Rented kayaks at the Parishville Town Beach. I think it was the last day they were open. Such a wonderful place to paddle and enjoy the last of summer.

The birds are chirping, the buds are bursting and the water flowing. It's almost time for Encounter Earth! Be sure to post a photo that you think connects you to nature on Earth Day tomorrow! Check out this link for more details http://natureupnorth.org/encounter-earth

An ice-free Raquette Flow, clear skies, and temperatures near 60 made it a perfect day for the first paddle of the year.

This weekend (January 29-31), I ventured out to southern Vermont and New Hampshire. There is still a fair amount of snow there. Upon returning to the saturated ground in Canton, I wanted to share a picture of sunnier weather and carefree adventures.

A year ago, I was living in the yurt village of the Adirondack Semester on Lake Massawepie, outside of Tupper Lake. There was two feet of snow on the ground, and we had to break the inches of ice that covered the lake in order to canoe across. Today, it is nice enough for me to sit outside and eat my soup wearing only a sweater; it is unseasonably warm for a North Country November.

Completely intentional, I was out in a kayak searching for frogs for one of my classes. I spotted this big guy from across the river and then slowly maneuvered my kayak closer and closer until I could get this great picture. The frog did not move at all when I was observing it, it was so tranquil I just sat there for a while. I was able to find plenty of other bull frogs and other species relaxing on the riverside. I highly suggest taking a kayak or canoe along the river in search of wildlife before the first frost this fall. It's relaxing and fun! Frogs are truly amazing creatures.

This ADK trip put in at Brandy Brook and canoed up to just before Coles Creek, with a picnic on the way. Late in the day the sky was spectacular..