Lunch with the loons and Today is officially Swinter!

Last weekend we took the hike around Cascade Lake and enjoyed the warm weather and no bugs.  Practiced walking on an Adirondack balance beam to cross the wet areas and then lunched by the lake at a campsite.  Saw some of the first trout lillies, trilliums and little yellow violets of the season.  Also enjoyed the views through the woods at what I like to call living art - now before the leaves you can see all the greatgiant erratics and trees with burls and awesome roots.  Then to make the day a pair of loons swam up to our picnic to provide entertainment!  A must do!

Then this AM we awoke to what our daughter declared is a "SWINTER" day her version of spring and winter combined so today it is swinter in the Adirondacks.  We've been waiting for a spring snow and it finally arrived today - I didn't really think spring could come and go without a good snow storm although it seems north and east of us took the brunt of the storm with some areas of the park getting well over a foot - I would guesstimate we had around 6 inches when I left this AM.  So enjoy the swinter weather now because it will not last long - we do need the moisture as the reservoir is not yet full although well on its' way and certainly ready for boats and campers to come back.  See you soon!

Stillwater Fire Tower

So today I believe is a vote at the APA regarding a couple of fire towers elsewhere in the Park as to weather or not they can remain and eventually be restored.  I am hoping that they will - part of the preservation of the wilderness found here should be the human history involved - the towers certainly are part of this.

http://www.pressrepublican.com/0111_environment/local_story_074221040.html

What I'm not sure about is how many people are aware that there is a group which was formed last fall to begin a restoration project for our fire tower.  Trail clearing was begun before winter set in - part of the trail will likely be rerouted eventually.  The Stillwater Fire Tower was one of our snow shoe destinations this past winter - it was a great day and even though we couldn't climb the tower it was an excellant destination.  On a clear day you can see across the Black River Valley from up there.  If you are interested in the project visit:

http://www.stillwaterfiretower.org/index.html

You will find contact information and photos of the fall work detail.  I encourage folks to take the hike - of course you are heading up on the way there but the reward for the climb is it's all down hill on the way home.  Great little spot to head for a picnic! 

Oh - and if you haven't visited the community photo page yet folks are starting to contribute - a lot of really great shots!!!!!   I still need to get my winter photos all posted!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/stillwaterreservoir/

UPDATE  - APA Voted to keep towers!  Yeah! 

Spring is here

We've just returned from our "spring break" nothing like the college kids do I can assure you.  I am always so happy to come home to Stillwater - we drove to Florida and back over 3000 miles and while I will admit upstate NY appears to be depressed economically - no one else has what we have here.

This morning I just couldn't resist raking out the flower beds - at least starting - they are still kind of wet.  It is always so rewarding to see the plants coming up like old friends back to see us again.  How they make it through the winter here I'll never know - oh there's always a blank spot or to where something is missing but that is just like life in general - we'll go out to our favorite perenial farm and buy some more - up on Tug Hill - I've had the best luck with plants bought there - seems if they can survive Turin they can survive Stillwater. 

I missed my snow crocuses they came and went while we were away - just some shriveled flowers left - daffodils will bloom soon - now that the wet leaves are off them they should have an easier time of it. 

So we'll be open now most weekends and looking forward to May - getting back on a regular schedule!  If you've been missing the webcam it is back online - seems some power hits knocked it off line while we were away.  Talk to you soon!