Abandoned Adirondac (north country ghost town?)
The above photo was taken in the Adirondacks as well. It is titled “rock wall”, but in reality it is neither. It is really a close up of a small portion of an abandoned stone foundry chimney in the Tawahus reserve. It is left over from the iron ore foundry in the McIntyre mine. Back in 1826 a small community called Adirondac sprung up in the wilderness of the Adirondack mountains to mine iron ore. It was abandoned in 1857, because of an impurity in the iron. It reopened later as the Tawahus Club, and it was here, in a small cottage, that Teddy Roosevelt first heard that President McKinley had been shot. Roosevelt became president on his way from Tawahus to Buffalo when McKinley died from his wounds.
The mine was reopened during WWII by National Lead to mine the impurity that had doomed the earlier attempt. That impurity was Titanium. There were new residences built, and the mine was operated until the early 80’s when it closed, probably for good. New York created the Tawahus reserve in 2003, and it is now a popular hiking spot. The foundry chimney, various pieces of antique equipment and many of the cabins (although not safe to enter) are still there. Of course, there are plenty of stories of hauntings that come with abandoned buildings left open in the wilderness. Tawahus is between Newcomb and the Northway, just follow the signs to the dirt road leading past the chimney and dead ending at a parking area right after the abandoned cabins. Remember, although the cabins are left open and easily accessable, entrance is not recommended-many are in very poor condition and serious injury could easily occur if flooring gave away.
Sunset on Long Lake
The above photo was taken in Long Lake, NY. Long Lake is in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains (The Adirondack State Park, New York). It’s just a small hamlet, but well worth a trip. While you’re there, you can take a ride in a Seaplane. Helm’s Seaplane Service with it’s two well known planes, one blue and one brown, is located right in the middle of the main part of “town”. They’ve been in operation since 1946 and it’s well worth the ride-the view is spectacular. If you can’t imagine taking flight in a small prop plane, at least take a look at the photos they have, there are some pretty famous people that have flown Helms! While you’re there, stop by the Adirondack Inn for lunch or dinner. You can look out over the northern portion of the lake from the dining area, and even see the seaplanes landing. You can pick up any groceries you need across the street at Northern Borne-maybe some trailmix for the short hike to the beautiful Buttermilk Falls which is located about 5 minutes from town. Don’t forget to stop by Hoss’s Country Corner for a souviner or two before you go. There are more great Adirondack photos in my shop and on my website. If you’d like more info on Long Lake, check out thier website at http://www.longlake-ny.com/ it’s a great place for a peaceful mountain vacation. Far enough from Lake Placid to lose the “touristy” attractions, but right in the heart of the mountains! If you’d like to bring home the beauty of the Adirondacks, please click the photograph or one of the links to my shops in the sidebar for items featuring my sunset photograph.
REAL shoe trees
What is a “REAL” shoe tree? Well, simple really-it’s a tree full of shoes. Yes, seriously. There is one not too far from where I live (over an hour’s drive, but to me that’s not TOO far) in a town called Lyndonville. Actually, it grew to be multiple trees through the years. After some research on them, the most credible story I can find is that they were started in the 70’s. Locals say that if you throw your shoes in the trees and you make a wish it will come true if they stay up there. I’ll have to try it with my next set of worn out sneaks. There are several shoe trees around the US, although the Lyndonville trees are one of the few sites of multiple trees. It’s certainly an odd sight if you are not expecting it-shoes hanging from branches, and scattered about the grass below. I have a picture of the shoe trees on my website and in my shop (see side bar or www.photographz.net or http://www.cafepress.com/photographz/2421738 ). I am not going to give out the exact location, for fear of something happening to the trees (unfortuntely, you never know). If you’d like a unique photo gift though, the shoe trees would do it!
I am going to be blogging about other interesting places, pictures, and things here. Probably not every day, since I still have that wonderful pays the bills day job to go to and I am always looking for the opportunity to snap some photos to share the wonderful scenery of New York with the world. But check back often, as I plan on posting more interesting things to see!
