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 July 2, 2011

The Adirondack Mts in NY is an International Vacation Destination

It’s the prime season- summertime! If you haven’t made your vacation plans now is the time to do it.

The Adirondacks in New York State attracts vacationers from all over the US but also, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, the Mid – East, Northern Africa, Central & South America.

What’s the draw? Maybe it is the 6 million acres of untouched and unspoiled environment, over a thousand crystal clear lakes, gorgeous mountain views, with some of the highest peaks in New York near Saranac & Lake Placid, Blue Mt. Lake and Indian Lake. Deemed “forever wild” the Adirondacks is one of, if not the largest, National Parks in the country.

Maybe it is the wildlife which amazes vacationers in there natural habitat. Dozens of species of bird: including the iconic Loon & Osprey, deer, moose, black bear, coyote, bobcat, coy dog, otter, beaver, hawk or the endless number of steams and lakes stocked with hundreds of species of fish.

Maybe its how much fun you can have sharing this precious space with nature. Canoe, kayak, go white water rafting, rent a pontoon boat, water ski, wind surf, horseback ride, take a seaplane ride, hike, mt bike, spend time on a beach (that’s right I said beach, almost every lake has one and that means swimming in some of the freshest water that streamed down the mountain after the big winter melt offs), golf, jet ski, and fish, fish, fish.

Maybe it’s the history. Learn about W. Durant and how he built the Great Camps in the 1800’s, go to Sagamore and especially the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mt Lake. A world class facility that you can literally spend two days in learning about how the railroad barons built the camps for their summer guests. Did you know that Prospect Point in Blue Mt Lake had the first hotel in the world with electricity?! A 300 room facility with spectacular lake views.

Maybe it’s the designer shopping in Lake Placid or the 1980 Olympic Center. The Wild Center in Tupper Lake an interactive, naturalist museum educating adults and children alike about the indigenous wildlife of the central Adirondacks. Or the Arts and Cultural Center in Blue Mt Lake. Or taking a Dinner Cruise on Raquette Lake. Going to the Enchanted Forest, an amusement and water park in Old Forge.

In a brief interview with Lenny Baglieri a hotelier in Blue Mt Lake, owner of Blue Mt Rest, kind of summed it up. “In the five and a half years we have been operating I’ve had clients come from: Denmark, Finland, Holland, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, a country in the Slovac region which was once part of Yugoslavia, Israel, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Panama, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada, Japan and India. That’s just one’s I can remember off the top of my head in addition to all the Americans that come from all over the US. It’s a wonderful place to bring your family”.

It certainly is an international destination, don’t hesitate to reserve a room today because before you know it the summer will be over.

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 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.