Lenny Baglieri, Author at Blue Mountain Rest

Lenny Baglieri May 2, 2011

Hiking, Biking in the Adirondack State Park, NY

The central Adirondack region has a maze of trails in a topography that can range up to 3,900 vertical feet. Snowy Mt in Indian Lake, Blue Mt in Blue Mt Lake and Oak Mt in Long Lake are some of the highest peaks in New York. The Adirondack State Park is a perfect unspoiled back drop to your vacation adventure offering spectacular panoramic views overlooking dozens of crystal clear lakes.

The NY State Trail System in this central region has a rich variety of terrain for the beginner or expert; Sprague Pond offers the flatest, easiest and shortest trek of just .3 mi, more moderate to difficult trails Chimminy and Wakely Mts are 1.1 to 3 mile jaunts or the 7.9 mile difficult to steep Sucker Brook trail is in Indian Lake. Hiking Blue Mt has the Castle rock and Tirrell Pond trails that can even connect you to the Northville- Lake Placid Trial – 130 miles for the hard core long distance enthusiast. But there are dozens of other trails Rock Lake, Baldface Mt, Sawyer Mt & Bullhead Pond just to name a few.

If you road bike Rts 28, 30 & 30N are the main thorough fares that will bring you to the towns of Speculator to south, Indian Lake, Blue Mt Lake, Raquette Lake to the northwest and Long Lake or Tupper Lake to the northeast. Just pedaling thru these areas will give you the true flavor & sheer beauty of the Adirondacks. You’ll see majestic mountains, blue lakes and picture perfect vistas at almost every turn.

All of the off road trails are good for hiking, many for mountain biking in the warmer seasons and snowmobiling, snow shoeing or x-country skiing in winter. In the town of Inlet there are some of the best mt biking trails in the whole northeast. For the avid mt biker contact Pedals and Petals for more info. The local chambers of commerce have trail maps as well as many of the lodging facilities for easy review of the general area.

Blue Mt Lake is the epicenter of this hiking and biking mecca. Blue Mountain Rest has Hiking and Biking Specials for discounted loging rates and is just one of the recommended lodging facilites there; as well as, Prospect Point Cottages, The Hedges & Hemlock Hall. Do a Google search and enjoy your experience in the overwhelming expanse of the Adirondack State Park.

Lenny Baglieri April 23, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend in the Adirondacks, NY

What a way to start the summer vacation season! This is the official kick off. Doesn’t it feel great to know the winter is gone and summer is coming? If you have the extended weekend off come to the central Adirondack region. So much to see, so much to do. All the businesses will be geared up and ready to go.

Come to nature incarnate, the Adirondacks is a national park that is protected and deemed “forever wild”. Go boating, fishing, water skiing, golfing, tubing, jet skiing, hiking, mt. biking, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, white water rafting or go to a beach (bet you didn’t know almost ever lake has sandy beaches) for some swimming and golden sunbathing. You can relax in the palpable silence of these mountains, gain access to dozens of scenic lakes or find adventure everywhere to fulfill your weekend getaway. Bring your sweetheart or the whole family.

But there is also so much history here. Discover how William Durant created the “Great Camps” for the richest families of the industrial revolution and started a new architectural style that permeates the whole region. Durants’ architectural creations over the centuries have become mainstream and contributed to the “naturalist” movement. Take the Heritage Tour to Sagamore one of W Durants’ first camp creations, onto the wondrous Adirondack Museum and finally a lunch cruise tour on Racquette Lake for a fabulous day outing. Did you know that Prospect Point in Blue Mt Lake had the first hotel in the world with electricity? That there is the Cultural Center in Blue Mt Lake and there is Wild Center in Tupper Lake? Come, discover the richness of this region.

Blue Mt Lake is where the Adirondacks Museum is and is the central hub of all this activity. For lodging on lakefront properties there is The Hedges, Prospect Pt Cottages, Hemlock Hall, Curry’s Cabins and La Pairie’s. A B & B at the Blue Mt Lake Inn and Blue Mt Rest if you are looking for affordable comfortable accommodations that include fully equipped kitchens.

For more information go to www.indian-lake.com.

Lenny Baglieri April 17, 2011

Going somewhere for Mothers Day? How about the Adirondacks in NY?

Sure you have gotten her flowers, taken her our for dinner thanking her for all she has sacrificed to make you who you are today. This year why not do something different? Take her to the lakes and mountains, add scenery and maybe some adventure to her memory book. You can still bring the flowers, take her out or maybe cook her dinner instead, in a rustic cabin that will house the whole family, where you can reminisce in front of a wood burning fireplace.

During the day take her whitewater rafting or horseback riding, mountain hike or rent a bike, kayak or canoe . That vibrancy is still there, get her out there. Or take it down a notch, bring her to a scenic water fall or pristine lake with stunning views where you can take out the picnic basket and a bottle of wine. Public but amazingly secluded and palpably quiet with renowned vistas the Adirondack Mts in NY, can be, should be on your “must do” list this Mothers Day.

The central Adirondack region offers 30 lakes in a 45 minute radius. Pick a town…..Old Forge, Inlet, Raquette Lake, Blue Mt Lake, Long, Tupper or Indian Lakes are the perfect backdrop to have some fun and strengthen your family ties.

Blue Mt Lake is in the center of it all. Some lodging facilities there are lakefront properties like Prospect Point or Steamboat Landing, a B & B at the Blue Mt Lake Inn or vacation home rentals at Blue Mt Rest. You can find all of these accommodations on the local chamber web site- www.indian-lake.com.

What a way to say “thanks Mom”!

Lenny Baglieri April 8, 2011

Easter in Blue Mountain Lake, in NY? Fun for the family, away from home.

Easter is family time. That juicy ham, Easter pie and other traditional goodies bring everyone to the table. Great home made food, drink and conversation always tie the family together. But this Easter why don’t you add some real fun to the festivities after all the libations and fabulous fare are gone?

How about white water rafting, some hiking, mountain biking, fishing or horseback riding? Forget about those video games- put away the Xbox, the Wee and get out into nature, real adventure, the ultimate reality. And the Adirondack State Park in NY is the ultimate venue to create memories that could make this Easter unforgettable. 6 million acres makes the Adirondacks one of the largest parks in the nation. Picture perfect mountains and lakes, a “forever wild” landscape is THE back drop to your outdoor adventure. Who knows may be you’ll see a moose, black bear, loon, osprey, white tail deer or dozens of other wildlife while you are out there. A theater in the wild, what a view!

Blue Mt Lake in the central Adirondacks, is smack dab in the middle of the park. Lakes are everywhere, just to name a few: Blue, Eagle, Raquette, Long, the Fulton Chain of lakes 1st thru 8th, Durant, Indian, Adirondack, Lewy, Abanakee, and Tupper Lakes are where you can get out on the water, for some fishing or even early canoeing or kayaking. And some of the highest peaks: Snowy mt, Blue mt, Oak mt are between 3,200 and 3,900 ft vertical make horseback riding, hiking and mt biking scenically ideal. And if you want a little more speed and excitement there is white water rafting in Indian Lake. Huge snow this winter means huge melt off and even bigger rapids this spring.

Eat, enjoy each others company and have FUN in the Adirondacks this Easter in Blue Mt Lake.

And for that holiday dinner check into Blue Mt Rest. Recognized by Time Out NY magazine in ’08 for having some of the best priced and coziest cabins in the area. This property in particular is just 1/2 mile from Blue Mt Lake and capacity for up to 34 guests. All of Blue Mt Rest’s cabins have fully equipped kitchens so you can share the holiday meal together. As well as fireplaces indoors for atmosphere and outdoor fire pits for some story sharing of the days events. For more info go to www.bluemountainrest.com.

Lenny Baglieri April 2, 2011

Spring fling! It’s time to get into the mountains- Adirondacks that is.

Spring has certainly sprung. If you want to get away for Easter with the family, are a student on Spring Break or belong to a fishing or hiking club…. find adventure or experience the quiet solitude of the Adirondack State Park, Blue Mt Lake is the perfect venue.

But while you are there go to explore- hike, bike, fish or go white water rafting.

Blue Mt is one of the highest peaks in the Adirondacks just under 3,800 feet, fantastic for hiking or mountain biking. The New York State trails are everywhere, leading to you moderate trails for novices or steep terrain for the truly experienced.

Go Fishing. It’s trout season and less than 15 minutes from your lodging facility are 7 lakes. Blue Mt Lake, Eagle, Durant, Indian, Adirondack, Long & Raquette Lakes stock a colorful variety of species of fish including: small and large mouth bass, land locked salmon, northern pike, brook, brown and lake trout, bullhead, pumpkin seed, smelt, red breast sunfish, whitefish, yellow perch – ideal for any angler, family outing or just a peaceful jaunt on the water.

If you want a little more action try whitewater rafting. Exhilarating white water will cruise you past scenic gorges, blue iced mountain faces and pine covered high peaks. – tiz the season for these effervescent flows, the winter melt off is happening right now and will continue into lake spring and summer. There are three rafting companies in Indian Lake where you can sign up for a ride of a lifetime especally if you grab a raft on a level 4-6 rapid. Students on spring break get special perks on this one because your anticipation and enthusiasm is felt right through the hospitality industry. But you don’t have to be young to do the whitewater, just young a heart. Come on give it a shot!

To recreate & have fun you’ll need lodging. Check out all the facilities in Blue Mt Lake, in particular the comfortable lodgning at Blue Mt Rest. “The Rest” as it is known in this region is running spring specials for all of these activities. Contact the proprietor Lenny Baglieri by phone 845.236.4071 or thru his web site www.bluemountainrest.com . The accommodations sleep up to 34 people, have fully equipped kitchens, Direct TV, DVD, internet services, outdoor fire pits and some have fireplaces as well. Bed down… then have your Spring Fling in the mountains, Adirondack style!

Lenny Baglieri March 28, 2011

Spring, Summer, Fall the central Adirondack region in NY has it all!

For any season really, the Adirondack Mts in New York State is an outdoors man’s year round vacation playground.

Kicking off this spring is Whitewater Rafting and Fishing. Winter melt off is when the whitewater rapids are not only the most fun but the most challenging as well. Trout season is about to begin in the central Adirondacks, in Indian, Blue, Long, Raquette, Mason Lakes as well as, Lake Durant, Adirondack and Abanakee.

In May and June you can start to mountain bike, canoe, kayak or hike. Hiking is premium with Blue & Snowy mountains in Blue Mt Lake and Indian Lake, these are some of the highest peaks in the Adks. But there are numerous other moderate trails interlacing the whole area. High peaks, blue skies & beautiful serene landscape abound. Go from trail to trail or lake to lake, either on your mt bike, by foot or by boat. Great activities for a Mothers Day, Fathers Day or Memorial Day outing. Don’t forget to bring the family.

In June there are a couple of special events. The Blackfly Challenge a mountain bike race on June 11th that weaves thru towns starting in Inlet all the way down to Indian Lake and back. At the end of the month there are events and activities for Bird Watchers.

But things really heat up for your summer vacation, July- August. Besides canoeing and kayaking, you can rent a motor craft at the Boat Livery in Blue Mt Lake for water skiing, pontoon boat or a 12 ft fishing boat with a trolling motor, horseback ride in Inlet, take a seaplane ride or golf in Inlet, go on a lunch or dinner Cruise- boat tour in Raquette Lake. Hit the beach on Long Lake (or on any lake for that matter) or picnic at Buttermilk Falls.

For the extremely rich history of the Adks, there is the Adirondack Museum and Arts Center in Blue Mt Lake, Sagamore in Raquette Lake or the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. And for some excitement and family fun there is Enchanted Forest, a water park in Old Forge.

Sept & Oct is not only the foliage season or for the leaf peepers. There is the Rustic Fair, where only the best Adk furniture makers bring their wears and the 90 Miler a canoe/kayak race the weekend after Labor Day that starts in Old Forge, goes thru Blue Mt Lake and ends up in Saranac Lake. In the middle of the month, the 2nd annual Moose Festival is held in Indian Lake.

The central Adirondacks, come to refresh the spirit, refresh the soul in the great American outdoors. Take a weekend excursion or a full vacation in a 6 million acre national park which is forever wild. You will never forget this year round vacation playground which is right in your back yard.

Lenny Baglieri March 15, 2011

Record snows means awesome early spring rapids- White Water Rafting in the Adirondacks

Near record snows have fallen in the central and upper Adirondack region this winter. This will certainly kick off one of the most exciting HIGH WATER spring WHITE WATER RAFTING seasons in years.

Deep snow still blankets most of the region in the High Peaks near Lake Placid as well as the central areas in Long Lake, Blue Mt Lake and Indian Lake.

