ADIRONDACKS
Really impressed with the Adirondacks so far. The whole area is full of lakes
with houses scattered around their edges where there is access to the lake side.
So far we have not had much sunshine. Mornings are partly cloudy and nice, followed
by overcast and rain in the afternoons. This does detract from the sight seeing
but the beauty of the area still shows through. Going to be here in Old Forge for
a few days and then will end up in Wilmington for about a week. Ted is going to
do a little fly fishing on the AuSable river near Wilmington.
BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE
This doesn't show the true beauty of the place - no sun of course - but it is quite beautiful. We
went to a place called the Adirondacks Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. This picture is taken from a porch
on one of the buildings. There are many different aspects of local history presented. Interestingly enough
this history purports to start somewhere around the early 1800's. Not too politically correct! Anyway it is
just the history since the white man "discovered" the area. For what it presents, it is extremely thorough and
very well done. We spent several hours in the rain and sun investigating canoes, trains, architecture, design and
so on. Think this should be on the "must do" list if in the area.
OLD FORGE
Old Forge is situated on First Lake and is a popular destination in the Adirondacks.
We are camped just north of Old Forge on Route 28 on a lake named Serene.
Old Forge Camping Resort is very wooded
and a great location for sight seeing in this area. This is a water wonderland with
boating and fishing available
as well as cruises of the chain of lakes from First Lake to Eighth Lake.
FORT TICONDEROGA
What we now call Fort Ticonderoga was originally built by the French in 1755 and
called Carillon. It was the site of the greatest French victory of the Seven
Years War on July 8, 1758. It was also where the first American victory of the
American Revolution occurred when it was captured by Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold
and the Green Mountain Boys.
After it was abandoned and had collapsed, it was cannibalized for building materials
by the farmers that moved into the area. It has now been restored and is a great
place to visit for those interested in American history.
LAKE PLACID
Lake Placid is the site of much of the U.S. training for the Winter Olympics
for ice skating, ski jumping, hockey, luge, and more. It is located in a beautiful
area of the Adirondacks on two lakes. Very much a tourist destination, but lots
of fun anyway. The AuSable river is nearby and has some of the best fly fishing
in the East. Check out Fran Betters'
Adirondack Sport Shop located in Wilmington, NY.
SKI JUMPING
This is the Ski Jumping Center at Lake Placid. Two of the jumps are set up to
allow training all year round. The slopes are covered with a plastic straw that
is about 12-14" long. It is laid on the slope in over lapping rows. The ramps
have plastic guideways that are nubbed on the bottoms. The guideways have water
running down them when in use. This provides minimum friction for the ski bottoms
when running down the ramp. The plastic slope is also wetted to lower the friction.
The 90 meter jump is on the left and the 70 meter one is on the right. The 120
meter jump in the center is not set up for year round jumping.
120 METER SKI JUMP
This is what it looks like at the top of the 120 meter ramp, looking down from
the position the jumper would be when starting a jump. The vertical drop of this
jump is over 400 feet.
After standing up here, and looking down this ramp, I have a much better
understanding and admiration for the folks that do this sport. WOW!