I went canoeing along the grass river with a friend this past Monday. It quickly devolved into frogging in the mud, and I ended up with muddier feet than I have had in a long time!

Thursday afternoon I got my feet wet, literally knee-deep, in the St. Regis River, just below the falls. This was my first adventure fly-fishing, and while I didn't catch any fish, I am hooked. For over 4 hours, I learned from one of my friends as well as a talented fly-fisherman, the basics. After 2 hours under his tutelage, I was let loose on the river. It was exhilarating, the prospect of emulating nature and taking the time to stop. Not only that, but the fish were brilliant!

One of my fondest memories as a kid was competing in frog jumping contests. My brother and I would spend hours catching frogs and training them to jump by gently squirting or poking them. We would secretly strategize our frogs of choice, based on size and athleticism, each convinced we knew the formula for a winning frog. I always chose the smallest ones; so much more agile. This past weekend, a few friends and I spent the day at Harper Falls which was hopping with small frogs.

My solo hike up Giant began at 10am up the 3.6 mile trail to the summit. The trail was easy to follow and although steep at times was not too difficult. The trail did have one ladder, and a few areas where I was walking up rock slabs, but this just made the trail interesting. Giant is the westernmost high peak and the summit at 4,626 feet provides great views looking east of all the other high peaks. It was a windy day at the summit, but I embraced it after my hot sweaty climb up the mountain.

Past and future vied in my head for control Reflection gave way to speculation In turn overcome by updated schedules, itineraries, etc., etc. My feet may have navigated the root-strewn tread, but my mind was occupied by states, cities, other countries-- in short, everywhere but here. My stride did not break when the deer bounded across the path. We both maintained our trajectories, assured by experience that there would be no collision, Yet though neither set of limbs deviated course, no flesh met fur, no fingers grazed spine, my attention became magnetically attached to my companion.

I went for a lovely ride at Stone Valley this past Sunday. This picture was taken on Lenny's Loop, one of the mellower trails at the Stone Valley area, but none the less a very fun one! It twists and turns through rolling hills has some very interesting terrain features that are fun for riders of all levels.

Your alarm blares at 4:55 am and you zombie walk through the motions, counting down the hours until you will be reunited with your bed again. On the bus to the river, you try to sleep but open your eyes periodically to see the changing light that silhouettes the passing trees. Once you reach the boathouse you must be awake, and you shuffle around with your teammates to get ready for a productive practice. By 6:15 you're in the boat and you start to feel alive again as you propel the water back with your oar and the shell cuts through the glassy water like a knife.

The Adirondacks' unique geology of new mountains, old rock have weathered beautiful exposures of anorthosite perfect for climbing! A Sunday well spent climbing the classic 3 pitch climb, "Pete's Farewell". I've always driven by and seen climbers on this route and it was cool to finally be up there myself. Not to mention, the views from 200ft up!

While kayaking the Little River, I was able to observe a small Whitetail Deer drinking at the water's edge. I enjoy exploring the Little River by boat because it allows me to see a number of species that I may not be able to see on the land. Having no natural predators in the water, deer are normally patient and allow paddlers to come much closer to them than people on foot. I hope to see this doe again sometime!

A few St. Lawrence ladies hit the trail for a nine mile day to summit Street and Nye Mountains on first Saturday back at SLU. It was a hot humid day but it was amazing to be back in the Adirondacks with good company. The trail starts out along Heart Lake, a clear blue/teal tinted lake nestled in between many of the high peaks. From there the trail becomes unmaintained but the constant foot traffic makes the trail easy to follow. Just before the summit of Nye there is a rock on the left side of the trail where we could look out for a great view of Wright, Algonquin, and Iroquois Peaks.