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A Short Hike In the Dark: Gull Pond

It's mud season. That means the snow is melting and where it has there are mud puddles. Many folks sit mud season out, but if you have a kid who's been inside for way too long, mud season is a time to get creative and get outside.

Gull Pond is a short hike from Alder Meadow Road on the northeast side of Schroon Lake. The half-mile walk from the trailhead is mostly flat. The pond is a popular swimming hole in the summer. During mud season it is quiet.

We've been to Gull Pond many times and my nine-year-old son, Tristan, was getting bored with it. The easy trail is a good way to start the hiking season, however, so I proposed an option that interested him. We got out of bed early and hit the trailhead around 6:00 a.m. In early spring it's still dark until 6:30 a.m., and this day it was foggy and drizzling. Dressed warm for the just-above-freezing temperature, we donned our headlamps and, following the beams of light, started in, picking our way around muddy patches and trying not to slide on the icy snow.

The pond was still frozen over except for a couple of feet around the outside edges. Assuming it must be thinning, Tristan tried to break the ice with a long branch, but it proved too strong to break. We did not attempt to walk on it, though. The water is very cold and we wouldn't risk falling through.

The sun came up while we were at the pond. It would have been spectacular if it wasn't too cloudy to see. The drizzle didn't stop the birds from serenading us, though. A woodpecker provided percussion for the morning song. 

We walked out without our lights. There was a brief hiccup when Tristan's boot sunk into the mud and he needed help pulling it out, but it gave us a good laugh. We were home in time for breakfast, and our hiking season was off to a great start.

A sunrise walk with headlamps or flashlights is a great way to bring new variety to an easy hike for kids. Make sure to dress warm and bring hats and gloves. Adirondack mornings can be chilly, even later in spring.

Destination Goodnow Fire Tower

 

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In Newcomb there is a world of forest and some superb views. The spring bonus snow we got last weekend made a hike up Goodnow Mountain even better than expected. 

The heavy snow that fell the week before had been sitting for a few days and made a sturdy base so we were able to climb without snowshoes. Three inches of mega-crystalline super-fluff on the surface made everything twinkle.

The trailhead for Goodnow is well marked, just a few miles west of the village of Newcomb and the Adirondack Interpretive Center. Students from SUNY's College of Environmental Science and Forestry maintain the trail.The snow covered most of their work but the bridges felt sturdy under foot and made nice patterns as we crossed.

This trail is a beautiful woodland path. It starts low and climbs gradually so you can look around and appreciate the forest. There are numerous small brooks that add nice sound effects, gurgling to life after being muffled all winter by the snowpack.

We flushed a few grouse and took a close-up look at a skinny little spider that was probably hoping for some snow fleas to eat. None were apparent—the temperature was around 20 F.

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As we got closer to the top we came through a saddle that was the only place we considered putting on the snowshoes we had carried. For one hundred yards we trudged through knee deep drifts where clearly the wind had blown with force and piled up the dry snow the previous night.  

From the saddle we reached the old barn. Guidebooks tell that the Anna and Archer Huntington who once owned the land logged with horses and this dilapidated barn is what remains. Above the cabin we passed through the little col and then up to the summit, where the fire tower surprised my companions even though they new it would be there.  

Fire towers to me are elegant in a mechanical way. The stairs can have a rickety feeling but the cables hold tightly. At around 60 feet in height, the tower at Goodnow is one of the higher ones still standing. From it you can see a 360-degree wow when the sky is clear, which fortunately it was last weekend.

There are very few places where hikers can get a comparable view for the amount of effort it takes to climb the 1000 feet up this mountain.The sky had opened with sunshine for us and we could see all the way to the High Peaks in the north and across the much-discussed Essex Chain of Lakes to the south. On the top level of the tower we got our bearings and identified the distant peaks with the help of the interpretive panel.  

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We didn't investigate the ranger's cabin. It hasn't been used for fire observation since 1979 but I've read that research is being done on canopy cover from the fire tower. The solar panels on the ranger's cabin must be powering the remote camera and other instruments. Photos of the forest from above could tell scientists about changes in leaf-out timing from year to year.  

After an excellent lunch, (Why hike without good food?) we descended. Inspired by some great fisher tracks we bushwhacked and found interesting scent posts and tracks that danced down a fallen tree, eventually leading to a brook and putting us back on the trail.  

Goodnow is a great hike in any season. The view is outstanding, the fire tower is historic and the trail is easy on the legs. We were about an hour and a half up and the same coming down, including stops to examine lots of things both ways. We planned to ski some of the AIC trails but will have to come back when we have more time. 

Spring hike up Mount Severance

 

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I had already planned to go to Schroon Lake for a meeting on a recent spring day, but with warm temps and sun predicted, I decided to combine the trip with an outdoor adventure. Itching to spin, I set a goal of riding my road bike around the entire Adirondack Marathon route.

I packed the bike and gear, a pair of sneakers and my briefcase and headed out with enough time to ride the 26.2 miles before my meeting began.

When I arrived in Schroon Lake, I decided to first take a look at the roads via car. This time of year is tricky; the "busier" roads are cleared of sand and salt earlier than the secondary roads. The marathon route covers both types.

I drove onto the first secondary road of the race route, Alder Meadow Road, and it looked summertime-cleared of sand. However, about a mile or so in, I realized why; the town crews were there cleaning the roads that very day. I passed them and came to the junction of Alder Meadow and Adirondack Road, which takes runners south along the eastern shore of Schroon Lake to the Town of Adirondack. At this junction, I realized that my plans would have to change.

This winter, which was great for snow sports as we had a good amount of the white stuff, also required consistent sanding of the roads, and this one hadn't yet been cleared. There was a substantial amount of residual sand in the road; not safe for my skinny tires (especially since I was planning to ride solo).

I quickly switched from Plan 26.2 to Plan 2.4. Luckily, I had brought along my trail running shoes.

I decided to do a short hike instead. With spring weather this beautiful, I had to do SOME sort of outdoor adventure. I had heard that Mount Severance was a short, 2.4 mile round trip classic local hike, so I looked it up on my smartphone and found the trailhead just across the street from the entrance to Alder Meadow Road.

Before I hiked up, however, I decided to obtain some nourishment. As luck would have it, the Mt. Severance Country Store was very close by, adhered to my new Plan 2.4 "Severance" theme, AND they make a mean sandwich, I knew from experience.

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I ordered a sandwich, grabbed a bottled water and headed back out. (I had planned to carry the sandwich to the top and have a picnic, but it somehow disappeared before I arrived back at the trailhead.)

With all the running around I had done, I had actually run out of enough time to do a leisurely hike before my meeting, so I went to work, and returned to the trailhead at around 3:30 p.m. Though there were no cars in the lot before my meeting, there were now 4 vehicles parked at the trailhead. This was a welcome change to me; I'm not accustomed to hiking solo - at least not without my dog.

The beginning of the trail is interesting; in order to get from the trailhead to the mountain, one has to cross the four-lane Interstate 87 that goes from Albany north to Montreal. This crossing isn't as dangerous, though, as hikers can access the other side via two culvert tunnels. For those of us prone to claustrophobia, this adds a surprising twist to the adventure.

I made it through unscathed (except for a couple of broken nails acquired by grabbing onto the corrugated wall of the culvert to avoid slipping on a somewhat slippery entrance, due to ice that formed from melting snow. Shoulda worn my bike helmet!)

I signed in at the register located between the two tunnels, and after exiting the second, started up the snow-packed trail. All along the mile or so up to the summit, the trail varied from completely clear of snow in sections to post-holed packed snow in others. There were a few spots that were ice-covered and would have been better tackled with traction assistance like microspikes, but I was able to easily skirt around them.

I passed a few exuberant, smiling families, complete with kids ranging from 2 feet to 5 feet tall, all on their way down as I went up; the passengers in those cars in the lot. I didn't ask where they were from, but given the timing, I bet that this hike is a favorite after school local family jaunt; especially on a warm, sunny spring day.

I arrived at the top in less than 30 minutes, and took a few more to enjoy the view of still-frozen Schroon Lake to the southeast. There is apparently another vista that allows views to the northeast; but I didn't find it. As I was definitely hiking solo now, I decided to descend back down the trail; which took closer to 20 minutes to get back to the register.

The sign at the trailhead said that the summit is 1.2 miles from that point (2.4 round trip) and that the ascent is 813'. I used my smartphone app for the hike, and it reported that I had hiked 2.93 miles and gained 1,279' in elevation. (I think the difference reflects my switching on the app at the car, rather than at the trailhead sign.) Regardless, since I didn't get to do the marathon bike, I'm taking credit for the longer hike.

Learn more about the hike up Mount Severance, and check out all of the Schroon Lake Region hikes

 

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In Search of Herons: Big Pond

The Hoffman Notch Wilderness fills most of the space between Hoffman Road in Schroon Lake and Boreas Road, which connects North Hudson to Newcomb. There's miles of hiking along the marked trails and many more for brave bushwhackers. A treasure of the Hoffman Notch Wilderness can be found after just a short hike and an easy bushwhack, however, and it's a wonderful sight for children and adults alike.

In the spring, herons nest in Big Pond. The trail to the pond starts on Hoffman Road, two miles west of Route 9 in Schroon Lake. The sign marking the start of the trail is at the back of the parking area and almost impossible to see from the road, so look for the teal-blue trailer home on the right and pull into the parking area just beyond it.

We hiked in on a mid-April morning. There was still plenty of snow on the trail. Rain the evening before had made the snow icy and very slippery in spots. This is not a place to go without boots during mud season.

We hiked less than a mile and found ourselves on a wooden bridge over the outlet of Big Pond. Actually, it's not Big Pond. Big Pond is further northwest and what we could see was a wide part of Rogers Brook which flows out of Big Pond and eventually ends in Schroon Lake. It's the right place to be, though.

Going over the bridge and hiking a bit further up the trail brought us to the large boulder we were looking for. From the boulder, we headed due west and picked our way through the small trees and brush, After a short distance we topped a ridge and the pond was in front of us.

There were geese on the pond, but they weren't what we were looking for. Following the shore to the north gave us a better view of the dead trees in the middle of the pond and the herons.

The herons nest in a group and each tree held multiple nests. Some herons were sitting on their nests while others perched on branches or, for a real treat to see, circled overhead. We moved further north for a closer view, but a boat would be needed for a really good look. I'm not sure how the herons feel about intruders, so perhaps it's better to stay on the shore.

We watched the herons for awhile, then returned to the trail. Before heading out we followed the trail deeper into Hoffman Notch for about a mile. The ice-covered snow made the going difficult at times, but also preserved deer tracks for us to see and follow. The storm had littered the snow with twigs, pine needles, leaves and pine cones like a natural mosaic. It was very cool deeper in the woods and we were glad we were wearing our winter coats.

To find the pond from the boulder, Tristan and I practiced our compass skills. A compass is an inexpensive and lightweight tool that can keep kids amused while they learn to navigate in the woods. We have been turned around a few times out there and the compass we always carry has helped us.

Celebrating New Year's Day on skis

Hammond Pond Wild Forest continues to provide great outings this winter. To celebrate New Year's Day I skied from the Sharp Bridge Campground to East Mill Flow with two great friends.

Sharp Bridge Campground is one of the prettiest campsites in the Adirondacks and likely one of the oldest. The first campsite was placed at this location in 1920 according to DEC. The campsite where the trail begins is about 3 miles south of Exit 30 on Rte 9 in North Hudson.

Five days after the perfect first snow storm of the winter (Dec. 27-28), we expected to find that someone had already packed out the trail and we were rewarded for most of the way. Someone had clearly skied to the height of the trail and enjoyed the ride back.[img:SharpBridge1.jpg] From the parking area the trail follows the Schroon Brook southeast for about a mile. [img:SchroonBrook1.jpg]The going is easy and allowed us to test our wax—mine was lacking—and adjust. There's one place along the water where a road once crossed and you can see the remains of an old stone bridge. It's amazing what stands and what crumbles along the banks of these Adirondack Rivers.

We headed up a long hill to about 1250 feet through forest still heavy with snowy branches, looking forward to a great descent as reward on the return. From the top of the hill the route rolls along gently which allowed us to get into a nice ski rhythm.

Just was we were starting to feel an appetite, the forest opened into the East Mill Flow. [img:EastMIllFlow1.jpg]  The Flow is an extensive beaver flow that was well-frozen. We checked out the nice canine tracks, complete with scent marks. Probably both coyote and fox. There were seed heads from dried sedges and stiff, dark leather leaf foliage showing through the snow as we skied across to a rocky edge. The rock radiated warm sunshine that felt good after the shady trail.

Delicious, left-over maple-banana-walnut waffles slathered with peanut butter made a timely appearance followed by the special Bengal spice tea with honey and milk that David always carries in winter. We all had plans for the late afternoon so didn't linger although I was curious to continue the route to its end on Ensign Pond Road.

The trip back was perfect. I was less concerned with making progress than I had been on the way in. I noticed the high ledge that the trail follows and imagined bobcats napping in the sunshine up there. The trail was tracked out enough to make nice gliding. The sunshine made a light show in the canopy of bare branches and deep green needles.  We returned to the cars after three and a half hours completely satisfied. 

Schroon Lake: Hard-water Heaven

It's almost inconceivable that Schroon Lake can sometimes fly under the ice fishing radar, shoved off into the corner by the sprawling waters of nearby Lake Champlain and its incredible winter perch fishery, as well as the smelt that annually spark the creation of mini ice hut villages on places like Bulwagga Bay.

But make no mistake, Schroon Lake does, in fact, have a following of its own among hard-water anglers in the know. The reason is simple: the fishing can be fantastic.

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I fell in love with the lake more than a decade ago when longtime friend and Adirondack guide John Gereau introduced me to its ice fishing wonders. We pulled three fine lake trout through the ice one January morning, and I was a believer from that day forward. And the lake didn't disappoint, alternately yielding landlocked salmon, perch, smelt, and northern pike in subsequent outings.

I've always been enamored with the 4,000-acre lake's salmonid population (lakers and landlocks). To me, lake trout and landlocked salmon are symbols of pure, cold water and the northwoods. So over the years I've pretty much ignored Schroon's perch possibilities, unless it meant simply grabbing a jigging rod after I'd set a few tip-ups for the lakers and landlocks. The lake – actually the Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club – also hosts a hugely popular ice fishing derby in early March each year, an event that includes a spaghetti dinner and raffles and has become a tradition for scores of hard-water anglers.

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What I have learned along the way after fishing Schroon Lake for a few years is, arrive early. And I mean early. Cutting holes in the dark is normal for me, and that first hour after sunrise often seems to be my most productive. If that means staying home at night and getting to bed early, so be it. That's really not a big deal for me, even on traditional times like New Year's Eve when going out and staying out is the norm for many. A few years back, I never made it to midnight, choosing instead to forego Dick Clark's Times Square celebration and get some sleep, the truck packed for an early-morning departure down the road to Schroon, where safe ice awaited.

Paula came along on this outing, when temperatures were fairly comfortable as we trudged across the town beach entry point to a likely looking spot where we could set some tip-ups and enjoy the sunrise. I wondered how many anglers were struggling after a night of ringing in the New Year; I thought maybe I could sell aspirin for $5 a pop.

No wind on this morning, which in my mind was a great way to ring in the New Year. Our tip-ups were set at varying locations and depths. In winter, the lake trout and salmon could be cruising anywhere in the water column. But when our first flag popped shortly after sunrise, I was fully convinced it was a big pike that consumed our live shiner bait in the shallowest of our tip-up sets. It was off and running, threatening to run the entire reel out of its braided line. It was time to set the hook and see what was going on down there.

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A couple minutes later, and after a dicey cat-and-mouse game at the hole, we flopped onto the ice my biggest Schroon laker ever, topping 9 pounds. Not a bad way to start the New Year. I wondered where it would stand on the leaderboard had I landed it in early March during the derby.

We stuck around for a few hours before deciding to return home to OD on college football bowl games. The big laker – this one I took home for the grill – drew some attention as we hauled our sled off the ice. To me, it was just a reminder of the possibilities Schroon Lake offers every time you walk on its water in winter.

If you're looking to get out on the ice this winter, check out one of the many guides in the region. And when you need to warm up after a long day on the ice, you can visit one of Schroon Lake eateries, where you'll find something for everyone's taste.

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Louisa May Alcott’s classic comes to life at Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake

[img:littlewomen.jpg]This beautiful Wednesday evening has me headed south to the town of Schroon Lake and the Seagle Music Colony—easy to get to but tucked away in the woods. Tonight is opening night for "Little Women."

I have been to this venue once several years ago for the company's production of "Crazy for You" but the Seagle Music Colony is celebrating its 97th season and I regret not having made it to more shows in Schroon Lake. I have seen several of the shows on tour at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts over the years and while I was checking out the details on this show, I noticed that the Seagle Music Colony is touring the opera, "Little Red Riding Hood" and will be bringing it to Lake Placid on August 1. The Seagle Colony has extended its summer season into the fall and, as a result, this opera is also available to bring to North Country schools. I believe Keene Central School (where my son attends) will be one of the schools presenting it to students, through the sponsorship of the not-for-profit East Branch Friends of the Arts. (But I digress.)

I arrive about 50 minutes before curtain time and General Director Tony Kostecki informs us that there is a lecture going on in the adjacent building. My friend and I scurry over and are pleased to catch some of Director Richard Kagey's talk about the origins of this opera and how much author Louisa May Alcott drew from her own life for the novel of the same name. We learn quite a bit about the author's feminist leanings and transcendentalism. The room is packed and the audience is eager to hear the real-life parallels between the two.

[img:seaglehall.jpg]The production director states that some of the opera is extremely tuneful, and some is not. "It is very text driven," Kagey says. He goes on to explain that although this opera is in English, there will be "super titles" displayed. In fact, he warns that there is a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of the "super titles" in the lyrics in Act II of the opera, which Kagey makes clear is strictly the invention of the man who wrote the opera, Mark Adamo, and has nothing to do with Alcott's work. The director shares his enthusiasm for the opera and his company, "The cast has done a great job with it. They're the right age. For me it's been a really interesting journey." Even though this is the second time he has directed this piece, he is still finding new things the second time around and that it is "wonderful to revisit the piece."

The room we are seated in for the lecture is obviously a rehearsal hall for the cast who Kagey has referred to as: "young." But don't confuse young for inexperienced because the cast that vocalizes "Little Women" for us tonight is nothing less than professional and each one is extremely talented, as evidenced by substantial biographical program notes.

The opera opens with Jo at home in the Marsh attic and Laurie, Jo's long-time male friend and neighbor, bursting in to explain his marriage to Jo's youngest sister, Amy. Not the way most "Little Women" scenarios unfold but a clever way to begin and it works. Jo then relates her narrative through flashback. The opera focuses on Jo, her desire not to grow up, the love stories that she struggles against, and how these love stories engulf her.

The two hours go by quickly and the director is correct, some of it is tuneful, some of it is not. In fact, there is a number in Act II sung by Aunt Marsh and Jo that reminds me very much of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods."

"Little Women" at Seagle Music Colony will be over by the time you read this, but upcoming shows include Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd." Some of the company members will be presenting "Hooray for Hollywoood: A Revue of Music from the Movies" and "Little Red Riding Hood" at various venues in the Adirondacks.

To get dates and times and learn more about the magic of Seagle Music Colony, click through to the web site. For more on the wide-ranging arts events in the Adirondacks this summer go to the Events page.

 

Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay. 

Cycling Ensign Pond Road: where Port Henry shakes hands with North Hudson

[img:ensignpondride.jpg]I've found one of the most pleasant road bike rides in the land right in the Schroon Lake Region.

Locals will know that the Ensign Pond Road (County Route 4) is a wonderful, 13 mile long route from North Hudson to Moriah Center. However you get there, whether you start in Schroon Lake, North Hudson or in Moriah, this is a great place to explore on two wheels.

The road is scarcely traveled by cars, with few residences, so it's a quiet country ramble. I recently rode the length of it from Moriah to North Hudson as part of a longer loop, but it would be a great out-and-back for a future ride, too.

[img:ensignpondrd.jpg]There are several notable features on this one little road.

First, the road does travel from North Hudson to the town of Moriah, and there is a stone marking the boundary that has "North Hudson Port Henry N.Y." and an image of the two shaking hands etched in it. It is difficult to discern all of the letters and numbers, aside from "9 M." which I assume is the mileage left to the Moriah end of the road. (I haven't researched this marker, but would love any insight if anyone can provide information about it!)

The road also provides access to a trailhead to the Hammond Pond Wilderness, with trails to Trout Pond, Round Pond, and East Mill Flow. Another trailhead links to a loop to Moose Mountain Pond and Bass Lake.
 

 

[img:nhcemetery.jpg]Closer to the North Hudson end, there is protected wetland that is bisected by the road. A great stop to view wildlife, for sure.

And even closer to the western end is an historic landmark: the North Hudson Pine Ridge Cemetery. We stopped to view the old stones in this very neat and cared-for plot - an Eagle Scout restoration project, according to the sign. In this cemetery you'll find a number of War of 1812 soldiers buried - each currently marked with an 1812 star and flag.

[img:phnhmarker.jpg]In all one of the most lovely roads for cycling in the region - so agreeable that you'll feel like shaking hands when you ride it, too.

 

-Kim Rielly is the director of communications for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. 

AARCH offers Great Camp Santanoni tour on June 28

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Have you ever visited Camp Santanoni in Newcomb?

I've ridden my bike into this spectacular restored Great Camp along with a group from Adirondack Architectural Heritage. It's open year round - and you are encouraged to check it out!

-Kim Rielly, director of communications, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism


Here's your chance to do the same this week!

Great Camp tour:

Preserving Camp Santanoni
Thursday, June 28, 2012

Santanoni was built for Robert and Anna Pruyn of Albany beginning in 1892. The estate eventually included 12,900 acres and nearly four-dozen buildings. Led by AARCH staff, the tour will include stops at the Gate Lodge, Santanoni's 200 -acre farm, and the Main Camp on Newcomb Lake where we'll see the ongoing restoration of the camp complex and learn first hand about the conservation planning and restoration work. The Santanoni Preserve is a State Historic Site, on the National Register of Historic Places, and a National Historic Landmark. AARCH has long been associated with the protection, interpretation and restoration of this regional treasure. The round-trip walk is 9.8 miles on a gently sloping carriage road. The tour begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The fee is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. There will be another tour on September 14. Contact Susan Arena at

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Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is the nonprofit historic preservation organization for New York State's Adirondack Park. AARCH was formed in 1990 with a mission to promote better public understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the Adirondacks unique and diverse architectural heritage. 

Morningstar Bistro in May

 

[img:morningstar.jpg]I have two pieces of advice regarding the Morningstar Bistro & Gifts in Schroon Lake: 1. go there, and...2. well...ok, just one piece of advice.

My coworker and I were in town this week for a meeting, which ended conveniently at quarter to lunch.

It's a treat to sample some of Schroon Lake's fare JUST before the summer season takes off and there are more people milling about. We walked down the largely quiet Main Street for just a few moments before we happened upon the colorful facade of Morningstar Bistro. I had never been there, so we walked in.

We were quickly welcomed by the woman behind the counter, and encouraged to just choose one of their eclectic group of tables; our server will be right with us. So, we chose the circular one with the tiled top.

Our server came right out to take our caffeine - er - drink order, and gave us our menus. Seems like it's a lot more difficult to choose when you're starving, but we both decided to select one of the gourmet sandwiches listed in the first section, under the tagline: "Good enough to serve in Schroon Lake's Most Prestigious Hotels of Yesteryear."

Well, that made sense to me. I'd find out about the "Prestigious Hotels" later. I ordered The Brown Swan, which is a smoked turkey sandwich with their own cranberry

[img:morninstar3.jpg]spread, lettuce tomato and red onion on our choice of bread, and set about surveying the landscape. The restaurant is both a retail space (ergo the "& gifts" on the sign) and an eatery. Looking around, the walls are attractively adorned with shelves with a variety of trinkets, from handmade wooden signs and framed photographs to greeting cards. 

Our sandwiches arrived swiftly, along with Terra chips a side of homemade marinated vegetables. It was delicious, but would have created a doggy bag situation on a typical day. Today, though, it was just the right amount of sustenance for someone in my starving condition. [img:morningstarmenu.jpg]We finished up, paid and made our way back out to our car just as three more tables were filled. So I DO have a second piece of advice: whenever possible, get ahead of the crowds in May by showing up just before noon.

And the origin of the tagline "Good enough to serve in Schroon Lake's Most Prestigious Hotels of Yesteryear?" I called my go-to resource for all things Schroon Lake Region at the visitors center on Main Street, just doors from the Bistro. Turns out the gourmet sandwiches are all named after children's camps and grand hotels from the past.

And in the future? I'll be back to try The Leland.

Check out all of the Schroon Lake Region dining opportuntiies!

 

-Kimberly Rielly is the director of communications for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism 

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