Part Two, Just Can't Stay Away From Debar Pond

My sister and I were exploring the abandoned estate at Debar Pond, in the Adirondacks (see also Part 1, posted yesterday)

We followed a trail down to where a dam of sorts would lead us along the water's edge and into the forest:

We stopped to admire the scenery but the dogs were anxious to get moving. Well, Seamus had a good scare earlier and he was temporarily content to stay right next to us:

We followed a trail through the woods for a short distance but decided it would be wiser to return the way we'd come:

My sister stopped along the edge of Debar Pond and the dogs ran up for some attention, which she was happy to provide:

And then we continued on our way back through the trees toward the lodge:

What a procession we made, marching single file through the forest:

With occasional stops to pet the dogs:

We walked back around the inlet:

And up to the front of the lodge, where my sister discovered a rope swing. Her face and hair in the picture look to me much like she did as a little girl. I guess happiness can do that for a person:

But it was time to go, so we continued back toward our parked car:

We got settled in the car and headed back home. We stopped to view a waterfall along the way but I didn't take any pictures of it. All in all, it was a wonderful excursion:

Part One, Just Can't Stay Away From Debar Pond

My sister drove from Ohio to spend the weekend with me and, as if that wasn't good enough, our weather her first day was sunny with a high near 70(F). I took her (with the dogs, of course) to the Debar Pond Lodge, the best combination of interesting sights and wild scenery I know. We parked and walked to the clearing, but instead of turning right toward the lake and the lodge, we first turned left to explore a clearing I'd noticed on Google Maps:

We walked along the edge of the trees:

And made several small excursions into the woods just to see what we could see:

The forest was lovely but of course we wanted to go see the lake and the lodge - so off we went:

Because we were walking directly into the sun, I didn't take any photos until we reached the lodge and began exploring. This was part of a grand estate which is now abandoned and owned by New York state. The authorities want to tear it down, but the locals want it restored and used for Adirondack natural history education:

We explored many of the outbuildings and the lodge, then headed down toward the Lake (Debar Pond):

Debar Pond was as wild and beautiful as ever. We were the only two people anywhere and had it all to ourselves:

We walked along an inlet on whose banks a stone fire pit and picnic table still awaited any picnickers:

We explored around the side of the lodge, headed back along the inlet:

And marveled at the Adirondack scenery:

Well, my sister and I marveled. The dogs just played and had fun:

We lost Seamus for awhile and called frantically until he showed up. We theorized that he'd become confused inside one of the barns we'd looked at and had trouble figuring out how to get out. But figure it out he did. He and I then strolled in the shade of the pine trees behind the lodge. But there was more to see, and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: