Moody Tree Farm - Part 1

Please take a moment after you've read today's post and hit the "Farm Website" button, above left. There are three new pages which show all five 2015 calves which are for sale, as well as a page of my beginner's experiences and observations with Red Poll Cattle. Thank you.

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Before I retired and was driving to and from the farm on a regular basis, I used to pass by a farm in the high peaks region with brown barns and interesting animals - especially their Texas Longhorns. I recently discovered on the internet that this is tree farm with a big Adirondack themed gift shop. So I drove back down to visit the place, passing their Longhorns, resting in a field:

And they had a tall sign, which I had failed to see all the times I'd driven by in the past:

I pulled in, passing by their large brown residence, and parked among the brown barns:

I wasn't sure, but it appeared that this building was the gift shop. So I went in:

Indeed it was an Adirondack themed gift shop, and a rather large one at that. They were certainly getting ramped up for Christmas:

There were Adirondack and Christmas themed kitchen goods:

Gingerbread plates, snowmen, Santas and cookie jars shaped like Victorian houses:

Christmas trees and wreaths and cups and wine glasses:

An old wood stove, cleverly used as a display table:

Reindeer, loons and small, furry bears. They also had antler candlesticks:

A Santa train. This place was bigger than I had imagined and there was much more to see. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

The High Peaks In Winter, Part 2

I was on Route 73, driving through the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks, on my way to a visit to the farm. The dogs and I had passed through the Giant Mountain region and began dropping down into the Keene Valley:

Daphne and Clover watched the passing scenery with interest:

We passed through the hamlet of St. Huberts:

There was a deep chasm right next to the road and then more mountains:

And once we were in the Keene Valley, there were flatlands surrounded by mountains:

A few farms have survived in the Keene Valley, but mostly it is now a place for tourists:

And the old barn I photograph on nearly every trip:

When we reached the high plateau of Route 458, the scenery became different but altogether gorgeous, kind of like driving through the Black Forest:

My front seat buddies:

And then, just ahead of me, I saw a Bobcat slowly crossing the road, not overly concerned with me or my car:

I pulled off the road onto the shoulder in order to watch his progress into the forest:

He became a little bit nervous after I'd stopped to watch him. When he reached the trees, he positioned himself behind one of them, stuck his head around the tree trunk and watched me suspiciously. The dogs never seemed to notice him, which was a good thing as they'd likely started barking. But we were close to the farm at that point and I pulled back onto the road to finish the journey:

The High Peaks In Winter, Part 1

We were on our way to the farm and had begun our trek through the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks. The dogs were very happy, but then they seem to be happy all the time about everything. I envy their bright, cheerful dispositions:

We headed onto Route 73 and immediately began to see snowy forests and high mountains. If I remember correctly, that was Giant Mountain up ahead:

All along the road were mountains:

And frosted forests of great beauty:

The views are better in winter than in summer because the leaves are off the deciduous trees:

I slowed down to pull over and snap a photo. That got Daphne and Clover interested in finding out what I was looking at:

And this was what I was looking at. The nearby mountain had a dusting of snow on it which produced a striking effect and brought the trees and rocks into sharp contrast. I thought it was breathtaking. By the way, don't miss the big pile of snow alongside the road which the snow plows had pushed there:

And on we traveled on Route 73. I drove and ogled the mountains. The dogs mostly slept:

More mountains, some big - some small:

Chapel Pond with its surrounding hills:

Another look out over Chapel Pond:

A bigger mountain just through those trees. But we were just getting started and there was much more winter beauty to see along the way. I'll post more tomorrow:

Almost Winter In The High Peaks (But Not Quite)

We were on our way north to the farm for the weekend and had just had a great rest stop along the shore of the Schroon River. From there, I headed up Route 73 through the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks. We were making good time until I saw this scene in the Keene Valley and of course had to stop and take a photo. Now that we're all buried in snow it seems hard to believe that everything looked so "autumny" such a short time ago:

From the Keene Valley the road took us up into the High Peaks Region which began with the Cascade Lakes and a good view of what I think was Mount Marcy:

And toward Lake Placid, where lots of mountains framed every vista:

Many of the farm fields in the area are being given over to housing developments, but these fields are still growing hay and still providing beautiful views:

Daphne found the whole thing fascinating, Madeline kept her eyes on me and Clover focused her attention on more immediate concerns. Seamus, in the back of the car, also watches everything with a great interest:

And on through the town of Brighton, where more scenic vistas beckoned:

There wasn't yet much snow in the mountains, but there were lots of clouds caught in the peaks:

I stopped to snap these photos, but mostly we were making rapid progress toward the farm and would be there in record time. I'll post more tomorrow:

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: