Lenny Baglieri April 13, 2012

Hiking and Mountain Biking in the Adirondacks

Took my first mountain bike ride in ions. A quick jaunt to the old Lake Durant carriage road. Pretty lake side ride. Perfect biking weather, about 56 degrees and sunny today.

Have been a member of the ADK Mountain Club for 3 years but inactive. I just found out they get together every week for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, snow shoeing & x-country skiing. Wondering about mt. biking. Gotta get the old bones moving again. And want to experience the lakes with the club. So many lakes near Blue Mt Lake.

Sure there are higher mountains elsewhere but it is sure pretty here in the Adirondacks. There are some great trails for hiking too. Trails to Blue Mt, Snowy Mt and Oak Mt are all less than 15 minutes away. With the exception of the High Peaks in Lake Placid these are some of the highest mts in The ADK’s.

Lenny Baglieri
Proprietor
Blue Mountain Rest

Lenny Baglieri June 12, 2011

Get Dad out to the Mountains for Fathers Day, Adirondacks that is!

June 17th – 19th Fathers Day Weekend. Get Dad out of the office and into nature. Is he the outdoorsy, adventurous type? Book a room in a rustic cabin, cottage or lakefront resort so he can spend some quality time with the whole family.

Does he like to go fishing, kayak, canoe, hike, mt bike, water ski, golf, horseback ride or go white water rafting? How about something more laid back like renting a flotilla like a pontoon boat for a lazy afternoon on a lake; go to the Adirondack Museum, take a dinner cruise on Raquette Lake or see one of the Great Camps at Sagamore. What about something a little more exciting like taking a seaplane ride to get a birds eye view of some of the most beautiful lakes and mountains in the central region of the Adirondack State park in NY.

Blue Mt Lake is the central hub of all of this activity where you will find some wonderful lodging and all of these fantastic activities. A few to mention- some historic seasonal full service resorts like The Hedges & Hemlock Hall or more moderate, cozy accommodations like Curry’s Cabins or Blue Mountain Rest who was featured in Time Out Magazine, NY. All dressed in Adirondack decor and a great place to give dad a relaxing respite from the everyday.

Lenny Baglieri June 5, 2011

7th Annual Birding Festival – Indian Lake in NY Adirondack Mts

ADIRONDACK BOREAL BIRDS

Bird watching in the Adirondacks is marked by the Hamilton County Birding Festival, held annually the second weekend of June. This year’s Festival will be held June 10-12, and has grown to become a premiere regional attraction in celebration of Adirondack Boreal Birds. The three-day event will feature guided hikes, canoe excursions, driving safaris, walks, a cruise and evening presentations.

Registration is required for each outdoor activity. A complete festival schedule of activities is available at the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, participating Festival businesses, the Indian Lake Town Hall, at www.adirondackexperience.com or call 518-548-3076.

Welcome Birders… to the 7^th Annual Hamilton County Birding Festival Featuring… The Usual Suspects: A Sampler of ADK Specialty Birds The Boreal birds of the Adirondacks Presented By John Thaxton, author, photographer and noted Adirondack Birder Saturday, June 11, 7:30 PM Indian Lake Theater Admission: $5.00 Sponsors: Hamilton County Tourism, Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, Town of Indian Lake.

INDIAN LAKE – As part of this year’s 7^th Annual Hamilton County Birding Festival, join author and noted Adirondack birder, John Thaxton , for an evening of educational entertainment highlighting the lives and habits of boreal species found in the Adirondacks. John will present, “The Usual Suspects: A Sampler of Adirondack Specialty Birds”, Saturday June 11, 7:30 pm at the Indian Lake Theater. He will share information about bicknell’s thrush, black-backed woodpecker, palm warbler and others including: wood warblers, olive-sided and yellow bellied fly catchers, gray jays, three toed woodpeckers, boreal chickadees unique to the boreal landscape of Northern Hamilton County.

