|
Saranac Lake is nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, within the Adirondack Park, a 5,000,000 plus acre wilderness preserve. It got it's start as a logging town in the 1800's. The area became famous as a playground for the rich and famous in the late 1800's, with many expensive hotels springing up. This era also gave birth to one of the forms of architecture unique to this area, the Adirondack Great Camp. Several presidents or future presidents summered here, including Teddy Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, and Calvin Coolege. Many rich families came to visit as well, some eventually set up permanent homes here. Today this trend has once again picked up steam, with many of the "Rich and Famous" either settling or buying second homes here. Other than the beauty of the area, one of the reasons they have chosen this area, is that they are able to move about and have their privacy respected. For this reason, and because I am sadistic, I won't tell you who... you'll just have to guess!
As I write this, the 1998 Winter Carnival has come to an end. This year, we celebrated our 100th anniversary of the first Ice Castle. The Ice Castle is constructed completely of ice cut from a nearby bay in Lake flower. This years castle was approximately 40 feet high. Constructed of about 2000 Ice blocks averaging 2'X4'X16" thick, and weighing 400 lbs apiece, the castle is lit with colored lights at night and is quite a sight to behold. Perhaps the most impressive thing is the fact that it is built every year by volunteer labor and donated equipment. The only cost to the carnival committee is forfuel and insurance. This years design was based on a five pointed star, and I hope to post a picture of it soon.
Starting in March, Saranac Lake is home to a number of canoe races, culminating in the Adirondack Canoe Classic, a ninety mile three day trek through some of the most beautiful wilderness in the East. Again, all these races are made possible by a deep pool of willing and dedicated volunteers.
I chose this background as a memorial to the Ice Storm of '98. An experience we would just assume not repeat anytime soon. The trilakes area was spared from the worst of the damage, but still, it was bad enough here. There are valid scientific reasons put forth by the weather men explaining why we dodged this particular bullet. I prefer to give God the glory, when you look at the devastation surrounding this area, one can't help but believe that divine providence had a hand in our being saved. I wish I could say I had some great adventures as a result of the storm, but the truth is, I mostly worked my butt off, and then slept till I woke up again.
