An Exceptional Adirondack Rest Stop, Part 1

After two nights up at the farm, it was time to travel home to Albany. I loaded all six dogs into the car and began the long journey south toward Albany. I again opted to travel the Port Kent Hopkinton Turnpike, once a major thoroughfare for horses and wagons, but today mostly back roads with very little traffic. Some portions are now only seasonal roads. But the scenery is fantastic. One early section had wetlands abutting both sides of the road:

I stopped to take some photos and get a closer look while the dogs waited in the car:

Traveling on, we passed by a branch of the magnificent St. Regis River:

There was a massive amount of snow this winter and one of the rainiest springs on record, so the St. Regis was still a raging torrent:


And another section of the St. Regis River, this time with calmer waters, where the bird songs and northern winds can be heard:


A bit farther on, I saw a little dirt lane leading off the road onto State land. I'd stopped there before, but never went beyond the gate which blocked vehicular traffic. This time, the dogs and I all went for a long walk:

Little old Winky had trouble keeping up, but he was exceedingly happy and we waited for him when necessary:

We walked farther and farther. Surprisingly, the black flies didn't bother us. The scenery was wonderful and the birds filled the air with song:

We turned around and headed back to the car, but this isn't the end of the story. I'll post more tomorrow: