Adirondack Scenic Railroad

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad had its beginnings in a wealthy man's desire to gain access to his hunting preserve in the north. In 1890, Dr. William Seward Webb financed a railroad to go through the Adirondacks. On July 1, 1892, the first train rolled from Herkimer to Thendara and on Oct. 24, 1892, the first through train from New York City to Montreal. The railroad provided service to communities but with gradually decreasing patronage, passenger service ended in April 1965 and freight service in 1972. In 1975, New York state purchased the abandoned line. In 1977, The Adirondack Railroad Corporation contracted with the state to run a passenger service between NYC and Lake Placid for the 1980 Olympic Games. The lease eventually terminated in 1981.

Abandoned once more, the line seemed destined for oblivion until a bunch of rail enthusiasts proposed to operate a short section of the line. On July 4, 1992 the Adirondack Centennial Railroad ran its first train out of Thendara station. In July,1994 the Adirondack Centennial Railroad became the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, which is operated by the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, Inc. (ARPS). Through the work of this non-profit, about 70 miles of track are now available for passenger service.

For the train enthusiast or for just the casual tourist, the Adirondack Scenic Railroad offers a variety of scenic tours as well as packages and special train productions like murder mysteries and polar express.

From Kayuta Lake, one can catch the train at the Thendara station which is on Route 28 North, just south of Old Forge. One lazy afternoon, we decided to try the short train ride to Otter Lake, a 20 mile roundtrip with views of hills, creeks and bogs. A train robbery by the Loomis gang culminating in showdown with the sheriff added just a little excitement to the trip.



Maybe next time, I'll try the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Train adventure, a 20 mile round trip from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake.

McCauley Mountain

Someday, we would like to try skiing McCauley Mountain. With an altitude of 2300 feet and a vertical drop of 633 feet, 21 trails ranging from novice to expert, it claims to be "New York's Best Family Mountain".

From mid-June to October, one can still go to the top of the mountain via a scenic chairlift.



So, one October morning, we found ourselves lining up to go up the mountain. It was worth waiting for the one chance that my 80+ year old mother-in-law would get to ride a ski-lift.




She sure seemed to enjoy the ride, while attendants at the top made sure she got off safely.





Even though it was past the peak for fall foliage, the scenery at the top was still spectacular.

Skiing on Kayuta

I love skiing. Snow-skiing, that is. Water-skiing is a different ballgame. I tried water-skiing once. I was able to get up from the water and stay on the skis for what was probably a whole 5 seconds before landing on my face and swallowing gallons of sea-water. The thought of reliving that experience, with lake water, prevents me from trying the sport again.

I do love to watch the water-skiers on the lake, though. And look forward to the yearly show.

These pictures were taken during the 2006 ski show. Thank you Stan.

Pixley Falls

Pixley Falls State Park lies off Route 46, about 6 miles south of Boonville. The 375 acre park is open year-round, a popular place to go on a picnic, hiking, trout fishing and cross-country skiing. Twenty-two streamside campsites are available.




Pixley Falls, the 50-foot high waterfall is the main attraction of the park. Although one can get a glimpse of the falls from the parking lot, to be able to experience it's magnitude, one has to go down a short nature trail to the bottom of the falls.







The refreshing water spray invites one to an even closer encounter behind the cascading waters.

My Church at Kayuta

If I knew I was going to be at a new place on a Sunday, I make it a point to check in on masstimes.org to know the local mass schedule. I don't think it has anything to do with the three wishes you're supposed to get when you visit a new church. Must be the catholic guilt.

It wasn't guilt though that made me search for a church on Kayuta. Since my husband and I got our camp, I've always been grateful for the opportunity to own such a wonderful place. The prayers I raised to the heavens on our last night of house-hunting in the Adirondacks were answered. It just seemed proper that I give back a little of time each week to say thanks to the Lord.

I was so glad to find out that the Roman Catholic Christian Community of Northern Oneida County under Rev. Donald H. Karlen services three churches in the area of Kayuta Lake. They are:
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church: 110 Charles St, Boonville
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church: 12000 River Road, Forestport
St. Mary of the Snows : State Route 28, Otter Lake

Forestport was closest to the camp, Boonville within 10 miles and Otter lake within 20 miles. With the following choices, one really has no excuse for missing Sunday mass. It's just too bad that this season will be the last time mass will be celebrated at Otter Lake's St Mary of the Snows. For other needs, the parish office can be contacted at 315-942-4618.

Summer Mass Schedule: Memorial Day to Labor Day (2009)
Sunday Vigil Masses: 4:00pm - St. Joseph's, Boonville
6:00 pm - St. Mary of the Snows, Otter Lake

Sunday Masses: 8:00 am - St. Patrick's - Forestport
10:30 am - St. Joseph's Boonville


Click here for a complete list of churches of all denominations in the area.