Wilderness Camping in the Adirondacks
It was a combination of things that set this camping trip into motion. Cabin fever, the memories of last November's camping trip to Somerset, VT. and our new dog Tucker.
Road to Somerset Resevoir
Our beloved Lab, Mia passed away and we were waiting for the Good Lord to place the right dog into our hands, like He did with Mia. In January we were introduced to Tucker. Tucker "T" is a Boarder Collie mix. A breed I knew little about. I was agreeable to bringing him home, but had my doubts about my affection for the little cus. Four month + have passed and I can't imagine having any other dog!
"T and me on our most recent adventure at Hapgood Pond
Tucker is a very smart and loyal dog. The type you can train to go anywhere and do anything with. Especially camping! I imagined how much fun he would have been on my last trip, 6 months ago.
Six months is too long between adventures for me. Cabin fever had it's grip, and it was time to break free. I found the nearest open dates on the calendar, took a Friday off from work, and packed my bags.
Sleeping platform with storeage underneath and a cargo carrier for fire wood
Where I was going had not been decided. I knew I needed to be near water, and I wanted to explore a place I hadn't camped at. It wasn't until the final hour that a place came to mind. Ah yes, the wilderness of the Adirondacks of New York and Mountain Pond.
One of the many wilderness roads in the Adirondacks
Ann and I stumbled upon this Pond and it's wilderness campsites while on a road trip in the fall of 2018. We camped out of our car with Mia that weekend, but found a more suitable spot later that day. I vowed that I would return.
Mountain Pond. Fall of 2018
Being true to myself, and my bags packed, I was soon headed West. I arrived later than I wanted to, but I was hopeful that the prime site on the pond would still be available. My hopes we're dashed when I saw a tent on the site. I had to settle for the one next to it, and hope that my neighbors were cordial. They were.
A quick survey of the site had great promise. The evening light that was shining on the opposite shore assured me that everything was going to be OK. I layed out a plan, and proceeded to set up camp.
A welcomed and familiar sight
Tucker and I would be sleeping in Brutas, my Toyota FJ Cruiser, but it would be attached to a tent. This was to keep my site should we go off somewhere for the day.
Our handy SUV tent
My plans for Tucker were to see how good he would be off leash, and if I could get him to ride in my kayak with me. I kept "T" leashed while setting up camp. I get pretty focused when I'm setting up and didn't want any distractions.
Tucker had a long chain and was able to sniff his way around in a pretty good radius. Occasionally he would run up to me with excitement and use his herding instincts to instigate a quick rub on the head, and a good boy from his master.
Tucker standing guard
Granny, who likes to live vicariously through me, supported our trip with plenty of viddles. This made for a very inexpensive trip. Always a plus. For Christmas, she gave us several boxes of camp and snack food essentials which I used.
Granny provided a steak and instant potatoes to enjoy
Once I got settled in, I prepared dinner and a fire. I sat by the pond and ate my dinner as the sunset. By this time I had let Tucker off his leash to experience some freedom and to see how far he would test the limits.
Tucker was like a little kid experiencing things for the first time. He sniffed everything in sight, chased sticks, and played by the water. He never got to far out of daddy's sight. Like a proud dad, I waited to for that perfect picture opportunity to remember the evening by.
My best picture so far
The sun had set and the glow of the fire made my eyes weary. Tucker settled down beside my chair for a casual pet between nods. I forgot my favorite plaid Johnson Woolen Mills shirt that Ann bought me for Christmas, so I had to hit the sack early.
Tucker; so eager to follow me wherever I go, leaped into the back of the truck like a reindeer. His smug look said it all. He had found his spot and I was just going to have to work around it . I slipped into my warm sleeping bag while Tucker bedded down on his blanket.
The night was cooler than expected and the poor pooch was beginning to shiver. He welcomed the cuddles, but by morning time there was a touch of frost in the air. Feeling bad for the ole boy, I disconnected from the tent and went for a short ride into the wilderness, with the heat on. "T" was was quite content in his warm and mobile dog house.
Tucker's mobile dog house
Back at camp the rising sun was pulling the fog off of the pond like a blanket. Streaks of sun reached for the sky as if it was stretching to say good morning. For me, it was just another wink from Heaven!
Morning campsite
God wink
I was anxious to try out my new cast iron skillet / Dutch oven combo set that Ann bought me for Christmas. I love cooking Over an open fire. Cast iron is the way to go, once you learn how to use it. I have different variations from the same cooking style, depending on the situation and how I feel. This morning I was able to cook everything in 1 pan. When it is all said and done, I have a delicious meal, hot and ready to serve. I find it a challenge to have everything hot and rady to serve at the same time. My morning breafast was much leaner than my usual camping fare. It was turkey bacon and sausage with scrambled eggs. Ann would be so proud!
Cooking everything in 1 pan
A leaner breakfast
Tucker was content to stay in the truck and on his leash. I was anxious to get out on the water, and wasn't in the mood to coax him into the kayak. The introduction to the kayak from the night before was a success. I was happy that he was even willing to jump in and sit with me. The water was like glass. The kayak glided across it in a smooth, stealth like fashion. The occasional sound of rippling water harmonized with the birds that seemed especially happy to greet me. Their songs lifting upward as the fog arose from the pond. My eyes must have been big as saucers, as I took in the morning beauty. It was like Christmas morning for this camping kid.
Gliding over Mountain Pond
Arriving at shore, I was greeted by my faithful companion who sat dissapointed at the water's edge. This would turn out to be part of a diabolical plan that would pay off on my next camping trip with Tucker. Part of my promise to Ann was that I would'nt kayak without our life preservers on. Tucker's sad eyes convinced me that it was time for a ride into town to purchase one for him. "T" demonstrated enough interest and intelligence that I felt this would be a worthy purchase. Maybe his sad eyes were part of his diabolical plan?
Tucker waiting for his master
Some of the Adirondack's finest wilderness scenery
My candy store
Roads into the wilderness capture my desire to explore. The Adirondacks, I am learning, are loaded with them. Brutas is a trusty steed in all conditions, so I felt confident that we could explore without an issue. Finding wilderness campsites, ponds and lakes is like being on a treasure hunt. I'm always on the lookout for clues. When I find one, I have to get out and examine it like a fine gem, then, imagine how to maximize it's beuaty. My current campsite at Mountain Pond is a good example of that. Tucker is always happy to go along for the ride. Finding an occasional nature shot to add to my photo archives is also a plus.
While exploring, I couldn't resist going into Saranac Lake and visiting my favorite outfitters shop. St, Regis Canoe Outfitters is like a candy store for the outdoor enthusiast. It seemed like a good place to bring in the pooch, and get him fitted for a life preserver. I didn't find one that I liked but I had great conversation with the clerk about being a wilderness guide that got my dream factory going. Every now and then, I get on this kick of wanting to help people enjoy a wilderness experience for hire. How cool would it be, to get paid for what I thoroughly enjoy doing for myself? How cool would it be to customize an experince for someone based on their desires and skills? How cool would it be to make lasting relationships while surviving in the wilderness together? I think it would be way cool!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing around the campsite. To revive my hope in fishing, I cooked up some smoked trout that I had in the freezer back home. It was from my only successful fishing trip since I was a kid. It was a chartered fishing trip. I broke out my cast iron artillery. I have learned that I can situate 1 pan away from direct heat, and use it to keep cooked foods warm, while I finish cooking from another. I can move the pans around, depending on what I am cooking and the need for heat. Timing is everything. When that perfect timing is combined with the beauty of a wilderness backdrop; well it'd damn near close to Heaven! Sitting in my reclining camp chair added to the rapture like experience!
Multi tasking at the grill
Forming my gratitude list
My faithful pup waiting for an invitation to sample lunch
With a full belly and a little bit of hope, I grabbed my fish pole, and new tackle, in hopes that I would do more than get a fishing lure wet. Once again the water was smooth and navigation easy. I was content just to paddle beneathe the blue skies and random puffy clouds. The sun's radiance was more than warm and welcoming for the first week in May. The wilderness brought out such vividness in it's colors that I just wanted to soak it in like paint on a canvas. Catching fish became secondary. I tried various spots and lures with no luck. Not too surprised, I continued paddling around the pond. The urge to take a nap called me back to camp without any fish. Laying in my camp chair with my little buddy by my side, or in my lap, seemed more assuring than catching fish.
The vivid colors of Mountain Pond and the Adirondack wilderness
The plan was to spend 2 nights. Normally I am all about getting the most out of the time I am given. Getting in every possible experience before going home has been a part of who I am since I was a kid. I don't know if it is age, not wanting Tucker to endure another cold night, or missing my wife at home, but there seemed to be a peace that was settling in with the cool night. No matter how hard I tried, I could not talk myself into staying another night. However, I did have a fat juicy steak that Granny gave me. It would be disrespectful if I came back home with it. I was at peace with throwing my heart into this last meal, and watching the day fade to night. From the comfort of my chair, and a warm fire, a large gratitude list came to mind.
Taking in God's creation with experiences like this help to keep me right sized. Somewhere between feeling like a speck of sand in the grand scheme of Creation, and feeling like all of Creation was made just for me to enjoy, lies an appreciation and humility that I can't put into words. Perhaps that is why trips home are always so quiet, and full of introspection. I don't think I will ever stop seeking a way to put this great mystery into words. God willing, I will never stop having experiences that keep me trying!
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