Autumn (Or Winter?) Experience By The Ausable River

It was another Sunday morning on which we were driving up to the farm, the dogs and I. We drove up the Northway all the way to Exit 30, the High Peaks exit, and got onto Route 73. I then stopped at our favorite, secret little campsite by the Ausable River and let the dogs out:

We hadn't been down to the riverside lately, so we climbed down the rocky hill to the path along the Ausable River. Old Winky, as usual, lagged behind and I had to keep going back to urge him onward:

Wally, also quite old, surprised me with a burst of puppy-like playfulness and Fergus joined in the fun, running and bouncing through the forest. You can see Fergus' ears flopping as he runs joyously:

I walked right down to the rocky river bank and looked back to where the dogs played on the mossy shore. Can you find them in this picture? I see Winky, Clover and Fergus:

Fergus peeked out from behind a tree, looking either shy or playful:

But I was enjoying the beauty of the wild Ausable River:

Clover did a bit of playful rock hopping, but I stayed safely on solid ground. My last fall has made me much more cautious:

I climbed back up to the trail and then looked down and called Winky up to join us. He's almost totally deaf, so my "calling" was mostly arm waving and clapping:

And we all began making our way back to our parked car:

The Papillons ran and played, keeping each other entertained:

Back at the car again. I loaded all the dogs back inside and then went in search of Winky:

And there he was, looking up at me and not at all sure he felt like climbing uphill with his crooked old legs. He did it, though, and soon we were on our way again:

Adirondack High Peaks Region In Autumn

The dogs and I got on Route 73 at Exit 30 of the Northway and headed toward the High Peaks Region. I was again taken by surprise at the colors I was seeing along the road. This  first photo shows both lovely autumn colors and low clouds shrouding the next mountain:

Driving through mountainous country between rainstorms is always a favorite of mine. Being able do so right after a rain while the clouds are low, caressing the mountains, is even better:

This autumn colors were outstanding:

My three Papillons in the front seat watched with great interest as we passed by a pond:

And white birch trunks accented the reds and golds near another pond:

I stopped on a hill in the town of Lake Placid and saw this gorgeous scene:

And the dogs were all waiting for me back in my little red car. Notice the row of trees across the road:

Patches of brilliant color mixed with green wherever I looked:

I stopped at Lake Flower in the town of Saranac Lake to photograph  this autumn scene, with New England Asters and a brightly colored mountain with its head in the clouds. Empty docks lined one shore as apparently folks had already brought in their boats for the winter.

As we passed by near Lake Clear, I aimed my camera out the car window just as Madeline turned to look at me. Which is prettier, Madeline or the colorful trees?:

Church Pond in the town of Brighton was especially lovely that morning:

And Route 458 was breathtaking as it passed through the high Adirondack flatland not too far from my farm. The only mountain which I could see here was almost hidden by the clouds:

A Quick Stop By The Schroon River

Two weeks had passed since my last trip up to the farm and it was time for another visit. I loaded all the dogs up into my little car and headed up the Northway. I got off at Exit 29 for a rest stop at the old, abandoned Frontier Town and was surprised to discover how the autumn colors had advanced:

I was amazed by the glorious hues which surrounded me as we drove back toward our favorite little rest stop on the Schroon River:

These were some of the most vivid autumn colors I'd seen in many years. Little did I know that they'd get much better (you'll see them in upcoming posts from the Port Kent Road at dawn):

I pulled off into the woods and let the dogs out. They now know where the river is, and run right toward it, stopping along the way to smell everything:

Seamus went into the water, but without his usual exuberance:

The smaller dogs played along the sand dunes:

Daphne and Clover went down to the water but did not set foot in it. Perhaps it was getting too cold for them to want to get wet:

We walked downstream a bit and Madeline stopped at a campsite fire ring, clearly hoping for dropped food or bacon drippings:

Crabby old Winky was slower than ever and acting more confused. But he still seems to enjoy himself:

But as always, this was just a rest stop and I had to get the dogs moving back toward the car:

I turned back toward the Schroon River for one last shot of its autumn glory as we entered the forest on our way back to the parked car:

And I took one more photo of the colorful trees as we exited Frontier Town. I drove back up the Northway to Exit 30, intending this time to drive up through the High Peaks Region. But I'll post about that tomorrow;

Northward Bound, Another Trip Up To The Farm

Another Sunday morning had dawned where I was heading up to the farm. The dogs and I drove as far as exit 30, got onto Route 73 toward the High Peaks Region and stopped at the Ausable River for a rest stop:

We'd been spending so much time at the Schroon River in Frontier Town that we hadn't been to the Ausable River in a long time. We parked and all headed down the steep hill toward the river:

The Ausable River looked inviting. The water level was low, the banks were covered in emerald moss and large stones practically called out for a bit of exploring:

The trail alongside the river was flat and easy, meaning that the younger dogs ran forward and back, putting a great deal of mileage into their rest stop. For them, it was an exercise stop. As for me, I walked down to the river and began hopping from rock to rock. But a rock rolled underfoot and I went down suddenly and very hard. Luckily I was not seriously injured, but I was wet, with bloody gashes on my arms and bruises the size of  footballs all over my body. I ended the rest stop and hobbled painfully back to the car:

We drove on toward the farm, stopping one more time at New York State land just off of Route 458:

There were White Baneberries, also known as Doll Eyes, in fruit:

Here's a close-up, which will make it clear why people call them Doll Eyes:

And White Wood Aster. Yes, autumn was surely arriving:

And Milkweed pods:

And exquisite New England Asters:

Joe-Pye-Weed had by then all gone to seed:

Many varieties of Goldenrod were in full, glorious bloom:

We then continued onward toward the farm, but I couldn't resist one more stop in Santa Clara at the St. Regis River. It's just too serene and beautiful to be ignored. I was in much pain from my earlier fall and, to be honest, still quite disturbed by how close I'd come to truly hurting myself. I was worrying about being all alone with no one to help and needed a bit of serenity along this lovely river before I traveled on to the farm. But I'll post more tomorrow: