#but upstate + the adirondacks?? PEAK

[theicarusconstellation]

Are you Australian

nah i’m from upstate ny, united states!!

[oxidizedoverwetdreams]

Adirondacks, Keene Valley, NY

[asecretvice]

I was living my life normally and unSupernaturally until yesterday when my mother, soon turning 60, admitted a previously untold dream of visiting New England in the fall before she’s too old. Suddenly I was dropped into a Ratatouille-esque flashback with the words Summer always made Dean restless echoing in my head.

In short, do you have recommendations on where to visit? Is Maple Hills based on a real town? Before relying on influencer guides to plan, I remembered how well you conveyed the ‘vibes’ and wondering if you had any advice. Appreciate this is a very random ask, so no worries if not!

Ahahahahahaha! Sorry-not-sorry for ending your streak of living normally and unSupernaturally ^_^

Well obviously, as I'm sure is already a factor in your mother's untold dream, if you're going to New England in the fall you must see the TREES. They will call you leafers! How spectacular the colors are depends on the weather during late summer and early fall, in my experience. Also it's been several years since I've been out there, and I'm sure climate change has altered the calendar, so to speak. There are maps that indicate when they expect "peak colors" to occur in different latitudes. Those won't come out until closer to time, so keep this in mind.

As for the rest of it...yes, Maple Hills is based on a real town, but as I think it would reveal to much about my brickspace life I hope you understand why I won't say which. However, lovely small towns are dotted all over the place, so you won't be left wanting.

And ye great and terrible gods, PLEASE do not rely on influencers to plan your trip!!! Instead please accept both my regional and basic trip-planning advice.

Also, disclaimer. Although not considered New England, upstate NY is also an option [matt lucas controversial!!! dot gif]. I will therefore mention it from time to time.

STEP ONE: WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS?

It is important to prioritize things that appeal to you. Should you use travel to try new things? 100%. But you don't want to overextend yourself either.

Do you like...NATURE and THE OUTDOORS? Congrats, there's lots to see! From the aforementioned gorgeous woodland, to various mountain ranges, picturesque farms and vineyards, and of course the incredible coast, you're bound to find a piece of nature that speaks to you!

Just in it for the visuals? For mountains, the great Appalachians go all the way up to Maine with some subranges and ranges that might not be subranges but I'm not a geologist so bear with me. Look up vistas of the Adirondacks, the Catskills, the Greens, the Whites.

For water, look up the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. There's also beautiful Lake Champlain shared between New York, Vermont, and Quebec.

I'll be real. You want to drive along windy hills and find a cute little dairy farm with their happy (not so) little free range dairy cows around every corner? Vermont.

The woods? Mostly the northern states: NY, VT, NH, ME. In the latter's Acadia National Park, you can take a trolley through and get immersed in its beauty...and incidentally see where incredibly rich people live deep within or near it, like Stephen King (who is of course always inspired by the area).

Want to actually get all up in it? For a region that's known for its skiing in the winter, you bet it's well known for its hiking opportunities as well. The Appalachian Trial is all over the place, but of course there are plenty of popular day hikes or expert level shit, like Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness. New Hampshire's Mount Washington--I have double-checked this--is indeed the highest peak in the region. If hiking is not your thing but you still want the views, it's a popular tourist destination that provides a train up to the top and things to do and such.

For boating, sailing, what have you, you're definitely gonna find it all up and down the coast, and Lake Champlain, and the Finger Lakes in NY, and--depending on where you're going to fly in and how far you're willing to drive--there's also Niagara Falls, though that is of course stretching the New England mandate (if you're not familiar with the area, it's basically Buffalo, NY, in the western part of the state and abutting Ontario). You can in fact take a ferry service in it called the Maid of the Mist.

As for beaches, you can find all sorts. Sand, rocky, city piers and such. Go Maine if you want fewer people around.

And don't forget that most important of coastal structures, LIGHTHOUSES. Incredibly famous and lovely lighthouses all up and down the coast! Don't neglect them!

What about animals?? Sadly I think you will be too late to go on a boat ride to see our lovely puffin friends, but of course where there's North American woods there are various birds, bears, deer, and butterflies to be seen and admired, so look up what's in the region for your animal of choice. (Seriously, Vladimir Nabokov was studying butterflies all over the place in the area.)

Do you like...FOOD AND WINE? As with every region of this glorious world, you are in for treats!

Are you all about that dairy? My friend, my friend, my friend, verily you cannot skip Vermont. Your local stores and restaurants will have the good shit, but why not go out and find a nice dairy to tour (Vermont cheddar! My kingdom for Vermont cheddar!) or treat yourself by going to the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, VT.

What about maple syrup? Vermont takes tops in my opinion for this as well, but upstate NY will also have great places you can go if you'd like to try tapping trees yourself, or see how it's made, or simply sample their delicious wares.

Don't forget about fruit! Fall season is orchard season, baby!!! Especially find those apple orchards and enjoy picking your own apples, drinking their apple cider, or eating those delicious fucking cider donuts. Man.

Like some wine? Finger Lakes region of NY is well known for its excellent quality vineyards and wineries.

What about beer? I'll be real. Boston. Boston has flavors of Sam Adams the rest of us can only dream of.

Seafood? Your coastal states again. Maine of course is well known for its lobster. The region for its clams...I'm sure there are many individual states, towns, or stretches of coast that lay claim to the best lobster rolls or clam bakes or clam chowders or how it best prepares their quahogs or other seafood...I am not a seafood person myself so I don't have a particular opinion, but those are some of the dishes to look into if you are!

What about farm fresh in general? You could probably find that most places.

Do you like...CITIES? While Boston is a must-see city, you've also got Providence and Newport RI, Burlington VT, Concord NH, and Portland ME. And yo, don't forget Montreal QC!

They all have a variety of vibes that might suit you, from fancy restaurants to university campuses to lake or ocean coastline. As with any part of New England, layers of North American/United States history abound. Boston especially, though, is expensive. But let's talk about some perks!

In Maine, your biggest city is Portland. Some quirky and local Maine color, like if you're an outdoorsy person maybe you appreciate LL Bean gear; they've got the flagship store there. But it's got great amenities and sits right on the ocean. If you want to be on the Maine coast with maybe fewer people, well, a lot of rich folks have felt the same way. If you want to see some cute towns along with eye-popping mansions, consider Kennebunkport (famous summer home area of the Bush family) or Cape Elizabeth, neither of which are too far from Portland. If you'd like to venture further north, I recommend Bar Harbor; that's the place to go to see Acadia National Park, take a boat out to puffins at certain times of year, go whale watching, a cute small town with (at the time of my having been there) less of the old money contingent.

In New Hampshire, I've mostly driven through but I have seen Concord (its capital), which had some great buildings and some good food. It was fun to walk around and not a bad place to center yourself if you're looking to take trips to various areas, from the ocean to the mountains.

In Vermont, Burlington is right on Lake Champlain, so right away you've got those great water views and activities. It's also fun to walk around Church Street Marketplace, that multi-block pedestrian area rare to find in the US. Also, it's a less than two-hour drive up to Montreal, which is one of the jewels of Canada! (Alas, I have not been myself; I have however discovered that the further north you go, the more likely you are to walk into a place and they'll casually be speaking French. Très cool.)

Connecticut I can't really speak to at all, as I've never been there, but they've got a lot of major college/university areas like Wesleyan, Trinity, and of course Yale.

I haven't been to Rhode Island either, but I hear much more tell from those who have. Providence is said to be great, and between Brown and RISD you're bound to find great museums and fun things to do. Newport is where you want to go for a seaside vacation, the type of place with a lot of history, pretty buildings, and incredible piers for the boating types. It's also an area for the old rich, like the Kennedys. Food scene's supposed to be good, too.

BOSTON. I mean...it's expensive but it's great! I loved walking along the river. But my favorite thing was walking the Freedom Trail! If you're unfamiliar, it's a path marked throughout the city that stops at historically significant places, like the site of the Boston massacre, Paul Revere's house, Old Ironsides, and some graveyards with very, very old dates (relative to the country's founding). But I won't lie, one of my favorite parts was that, walking through one of the neighborhoods it takes you through, it was the only time I heard someone speak with a true Boston accent. Utter delight. Be still, my heart!

Anyway, if you're into the things that colleges and universities can offer you, Harvard and MIT and whatnot will have you more than covered. Plenty of others in the area, like Tufts, Boston College, and so on.

Boston is also home to wonderful museums! Not only the Fine Arts Museum, but the Gardner Museum that was subject to an infamous art theft, the Museum of Science, and all the college museums, etc.

And finally, sports! If you like pro sports, Boston hosts many of the local and New England teams with their own rich histories. The Red Sox, the Patriots, the Celtics, the Bruins.

Elsewhere in Massachusetts, for your obligatory rich person hangout because it's breathtakingly gorgeous: Cape Cod, including the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, is your area.

Do you like...TOWNS? There are so many.

Massachusetts and New England in general have a wealth of higher learning institutions, many of which are situated in towns of various sizes. In MA alone, you've got Williamstown (Williams College), Amherst (Amherst, Hampshire, UMass), South Hadley (Mount Holyoke), and Northampton (Smith). Vermont's got Middlebury (Middlebury College), Maine's got Brunswick (Bowdoin), New York has Poughkeepsie (Vassar) and Ithaca (Ithaca College and Cornell). And that's just off the top of my head!!! These places are smaller but have to host kids and their families, and they're old, so you get beautiful campuses, quirky eats, and lots of brochures telling you what entertainment is to be had. And because many of these places and some I'm sure I haven't named belong to the colonial colleges, the ivy league, or the seven sisters, they will be thrilled to tell you all about the famous people who graced their halls.

If you want to chill in the Adirondacks in upstate NY, and you want tiny towns, I have a friend who often travels to the Keene area. The pictures she sends me are exquisite. Otherwise I would maybe just find places close to where you're going to headquarter yourself for the trip.

Do you like...HISTORY and HISTORICAL FIGURES? New England! Is! North American and United States history! And more!

First, acknowledge and seek out the First Nations and their tribes. You've got a lot to choose from, such as the Wampanoag, who have their own version of the Thanksgiving story to tell. Off the top of my head, some more are Mohawk, Oneida, Mohican...not sure how far east the Iroquois Confederacy stretched.

This naturally leads into early European colonization, mostly Puritans from England and the Dutch in the early days. This will lead you to the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and so on. I won't exhaust the list of what you can see, but if you have any interest in those periods of history, look up what battles or other places intrigue you, and figure out what is on offer in the modern day.

Past the colonial era and more into the later waves of immigration, there are old and famous enclaves of Irish, Italian, French, and Portuguese immigrants. If their cuisine or history are relevant to you, do some research (I've a friend who grew up bilingual with an old dialect of French still spoken in RI). Of more modern waves of immigration I know little.

What about specific figures? I've already mentioned a couple presidential families, but you'll also find a ton of artists and writers from New England, or who made NE their home.

Once again, off the top of my head: Washington Irving ("The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" "Rip Van Winkle"), Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Bishop, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, James Fenimore Cooper, Phillis Wheatley, Anne Bradstreet. Lol, those are just writers. Who else...shit, of course, all the civil rights stuff! Frederick Douglass did a lot of his work in New England; consider also the big names in women's suffrage, like Susan B Anthony. Utica is a good city to think of if you're into the conferences where activists like Douglass were active for both abolition and suffrage; it was also a stop on the Underground Railroad.

I think we've covered all the major categories of interest, so let's move on to step two.

STEP TWO: NARROW IT DOWN

I hope as you read the first section you were writing down ideas, and have since discussed them with your mother. Now you have to consider

--How much time can you take off for the trip? --How much money are you willing to spend? --How much, and how, are you willing to travel during the trip?

For example, maybe you're the type of travelers who are happy to spend one day in a place and move onto the next. Or maybe you find that exhausting, and want to stay in one small area. Or maybe you like to split the difference, pick a headquarters, and go on some day trips.

How far away from New England do you live? If you have to fly, the cheapest flights are likely going to be into a big city; in my experience even flying somewhere like Burlington will cost you a lot extra (again, depending on what airlines you have available and how close you are). The area is served well by trains. Because there are lots of towns and big cities to travel to, you can often find shuttles from the towns (especially college towns) to and from the big cities. Obviously it's the US, so cars work well.

Rank interests. If the leaves in fall rank number one, you should probably cross off the southerly states now. But consider if you also might want lakes, oceans, what type of mountains. What other outdoor activities you might like to do, etc. See if there are more historical places you're interested in connected to one town over another. Get what I mean? If you're only going to be gone for a week, I wouldn't suggest staying at more than two places if you really want to dig your toes in.

Also, between the two of you...or your mom and whomever she's going with, make sure the compromises are good. Each person should have a highly ranked item accessible to them wherever you go.

Now, it's time to get into the real research.

STEP THREE: THE REAL RESEARCH

I kid you not, the first website I go to whenever I'm going somewhere completely new is wikivoyage. If you're unfamiliar, it's the travel subsidiary of wikipedia. It's absolutely fantastic, because it gives you overviews of everything and has current and correct links to associated websites. Like if you've never been to Boston, maybe you don't know the pros and cons of getting there. It'll talk to you about how to get there by car, by plane, by train, by bus, by boat. It'll talk about the different neighborhoods, list local foods you have to try, all the museums and places of interest, etc. It will link you to the appropriate websites for public transportation, and in Boston's case, tips for riding the T. Let's be real, it also discusses areas where it's safest for tourists to be. And it does this for everywhere. Here's the link for the New England wikivoyage page.

This is an excellent first stop because it links to real resources, and gives you a good overview of any of the places you're interested in. Jump straight into that rabbit hole!

That way, if you know you have to fly in, you can look at all the main airports of the region and start working from there.

Also consider where to stay. Wikivoyage will give you an overview of that, but consider associations and things that will help you make sure you're staying at a good place. I know airbnb is the rage, but consider, if you're able, a) inns and such are subject to more laws and regulations meant to protect you and b) they can be so quaint or so grand! Peruse the Historical Hotels of America, or New England Inns and Resorts, both organizations meant to help and support such places, many of which are locally owned and operated.

Also, wikivoyage will give you overviews of the weather of where you're going and at what time of year. Consider accordingly.

STEP FOUR: ONLY PLAN 50% OF YOUR TIME

So. You've decided where you're going to stay and how you're going to get there. Now it's time to narrow down your activities.

Only plan 50% of your time. I am so serious. This will create so much less stress and conflict. Only plan half of each day. Or if there's an activity that is a full day, don't plan anything for the next day if possible. That way there's room to, you know, be late to things because life is as life does, or if something gets canceled you can try the next day, AND it leaves space for things that you won't know you'll want to do until you get there. Like maybe you've never been to the Atlantic before, and once you see it all you'll want to do is sit and stare at it. Which is LEGIT. So leave yourself time to do things like that, hey?

STEP FIVE: FIND A REAL MAP. PLEASE.

Friend, I hear you already. "But I've got gps on my phone/in my car!" Well, I don't care!!!! I know this tech has come a long way since then, but I swear to you when I was in Maine several years ago, we had to rely on my map reading skills for half the trip, on a real map. Accurate, current real maps are getting so much harder to find now, especially if you're not in the target region, but please take the time to source one. You really never know...and ALWAYS use common sense before blindly following gps. Literally have known people who drove straight into lakes in Vermont -_-

Also expect cell service to be spotty in less populated places. Again, having a real map on hand will be peace of mind.

If you are taking any driving trips, plan out your route beforehand. Look up pictures of your destination online, especially streetview, so you know what to look for. Also, popular destinations will have good directions on their own websites.

In my fic when I say there are no roadsides in much of New England? I meant it.

STEP FIVE: PACK LIGHT AND PACK RIGHT

I swear you don't need all that. You pack it, you carry it.

Again, look at the general weather, and then closer to time don't neglect the actual forecast.

If you're going hiking or out on the water, look up the typical weather patterns for that trail or coast. They're often fickle.

Leave room for new books ^_^

STEP SIX: ENJOY

The hard part's already over. Relax and have fun! And then, if you're going along anon, come back a few months hence and tell me all about it!

I hope this has been helpful. Feel free to ask whatever else.

Bon voyage!

[joeschrader]

Adirondack Hiking: A Lesson in Human Stubbornness

As I reached the summit of my third on a long string of mountains, I looked to the much higher peaks ahead of me. Towering over me were the mountains that I had come for, Armstrong Mountain, Gothics, Saddleback Mountain, Basin Mountain, Mount Haystack and Mount Marcy. Stretching toward the sky, at over four thousand feet, their tops looked both intimidating and enticing. Despite the long day I had already had, I could not wait to be on those mountains.

Even with my determination and excitement to conquer The Great Range, I began to doubt my ability to do it. Next to me, my hiking partner, Jacob Stern, began to doubt his as well. After climbing three mountains already that day, he had begun to feel completely drained and my own legs had begun to betray me as well. Jake was relatively new to climbing mountains and I, despite having done it before, had underestimated the extremes of the Great Range Traverse.

Yet, even in the face of a couple thousand more feet of elevation gain, we still climbed on. As we climbed, I began to ponder what we were doing out there. Why did humans climb mountains? Why did I climb mountains? Was it to prove that we could? Or to showcase our own personal fitness? Or was it simply for the views? All of those questions swirled around in my mind as my tired legs pushed me higher.

As Jake put it, during the climb, “mountains are one of the extremes of nature.” Reaching several thousand feet into the air with treacherous terrain and rugged weather, the Adirondack Mountains certainly could be classified as extreme. A beautiful but intense mountain range in Upstate New York, these mountains competed easily with their counterparts in the West. What they lacked in height, they made up for in rugged terrain. With as tough as these mountains are, why would anybody want to be up there?

I think the answer is simple: stubbornness. I grew up hiking and hunting with my father in the Finger Lakes Region and have developed a love of the outdoors. Even when hunting and seeing no sign of game, I still love to just be out there. As a kid, my parents took me on a couple different trips to the Adirondacks and we climbed some small mountains. Seeing the view and feeling the sense of accomplishment at the tops of those mountains led to a love of climbing on those slopes. While I love doing it, I think that humans, as a species, also climb mountains out of a stubbornness that goes beyond the simplicity of mountains.

Only a few days before I ascended into the High Peaks Wilderness, a hurricane struck the southeast region of our country. Seeing this on the news set my mind wondering why people would continue to build in an area that sees those kinds of natural disasters. The wildfires burning to the north and west that, only a few weeks before, sent thick smoke south into the Finger Lakes Region make me ask the same question. Entire towns are destroyed and the people rebuild in the same place. Why?

I mentioned this to Jake while climbing and he offered a very interesting theory. Over the course of history, species after species of humans died out while ours continued to live on. Jake reasoned that this was due to our stubbornness and our desire to defeat Mother Nature. Even Neanderthals, who coexisted with us, would hit a natural barrier and stop. Modern humans have crossed oceans, forded rivers, battled natural disasters and yes, climbed mountains. As a species, we have always figured out a way to overcome whatever obstacle stood in our way.

That principle applies to everybody who is out on those mountains. Whether you got just enough time off to do a couple peaks or you battle mountains for a living, we are all born with that same attitude. We all climb for the views, for the exercise, for the camaraderie and of course for the challenge. We climb them so we can prove that we can defeat the extremes of Mother Nature.

Unfortunately, on my hike, Mother Nature's extremes defeated me and my hiking partner. After a rugged descent off of Basin Mountain, we rested at the bottom. Taking the time to fill our bottles from a nearby creek, we looked up at the next climb ahead of us. Looming over us was Mount Haystack and beyond that, Mount Marcy. Both looked intimidating and intense. In the state we were in it would have been an almost dangerous climb. A combination of exhaustion and fading daylight drove us to make the decision to bypass Marcy and Haystack and descend to the Adirondack Loj.

Even though we reached an early end to the hike, I still left with a smile on my face. Over the course of the day, we had successfully summited seven Adirondack Mountains including Hedgehog Mountain, Lower Wolfjaw, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback and Basin. Yes, we had backed down from the last two on our hike, but it had still been an incredible climb in a beautiful region. Thankfully, my human stubbornness will bring me back soon to conquer Mount Marcy and Mount Haystack.

[stumbleimg]

Peak Autumn Colors in the Adirondack Mountains Upstate NY [OC] [3024x4032]

[bustraveladventures101]

The Ultimate Guide to Affordable Bus, Scenic, and Convenient Travel

Bus travel in the USA is an underrated gem. Whether you're a budget-conscious traveler, someone who enjoys the scenic route, or simply looking for a convenient way to explore the country, buses offer a unique and accessible way to see America. This guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling by bus across the USA, including the best routes, tips for comfort, and why this mode of transportation is gaining popularity.

1. Why Choose Bus Travel?

Affordability: Trailways buses are one of the most cost-effective ways to travel, often costing a fraction of what you’d pay for a flight or train ticket.

Scenic Routes: Unlike air travel, bus routes allow you to see the landscape up close. You can witness the changing terrain, from bustling cities to rural countryside, all from your window seat.

Convenience: With numerous stations across the country, bus travel offers flexibility in scheduling and destinations. You can often find a bus station in towns where airports are absent.

Eco-Friendly: Buses have a smaller carbon footprint compared to planes and cars, making them a greener choice for the environmentally conscious traveler.

2. Top Scenic Bus Routes in the USA

Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1, California): Travel along one of the most famous scenic drives in the world. This route offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, cliffs, and beaches.

The Adirondack Route (New York to Montreal): This route takes you through the stunning landscapes of Upstate New York, offering views of the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Mountains.

Route 66 (Chicago to Los Angeles): Travel along the historic Route 66, where you’ll experience classic Americana, small towns, and vintage roadside attractions.

The Great Smoky Mountains (North Carolina to Tennessee): This route offers incredible views of one of America’s most visited national parks, with lush forests and mist-covered peaks.

3. Planning Your Bus Journey

Choosing the Right Bus Company: Research and compare companies like Trailways, Greyhound, Megabus, and regional operators. Consider factors such as comfort, onboard amenities, pricing, and customer reviews.

Booking Tickets: Many bus companies offer online booking, which is often cheaper than purchasing tickets at the station. Look for discounts, promotions, and loyalty programs.

Packing Essentials: Pack light but bring essentials for a comfortable journey—snacks, water, a neck pillow, entertainment (books, movies, music), and a blanket or sweater for temperature changes.

4. Tips for a Comfortable Bus Ride

Choosing Your Seat: Opt for a window seat to enjoy the views and have something to lean against if you plan to sleep. Sitting near the front can offer a smoother ride.

Stretching and Moving: On long rides, take advantage of stops to stretch your legs. Some buses also have room to stand or walk a bit in the aisle.

Entertainment and Connectivity: Many buses offer Wi-Fi and power outlets, so bring devices to keep yourself entertained. Don’t forget headphones!

Staying Safe and Secure: Keep your valuables in a small bag that you can keep with you at all times. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially at night or during stops.

5. Exploring Bus Travel Destinations

Major Cities: Bus travel is ideal for visiting cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. These cities have extensive bus networks that connect to various neighborhoods and nearby attractions.

National Parks: Many bus routes take you close to national parks such as Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. Consider combining bus travel with short hikes or local tours.

Hidden Gems: Explore less-known destinations like Asheville, NC, Sedona, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM. These places offer unique cultural experiences, outdoor activities, and stunning natural beauty.

6. The Future of Bus Travel in the USA

Technological Advancements: With the rise of electric buses, smart ticketing, and real-time tracking, bus travel is becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Increased Popularity: As people seek more sustainable and budget-friendly travel options, bus travel is expected to grow, with more routes and better services.

Customized Experiences: Some companies are now offering luxury bus services with reclining seats, onboard meals, and even private cabins for an upgraded experience.

Bus travel across the USA is more than just a means to get from point A to point B; it’s an experience in itself. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or someone looking to try something new, the bus offers a way to see the country in all its diversity from the comfort of your seat. So pack your bags, choose your route, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey across the United States.

[noisycowboyglitter]

Experience the Wilderness: Hiking and Camping in the Adirondack Mountains of New York

The Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York offer a pristine wilderness playground for hiking and camping enthusiasts. This vast protected area spans over six million acres, featuring a diverse landscape of rugged peaks, serene lakes, and dense forests.

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Hikers of all skill levels can find trails to suit their abilities, from gentle nature walks to challenging ascents of the High Peaks. The region boasts 46 mountains over 4,000 feet, attracting ambitious trekkers aiming to become "46ers" by summiting them all. Popular hikes include Mount Marcy, the state's highest peak, and the scenic Cascade Mountain.

Camping options abound, ranging from primitive backcountry sites to well-equipped campgrounds. Visitors can experience the tranquility of sleeping under star-filled skies, waking to misty mountain vistas, and the calls of loons echoing across placid lakes.

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The Adirondacks offer year-round adventure, with summer bringing lush greenery and warm days perfect for swimming and paddling. Fall transforms the landscape into a spectacular display of autumn colors, while winter attracts snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

Wildlife enthusiasts might spot black bears, moose, or bald eagles. The region's rich biodiversity and geological features provide endless opportunities for nature study and photography.

Whether seeking solitude, family bonding, or outdoor challenges, the Adirondack Mountains provide an unforgettable backdrop for hiking and camping adventures in the heart of New York's wilderness.

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Camping ideas for gifts cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking to enhance their wilderness experiences. Consider practical items like a compact, lightweight tent or a versatile sleeping bag suitable for various weather conditions. A high-quality headlamp or lantern can illuminate nighttime adventures, while a durable water filtration system ensures safe hydration on the trail.

For campfire cooking, a portable stove or a cast-iron Dutch oven could be ideal. Comfort-focused gifts might include an inflatable sleeping pad or a packable camping pillow. Tech-savvy campers might appreciate a solar charger or a rugged GPS device.

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Safety-conscious gifts like a comprehensive first-aid kit or an emergency weather radio are always valuable. For added fun, consider portable outdoor games or a star chart for nighttime sky watching. Personalized items such as custom camp mugs or engraved multi-tools can add a special touch to your gift, making each camping trip more memorable.

[mermaids-sink-ships]

Marcy Dam | High Peaks Wilderness NY

[emphatic-nomadic]

Iroquois mountain in the Adirondacks

[bloodybells1]

2021 was a banner year for the adventurist in me. There were two relatively extensive backpacking trips—nine days over the Uintas in Utah and seven in Yosemite’s backcountry—along with two shorter, though still quite satisfying trips. I canoed with my girlfriend over all three of the Saranac Lakes in upstate New York’s Adirondack Park in June and capped off the season with a solo, three-day loop hike of the Cranberry Lake 50 Trail in October.

I’m including some select photos throughout this post.

You can also follow this link to the full albums.

It was truly a memorable season. Canoeing is a recent discovery and the trip upstate in June of this year was the second time we’d rented a canoe and gone paddling. It definitely solidified my passion for this other way to engage with wilderness, over water instead of land. Maybe I’m prefiguring my activities for later years when my knees may not be so compliant, who knows!

The Uinta trip was really challenging on so many different levels, not just physical, but organizational (nine days is a long time to be without electricity) and psychological—again, nine days is a long time to be without electricity.

And the Yosemite trip, because it had so much off-trail navigation, was super challenging in its very frequent stressors of boulder hopping and talus negotiation.

Finally, the loop around Cranberry Lake in October, during peak foliage season for upstate New York, was a feast for the eyes.

The season wasn’t without some sadness, however.

When I imagine this season’s trips, I think of something like a “desert sandwich” where the two trips out West in the middle, which were exceedingly dry and forest-fire plagued, were flanked by two “bread slices” of moisture up in the Adirondacks. Indeed, back East everything seems superlatively wet after spending so much time amidst the fire ravaged West.

The effect on my trips, which was limited mostly to obstructive haze on the horizon, paled in comparison, obviously, to the degree of suffering that Californians, Oregonians, Washingtonians and others are experiencing. Along with the Douglas-fir beetle, which, due to warming temperatures, has accelerated its generation-long desiccation of the West’s beautiful firs, pines, and spruces, the burning forests made climate change a directly visible, impactful phenomenon, something from which we here in the Northeast have been relatively shielded. It is all very sad.

But there were also many positive things to focus on. Like how I’ve turned a corner with my goal of getting my base weight down to 18 lbs. It’s taken me years to hone my gear set up, with innumerable updates to certain items, such as my stove, and continual shaving and cataloguing of the gear in order to whittle down the weight. It was noticeable this year: towards the end of each trip, after most of the food and other consumables were depleted, I felt light as a feather. The weight savings enabled an increase in my overall performance.

Despite the obvious effects of climate change, not to mention the resultant disruptions to traditionally understood wilderness engagement, the trips this year nonetheless massively delivered in terms of wilderness quality. From the wide, open lacustrine vistas canoeing over giant lakes in June upstate, to the stentorian geological structures of the high Uintas in Utah, from the savannah-like arboreta of Yosemite to the ambrosia of the leaf-covered forest floor on the cusp with winter in Cranberry Lake, this season brought me a feast of the senses.

Stella Adler implored her students to get out of their acting ruts by visiting parks and botanical gardens because only with Mother Nature’s chaotic law of the curving branch, as opposed to the geometrical monotony of the urban grid, could an artist become truly unstuck. If that is true, then I feel as though this season could have dislodged me from the most tenacious writer’s block one could imagine.

This isn’t to say that it was easy. I was coping with a knee injury, which happened somewhat out-of-the-blue, ironically during a low-key yoga class in October of 2020. I spent the winter recuperating and laying low physically, which made me a little nervous about all of the mileage and elevation gain coming up for these trips. Here’re some of the stats.

The Uinta Highline Trail is 104 miles long with an aggregate elevation gain profile of a little over 18,000 feet.

The Yosemite High Route, which the group I hiked with conducted in September, totaled up to around 67 miles and a little over 56,000 feet, though that included a fair amount of rigorous off-trail hiking which was almost like hiking double the amount of miles in terms of energy costs.

I was averaging sixteen mile days over the relatively flat Cranberry Lake 50 trail, which, you guessed it, is about fifty miles long.

All in all these were trips requiring a decent amount of fitness, and I felt that I was coming into them this year kind of on a deficit. Thankfully, I have no new injuries to report at this time, which makes me very psyched for what’s in store next year—though also somewhat chastened by the difficulty in overcoming the inertia I came in with.

About the group I was a part of in Yosemite: we were roughly a ten-member backpacking crew assembled by Andrew Skurka Adventures. For those of you who don't know, Andrew Skurka, perhaps the most accomplished thruhiker, has put together a guiding business that takes clients not just to Yosemite but all the way to Alaska, as well. He hires guides who are leaders in the field and brings to each trip an ethos that perfectly encapsulates the true spirit of outdoor adventuring. I have to say that the bonds I experienced with my fellow travelers over the course of a mere seven days were profound. From the insights that we shared with each other over dinner each night to the beautiful episodes of mutual emotional support and, when needed, physical assistance, the events of this trip will stay in my heart for the rest of my life.

I got to learn more about using the camera I purchased last year, my third since I started using a dedicated one for these types of trips in 2012.

This one, a Fujifilm XF10, was recommended to me by a friend and I’ve been immensely impressed with its depth and functionality. (I was able to purchase the one with the faux-brown-leather grip that gives a vintage feel and look).

I can’t really use a true DSLR, which is a very bulky and complicated type of camera. They’re not very practical on these types of trips, at least for my style of capture. I find that taking the time to put things into focus and setting up shots and simply engaging a much higher quality camera like a DSLR is simply not possible when thruhiking and grinding out fifteen mile days over challenging terrain, or at least not feasible with any degree of regularity. I think I'd walk out of each trip with only ten photos if that were the case. Which would be a shame given how much weight contribution one of those cameras adds.

Instead, I use a sort of statistical approach to photo taking, one that utilizes the benefits of quantity of photos taken in the field from which a photo of very high quality might be extracted. So it’s key that I be able to whip out the camera with ease every five minutes or so. Given the constant trail conditions, then, it basically has to be a point-and-shoot camera.

But it also has to be better than an iPhone: I’m averse to consulting the apps and icons on my mobile screen while I’m in the backcountry, an interface upon which my eyes gaze for hours each day out in the frontcountry. I go on these trips for a “civilization cleanse” and looking at my phone all the time would defeat that purpose!

I feel confident that the photos taken with this new camera evince a greater depth of field and sharper focus than the previous ones. If you care to compare by looking through the albums, the new camera begins in the albums starting in 2020.

2021 was also the year when NFT’s reached a new level of public consciousness. Like with so many artists who’ve recently entered this space, Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) and his 69.3 million dollar NFT sale of “Everydays: the First 5000 Days” at Christie’s was what initially made me curious about what exactly is going on with cryptocurrency, NFT’s and other blockchain technology-related elements of Web 3.0. After researching a bit, I’m now convinced that offering NFT’s of some of my work is a logical next step in—and should be an integral component of—the distribution of my work. To that end, I’m looking into having my subsequent music releases tokenized on the blockchain and I’m very excited about this new phase in my output.

However, before getting started on incorporating this technology into my music output, I thought the better way to get started with crypto and artmaking was to open a sort of NFT store for my nature photography.

Jpegs were the “early-adopter” file format for this space. The reason for this is they’re relatively low in bytes, are basically static images, and have a robust “meme-ification” factor, which explains why this medium became the vanguard receptacle for NFT’s.

I’ve been working with nature photos ever since I started hiking in 2012. And so I came to believe that offering some of my favorite ones as NFT’s would be a great way to get started in this space.

So I’m here to announce that my “NFT Store” is up and running on my website! Click here to take a look at the offerings.

As a note of possible interest, all of the proceeds will go to the Sunrise Movement.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the blockchain network on which I’m storing these NFT’s is a so-called “green NFT” type of token. The underlying tech, unlike that of the “perpetrators” of Bitcoin and Ethereum, does not require the vast amounts of energy consumption that those other blockchain techs do, and is thus not a contributor to climate change.

I’m keeping the prices very low, basically the equivalent of $2.50 and $5 a pop. I put up a lot of explanatory text about the blockchain I’m using and also a bit about how you might get started with some cryptocurrency with which to purchase these photos if you don’t already use cryptocurrency in your finances.

While I’m at it, why don’t I include some links to some helpful NFT guides online for those who want to learn more about this space?

I’ll be honest, there’s a big learning curve when it comes to understanding cryptocurrency. Personally, it has all been worth it for me because I find the tech fascinating, I do truly believe it’s going to transform the Internet (Web 3.0), and I am genuinely excited to incorporate NFT’s into my workflow. So here’s a list of links to some YouTube instruction vids, blog posts and articles that I found immensely helpful as a sort of “starter course” on blockchain technology. I hope you enjoy it.

A very helpful, though long and involved, guide to blockchain technology in general:

https://youtu.be/qOVAbKKSH10

A quick primer on just what NFT’s actually are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjsQMAd7_SA

Another guide to NFT’s from The Verge:

https://www.theverge.com/22310188/nft-explainer-what-is-blockchain-crypto-art-faq

An interesting article on NFT’s and the music industry:

https://nonfungible.com/blog/nfts-and-the-music-industry

Some info on green NFT’s:

https://www.artnome.com/greennfts

An explanation of the Bitcoin whitepaper, the founding document of blockchain technology from 2008:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpqtav3oT4k

A YouTube channel with a giant library of informative videos on all things crypto:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsYYksPHiGqXHPoHI-fm5sg

To conclude: I'm including all the links to my own photos in one space on this blog post right here, so it's easy to reference:

a) the photo gallery on my website,

b) the photo album menu page for all of the photos I’ve uploaded,

and c) the NFT marketplace landing page for my photos where you can purchase NFT’s, if you are so interested.

And Happy Thanksgiving!

[halfofmysoull]

Omfg elaborate au came to mind are you ready (I want this to exist so fucking bad):

It would take place in the Adirondacks (upstate thingz) and Cas would be a volunteer wildlife conservationist ranger at the local peaks, and Dean would run a comic book store in town with Charlie. Okay, I’ll bite the bullet, it’s explicitly in Lake Placid. I don’t have a coherent plot but I do think they would be polar opposites like Dean hates hiking and tries to wear jeans when Cas takes him up Mount Cascade, and Cas, on the other hand, would not get any comic book references (duhhh). I’m thinking ice skating at the Olympic center and skiing at Whiteface and Cas taking Dean on hikes and going to the beach and kayaking. Obviously a very integral part of it would take place during Christmas cause hellooo Lake Placid during Christmas is insane.

[jamieroxxartist]

✔ Mark Your Calendars: Thursday, Nov 12 on 🎨#JamieRoxx’s Pop Roxx Radio #TalkShow and #Podcast) Bruce Wemple (#Director) The Retreat; #Film, #Horror #Wendigo

☎ Lines will be open (347) 850.8598 Call in with your Questions and Comments Live on the Air.

● Click here for Guest Details and to Set a Reminder: http://tobtr.com/11835204

Pop Art Painter Jamie #Roxx (www.JamieRoxx.us) welcomes Bruce Wemple (Director) The Retreat; Film, Horror to the Show!

● Facebook: @bruce.wemple ● Twitter: @brucewemple ● IMDB: www.imdb.com/title/tt12198524

There’s something waiting in the mountains this November.

The Wendigo takes to New York in Uncork'd Entertainment’s The Retreat! From director #BruceWemple (Monstrous), and starring Grant Schumacher, The Retreat will be available on DVD and Digital November 10.

Set in the Adirondack High Peaks of Upstate New York, two best friends. Gus and Adam, set out for a winter backpacking trip. After a horrifying encounter with a monster, Gus finds himself alone and lost. Now, he must now fight for his life while keeping his grip on reality as he’s tormented both physically and psychologically by the evil Native American legend, The Wendigo.

● Media Inquiries for The Retreat, Film: October Coast www.octobercoastpr.com

[rockislandadultreads]

Vacation plans cancelled due to the pandemic? Escape from the comforts of your own home with these travel book recommendations

Instatravel: Discover Breathtaking Destinations. Have Amazing Adventures. Capture Stunning Photos by Aggie Lal

4.5/5 on goodreads.com

Discover breathtaking destinations. Have amazing adventures. Capture stunning photos.

Have you ever wanted to eat breakfast with a giraffe in Kenya? Or watch the sun rise from a Jacuzzi in the Philippines? Or ride a Vespa along the Amalfi Coast? Dream no more! Turn your fantasies into Instagram-worthy photos with help from Aggie Lal (@Aggie), one of the pre-eminent Instagram travel influencers.

Pack your bags and grab your passport as Aggie takes you on a journey to her favorite places in the world. She'll share the best times to travel, what to do for fun in each locale, and, of course, how to recreate some of her beautiful photos. You'll also learn what you need to take with you, how to navigate cultural differences, and how to make the most of each experience.

100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See by Joe Yogerst

4.28/5 on goodreads.com

Buckle up for the road trip of a lifetime: 100 epic journeys through all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces offering thousands of sites and roadside attractions along the way. A sequel to the best-selling 50 States, 5,000 Ideas.

From a vineyard route through Northwest wine country to a winter wonderland on Alberta's Icefields Parkway, this informative travel guide offers epic sights, good bites, and pure fun. Pack your car and hit the road to experience 100 drives--both classic and off the beaten track--across the United States and Canada. You'll find innovative itineraries outlining your route, along with when to go and what to see and do along the way. And there's something here to satisfy every passenger. Take in the magnificent turns along Alaska's Route One through Anchorage to Kenai. Or wind your way through retro spots from Chicago to Los Angeles on Route 66. On nearly 600 miles of New Mexico's Trail of the Ancients, stop off to encounter sites dating back to A.D. 850. Or discover fossils along Dinosaur Drive, a route that winds its way from Calgary to Denver. Beach lovers will delight in Hawaii's Oahu Circle Island Drive, while history lovers can follow Canada's War of 1812 trail: a cruise between Montreal and Windsor with stops at major battlefields along the way. Filled with expert tips, tons of activities, and plenty to see and do as you drive--the ultimate road trip playlist anyone?--here is an inspirational and practical keepsake for any road warrior.

Travel Goals by Lonely Planet

3.79/5 on goodreads.com

Be inspired and empowered by this collection of transformative travel experiences. From sleeping under the stars or learning a new craft, to more ambitious challenges like taking a big trip alone, helping to rebuild a community or saving an endangered species, this is your essential companion to a life well-lived.

Each experience in this feel-good bucket list is enriching in some way, whether it's about forging a stronger connection with the natural world, helping the planet, or better understanding yourself. From the easily attainable to the aspirational, the variety of goals makes it easy to create a set that's right for you. Every goal is accompanied by recommendations about where to try it, as well as websites and information to ensure each one is achievable.

Road Trip: The Sports Lover's Travel Guide to Museums, Halls of Fame, Fantasy Camps, Stadium Tours, and More! by Lisa Iannucci

This guidebook breaks down--state by state--every place a sports fan will want to visit. The book will be cross referenced by sports categories and teams, so the reader will have an easy time finding attractions in a particular state by location or team. Included here are everything from restaurants owned by sports celebrities (i.e. Elway's in Denver or Yao Ming's YAO Bar & Restaurant in Houston) to such newly minted sites as the National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The latest trend--celebrity cruises with your favorite team--are also detailed, as are both birth places and grave sites of the stars, and such obscure museums as the Ted Williams Hitters' Hall of Fame in St. Petersburg, Florida. Conferences and a calendar of other fan events round out this essential guide to all things sports.

Doghiker: Great Hikes with Dogs from the Adirondacks Through the Catskills by Alan Via

5/5 stars on goodreads.com

Much more than a guidebook showing readers great places to hike with their canine companions in upstate New York, Doghiker is a dog owner's operating manual and tool kit. A lifelong dog owner, Alan Via makes a strong case for responsible ownership and offers guidance on selecting a canine hiking companion, training, safety, appropriate gear, canine first aid, and keeping your dog fit and healthy. Covering the Adirondacks through the Catskills, and areas in between, this unique guidebook includes seventy-seven beautiful hikes that are great for dogs. Each hike has a custom topographic map showing parking areas, trails, viewpoints, water sources, and other points of interest. Included are a peak-finder map and chart showing every hike and a summary of rating categories, as well as information on total mileage, elevation gain, ratings for views, difficulty level, dog safety and hazards, hiker traffic, trail conditions, and whether a leash is suggested or required. Detailed driving directions for each outing, including GPS coordinates for key intersections and trailheads, are also provided. By presenting all of this information, drawn from Via's forty-plus years of hike leadership, readers can easily evaluate which hike fits their needs and get outside and explore the great outdoors with their four-legged friends.

See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy by Frances Mayes

3.53/5 on goodreads.com

The Roman Forum, the Leaning Tower, the Piazza San Marco: these are the sights synonymous with Italy. But such landmarks only scratch the surface of this magical country's offerings. In See You in the Piazza, Frances Mayes introduces us to the Italy only the locals know, as she and her husband, Ed, eat and drink their way through thirteen regions--from Friuli to Sicily. Along the way, she seeks out the cultural and historic gems not found in traditional guidebooks.

Frances conjures the enchantment of the backstreets, the hubbub of the markets, the dreamlike wonder of that space between lunch and dinner when a city cracks open to those who would wander or when a mind is drawn into the pages of a delicious book--and discloses to us the secrets that only someone who is on intimate terms with a place could find.

[thebeautifuloutdoors]

A window to the sky. Peak fall foliage in the Adirondacks in Upstate NY[OC][2000X1332] https://ift.tt/2ohbIMH

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[princip1914]

Brilliant idea! 😬 - most disastrous outdoor adventure in life so far.

@ineffably-effable thanks for asking! Your ask got buried somehow and I just found it! Ive had a lot of disastrous outdoor adventures over the years, and a few that were near disasters averted (shout out to my partner of 5+ years who convinced me not to keep walking into a slot canyon with a bear and also on a separate occasion forced me to turn back when I was trying to complete a Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim with no food or headlamp). My sketchiest outdoor adventures have all been closer to home though. Most harrowing camping trip was in the Adirondacks while leading a preteen backpacking trip. We were camping in the High Peaks, which is known for bears. We did everything right--cooked far away from camp, put food in bear barrels, etc, but one kid in the group left a granola bar in his backpack. At around 11pm, a bear literally tore through the tent to get it. I was sleeping in a separate tent and was awoken by screaming. I had to chase the bear off with a stick, and the bear took the backpack with him. For the rest of that week long trip, our group was down one tent and one backpack, and because the kids were so freaked out, I had to rotate keeping watch with the other group leaders, sitting outside all night and shining headlamps at approaching bears to make them go away. I saw more bears on that trip than I have in the entire rest of my life. Needless to say, everyone on that trip learned a lesson about keeping your pack out of your tent and keeping all food out of your pack. I've definitely done other stupid things (winter camping in upstate NY with a sleeping bag rated to summer temps, taking a tent that no one had checked before hand, only to realize when we tried to set it up that mice had gotten in and eaten huge holes in it, camping in a flood plain and having to pack up at 3am in a flash flood) but I think the bears were the worst misadventure! I still love the Adirondacks though and go camping there whenever I can!

[aiiaiiiyo]

Fall is at its peak in Upstate NY. Presenting Adirondack mountains [OC][2000X1333] Check this blog!