A summer day in New York’s Adirondacks

Each new season, the Adirondacks of New York change their personality and mood. Summer is undoubtedly the liveliest season, with lodges and cabins and cottages full, local produce in farmers’ markets, and vacationers enjoying days on kayaks and hikes with rewarding views. Phil’s parents have a handsome “camp” on Long Lake, and we took the opportunity last week to drive north, escaping the sweltering Florida summer for lazy days on the cool lake. Here’s a typical summer day on Long Lake. You sleep in until the morning sun gently nudges you awake through the picture windows, then you trudge downstairs and cut yourself a thick slab of chocolate-studded banana bread that you made the night before. You put the coffee on to brew, then lumber down to the floating dock with your breakfast.You assume your position on the dock and wait for a travel mate to follow you with fresh mugs of coffee.Then, well, then, you relax.Maybe you take a dip in the crisp, clear lake water.Or maybe you go for a hike along one of the many local trails…...stopping often to admire the short-lived greenery of a Northern summer.After working up an appetite swimming and/or hiking and/or admiring, you head into town for an outdoor lunch at the Lakeside Knoshery, a real NYC-style Jewish deli. Perhaps you’re in the mood for corned beef heaped on rye with coleslaw and a pickle?

And, how about a potato knish, mashed potatoes surrounded by a savory fried donuty dough?

You might be in the mood for a sweaty bottle of birch beer, a soda similar to root beer.

And you might want to poke around some of the shops.

Every trip into town inevitably takes you to Northern Borne grocery store, with its tightly packed shelves taking advantage of every inch of space.

You peruse the local produce outside, picking up snacks like bender melons…

…or apricots, or sugar plums…

…or blueberries.

Then you head back to camp and crack a local beer or two, sampling a variety of brews from the Saranac Adirondack Trail Mix.

The lake and the dock beckon you for another swim.

And you could even jump in a kayak and explore unknown shores.

If you’re feeling motivated, you can whip up a simple summer dinner on the grill. Why not rub a chicken with a spice rub, stick a beer can up his butt, and prop him up over indirect heat for an hour or so?

Then, after you’ve enjoyed the juicy, tender bird…

…on a deck overlooking the lake…

...you can toast marshmallows over the smoldering embers and make gooey oozy s’mores…

And then settle in for a good read.

But if you’d rather hit the town, you can head over to Quackenbush’s Long View Wilderness Lodge, an atmospheric hotel right on the lake with a restaurant and pub.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the menu, and enjoy creative dishes such as roasted apricot quail served with sage corn bread and grilled asparagus over mashed potatoes.

Or if you’re in the mood for something from the faraway sea, you can have giant grilled shrimp tossed in a scampi sauce over wild mushroom risotto.

And even if you’re nostalgic for the South, why not try Rajun Cajun andouille sausage and shrimp ravioli tossed in a spicy cream sauce?

Then you can hop over to the Adirondack Hotel…

… for a drink at their nineteenth century bar.

Then you head back to camp and look forward to waking it up and doing it all over again.

Lakeside Knoshery

http://www.longlakeboattours.com/Lakeside_Knoshery.php

1240 Main Street, Long Lake, NY

(518) 624-LAKE (Seasonal)

(518) 624-3911 (All year)

Quackenbush’s Long View Wilderness Lodge

http://www.longviewlodge.com/

681 Deerland Road-Routes 28N and 30, Long Lake, NY

(518) 624-2862

Adirondack Hotel

http://www.adirondackhotel.com/

1245 Main Street, Route 30N Long Lake, NY

(518) 624-4700