Adirondack Mountains Poem by Deanna Samuels

Heading north from New York City took Highway 87
Decided a change of scene to see small town life on West 9 by Hudson
Circled around Albany and passed Glen Falls, drove into Adirondack Park
Mid-afternoon shadows highlighted pines, winter trees still bare

The Adirondacks, a magnificent U.S. National Park, an area of 6 million acres
Of those,3.4 million are privately owned, the remainder by New York State
Adirondacks, the largest publicly protected area in the United States
Greater in area than four other U.S. major parks combined

The Adirondack Mountains, Mount Marcy being the highest peak at 5,344 feet
Commanding the High Peaks Wilderness area, rock structure of more than 5 million years
A biome area of coniferous forests thickly covered with spruce, pine and deciduous trees
Wetlands of swamps, marshes and bogs, home to amphibians, birds, grasses and moss

Proudly boasting over 3,000 lakes and ponds and 1,200 miles of rivers within
A spectacular 2,000 miles of amazing hiking trails to suit all levels of expertise
Beautiful and practical lakeside areas available for motorhome or camping vacations
Amenities, cafes, restaurant and general stores nearby for everyday needs

Plenty of hotels and b & b's to suit all pockets
Many found alongside quiet, serene lakes or nestling in valleys with spectacular views
The Adirondacks offers more than 5,000 miles of roads and 3,000 miles of snowmobile trails
Allowing the motorist freedom to venture and wander, embracing great views at every turn

Our passage continued on route 87, the road swift and true
Diverted at Lake George to Route No.9 to split onto 28
The ride was delightful, pines on either side, little other traffic
Ski and winter resort facilities having closed already for the season

Passed through the previously busy of a few weeks ago, quiet towns
Neatly encircled alongside treed sparkling lakes and rocky landscape
Snow patches lingered upon the forest floor protected under thick pines
Huge overflowing unthawed ice chunks clung to roadside rocks

Motored over and around that local mountain scene
Some peaks covered in pines and firs, others rocky and stark
Dipped into valleys and dales of gradients both steep and shallow
Noticeably, no sightings of wildlife or grazing herds and flocks

Diverted from route 28 to 30 North, the day waning, drawing in
Long Lake came into view, a quiet serene lake, a hotel beside appeared
A perfect time to break for a meal and overnight stay
Booked into The Adirondack Hotel, a place of yesteryear

A perfect choice, view overlooking the tranquil lake
Full of history and lore, clean, warm and friendly
An excellent tasty meal served by their friendly and attentive staff
Time at the bar to watch Bruins and Leafs, a good end to an exciting and explorative day

A continental breakfast prior to departure set us on our way
Continued on 30 North, drove passed Tupper and Paul Smith Lakes
Beheld many varying sized cottages snuggled amongst the trees
The journey becoming less hilly and mountainous

The terrain gradually transformed into a pretty plateau with trees to enhance
Passing by homes and local stores, scenes of everyday rural life
The Adirondacks slowly disappearing from our rearview mirror
Reluctantly drove away from those magnificent Adirondack Mountains


A poem travelogue written while in the Adirondacks and at Richmond Hill, Ontario - 23rd/24th April 2018.