The Brasher Falls IGA Grocery Store

I returned to my dogs and my little farm apartment in the afternoon, let the pooches out for a romp and made myself a quick lunch. But night falls early out on the northern tundra this time of year and I wanted something - well, interesting for dinner. So I left one more time for the little town of Brasher Falls. They have there a brand new IGA market which surely must be the envy of less fortunate towns like Fort Jackson, Winthrop, Nicholville and Hopkinton. Brasher Falls is only 15 to 20 minutes from my front door:

I probably should have said something first and asked for permission, but I didn't. I just began walking around snapping pictures. The Brasher Falls IGA is a real old fashioned market. It has nearly everything a person could want in the way of groceries, toiletries, household cleaners or pet supplies:

There appeared to be four employees - two behind the meat counter, a young boy at the cash register and an older man stocking shelves. I'll wager it's a family affair:

A dairy aisle and frozen foods. Who needs to make the long drive into Massena to shop at Wal-Mart when everything you need is right here? I'm not being snarky, by the way. I really mean it:

Even fresh fruits and vegetables:

I can't even remember what I bought that day except that I know I got two small steaks for just a couple of bucks. I wondered if the price would even cover the cost of packaging:

The place was booming and the register had a line. The cashier carried an older woman's groceries out to her car for her without her even asking. I was impressed:

I snapped only one photo of downtown Brasher Falls as I left the store. I only needed one photo because it all fit in one:

Travelling The Port Kent Hopkinton Turnpike

One of my favorite routes through the northern Adirondacks is the series of small roads, some unpaved and seasonal, which began in the 1800s as a major thoroughfare. This important development in the opening up of our country's wilderness lands ran from Port Kent, on the western shore of Lake Champlain, to Hopkinton, a frontier town in northern New York. My farm is just a hop, skip and jump from Hopkinton, so it's a grand experience for me to take this route. The scenery is wonderful and there's almost no one else on the road at all:

And one of my favorite picture taking spots is this glorious, unspoiled wilderness wetland which abuts the road. On the day I passed by there were Orange Hawkweed, Hieracium aurantiacum, in bloom along the edge of the road:

These are the waters where I often see and hear Loons:

The water level comes right up to the road, covering the base of many of these trees. So I really can't go hiking in and exploring. The "Private Property - No Trespassing" signs, however, seem to have vanished:

The marshy edges which had many Wild Azaleas in bloom in May were now sporting red bunches of Sheep Laurel blossoms. If you click to enlarge this photo, you can see one of them. Or, for a closer view, click on the label, "Sheep Laurel" label below:

We traveled on and stopped once again at another tiny lane taking us deep into the forest alongside the waters of Grass Pond. The dogs were, of course, all excited:

Crabby little old Winky had a bit of trouble keeping up. It's hard to know with him if he has trouble walking that fast or is just being contrary. With him, it could be either or both. He seemed to want to stay near the car, but I urged him on:

Deeper and deeper into the forest:

And then back to the car to continue on our way. As you can see, turning around to head back to the main road is tricky business sometimes:

Heading Southward From The Farm

It'd come time to leave the farm and begin the journey home once again. I locked everything up, vacuumed the floor, cleaned up the dog poop and packed the dogs and my belongings into the car. I decided to take the most direct route home which is right through the high peaks region of the Adirondacks. I pulled out onto the county road and headed south toward the Adirondack Park. One of the first things I passed was this field of ponies and goats:

And I crossed the first of several bridges over the St. Regis River:

I joined a State highway in the town of Hopkinton where I noticed this historical marker in the town square. It commemorated a British raid on the village which took place in February of 1814 as a part of the War Of 1812. A spy had informed the British that a large store of flour was being held for the Americans and was hidden in the barn belonging to Judge Hopkins. (Hopkinton was named for the judge) An early morning surprise attack disclosed that the barn held 300 barrels of flour but due to the small size of the raiding party only half of the provisions could be carried off. The remainder was left to the patriots of Hopkinton:

This is the town green which hosts the community fair each year called Hopkinton Days. I witnessed the tractor pull last year but missed everything this year. Alas, it was the same weekend as the pig roast - which I also missed. But the town green is quiet, scenic and pleasant:

And on the next corner is Wilber's Hardware Store. You can find nearly anything there if you just ask:

And moments after I pulled onto the State highway, I stopped to shoot a photo across this expanse of flat land looking northward. I'd suppose that's Canada far off in the distance:

This farm stand was closed, but I suppose that it has been the site of home grown vegetable sales in years past:

This historic old homestead still watches over the farm fields and now, also the highway:

I turned down Route 458 into the Adirondack Park and passed this familiar home business offering the services of "Quebec Black Bear Hunting Specialist." I'm not sure what those services are, and I wonder every time I pass by:

I passed a small barn with log construction and couldn't help but wonder if it had once been the frontier home:

And this tiny old shack which I know was the originally dwelling (or perhaps hunting camp), because I've watched as the newer, bigger house was built next to it. I was on my way home: