wanderlust wednesday: tupper lake, ny

Almost each and every summer my extended family makes the trek up to the Adirondack Mountains for a week of camping and general shenanigans.  It’s a tradition that started many years before I was born and I hope it continues when I am long gone.  For the most part, we fully engage with car camping at its finest complete with evening campfires and one too many s’mores.  I know.  You never thought such a things was possible.  While most of our time is spent living it up at our campsites, when ventures are made to the outside world we tend to flock to Tupper Lake.  There are many North Woods towns that get a greater influx of tourists than Tupper Lake and at first glance it may look like the kind of place to pass on by with Saranac Lake and Lake Placid nearby.  But it’s these oft forgotten neck-of-the-woods that I find make for the best adventures.

Tupper Lake ends up being about a 6 hour drive from NYC so it takes a commitment to get up there but there’s nothing quite like the Adirondack Mountains.  Also, just think of the epic road trip playlist you can groove to you with your buddies as you make your way up.  Car dancing is where it’s at.  So if I could be booty shaking in my orange lovebug up to the Adirondacks this weekend, here’s what I would be up to:

STAY

There are a number of motels to stay at if you wish to re-live the 1980s (the family favorite is Shaheen’s).  However if you are making the trek to hangout in a woodland wonderland, I would recommend you either camp or cozy up in a cabin.  The goal here is to embrace nature.   For the more adventurous type, there are a number of NYS DEC campsites available by canoe/kayak at or near Tupper Lake.

EAT

Tupper Lake has a bunch of new eating establishments which is so very exciting, especially for us veggie minded folk.  There are two microbreweries in town: Raquette River and Big Tupper.  The former is for tastings only but they had shaded picnic tables and a food truck – Arthur’s BBQ – which meat-eaters and vegetarians alike enjoyed.   (Get the beer pretzel.  You won’t regret it.).  The latter has a brewpub feel with a large, wrap-around bar and Mexican-inspired eats.  They’re open 4pm-10pm meaning you can get a nice little pub-crawl going from lunch at Raquette River to dinner at Big Tupper.  Around the corner from Big Tupper is Well Dressed Food and I could hardly contain myself when I saw this cute little shop open along the main street.  I have yet to try it out but it’s well reviewed if that sort of thing matters to you and looks to have delicious eats.  Also, as far as I know, it is the only place in town to score an espresso.

Big Tupper Brewing may not have cable but they do have WIFI... you do what you've got to do when it comes to watching the Olympics.

SEE

Big Tupper’s – the aforementioned brewery - namesake is an old ski mountain in town.  You can wander around the grounds, which during the summer months tend to have a pretty array of wildflowers for your viewing pleasure.   For more nature seeing, ignore the advertising geared towards the 10 and under crowd and head on over to the Wild Center.   The elevated treetop trail is just as fun as much fun as it looks and who doesn’t want to challenge their cousins to a teepee-building contest?  Due to its popularity, I would recommend visiting during the week rather than the weekend and the earlier in the day the better.

DO

Canoe!

Exploring the lake by paddle is one of my all-time favorite activities.  It enables you to check out the local wildlife as well as ample opportunities to cool off in some fresh water.  If you don’t have access to your own or a loved one’s kayak/canoe/paddle board, Raquette River Outfitters has quite the paddling operation going.  They’ll even help you plan a route throughout the regions interconnected lakes, ponds, and rivers.   

Hike!

There are oodles of hiking options throughout the Adirondacks, including many within Tupper Lake and the surrounding region.  Ampersand is a bit of a legend with our family, mostly due to the underrepresentation of its difficulty by certain relatives.  That being said, if you are an experienced hiker who likes mixing it up with some bouldering, it is definitely well worth the climb.  For a less strenuous hike, Mount Arab, Goodman Mountain, and Coney Mountain all offer great views.  If you’re up to the challenge, complete all three for the Tupper Lake Triad which earns you a spiffy patch to show off your endeavor.   

Climb!

Baker Mountain offers some great options for rock climbing newbies.  Both High Peaks Mountain Adventures and Eastern Mountain Sports in Lake Placid offer guided climbs, which is where you would find me, should I get the chance to hang off a cliff in the Adirondacks this summer (pro-climber I am not).  I bet they would have some pretty sweet recommendations too for those of you looking for more challenging routes.

How to embrace the lake life when you are paddle-less - addition of root beer is key. 

notes:

adirondack summers are a bit on the cooler side, especially for us cold-blooded folk who prefer temperatures in the 80s.  listen to your inner mother and bring lots of layers.  i’ve been known to wear the same cardigan over and over again but if i was in the need for something new these two look like the perfect combination of affordable and cozy while treating the people involved in the clothing manufacturing process well.  

the olympic center at lake placid is especially fitting given this summer’s primetime activity but does require a bit of a drive on over from tupper to get there.  the photo op alone may be enough to entice you but let me sweeten the deal and remind you that you can ride an inner tube down the ski jumps.         

for more adirondack loving, check out last summer’s posts here and here.

kayaks and canoes

The little blue backpack was put to good use last week during the aforementioned family tradition.  While my grand hiking plans were thwarted, I did get to adventure along one of my favorite paddling routes.  You win some; you lose some.

I (generally speaking) have a fairly strong aversion to the unsalted-ness of lakes and ponds. Fresh water folks do not understand this.  They try to tell me that what they have is where it's at with their lack of post bathing sticky skin and absence of Jaws-related fish.  (That last one is false by the way if you've been keeping up with Shark Week.)  

There are, however, exceptions to every rule (or irrational fear as the case may be) and Rollins Pond encompasses two of them.  Foremost, it is deep enough at points for me to ignore the fact that all things wrong in this world lie at the bottom of it. And secondly, it is connected via a variety of creeks and rivers to other ponds and lakes.  This means I can focus my attention on the adventuring aspect and less on the leeches lurking below the surface.  (They are worms and therefore they take no prisoners. Scientific fact.) 

As my family likes to make it a habit to invade where ever we may go, we enlisted our full flotilla of kayaks and canoes for our descent on Rollins Pond and the surrounding areas.  That above photo is only a fraction of the group.  I told you - we do not mess around. We slowly meandered our way from one pond to the next, regaling anyone within a mile radius with our never-ending Pocahontas inspired sing-a-longs.  (Spoiler alert: smallpox was just around the river bend.)    

While these pictures may indicate otherwise, it actually ended up being a beautiful, sunny day. No one unintentionally ended up in the water, hazardous run-ins with the local fauna and flora were kept to a minimum, and as far as I know everyone was still on speaking terms at the end of our journey - which may be related to points 1 and 2.  All in all, it was a successful family outing in the great outdoors, fresh water included.

Should you find yourself in this neck of the woods and looking for a paddling adventure, here's a breakdown of ours:

Route: Rollins Pond --> Floodwood Pond --> Little Square Pond --> Whey Pond --> Rollins Pond

Mileage: ~6.5 

Time: 4 hours (we moseyed, stopped for lunch, and indulged all whims)

Canoe Carries: 2 (one is about 1/3 mi, the other is a hundred yards or so)

Tears Shed: 0 (whining not included but it was kept to a minimum, especially post lunch)

Number of Disagreements Regarding Paddles versus Oars: 5,926 (and counting)

notes:

- the tri-lakes region (tupper/saranac/placid) is home to a plethora of paddling adventures.  we mostly bring our own gear but i have heard good things about the folks at st. regis.  they even have a list of suggested routes and trip planning tips. so fancy.

- if scavenger hunts are your jam, there are a bunch of geocaches in the area which could easily be incorporated into the trip or be their own separate adventure.  we indulged in the latter and good times were had by all.  don't forget to bring a trinket to add to the stash.

north woods, ny

As soon as I took the last exam for my summer semester,  I drove my well-packed vehicle north into the mountains.  While my recent return to school has been better than what I anticipated, life lately has still been ridiculously busy.   By the end of finals, I knew I would be due for life away from computer screens so I coordinated time off from work with time off from school and made the 6+ hour drive to New York’s Adirondack Park. 

My extended family has an annual summer tradition of descending on the North Woods.  As each of us winds our way down one of my favorite wooded paths to the designated campsites we will call home for the next week, a regression occurs.   The past weaves in and out with the present and we all fall back into the familiar rhythms of lovingly harassing one another through the routine of sleep, eat, play, repeat.  The sheer number of bug bites and bruises on my body attest to this undeniable fact about family vacations.

Time has a funny way of nonlinearity when family traditions are involved.  We run and scamper, and poke and prod, and tease and tangle our way back into the familiarity of unchanging relationships.  I am yours and you are mine and I will love you until the end of time.  Isn't that the rhyming vow of all families?  Sure the attendance may vary a bit from year to year as relationships begin and turn into marriages, extraneous commitments take precedence, and the traveling to a place where there is no longer a living family member at times seem a bit too much to bear.

But even with the hubbub and the schlepping and the rigmarole of it all, this yearly ritual is an utmost necessity.  We play games both old and new, tell mostly true stories, and go on the most epic of adventures.  We stay up late, endearing ourselves to our neighbors with our deafening laughter well past the quiet hours curfew.  We sneak out onto the lake in the middle of the night for just one more glimpse of the Milky Way and maybe even just one more shooting star. 

This tradition did not begin with my generation but I will do everything in my power to ensure that it sticks around for the next one. There is something undeniably magically about intentionally gathering together year after year in this little piece of the woods we claim as our own.  Something that I hope to experience with this family of mine for a very long time.

notes:

- there are many places to lay claim to in new york’s adirondack park, including public and private campgrounds.  we stay near tupper lake as per tradition and fortunately it is also an ideal locale since it provides easy access to the tri-lakes area for a variety of hiking/paddling opportunities as well as rainy day adventures.

- related to the above note: if you happen to be in the area and looking for mild outdoorsy/rainy day activities check out the wild center or the lake placid olympic sites.  we checked out the ski jumps which host extreme summer tubing during the latter half of the week.  sadly, we visited on a tuesday but fear not; we have big plans in place for next year.

- my big brother got engaged to one of my favorite people while we were camping.  krissy has been a voting member of the family for many years but i am ridiculously excited for them to make it all official.  obviously my excitement is not real unless i announce it onthe interwebs.  obviously.

conscientious consumerism

Last month, I declared that one of my new year's goals (yes I am actively avoiding the R word) is to be a conscientious consumer.  This whole process actually started though just before I left for the Southwest.  I know.  This technically isn't tied to the new year as it started back in October but I say it still counts.  Initially, the commitment was to no longer buy clothing that doesn't sit well with my conscience but in the months that followed it sort of expanded into all purchases.  And yes, I know.  I am intentionally being vague. 

When this whole thing began, I had all these buzzwords of things I would feel at peace with purchasing floating about in my head - ethically sourced, environmentally responsible, sustainable, fair trade.  These are all good things but the distinction between how a product is advertised and how it is made turns out to be a bit fuzzy.  Some companies are making genuine changes toward better products but there are also some misrepresenting their products to cash in on the sexiness of sustainability.  Also, I ran into this personal dilemma of if I felt a company was making changes towards those values should I use my purchasing dollars to support them or should I only buy those items currently made in optimal conditions.  And lastly, just because a product is made according to principles I value, it does not mean that it is well made.  It's all swell and dandy to have a responsibly made item, but if it falls apart after the first wearing, it's a waste of money. So many things to consider.  And all right before a trip for which I needed to buy things like hiking boots and a headlamp.

The weight of these decisions made me even more indecisive than my usual self, and in the three months that followed, I purchased for myself a pair of boots, a pair of hiking boots, and two tank tops. Except for the non-hiking boots, every item bought was for the #deathbysouthwest trip.  Mind you during those same three months I discovered that two of my sweaters had holes beyond repair and I lost a pair of pants (don't ask).  All of this is really to say that it is time for me to take the plunge and buy some replacement items.  I knew going into this that not all of my purchases would be perfect… especially when I can't even figure out how to define what perfect would be.  In light of that, I think it is important when starting an endeavor such as this to give oneself grace.  At least that is what I am telling myself. 

With all of that in mind, I've decided to create a resource list of what I have found so far.   Granted, I am no expert so this list will be subject to many additions, edits, and updates. Please comment/email if you have any suggestions!

hats, socks, and everything in between

Alternative Apparel - long lasting and ridiculously soft tees and sweats
Appalatch - wool apparel and accessories made right here in the US of A*
Brook There - pretty underthings for the lady folk
Buffalo Exchange - sell your old stuff for gently use new stuff (actually any thrift store is good bet)*
Collective - sandals, tees, scarves, and hats from the UK
Everlane - tees, tanks, sweaters with the promise of more goods to come (I'm wearing their tee in this post's pictures)
Imogene + Willie - awesome jeans from Tennessee
Patagonia - all the outdoor gear one ever needs
PACT - mostly undies and tees and they even have a fair trade line
Prana - casual/active attire including bathing suits... and chalk bags
Smart Wool  - love these socks and they love their sheep (or at least are working on the relationship)

shoes

Fluevog - sassy footwear from our neighbors up north (and on my feet in this post's pictures... snow approved)
OAT - ok,  I probably won’t be buying these soon but I couldn't resist adding these to the list; you can plant them and they’ll grow flowers from seeds in the tongue of the shoe.
Oliberté - world's only fair trade footwear manufacturer based in Ethiopia
Osborn - oxfords, flats, loafers, and booties that are not only stylish but sustainable too*
Po-zu - another brand from outside the US and a bit expensive to ship for just one pair of shoes but they're pretty awesome from materials to manufacturing
Sawa - fancy kicks made responsibly in Ethiopia and for sale here

skin

Marble & Milkweed - baths, balms, and butters for your body with everyday ingredients made here in NYC*
Soapwalla - another neighborhood joint that has the best deodorant*

home

Rough Linen - sheets and the like made in one of my favorite places
Swans Island - cozy blankets, throws, and scarves made in Maine
Ten Thousand Villages - they've been selling their eclectic mix of fair trade goodies since 1946 [mic drop]*

some sites on responsible shopping

Good Guide
Environmental Working Group’s Consumer Guides

* denotes newly added companies

an exceptionally long note/disclaimer:

i want to take a moment here to acknowledge that even the definitions of these principles are pretty vague (except where there are regulations surrounding their use - i’m looking at you, fair trade).  while these are things that make me feel better about purchases there are many factors that go into the items we purchase each and every day.  i get that just slapping those words on a product doesn't mean that the people who made the product were treated well or that the environment is being cared for.  and products that aren't advertised with these principles aren't necessarily made by people in terrible working conditions or are destroying mother nature.  i certainly do not want to be denigrating people who are a part of the production of these items.  it's complicated.  i acknowledge that.  i just would like to at least attempt to consider what i am purchasing and the effects of that exchange before it is made.    

some other notes:

- wise words to keep in mind when sorting through all of these thoughts on manufacturing:

“It's taken for granted that Chinese factories are oppressive and that it is our desire for cheap goods that makes them so. This simple narrative equating Western demand and Chinese suffering is appealing especially at a time when many of us already feel guilty about our impact on the world. But it is also inaccurate and disrespectful. We must be peculiarly self-obsessed to imagine that we have the power to drive tens of millions of people on the other side of the world to migrate and suffer in such terrible ways.”
-- Leslie Chang

- Fibershed is an awesome project that “develops regenerative textile systems that are based on carbon farming, regional manufacturing, and public education.” check them out to learn more about the process of fiber to fabric.

- not all big businesses are bad. the Social Accountability International is a network of corporations (from Disney to HP), ngos, trade unions, and government entities working together to implement humane workplace standards across the globe.  yes, the compliance standards are voluntary (compulsory for members) but at least it's a start.

- these photos were taken during a leg stretching moment at a little snowed in park off the nys thruway in the adirondacks.  sometimes when adventuring, grace and i just need to get out of the car, be ridiculous human beings, and laugh at ourselves.  i highly recommend it.  better yet, use slo-mo on the ole phone.

being on a #roadtrip doesn't mean you have to stay in the car... #iceicebaby #slomo #nyc2montreal

See this Instagram photo by @kevin * 336 likes