Henry.


The group had 15 riders and all breakfasts and dinners were group affairs. Here is a typical dinner scene.

Typical dinner scene, looking the other way.


We visited Fort Ticonderoga mostly for the spectacular views of the portage between Lake George and Lake Champlain.