Terry's Journey in Retirement

Chapter 620


6/18/2022

White Pine Camp 2022

higher level living

We achieved this upper level strata (2635') by staying positive on our journey. Our late start on this hike of Saint Regis Mountain began at 2 pm. Had stopped to buy head nets to wear fearing the black fly season but they were pretty much minimal. The nets were invaluable however in warding off mosquitos. Although most of the hike was rather uneventful, the summit and top of the tower views were spectacular with 360 degree views. Had it all to ourselves as we only encountered a handful of other hikers.


It took 5 hours to complete the 6 1/2 mile round trip including drone time from the fire tower. Most of the journey was easier walking with perhaps 1/3 on the incline. You can see in the picture folder even little kids enjoyed completing the journey.


After a hard day's hike it was good to unwind by the fire and dry out the wet jackets. I was too exhausted to  BBQ the chicken on the outdoor grill so we just had cocktails & nachos.


The nearby Paul Smiths College capus is beautiful. This is right on campus next to their canoe launch and features St. Regis Mountain over Lower St. Regis Lake. We did that.

They have an old forestry program competing with my ESF program at S.U. Their campus is surrounded by woods and we took another selfie from their adirondack chairs on the deck of their student center. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly including a group of 75 plein air artists we encountered everywhere who were lodging on campus.


Visited the Visitor Interpretice Center at  Paul Smiths VIC  for a beautiful hike around the Herron Pond. It's free and vast. 3000 Acres with 25 miles of trails. (also Adirondack VIC web site)

Our 3 day stay was entirely in this remote Hermits Hut this year. Reserved Cabin 3 nearby for next year. Sent the drone horizontally out over the water as that was the largest gap with nearly full red pine tree canopy above. When you stay overnight at most rentals, it's merely a place to sleep. Here the cabin itself is an attraction especially with the 100 year old unique fireplaces in the bedroom and living room.


The Coolidges used this bridge in 1926 ( & camp description) to go from camp to the Japanese Tea House but now we just catch Largemouth Bass there and send my drone out for a capture now and then. Wikiepdia has  link to a 1926 Time Magazine article. 


Cell service is a sketchy one bar at our camp and wifi is minimal only from one of the main buildings on site (on the left). No TV, radio, or landline. Sometimes Pandora if the wind is not blowing or they haven't reduced power at the cell tower.  Saw a notice for potential tornados and hail so we drove 3 miles onto the Paul Smiths College campus for 4 solid bars of cell and free strong wifi to stay informed. Weather never did get violent but it gave me some good drone photo opportunities.


White Pines Camp produced this nice video capturing the layout of the camps.