2018 Vacation Faves

I was away on our mountain/lake vacation all last week from 30 June to 7 July.  Oh what a relaxing, refreshing time we had.  The only thing missing was our oldest gal, Courtney, as she had to work due to starting a new full time job in May so doesn't have vacation time yet.  Other than that, the week was practically perfect.  Super hot and humid the first 3 days but a brief thunderstorm pushed through the 3rd evening, and then the rest of the week was just glorious...a little hotter than normal for the mountains but with the lake, it was ok!  Here are 5 of my faves from the vacation.

• LONG LAKE VILLAGE AND LAKE:  it's perfect.  Quaint, friendly, wicked small.  Our cottage is part of this establishment and the hosts are just wonderfully accommodating and super friendly.  Kitchens are fully stocked minus food and drink and the only thing we have to bring for supplies are our own towels and beach towels. We had a 2 bedroom, one bath, living area and kitchen with a screened in porch with a table and chairs plus a glider.  We've learned to bring little things like hand soap, candles, games, books, some kitchen tools (she provides the basics) etc.  We make it very homey and the dressers and closets are plenty big for a week. This was our third time staying in a cottage there and we will definitely be going back. The village has a post office, library, 2 ice cream stands, a snack shop on the beach, sea plane tours, boat tours, a general store, a hardware store, a small grocery mart and a gas station/convenience store. Several houses plus a LOT of camps.  One state campground and a private campground.  A few little artsy shops and a coffee shop that also sells fudge and other treats.  Not much else! Here are some faves from the dock and cottage: 

Our yard area behind the cottage overlooking Long Lake
that is Owls Head Mt in the background (the high point is behind the pine branch)
 which Dave and I hiked in Summer of 2013
We sat here in the morning sun on the two chilly mornings we had
and in the mid afternoon shade on the very hot days we had.
We also had Dave's camping chair and my chaise lounge with us.
The grill is cleaned out for us every morning by staff.

Wild irises grow along the lake near the cottages
and in town along the nature trail

• The DOCK: Claire and I (and sometimes Dave) would sit on the dock in the mornings with our coffee and books.  Most of the week we were the only people down at the lake in the morning.  It was just heavenly.  Here are a few fave photos taken from the chairs on the dock:

 

The flag on the dock corner.
Early on the 2nd morning.

Sunset on the first evening
from the dock

• RELAXING AND READING:  Every single afternoon, we spent on the beach, usually from around 1:30-5 or so.  We read books, swam, floated in tubes that the Shamrock provides, and just relaxed!  We all really enjoyed it immensely and for 2 days my very good childhood friend Cheryl was up there as well!  She had a room in the motel for 2 nights and we had a blast!! We would head back down to the lake in the evenings and drink wine, take photos, and sometimes swim again.  It was so much fun!

CHEERS!
Claire, me, Cheryl
Selfie taken by Cheryl

Claire doing one of our fave things!

CELEBRATING OUR 28th ANNIVERSARY
30 June at The Shamrock

• EXPLORING!  On Tuesday, Dave and I decided to try a new-to-us trail about 20 minutes south of the cottage.  Our destination was Wilson Pond but sadly, after hiking for about a mile, we had to turn back as the trail became impassable and was NOT well marked.  We did manage to get to Grassy Pond which was pretty and a half mile in.  We also saw a very pretty unnamed pond with many lily pads about another 1/4 mile in.  BUT...it was HOT, HUMID and way too buggy with deer flies.  So instead of doing a 6 mile hike, we did a 2 mile one.  BUT...then on Thursday, Cheryl and I left the cottages early to go to Bog River Falls and it was spectacular. We also drove 4 miles further north west and came to Horseshoe Lake which is a small lake with mainly private camps.  I've had it on my bucket list of places to see for a couple years now and glad we took the time to go. Here are some photos from both places we explored:

Bog River Falls
between Long Lake and Tupper Lake villages
5 July 2018

Horseshoe Lake
West-Central Adirondacks
5 July

Dave on the Wilson Pond trail
3 July
Central Adirondacks

unamed pond
along the Wilson Pond Trail

on the trail towards Grassy Pond

• FAMILY TIME:  The days before and after my friend left the Shamrock to go back to her home, we had some nice family time.  Claire and I kayaked one evening after dinner; Dave and I kayaked one afternoon before dinner; Claire left Friday morning to go back home for a work meeting, so Dave and I went to Saranac Lake to do some exploring around the village and to get another signature for my Adirondack 102 Challenge. I had never been there and it was wonderful to finally get there. Below are some photos of our family time:

Sunset kayak time

We just can't go to the Shamrock without Claire
doing an arabesque on the dock

playing shuffleboard one afternoon before dinner
what fun we all had!

Adirondack Carousel (inside)
Saranac Lake Village
6 July

horse on Carousel....check out the detail and art!

Black Fly ride on Carousel

Saranac Lake Village Town Hall

Read about the story behind the Adirondack Carousel here.  It's amazing! All of the animals on the carousel are hand carved and feature animals you see in the Adirondack Mountains.

Last sunset from the dock

sunset on last evening as seen from our porch

That wraps up this post!

I know I posted more than 5 photos but they all came out so well.....we have even more on social media and on our phones.  I will create a photobook sometime next winter and our family will have special memories for years to come.

How about you? What were some blessings you discovered in the last week?

Do share, and then link up at Susanne's site for the weekly FFF.