John is the author of 6 books and has written articles for “The Kingbird,” “Birder’s World” and “Adirondack Life.” He recently has started writing a regular column, “Birdwatch,” for “Adirondack Explorer.” John is also an accomplished photographer whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and a veteran leader of birding field trips.

In addition, during the weekend, participating Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce businesses, Adirondack Museum, Cedar River Golf Club, Hutch N Stuff, Indian Lake Restaurant, Marty’s Chili Nights Restaurant and Pines Country Store, will offer 10% discounts to Festival Birders. Blue Mountain Rest a year round lodging facility in Blue Mt Lake is offering 20% off their lodging rates or a Free Night go to www.bluemountianrest.com for details.

Discount coupons will be available at the Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall, at participating businesses and at www.indian-lake.com. For further Festival information, please call Kristina Eldridge at the Chamber: 518-648-5112.

Lenny Baglieri May 18, 2011

A Poem about the Adirondack State Park, New York

Here are the reasons why you come to the Adirondacks.
written 7/26/07

Shadows in the Mist

Lying in the Valleys of the Adirondacks
Morning light
And shadows in the mist
Silhouette pines
Breaking through
The suns insistence to bring a brilliant new day.

Stillness in the air,
Blankets the endless forests
That shrouds the endless vacationers
Enveloped in log cabins tucked deep in the woods
Or million dollar homes perched on lakefront shorelines.

On golden pond
In these mountains
Kayaks wade through high reeds or open water.
Rampant rivers
Bring anticipation to whitewater rafters.

Campers breathe crisp clean air
The discriminate smell of evergreen,
Inert & intrinsic.
Hiker’s objective,
Conquest of stone & rock.

You can’t ignore the harmony between
Sun, water and wind
In this beautiful land
Ancient and prodigious.

Your mind lays at rest
Sitting between the valleys
And the shadows in the mist.
Giving up life’s frivolities
And stepping into a metaphysical realm
Of oneness with the earth
And oneself.

Children swim,
In the soothing breeze and the tepid haze at sunset.
Fast boats race across the calming waters
And you never want to leave this understanding
That is too brief and intoxicating.

Loons are the iconic sounds
That breaks the night’s silence
And tell us- we are here.

Sitting by the fireside, fueling the embers of our soul
Are moonlight and starlight
That dominate the landscape deep within us.
Completing the circle of the day.

Dawn again brings morning light
And the Valleys appear unscathed
Only inundated by the shadows in the mist.

If you ever need lodging contact Lenny Baglieri at Blue Mt Rest located in the Central Adirondacks. 845.236.4071 or www.bluemountainrest.com

Lenny Baglieri May 9, 2011

Great Upcoming Events in the Adirondack State Park, NY

Memorial Day Weekend kicks it all off, not only in a series of upcoming events in the central Adirondacks but this is the true beginning of the 2011 summer vacation season. In the following weeks there will be several major events: the Birding Festival, Black Fly Challenge, The Americade and Fathers Day Weekend throughout the Lake George, Indian Lake, Moose River Plains, Blue Mt Lake and Inlet areas.

May 26th -31st; Memorial Day Weekend- Everything opens. Bring your boat or rent one: canoe, kayak, speed boat for water skiing, pontoon boat or fishing craft. Camp sites open & golf courses. Take a seaplane ride or go horseback riding, whitewater raft or fish in dozens upon dozens of lakes all around this mountainous and majestic region. Take a dinner cruise on the WW Durant in Raquette Lake, go to the Adirondack Museum or Cultural Center in Blue Mt Lake or the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Take a hike on the interwoven NY State trail systems throughout this region or up some of the highest peaks in the Adks in Indian Lake and Blue Mt. And Inlet offers some of the best Mt Biking in the Northeast.
June 4th – 12th: The Americade in Lake George hosts one of the biggest biker events in the country. Tens of thousands of motorcyclists descend upon this well known tourist area each year. Besides having access to all the outdoor adventures, Lake George has shops, clubs, restaurants and some great night life overlooking one largest and most beautiful lakes in the Adirondacks. If you come to this event be ready to party!
June 9th -13th; Want a little something more subdued? Come to the 9th Annual Birding Festival in Indian Lake and Blue Mt Lake. Peace, serenity and solitude is on the agenda as you literally get a birds eye view of indigenous wildlife. Your binoculars will not only yield a colorful array of bird species but my even pick up a rare siting of a cotton tail, coyote, coy dog, black bear or moose at a distance.
June 11th; Ready for a ride and something more vigorous? Sign up for the Black Fly Challenge- a 40 mile mountain bike event that starts in Indian Lake, continues thru the Moose River Plains and ends in Inlet. Contact the local chambers in Indian Lake and Inlet for all the event details and prizes.
June 17th – 19th: Fathers Day Weekend. Get Dad out of the office and into nature. Is he the outdoorsy, adventurous type? Book a room in a rustic cabin, cottage or lakefront resort and spend some quality time with the whole family. Blue Mt Lake is the central hub of all of this activity where you will find some wonderful lodging. A few to mention- some historic seasonal full service resorts like The Hedges & Hemlock Hall or more moderate, cozy accommodations like Curry’s Cabins or Blue Mountain Rest who was featured in Time Out Magazine, NY. All dressed in Adirondack decor and a great place to give dad a relaxing respite from the everyday.

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 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 February 11, 2011

A Winter Festival for your Winter break in Indian and Blue Mt Lake, Adirondacks New York

Presidents Week and Winter Fest in Indian and Blue Mt Lake Feb 17th thru Feb 28th.

Enjoy your winter break from Feb 17th thru the 28th and all the winter activities at the Winter Fest in Indian Lake and Blue Mt Lake. Come for all the fun on Presidents weekend Feb 18th, 19th & 20th: Skiing and snowboard contests, snowshoe outings, bonfires to fireworks, packed with fun for all ages. Come Celebrate winter with us and meet Ollie the Otter!

Snowmobile enthusiasts sign up for the POKER RUN on Feb 19th registration from 9 AM to 1 PM, were area businesses donate great prizes. Sponsored by the local snowmobile club the Indian Lake Snow warriors. Ride from business to business collect as many poker cards as you can, get the best poker hand and be awarded Cash Prizes and Door Prizes donated by the local merchants. Then enjoy all the activities, food and drink at the Indian Lake Tavern and Restaurant where the drawings will be held between 3 & 5 PM.

And don’t forget to stop by Blue Mt Rest along the way, one of the stops on the POKER RUN, on the Blue Mt Lake trail. The proprietors will be providing some hot soup and chili to warm you up before you get to the next stop.

Blue Mt Rest still has limited availability if you are looking for cozy Adirondack style lodging that week. Go to www.bluemountainrest.com for all their week long specials, Feb 17th- 28th.

Lenny Baglieri February 8, 2011

New York Central Adirondacks for Valentine’s Day Weekend

Do you want to try something different for Valentine’s Day? Sure you want to wine & dine, no problem but do you like to play in the snow? There is tons of it in the Central Adirondack region, over 2 feet of fresh powder has fallen since last Wednesday.

You’ll find that romantic restaurant in either North Creek, Indian Lake, Long Lake or Old Forge Saturday night but what about the rest of the weekend? Don’t you want some fun and adventure?

New adventures will abound during the day and for the rest of your stay. Snow shoe, x-country ski, snowmobile, snow tube, snowboard, downhill ski, horseback ride, ice fish or ice skate in some of the most pristine wilderness in the US. The Adirondack State park is a mammoth 6 million acres which you can use as your personal playground.

And if you need a place to stay with your sweet heart Blue Mt Rest in Blue Mt Lake still has rooms with fireplaces available; with the NY State Trail system just across the street. All rooms have Direct TV, DVD, fully equipped kitchens and internet services are on site as well. Call about their Valentine’s Day Specials and find out about how you can get a free night…. or go to their web site www.bluemountainrest.com Ph. 845.236.4071.