ADK Trip 2 - Meacham Lake family fun

The Linds and Bassingtons went on their 2nd(?) annual camping trip.  We had such a good time that we decided next year, we will rent a cabin.  These pictures are from Zach and I'm really grateful for the shots he took.  We're also grateful for his deep dive into where to go.  Meacham lake is all the way north in the Adirondacks and, though it's open to motor boats, we heard/saw almost none... I remember 2.  We heard way more loons and owls and belted kingfishers than motor boats or even other people.

We learned that the Adirondacks get booked early, that August is better for fewer bugs, once again it's not worth checking weather, that there is a ton to explore and we just need to do it, that the kids can really hang on endurance trips.  

The campsite itself was in the woods at the edge of the lake and had a beautiful, if slopey fire ring.  We wound up taking over the empty neighboring fire ring, which was more level.

Let's see, we got in on Friday pretty early and found our campsite, bought some wood, and settled in.  The drive was a little long at 4 hours, but it was pretty and the kids slept most of the way.  Emmett just adores Zhora, so even when they were awake, they pretty much just chatted and played.  Camp set up was pretty straight forward except for the rain/bug resistant dining tent.  That thing was definitely worth the time and effort to set it up though.

This year we were more thoughtful about what we put on the menu.  Last year, I wound up pretty much cooking 80% of the time we were awake because I made it too complicated.  This year, I added more stoves and less prep-work.  Frozen hash browns instead of fresh potatoes and garlic and onions that all needed cut up.  The water was right around the corner too and we brought wash basins.  

I do LOVE to cook and eat in the forest.  Lighting fires and cooking for grateful people and breaking bread together are all good things that bring lots of joy.

This picture is from our 6 mile hike up Debar Mountain.  The kids were absolute troopers.  They chatted and hid and ran and played with very little "When will we get there?" or "I'm ready to go home" or anything.  I dare say they even had some fun.  Zach made PB&J sandwiches before we went and we took a nice lunch break on the log and had another snack at the lean-to.

Registering at the trail head.  4 adults, 4 kids in and out.  No one lost.  I'm looking forward to Emmett doing more of his own hiking, but it was nice to get the extra work out.

Woah! Newts and frogs and flowers and berries and trees.  So much to look at!

Emmett is a budding naturalist and is so careful when he holds animals.  I'm so glad he's interested, kind, and not generally afraid.

Lunch time!!  Thanks for the sandwiches, Zach.  

The Intrepid Trio summitting Rock Mountain.

3 miles in at the lean-to.  From here, the summit is only another .7 mile, but it gets super steep and scrambly.  We made the mature choice to head back down from here.

And a nice cooling dip in the lake.  The lake is made by a dam, I think and is very shallow for a very long way out.  It's max depth is 80', so plenty of depth for boats, but this kids could play very safely in the abundant shallows.  All the other kids really looked out for Emmett.

We had planned to go into Lake Placid whenever we had a rainy evening to get dinner rather than deal with cooking and hanging out in the rain.  I've been interested in seeing the Olympics facilities anyway.  Saturday evening provided a little drizzle and a fine excuse to go to a brewpub.  This photo is from the outdoor speed skating rink!  I do not understand how it could have provided a stable, predictable surface on which to build, but I guess it did.

The town was crazy busy for a summer day.  Lots of out of towners in addition to us.  It's a cool little town.  Too crowded, but fine to visit.  Once again, the kids had a lot of fun with the fountains and playgrounds.  We got some ice cream, too.

ADK again! Meacham Lake and beyond

Our second annual Lind/Bassington camping trip was this past weekend.  This year we headed all the way up to Meacham Lake, which is in the very northern point in the Adirondacks.

Got the normal amount of support on the drive.

Our campsite was fantastic and right on the water.

These pictures are from Saturday morning.  First picture was taken at 4:40 am.  It's hard to sleep in when it's this beautiful outside.

I love this picture.

Our hike up Debar Mountain.  This crew hiked 6 miles!  (Well, mostly.  Emmett rode most of the time).

After 5 miles, Zach and the girls thought they'd run a little!

Epic canoe trip.  We estimated that we crossed 8 or more beaver dams.  Still, we had a LOT of fun.

Emmett took a little nap.

Loons!!

On our first hike of Debar, we turned back a little less than half a mile from the top.  Monday morning, I got up and finished the run.  The last .6 mile was super steep and slippery and great fun.

Is it summer yet?

Summer has come to Ithaca.  The laundry is on the line... often getting rained on, the campfires have begun, the garden is booming, and the grass feels good on bare toes.  Almost every morning Emmett drags me to the front door.  He likes to check on the birds and then go outside and check for rain.  He puts one arm out first and then walks out into the grass.

Sarah is working her tail off getting the garden secured from pests.  The tulle worked so well last year that she put it over the cabbage again this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to remove it without ruining it this time around.  We put up a new fence as well.  The chicken-wire had gotten too ratty.

Some of my favorite fires start out as daytime brush burns.

A random walk.  We don't walk as much as I want to, but we're doing pretty well.  We'll keep trying to improve every day.

It's funny to watch how Emmett learns what his toys represent and how to use them.  He has definitely figured out what wheels do.

Reading with Mama.  His reading endurance is increasing, which is nice.

Not a desert tortoise, but she's pretty cool anyway.  The red eared sliders and snappers and painted turtles all like to lay their eggs in the cinder along the trail.  In a few weeks, it'll be littered with the remains of the shells and the next generation of turtles will waddle into the pond.

A hot day at the market!

Self feeding is still in its infancy.  It's definitely more theoretical than practical.  Still, the little dude does like to try.

A brisk dip in Cayuga at Becky and Phil's beach house.  We had such a good time grilling and chatting and hanging out with Becky and Phil and Moe a couple times last week.  It was so great to catch up and hang out and eat good food.

Summer time brings mountain biking.  I woke up early Saturday morning and watched the moon set while I loaded the bike onto the Subaru.

Everything is so lush and fecund.

On Saturday the trail was pretty slick and washed out from all the rain.  It was a stressful and dangerous, and not that fast.  It was more like the trail rode me that the other way around... still, it was a better day than one without a bike ride.  Sunday's ride was much better.

Hanging out at our friend Heather's birthday party.  Next month, her daughter, Lara, will be one of the babies at the Brooktondale Babies Birthday Bash.

We finished up the evening at Zach's new place.  Lots of kids, lots of good conversation.