Beginning A Very Flooded Drive Up To The Farm

I began my drive up to the farm, the first in quite some time, on Thursday, April 28. You may recall that as the time of torrential downpours and high winds. But it wasn't raining when I left on my journey so I assumed all was well. As I entered the Adirondack Mountains, I saw scenes of flooding just off the exit. I left the highway there and went to take a closer look:

A local campsite was closed and the travel trailers parked there were mostly flooded:

A local house was flooded and its outdoor fireplace and furniture was about to float away:

I intended to drive farther along the Schroon River, but was stopped by water flooding the road. A State Trooper came by and also decided to go no farther. So I snapped a few pictures, got back onto the highway and resumed my journey northward:

When I exited the highway in the high peaks region, I discovered that Route 73 was closed due, of course, to more flooding. I had to get back onto the highway and drive north to the next exit. Fortunately, there were detour signs to direct me:

I had to exit the Northway at Exit 31, the Elizabethtown exit. From there we took Route 9N south to reconnect with Route 73 which would take us north up through the high peaks region. But the dogs needed a rest stop and so did I. When I saw an attractive pull-off along Route 9N on State land, I took it. It was a lovely woods near a small stream, now a raging torrent. I kept the dogs far away from it as we entered the forest:

Winky and Seamus trotted along the trail, sniffing everything:

Wally also was enjoying his mini-hike and pit stop:

All the dogs ran around sniffing and playing and emptying their bladders:

Seamus and Wally posed for a portrait shot:

Fergus was caught by surprise just as Daphne jumped over a log. Little Winky wasn't paying attention to anything except the fascinating smells near a small pine:

But of course this was only a rest stop. We soon had to load back up into the car and be on our way. I count the dogs over and over to be sure they're all there. I guess I've seen too many sitcoms where children get left behind at gas stations. But once I convinced myself that all six dogs were safe and in place, we resumed our journey:

Mountains, Mountains Everywhere!

I was traveling up to the farm for a visit early on Christmas morning. The roads were clear and the long distance views were pretty darn good, though they'd cloud up soon enough. I got off of the main highway farther north than usual and headed west on Route 9N directly into the high peaks region of the Adirondacks:

Route 9N took me into the high peaks, but it did so by way of the Keene Valley. This meant dropping down into the valley before starting back uphill again. The descent was a blessing, for it provided me with spectacular views of the Adirondacks just ahead:

With every bend in the road a new panoramic vista appeared, and with the very light traffic on Christmas morning, I was easily able to stop and snap photos:

And at the lowest point in Keene Valley I got more views. Plus, I had an idea. Since the roads were not snow covered, I turned up the little cemetery road which led uphill to some of the best mountain views in the park:

I took this picture on my way up the cemetery road:

And when I reached the highest point in the cemetery, I let the dogs out to run, play and poop. Notice Daphne on the right side of this photo in mid-romp. Wally and Winky were more interested in finding the perfect place to pee:

Winky then went his own way, exploring every smell within range:

I parked there only briefly. I enjoyed the sights and the dogs enjoyed the smells:

Mountains rise up in nearly every direction:

I set my camera atop my car and got a quick shot of myself with Seamus and Clover. Notice little Clover's dainty footwork in the lower right corner. She is the smallest, daintiest dog and Seamus is the biggest and goofiest. Yet they are best friends. In case you didn't notice, that blur behind my legs is Daphne running full speed, full of joy. Another car then pulled into the cemetery so I collected the pooches into the car and headed back out to finish my journey up to the farm:

The High Peaks and Elizabethtown In The Adirondacks

On Christmas morning I made sure that all the stay-at-home animals had abundant food, water and greens. Then I loaded all six dogs into the back of my little red car and pointed it northward for a trip up to the farm. As the highway brought me into the Adirondacks, I saw mountains rising up ahead:

I made a stop at the high peaks rest area with its classic Adirondack architecture:

The dogs had to wait in the car which was parked at the foot of a small mountain. There was an area designated for dog walking, but I figured I'd have to leave that for those with only one or two pets. Leashing and walking six dogs is quite another thing altogether:

Even the entrance was marked with Adirondack twig art:
Inside was more Adirondack styling, including a birch tree:

There are so few roads through the mountains that I have not many route choices. But this time, just for variety, I decided to get off the main highway one exit farther north than usual. And shortly past the rest area I passed this natural stone peak in the median strip. You can get an idea of its size by the flag pole at the peak:

After exiting the northbound highway, I turned west on Route 9N directly into the high peaks area of the Adirondacks. Being Christmas morning, there was little traffic as I passed by small farms nestled in the mountains:

A snowy horse farm on a Christmas morning:

And through the little Adirondack town of Elizabethtown, New York. Though quite a small town, it is the county seat. But on this morning, I was almost the only one on the road:

I continued west toward the high peaks while clouds and small snow flurries danced across the tops of the mountains:

A small old homestead in the forest. It didn't look like anyone was home and I wondered if this was a vacation cottage or the owners were visiting family elsewhere for Christmas. I'll post more of my journey tomorrow: