In posts over the years, you've met my friend Lawrence Bartel: for the last 12 years, the pastor of Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church in Old Forge. It was with Lawrence that I hiked the Northville-Placid Trail three years ago, and paddled the "90 Miler" twice. (Truth be known: all three adventures were at his instigation.)
Lawrence has accepted a new call, and is moving with his family to Oxford, Ohio, next week. We arranged a little time in our schedules for one last jaunt in the Adirondacks...but, alas, the realities of packing and tying up loose ends forced Lawrence to miss out at the last minute.
I decided to go ahead with the trip nonetheless, and even stick with the destination he'd suggested--one which was entirely new to me.
Wednesday afternoon, I drove to Lake Lila. It was about 85 miles southwest from Malone: 13 miles off the main road (Route 30 between Tupper Lake and Long Lake), the last 8 of them unpaved (and a few before that just barely so). I brought my kayak, packed it full of my gear (rather more full than I think one ought), and paddled out into this new-to-me body of water.
I'd heard Lawrence and others speak of the beauty of Lake Lila in almost mythic terms. Spending 24 hours there myself, I now understand why.
The water was rather rough as I made my way to Spruce Island...
...the lone campsite on which would be my home for the night. I got my camp set up...
...in plenty of time to enjoy a stunning sunset.
Being a clear night, and in the middle of a lake in the middle of nowhere, I had an unobstructed angle on the Milky Way. And being on an island means you get both sunset and sunrise views.
Rising up from Lake Lila's western shore is Mount Frederica (2170 feet)...
...whose summit cliffs provide a stunning perspective on the lake (and pretty nice place to eat lunch).
At its base are the remnants of the Nehasane train station, which once welcomed the well-heeled to this neck of the woods.
I'm so glad Lawrence arranged for me to meet Lila and Frederica, even if he couldn't be there in person for the introductions. He certainly came along in my thoughts and prayers. Though they'll take a bit more arranging, I fully suspect there are more shared Adirondack adventures in our future. In the meantime, I bid my dear friend and his family a safe trip and a warm welcome in their new home.
Lawrence has accepted a new call, and is moving with his family to Oxford, Ohio, next week. We arranged a little time in our schedules for one last jaunt in the Adirondacks...but, alas, the realities of packing and tying up loose ends forced Lawrence to miss out at the last minute.
I decided to go ahead with the trip nonetheless, and even stick with the destination he'd suggested--one which was entirely new to me.
Wednesday afternoon, I drove to Lake Lila. It was about 85 miles southwest from Malone: 13 miles off the main road (Route 30 between Tupper Lake and Long Lake), the last 8 of them unpaved (and a few before that just barely so). I brought my kayak, packed it full of my gear (rather more full than I think one ought), and paddled out into this new-to-me body of water.
I'd heard Lawrence and others speak of the beauty of Lake Lila in almost mythic terms. Spending 24 hours there myself, I now understand why.
The water was rather rough as I made my way to Spruce Island...
...the lone campsite on which would be my home for the night. I got my camp set up...
...in plenty of time to enjoy a stunning sunset.
Being a clear night, and in the middle of a lake in the middle of nowhere, I had an unobstructed angle on the Milky Way. And being on an island means you get both sunset and sunrise views.
Rising up from Lake Lila's western shore is Mount Frederica (2170 feet)...
...whose summit cliffs provide a stunning perspective on the lake (and pretty nice place to eat lunch).
At its base are the remnants of the Nehasane train station, which once welcomed the well-heeled to this neck of the woods.
I'm so glad Lawrence arranged for me to meet Lila and Frederica, even if he couldn't be there in person for the introductions. He certainly came along in my thoughts and prayers. Though they'll take a bit more arranging, I fully suspect there are more shared Adirondack adventures in our future. In the meantime, I bid my dear friend and his family a safe trip and a warm welcome in their new home.
1 comment:
Lake Lila is a treasure.
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