Upstate New York (and Vermont)
Who would want to ski down these? We saw several Olympic hopefuls make the jump while visiting!
GST Season V - Chapter 1
Quest for the West
“The ADK will leave you in a New York State of Mind.”
Go West young man, or retired couple, depending on what chapter of life you are in. What was once our country’s Manifest Destiny is now just a pleasant journey home as we are looking forward to catching up with family and friends and exploring the West again.
We begin this season having stood on America’s Easternmost Point and will not cease until a cool Pacific breeze blows across our bow, or trailer, but bow seems more romantic. 😎
Westport, New York is our first stop. Located on Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks towering behind allows us to gaze at Vermont. At the time we arrive the Green Mountain State is being pummeled by storms leaving many of its picturesque river valleys flooded, therefore we are unable to visit the capitol, Montpelier, as it is designated a disaster area. We did catch the ferry across to Burlington and visit its energetic campus and downtown lakefront. The Bay Front restaurant was the suggested venue for our “Maple Creamy,” the cherished treat for locals and ice cream lovers everywhere. IT WAS DELICIOUS!
We ride north towards Montreal with our route traversing the Hero Islands, Isle La Motte, and hopping along Highway 2 until we reach Alburgh; a unique peninsula of Canada that is U.S. territory surrounded by water... very interesting. The bridge to Rouses Point completes our Champlain Shamrock! 🍀
The ADK is still mostly wilderness even though is has been occupied by generations of man. With so many terrific hikes to choose from and only one day to engage, we picked Owls Head. This hike offers everything from forested trails to waterfalls, saving the best for last with a 360 degree view of the entire range.
Speaking of the best for last brings me to this...
I sat in the corner of a Wendy’s Restaurant on the 22nd of February, 1980, my all you can eat chili bowl never quite empty. I am fixated on the black and white TV placed in the corner by the manager. History was made that night by some ragtag young amateur players and their college coach. In an uncertain world, at an unpredictable time our nation was transported to Center Ice in Lake Placid to “Believe in Miracles.” The 1980 Winter Olympics and the Miracle on Ice will always hold a special place in my heart. Walking through that venue only solidified that bond.
It is no wonder that “the ADK will leave you in a New York State of mind!”
Travel safe and we will see you out on the trail!
John and Caroline
Points of Interest in Lake Placid and Upstate New York:
Hike the ADK:
Adirondack Park (ADK) is the largest protected area in U.S. It covers 6 million acres with over 3,000 lakes and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams. With 46 High Peaks, the Adirondacks offer a gratifying challenge for avid hikers dedicated to complete all, and become “46ers.” We were able to hike Owls Head Mountain for just over 5 miles and found the trail to be of moderate difficulty that ended with some fantastic views.
Bicycle in Burlington, Vermont:
Our time in Vermont was hampered by historic rains and flooding in the state. The Grand Shamrock Tour will be taking a “Rain Check” on riding the 13 miles of gravel paths of the Island Line Trails along Lake Champlain in Burlington.
The Legacy Sites of Lake Placid:
We discovered the Legacy Pass at the site of the 1980 Olympics that can be purchased in order to experience Lake Placid (home of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics) and the Olympic Region. Here is our itinerary for our time in Lake Placid:
Ride the scenic Cloudsplitter Gondola: from the base of Little Whiteface to the summit with views of the Adirondacks and beyond.
Ride the Veteran’s Memorial Highway: 2300 feet in five miles with a castle at the top! To reach the final summit you can follow a tunnel and take an elevator to the top or hike 20 minutes for some special views. On a clear day you can see Montreal, Canada.
Tour Mt Van Hoevenberg with a guide to see the hillside bobsled and training facility for cross-country, bobsled, and luge.
Visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and home of the 1980 “Miracle On Ice!”
Take the gondola to the top of the Olympic Ski Jump and training center. Check the schedules and you may even catch the ski jump practice!
Ride: The BEST roads in Upstate New York and Northern Vermont:
We rode our motorcycles just about everywhere we went while in Upstate New York. Our priority was getting to Lake Placid and get our bearings before making any decisions on other activities. Along the way stopped by the inspiring Ausable Chasm some nice views before heading to Lake Placid. The roads are welcoming to motorcyclists with trees galore, rivers, streams, and ending with a stop at Donnelly’s Ice Cream in Saranac Lake. You can find the flavor of the day on Facebook. Donnelly’s has been in business since 1953 and serves just one “two flavor” twist each day. The line was long but remarkably fast at getting everyone “in one door and out the other!”
2. Take the ferry: Finally, we took the Essex Ferry across Lake Champlain and unloaded just south of Burlington, Vermont. The City of Burlington is an upbeat college town located along Lake Champlain. We chose to stop downtown for a “Maple Creamy” along the lake before heading north to the Champlain Islands: South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero, and Alburg. Our final ride in this area was worth the wait as the road brought us just south of the Canadian border before crossing the bridge back into New York.
3. Our ride to the top of Whiteface Mountain was a true gem. This was not on our bucket list for top rides yet we found the road to be in great shape and the views were worth the extra effort to hike to the top!
Lake Champlain area RV Location:
Barber Homestead Park
68 Barber Lane
Westport, New York 12993
518-962-8989
Miracle on Ice: Part II Takes us across Lake Champlain to Burlington to finally get that “Maple Creamy.” Who doesn’t love the ADK and Upstate New York? So good!
