Now for Lake Placid Adventures:
I have taken getaways to Lake Placid at least five times since we moved to the Adirondacks in 2005. As I see it, it's a way to stay in the Adirondacks and do Adirondacky things (hiking, birding, skiing, snowshoeing, paddling) while having a taste of big-city life at the same time. That's its attraction for me.
When considering Lake Placid, it is crucial to note that it is unlike any other Adirondack village or town or locale. Lake Placid has an abundance of very wealthy residents (understatement), and that is probably the single factor that allows this place to be the unique Adirondack destination it is. This area is able to support one of the best independent bookstores I have ever had the pleasure of splurging in. I become literally insane when I visit and always spend more than $100 when I am there. This bookstore is well worth its own blog entry, and I will have to do that. And to think I didn't take a photo while I was in the store!
The above photo is a view of Mirror Lake taken from the area near the Mirror Lake Inn, a very short walk from Main Street, Lake Placid. I arrived Monday morning and left Thursday morning. Monday, when this photo was taken, was a beautiful day, as was Tuesday, which I spent in Saranac Lake.
While hiking up and down Lake Placid roads, I will confess that I did just a wee bit of trespassing to take a few shots of beautiful Lake Placid. Taking photos of Lake Placid is immensely difficult, I can tell you from my experience. If I may be blunt, the public is not supposed to take photos of Lake Placid, because ALL of its immense shoreline is privately owned. Although I'm grateful that many, many Adirondack lakes are within the Adirondack Forest Preserve, and are all publicly owned New York State lands and open to everyone, I am bothered that Lake Placid and all of the immense shorelines of the various Saranac Lakes
I agree, I prefer the “wild” Adirondacks better then areas like Lake Placid. But Lake Placid can be fun too. It has been too long since I visited the region.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it, Brian. Lake Placid can be a nice holiday when one lives in a wilder, remote region. But I would never, ever live in Lake Placid or near it, or in Saranac Lake, no way!
DeleteI do love the quieter, wilder ways of my region, west of the North Creek area.
I hope you have a chance to visit the region--I'm sure you could use a break this fall!
Lovely pics of Lake Placid; such a nice time of year for mini getaways.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to that part of the US. It all looks and sounds gorgeous, and I am glad you had such a lovely getaway. I would love to go to the bookstore you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always wanted to visit Lake Placid, but I had no idea it was so posh. Reminds me of Aspen, which I don’t really care for because it is in a beautiful part of Colorado but the posh residents mean it is mostly out of reach of most Coloradans, which is sad. I would love to hike and explore the Adirondacks, but will probably steer clear of LP.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,
DeleteBest to avoid LP in July and August, but June and September are very nice--walking around Mirror Lake is comfortable and pretty. The Adirondack Mountain Club has a site just outside of Lake Placid, called Adirondack Loj. Hiking around Heart Lake is gorgeous and wildish. Loads of great hikes from there, some of which offer views of the tallest Adirondack High Peaks. Saranac Lake is a wonderful town, not posh particularly, compared to LP. But the Adirondacks aside from these areas are incredibly wild and beautiful, though the restaurants and amenities are not as "golden." We live in a gorgeous wild area, though not far from the largest ski resort in NYS (Gore Mountain), and we have restaurants, but mostly the food is just average, if you have a taste for great cuisine, which we do. But we're not here for great cuisine, which makes all the difference. I do hope you have the chance to visit, hopefully in September, our best month!
What a beautiful place. I'm glad that you didn't get 'nabbed' when you were trespassing. It makes me glad that we have the 'right to roam' in Scotland
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY believe in the right to roam. I belong in Scotland, and England, where no one owns the coastline. I absolutely detest that people can own land on the ocean and prohibit people from walking on the shoreline. So a little trespassing, though I did not go overboard with that, because the last thing I wanted was a hassle.
DeleteIt looks lovely and I have to say - quite like parts of Scotland. I commented on this some time ago but my computer hicupped and the original comment doesn't seem to have gone on. I hope you're all having fun and that Sandy is settling in.
ReplyDeleteKatrina,
DeleteSandy is indeed settling in very well, although my way I spend my time has altered somewhat. It's that hour in the early morning, reading in bed with a cup of coffee that I miss the most. But that will come back again with time. And we are enjoying her so much!