Driving north through Newcomb

And now, regarding my drive north to the farm through Newcomb, Long Lake, etc..............
I stopped at a pull-off surrounded by Cattails and Blue Flag in full bloom. I wasn't sure the dogs would like the graveled surface but they were quite happy with it. Lots of places to smell and an unobstructed area in which to run around. You may notice, however, that while the other dogs are exercising, Wren is lagging behind and looking wistfully back at the comfortable car.

This is a common scene for me. All the other dogs are back in the car but Winky, being - well, being Winky, is dragging his feet and taking his time. This is at the graveled area surrounded by Spruce forest, Cattails and Blue Flag in bloom. I did attempt to get some photos of the woods and flowers, but alas, none turned out well enough to use.

The town of Newcomb was very pleasant and I discovered that it's situated on the shores of Lake Harris. This was the Forth of July weekend, so families were paddling canoes and swimming along the shore. Nonetheless, it's still a wilderness lake and most of its shoreline is completely unspoiled.

And, as you can see, a more beautiful July day was not possible.

This little stream is the Hudson River close to its source.

Another branch of Lake Harris.

With a high peak in the distance.

And crossing the road, traffic slowed down for a family of Wild Turkeys. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see four or more poults (babies) in the grass.

An idyllic scene alongside the road. Is it any wonder that people love the Adirondacks? Preserving it was a stroke of genius. Imagine our current legislature, now with the Senate in its fifth week of bickering and inaction, accomplishing anything like the preservation of the Adirondacks.

A beaver dam with a mountain in the background.

And finally, a shot of the two lane highway leading me north through the Adirondacks toward the farm. There are wildflowers along the road with spruce forests backing them up. And mountains everywhere. There's no supermarkets, but only general stores selling souvenirs, camping equipment and groceries. In fact, I almost bought a faux coonskin cap for my sister's birthday. Maybe I'll get it on my next trip. As you can tell, I always buy useful, sensible gifts.

A Sad Story And A Happy Story

I drove up the farm this weekend and, immediately after arriving, took the dogs for a walk around the far end of the barn so they could stretch their legs, enjoy themselves and do their business before entering the house. At the far end of the barn, on a concrete ramp, I found this horrible scene:

Just off the concrete in the grass was the orange kitten. It was staring forlornly at its sibling and didn't object when I picked it up. In fact, it soon began purring. I hurried it into the farm house and set it up in the bathroom with a cardboard box full of sand, a cup of water and some smoked ham lunch meat.

Though I expected it to be a feral little spitfire, it surprised me by being friendly and sweet, purring wildly at every bit of attention. A little female, it seemed to be in desperate need of food.

I gave her a cardboard box lined with an old curtain to use as a bed and headed toward Massena to buy cat food and flea drops.

The little kitten did so well that I let her out to meet the dogs on Monday morning. She was not afraid and was quite happy to have some company. The dogs thought she was interesting, but they're used to meeting new critters.

Fergus and the kitten hit it off especially well. Maybe because they're both so young.

Above, Fergus and Seamus meet the kitten. You can see the kind hearted interest on Fergus' face.

And on Seamus' face: "What am I supposed to do with this, Dad?"

Crabby little Winky handled himself well, though he did not appreciate being used as a surrogate mother.

Fergus, Winky and Seamus fraternize with Miss Kitty, though Wren is busy taking a power nap.

This is not a feral spitfire, but a sweet natured little kitten.

Fergus didn't mind being a surrogate mom but, alas, he didn't have the right equipment.

I found an old hinged box made of rough-cut lumber in the barn and used it as a cat carrier. As soon as I got home to Albany, I took the kitten to the vet for a check up and distemper shot. Then I took her to Troy Veterinary Hospital so that Barb of Project Drumm could find her a happy home. Of course I would have liked to keep her, but I do have 6 dogs and 5 cats already. So the story ends happily.