Chapter 694

Sep 5, 2025

Long Lake

Dogcation

Schatzie wanted to go into the Adirondacks for a few days so we rented a motorboat and went 14 miles to the north end of Long Lake for a view of the High Peaks Wilderness, Seward Range of mountains. Reasonable rate at $85/day with military discount.

Life is a struggle. Had to photoshop composite 3 photos here to get what I wanted. Wind blowing boat in circles, camera tripod fails, approaching the danger zones of low water rocks, camera trying to do portrait mode blurring the mountains, Schatzie looking every whichway.  Wind started blowing bigger waves as a storm front approached.

We got a life vest for her and got her into a canoe and Kayak free from our motel. On shore training, then just along the beach at our motel. Very skittish in the canoe but settled down a bit in the tandem kayak.

Tension not shown. Stressed my bad hip balancing getting in and out. Remember the struggle thing.

We did a section of the hundred year old Northville Placid Trail, a 3 mile round trip 3 hour simple hike from the NPT trailhead to Catlin Bay on Long Lake. It wiped us out. 

Met through hiker Robert Kane at our start. He was about half way done with the 135 mile stretch. Family dropped him off in Lake Placid, son (fellow stumpie at ESF) will pick him up in Northville in about a week. Then he will bike from Albany to Manhattan. Last year he did bike from Buffalo to Weedsport. He has time at 60 years old and laid off from Xerox, Rochester- Product Development.

We should return with Lucas for a sleep over in the leanto, if clouds don't get in the way. Would be all free.

Schatzie absolutely loves hiking. Always ahead leading. Really enjoyed a refreshing romp in the lake at Catlin Bay. Met several other through hikers down there from NYC , Georgia, etc.

We are claiming to be NPT sectional hikers. Yes, we completed a portion so got T shirts. 

Picked up a NPT through hiker on the road next morning for a ride to the trail head. They go down to Stewarts for supplies or a stayover at the hotel. He was a 70 yr old retired from Purdue University, accounting.

We also did about 3 miles on the Rich Lake Trail and the Peninsula Trail loop at the ESF Newcomb Campus Adirondack Interpretive Center. 

Our cabin at the Long Lake Motel was really nice. We had the propane deck firepit going a couple nights, nice for the cool nights.

Launched drone from public roads to fly over  DEC Wilderness areas (that would be not allowed otherwise). Our cabin is in the foreground, rental marina on left and Rte 30 bridge to Tupper Lake right (or Blue Mountain Lake left).

It's a different vibe in the DAKS from 'normal life'.  Friendly, peaceful, sparcely populated and a natural environment.

Heard the Helms Aero seaplane land the mid day prior to this. Third generation pilot is a school teacher and not giving rides this day. We had many meals at the Adirondack Hotel at Long Lake lower right. Very nice, good meals, friendly and we could bring our dog into the open air dining section. Met several other dogs there. Our beach and cabins beyond the marina.

Our water destination is in the distance as far as the eye can see. Our land hike was through the woods on the right up past the narrow section.

Did a side trip to Buttermilk Falls on the Raquette River and this beautiful Forked Lake campgrounds. It was technically closed after Labor Day, but open for us.

When we left for home stopped by Blue Mountain Lake for the craft vendors. Very fine artistic and quality creations there. I bought maple syrup from a Watertown guy, Colleen bought a loon photo from a local couple. Everyone loved Schatzie.

The 90 miler Adirondack Canoe Classic started that morning in Old Forge and were due to arrive in the evening there but did not fit our schedule.