My husband and I are on vacation this week. This time last year, we went to Ireland and I wish we could return this year. Instead, we’re doing what responsible adults do and are saving money for a home and land. Despite that, we did want to go on a trip. We decided to stay close to home and go on a day trip to the Adirondacks*. My sister and brother-in-law visited and we took them to Tupper Lake, NY to see The Wild Center, a natural history museum dedicated to the Adirondacks and conservation. This was my third or fourth time to The Wild Center, and I always enjoy it. It’s fun to see the otters and other animals (this time we got to visit with a kestrel as well!), and I always learn something new. For example, I was really excited to learn that there are specific fungi that only grow on decaying pine cones! I also learned that quaking aspens have chlorophyl in their bark and can continue to carry out some photosynthesis in the winter! Nature never fails to impress!
We took a little hike in Tupper Lake. Despite our lack of snow only two hours away, it still looks like winter in the Adirondacks! The locals, on the other hand, know better and lament the poor season. Many ski slopes, for example, have experienced terrible business.
From Tupper Lake, we made the short drive to Lake Placid. We only had time to poke around the village, but we did enjoy seeing the lake (frozen over, complete with a sled dog team!) and the snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Here are some of the photos I took:
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Ice sculpture outside the Wild Center. |
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A cairn on the nature trail. |
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Here’s a view from Lake Placid. I believe that’s Mount Marcy in the distance – the tallest mountain in NY State! Isn’t it beautiful? |
Today we went to my favorite local antique shop. The last time I was there, I saw an old herb cutter and it really caught my fancy. Since then, I’ve seen other antique herb cutters in magazines and I decided that, if it was still there, I would buy it!
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It’s older and needs some cleaning up, but it’s just the thing for chopping up large quantities of herbs! It has a really earthy energy to it as well and I can’t ignore its very lunar appearance**. I have a fondness and fascination for older tools. They are often sturdier than most things you can find in big box stores these days, and reusing something is very sustainable thus very Druidic in my opinion! Even if I decide it’s too rusty to use with food, it will be a great tool for other herbal workings.
It’s Wednesday now. My vacation is half over but I’ve already had a great adventure!
* Day trips aren't just good for the wallet - they are arguably better for the environment than taking a plane to a faraway destination! I keep reminding myself that so I feel even better. ;) ** On a very practical level, its shape allows it to fit in a bowl.
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