The joys of a good-bye ..

Moody Pond, Saranac lake, NY

Let me just preface this blog by saying ... I hate having to say good-bye to the Adirondacks.

Moody Pond, Saranac lake, NY

In the ever present quest for finding the positive, I find it as I drive away from the mountains and lakes that hold my heart.

State Boat Launching Site,  Upper Saranac

Inevitably, there's one more snow covered road that I have to take because I just know that there's one more beautiful experience just waitng to be captured.

State Bridge, Upper Saranac

 

Between Tupper Lake and Piercefiled, NY

 I'll confess that some of the shots have been taken before; perhaps in another season.

But, I will argue that each one is different.  

It's a new day and the sun has never before shone on this day ... so it is new!

Regardless if it is a duplicate, I will love it doubly as much. And, my heart will be doubly happy.

What a beautiful moment in time.

Another Adirondack personality!

Mirror Lake, Lake Placid NY (as seen from Mirror Lake Inn - overlooking The Cottage)

 The personalities of little Adirondack towns vary across the mountains.  Add in what happens as the sun sets and you have another reason to love the area even more. As sun set over Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, I couldn't help but try to capture the magic.

If only the picture could come alive with the twinkle!  Let your imagination go and see the twinkle of the lights  woven through the pine boughs.

As night passes, another revelation is presented.

Morning dawns.  As light comes up, the clouds are witnessed blanketing the peaks of the mountains that they engulfed during the darkness of the day.

But, watch!

Although the changes are subtle .... they are there. You can see the mountain's personality peeking out beneath the cloud layer.  Of course, my mind can't settle there.  I so want to find my way to the base of that mountain so that I can look up to see what is above those clouds. I want to see that mountain smiling .. behind her veil of mist. You have to know ... there is much more to all this. 

It's that ever changing personality ... that is the beauty of the Adirondacks.

Deep in the heart ... of the Adirondacks

Old Forge, New York

 It's a place that you just have to wander through. Take your time; because, there are so many things that are hidden gems.

Each turn of the road revealed another opportunity to take in the personality of the town.

Old Forge, New York

7th Lake, Inlet, NY

It's hard to describe what a "road turn off" can reveal. The turn off (with a photo opt opportunity indicated) turns into a lovely, quiet moment that makes you take a deep breath, smell the pine trees and watch the snow fall ... ever so gently.

7th Lake, Inlet NY

Keep wandering and new color emerges. The W.W.Durant is iced in  but full of promise. Time to put that tour on my list.

Raquette Lake, NY

Raquette Lake seems to say - look at me now but come back!

It's lovely.

Heading even further north .... Long Lake emerges from the clouds.

And, the clouds lift off the mountains; telling me there is more.

Long Lake, NY

So that's part of the heart of it all. My soul is happy.

The unexpected ....

Oseetah Lake, Saranac Lake NY

 I love when I happen upon something that catches my eye.

Honestly, it could be anything ... but ... most often it's a small building with something unusual that makes me pause.

Scottsville, NY

 It often takes the shape of an outhouse ... not sure why that is. :)

Alaska

Alaska

 But a small cabin or shed can do it too.

I think you would agree .... there is something different .... something that keeps your eye ... on these buildings with so much character.

 

Waitsfield, Vermont