Tons of winter snow and warm temps means swift water, some experts are predicting class 4 and maybe even class 5 rapids in April.

Experience the thrill… contact Adirondack Rafting Co, ask for Bob or Terri @ 1-800-510 Raft or Adventure Sports where you can talk to John or Bonnie @518-648-5812 in Indian Lake. Take a 17 mile jaunt down some of the most beautiful topography and natural landscapes anywhere. Steep valley drops and scenic blue ledge ice walls will dot this early spring adventure.

For lodging contact Lenny at Blue Mt Rest. BMR in Blue Mt Lake has group lodging for up to 32 people. Ask about his Whitewater Rafting Special where you not only can get up to 25% off lodging rates in April, if you are a student get bonus discounts with a high school or college ID.

To find out more go to www.bluemountainrest.com then go to Specials and Packages or call 845.236.4071

Lenny Baglieri March 8, 2011

Adirondacks in NY gets hit by major snow!

The Indian Lake, Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake area got a late season snow storm on Sunday. Over 23 inches of fresh powder fell on the region. So if you want to take advantage of a last minute winter getaway to either ski, snowboard, x-country ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, snow tube, horseback ride , ice skate or ice fish this should be weekend. It’s a winter wonderland out there.

Phenomenal vistas on trail to trail and lake to lake are just commonplace in the Adirondacks. Can you picture it being all white?

Check into the local hoteliers at the chamber offices. Recommended is Blue Mt Rest who was featured in “Time Out” New York magazine in Blue Mt Lake. Go to www.bluemountainrest.com

Look for March specials including Gore Mt’s March Madness in North Creek starting March 14th where you can get 30% off their lift tickets and where many of the lodging facilities match that rate on their rooms.

Lenny Baglieri February 24, 2011

Snowmobiling in prime season in Long Lake, Blue Mt Lake, Raquette Lake in the ADKs

Serious snow fell on the Adirondacks in the past month making conditions ideal for snowmobiling. Over the last two weekends the towns of Long Lake and Indian Lake have sponsored a special snowmobile event called a “poker run”.

Hundreds of snowmobilers sign up for prizes given by local businesses. Running from business to business snowmobilers stop at listed destinations on the “poker run” route and get one poker card per stop. The object is to stop at every destination and collect as many poker cards as possible. At the end of the day all participants congregate at a local restaurant for some good food and drink. After a hard and fast day of furious riding to see who has the best “poker hand”; cash, door prizes, tee shirts and gifts are presented to the winners. And a fun time for all.

Blue Mt Rest a lodging facility located in Blue Mt Lake, is a member of the Indian Lake Snowarriors (the local snow mobile club) sponsored and was one of the designated stops in the Indian Lake Poker Run. Proprietors Lenny & Boka Baglieri added a little flavor to the door prizes they presented later. Hot chili and Italian wedding soup was served to all riders that came to their property last Saturday on the run. Keeping them warm and energized for the ride ahead.

A major snow storm is expected in this the central region of the Adirondacks tomorrow. So if you want to come up and bring your sled or rent one and experience some of the best riding of the season in one of the few remaining pristine environs in the country.

Lenny Baglieri February 24, 2011

Snowmobiling is in prime season in Indian, Blue Mt, Long & Raquette Lakes in the central Adirondacks

Hundreds of snowmobilers sign up for prizes given by local businesses. Running from business to business snowmobilers stop at listed destinations on the “poker run” route and get one poker card per stop. The object is to stop at every destination and collect as many poker cards as possible. At the end of the day all participants congregate at a local restaurant for some good food and drink. After a hard and fast day of furious riding everyone comes to see who has the best “poker hand”; cash, door prizes, tee shirts and gifts are presented to the winners. A fun time for all.

Blue Mt Rest a lodging facility located in Blue Mt Lake, is a member of the Indian Lake Snow warriors (the local snow mobile club) sponsored and was one of the designated stops in the Indian Lake Poker Run. Proprietors Lenny & Boka Baglieri added a little flavor to the door prizes they presented later. Hot chili and Italian wedding soup was served to all riders that came to their property last Saturday on the run. Keeping the snowmobilers warm and energized for the ride ahead.

A major snow storm is expected, in this, the central region of the Adirondacks tomorrow. So if you want to come up and bring your sled or rent one, experience some of the best riding of the season in one of the few remaining pristine environs in the country.