Passing Through The Beautiful High Peaks Region

I was on my way north through the Adirondacks with all six dogs in the car. We'd had a rest stop along the Ausable River and now were driving northwest along Route 73 through the high peaks region. The highway had recently been badly damaged and closed due to Tropical Storm Irene. I could see recent repairs everywhere, including in sections such as this with sharp drop-offs at the edge of the road. It must have been terrifying when the road collapsed:

But all was well now and the views were fantastic. To make it even more wonderful, the autumn colors were just beginning to show:

I stopped on the side of the road to photograph the cascading water. I'd expected the water flow to be huge because of the recent rains, but it was not. Nevertheless, the view is wonderful and I never tire of seeing it:

We drove through Keene, New York with its lovely mountain views:

Alongside the road were huge piles of boulders to be used in road repair. They also made a nice framing for mountain pictures:

A few old farms remain in the high peaks region. They were once hardscrabble farms in a difficult place. Now they're expensive, highly desirable real estate:

Adirondack peaks on both sides of the road:

Some mountains are big, some are small:

Once we were past the town of Keene Valley, the road starts uphill toward the highest of the high peaks:

We were on our way to the farm on an exquisitely beautiful day. I was thrilled to stop and snap a few pictures to share with you:

I know from many trips along this route that this high peak directly ahead is the signal for the Cascade Chain of lakes. We'd be there in just a few miles:

The Journey's End

This had certainly been an adventurous trip up to the farm and I'd taken lots of pictures. My most recent "adventure" was getting lost in the northern Adirondacks and traveling in a big circle (see yesterday's post). But I eventually got back onto the correct highway and began my journey back to Albany. I hadn't planned to shoot any more photos but when, on Route 73, I passed this cascade I had to stop for a quick snapshot:

I was back in the familiar territory of the high peaks region. I've traveled this area often enough to feel comfortable and safe:

And just before getting back onto the limited access highway called The Northway, I stopped once again at our secret campsite and doggy rest area alongside the Ausable River. The dogs were happy to get out and even tubby little Wren was pretty lively:

Fergus and Seamus ran through the forest and around the boulders:

And Seamus cooled himself off in the Ausable River:

The Ausable River is famous for its scenery and we had this portion of it all to ourselves:

Wally, Fergus and Daphne went rock hopping beneath the cedars on the river's shoreline:

Daphne has become quite an athletic puppy. It's easy for me to see how Papillons have become the darlings of the agility training circuit:

"Hi Dad. Ya wanna play?"

But soon it was time to go. I called the dogs and we all began heading back to the car:

Seamus' long legs usually get him there ahead of the pack:

Wally, Fergus and Daphne arrived quickly also:

Winky and Wren, my two little curmudgeons, simply don't move that quickly. They had a hill to climb and it took them a little longer. We all piled back into the car and had a blessedly uneventful trip back home to Albany: