Adirondack Family Time™

There are many opportunities for mountain biking in the Adirondacks but Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington will be the place to be for a range of events and activities for all level of mountain biker. The Bike Fest Village will open on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and is free to all. Clinics, demo days, children activities and live entertainment will be just a portion of what will be happening around Whiteface Mountain Bike Park on Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington. Check out the new Hardy Road Trails, Dirt Bike Jump Park and much, much more! Schedule of events

By Diane Chase The Adirondack Folk School   in Lake Luzerne will be showcasing its new pavilion and blacksmith forge this weekend with free blacksmithing demonstrations on June 18th.   The school is located at the former Town of Lake Luzerne town hall building.  Classes in traditional Adirondack arts such as basketry and twig/rustic furniture building are available as well as other folk art traditions such as weaving, ceramics, quilting and fly tying.   all photos: Adirondack Folk School blacksmithing class photo credit: Jim Mandle,  Adirondack Folk School The Adirondack Folk School is located on Main Street in Lake Luzerne. Offering over a hundred classes in traditional Adirondack folk art, there is bound to be something for everyone. Make sure to check their schedule of events for  free summer events  such as Saturday Evening Campfire-Sing-Along and July 2nd Anniversary Party.  Read more

It is challenging to think about snow when the mercury hits 90 but if you love a discount and plan on buying a season pass to either Whiteface or Gore than now is the time to do it.  ( BTW, I have nothing to do with Whiteface or Gore but hate to pay full price for anything.)  Whiteface Mountain and Gore Season Passes: Deadline  June 21 Adult Non-Holiday Whiteface / Gore $565 Adult Full Season Whiteface / Gore $720 There are additional benefits for Season Pass Holder Benefits: 1 Complimentary Summer Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride 1 $5 Off Adult Admission to Oktoberfest 2 Tickets to a Saturday Night Ice Show this Summer 2 42% Off Any Food, Beverage or Merchandise Purchase 1 50% Off a Quick Tune Available Non-Holidays 2 Bring a Friend and Save $10 Off One Day Lift Ticket Anytime 2 Bring a Friend and Save $25 Off One Day Lift Mid-Week, Non-Holiday Lift Ticket

By Diane Chase I taught both my children to knit but my son never found it to be the relaxing activity that my daughter and I do. He will take up my daughter’s needles in a competitive way, trying to knit faster than his sister but has yet to find the joy in creating something new from a few balls of yarn. He is more interested in how the yarn is created. It is an interesting stage when children finally connect that everything comes from something else. They go to stores and turn over the packaging and exclaim, “Everything comes from China.” This Saturday Adirondack Yarns in Lake Placid is bringing local sheep and alpaca farmers together to show that some things are made right here in the Adirondacks. Rain or shine, Saturday June 11 will be Fiber Fest.

The Adirondack History Center Museum in Elizabethtown is open for the season.  2011 Admission: Adults $5.00, Seniors $4.00, Students $2.00,  6 and under are free. One  highlight of the visit is to climb to the top of the adjacent fire tower. This particular steel tower was reconstructed from two different fire towers. At the top we can see all around the village of Elizabethtown and surrounding mountains.

You don't have to run a marathon or bike a long distance race. This weekend there are opportunities to be an "armchair athlete" while watching these two great events. People are out and about in the Adirondacks. Lake Placid is hosting its 7th annual Lake Placid Marathon and Half Marathon while all weekend between Inlet and Indian Lake, mountain bikers will be around preparing for or participating in the Black Fly Challenge. Since the mid-90's Inlet has hosted the mountain bike challenge, appropriately named,  the Black  Fly Challenge . This mountain bike race alters each year between a start in  Indian Lake and Inlet.  This year the shuttle will leave Inlet for Indian Lake so races can prepare the the long distance race.

By Diane Chase What is the difference between an alpaca and llama? Well, there are quite few. Though alpaca and llama are related (they're kissing cousins) the llama can weigh up to 3 times that of an alpaca. Alpaca and llama come from  Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Since they are a hardy breed many people in the Adirondacks breed them for a variety of purposes.  Alpaca are more timid while the llama are brave Llama are used more extensively as pack animals You may see alpaca and llama in the same field because the l lama will protect the alpaca . Llama serve as herd guards. Llama's have a course fleece while alpaca's fleece is soft, fine and seen as hypoallergenic . Alpaca have been domesticated and breed for their fleece for thousands of years. Llama has ears that are shaped like bananas while the alpaca's ears are smaller and The two breeds can be interbreed but there is no purpose as the offspring would not be as strong as the llama or have as lux

Click here for the rest of the schedule for Plattsburgh's FREE Museum Day

By Diane Chase I n Lake George this weekend the   Elvis Festival   opens this Thursday, June 2 with a free tribute concert at Shepard’s Park starting at 7:30 p.m. According to Festival Director Jason Sherry the concert is family-friendly and gives a sampling of what the weekend festivities hold. “Not only will people be able to see tributes to Elvis, James Brown, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson but also Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. The musicians are all tributes,” says Sherry. “Friday night is about Rock and Roll History, which is where all the other tribute artists come in. Saturday is Elvis all day long. Elvis will be on a boat, playing in restaurants and seen all around Lake George.” Read more

What is the difference between a frog and toad? Well, one tastes a lot like chicken while the other has a bitter taste that wards off predators. Neither will give you warts and even if you kiss one it still won't turn into a prince. Though you don't have to take my word on that last one. Go ahead... give it a try!

Bald Eagles can be seen in the Adirondacks, Alaska, and every state but Hawaii. If you take your kids out in the Adirondacks and see a bald eagle, please remind your kids not to interfere, just observe! If you are out on a walk or hike near a Adirondack pond or lake, you may just come across a bald eagle. Below are some fun facts to share!

By Diane Chase Most of the time we find there is too much we want to do on the weekend. I am not referring to our garden, the deer, moles and now resident mutant woodchuck. I have heard that groundhogs like dandelions. If so, they have moved to the right yard. If only it would stick to its side of the garden. At some point we need to take a break from the battle for our yard and take our minds off all the housework. The issue for us is how can we get to all the activities we want to do. On May 21st there are four free events that come to mind for people with families. Now is the time to trade in those bicycle helmets and participate in the annual Saranac Lake Bicycle Rodeo at the SL Civic Center from 10:00 a.m. – noon. At 11:00 a.m. Pendragon Theatre is hosting the Colgate Children Theatre Workshop with a FREE performance of “They Say Her Name Is Alice,” based on Alice in Wonderland. It’s just general seating so get there a bit early.

By Diane Chase One quick, on road, bicycle ride in Lake Placid is the  John Brown Road  loop. Starting at John Brown Farm and Gravesite, we park our car and hop on the bikes. Some of us need to get our bicycle legs back after a long winter free from pedaling. As John Brown Road has two entrances off Old Military, we bear left at the Y and head northwest onto Old John Brown Road for about 0.8-mile. At the end of the road we turn right onto Old Military Road, passing the North Elba Cemetery and Lake Placid Community Garden.   Read more