We are back on the Chesapeake after sixteen beautiful days at Lake George. Silver Bay is our hailing port but Big Smile will never see the thirty-two miles of clean, fresh Lake George water. Someday we might get it as close as Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain but even that would be problematic due to the height restrictions on the canal system linking the Hudson River to Champlain. Something to ponder.

I have been coming to Lake George for 56 years and know very well the vagaries of the Adirondack weather. This is especially so in the fall. However this year we lucked out and for most of our 16 days we had sunshine and no rain. On top of this we had the pleasure of having our new Vermont friends over for a weekend. And they brought their sailboat which not coincidently is moored on our bay. John and Marion took us out on their Capri 22 for a perfect sail. We had not sailed anything other than a sunfish in quite a while so it was a treat.

Although John and Marion had to leave after the weekend they graciously left their boat behind for Cath and I to enjoy. Thanks to both of you.

The Adirondacks are known for their “high” peaks and although we are not experienced hikers we did climb Black Mountain on a perfect, clear day. It is a three-hour hike up but once at the top the views of the lake are magnificent. There is an old fire tower at the top but it was shut down in the mid 70’s and can no longer be climbed.

The following weekend my cousin Nance and husband Rob joined us. John also drove over from Vermont and the five of us got in another good sail.

Our lake trip ended with the ritual of boat hauling and storage. I elected to tow the jet skis to the launch area on a 40 degree morning. But that’s the Adirondacks.