Adirondack Family Time™

Cook Mountain  Distance 1.3 miles one way Ascent 895' From the summit of Cook Mountain, you can enjoy an expansive view of northern Lake George The Cook Mountain Preserve was established in 1990 through the generous donation of 176 acres by Donald and Marjorie Delano, George’s grandchildren. In 1995, the Cook Mountain Preserve was expanded by an 18-acre parcel donated by Dr. and Mrs. George Boyle. Directions:   At the monument/traffic circle (Moses Circle) in Ticonderoga, head straight (south) on Lord Howe St. for 0.75 miles to a “T” intersection with Alexandria Street (County Route 5). Turn left and then immediately right onto Baldwin Road. Proceed south on Baldwin for 1.5 miles to the 192-acre Cook Mountain Preserve. Park to the right. © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keene/Keene Valley whi

There are also plenty of opportunities to help those in need.  So during this Thanksgiving season, spend a few moments while filling yourself with turkey and the works and clean our your own cupboard .  I know I have quite a few things in there that I will never eat. Perhaps it is time to donate my few impulse buys to people that will actual use them.  If you children have toys in good shape or a coat they've grown out of, get kids involved. Have them look through their own belongings for items they have out grown but are willing to gift to others.  When I go grocery shopping, I give my children $1 so they can choose an item to put in the food pantry box at the front of the store.  Sometimes stores have a 10/$10 sale so the item costs less than a cup of coffee.  Every $1 helps.  I don't hunt. I did not grow up hunting and I don't even eat meat. That said, there are plenty of other people that do. (Thanks to Leo Roth at Democrat and Chronicle for this tip.

The Adirondack's only year-round professional theatre presents "To Kill A Mockingbird"  Performances  in Saranac Lake are:  November 17,18,19, 30 at 7:00 p.m.   December 1, 2 at 7:00 p.m.   The only matinee is Sunday, December 4, at 2:00 p.m.   The production will return to Saranac Lake for only one more performance  as a part of the Winter Carnival on February 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. To Kill A Mockingbird  will tour through March to schools and Arts Centers throughout the region. Consult the Pendragon Theatre’s website or contact the Pendragon Theatre directly for information about these performances “on the road”. Ticket prices are $20 adult, $18 senior and $10 for people under 17. For further information contact the theatre at: 518-891-1854,  via e-mail:  pdragon@northnet.org   or on the web: www.pendragontheatre.org.  © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for

Are you going to the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Winter Sports and Healthy Living Expo ? Held at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway from November 19, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and November 20, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  There will be plenty of opportunities to meet vendors that make winter sports fun and easy! Here is a list of exhibitors.    If you want to learn some easy snowshoeing or XC skiing trails, stop by our seminar on November 19, 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. and we will go through some easy trails to access in the High Peaks, based on the 1st Adirondack Family Time Book: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks.  November 19, 4-4:45pm    Easy Family-Friendly Adirondack Adventures with Diane Chase ▪ Seminar Room Join us as we present a "slideshow" of short snowshoe walks and cross-country ski trails throughout the High Peaks region. Learn how to venture off the groomed paths while being comfortable and safe. Learn some fun activities to keep your kids engaged on the trails. 

Located in Lake Placid, the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trail s are a multi-use trail system. These easy hiking trails are used year-round for the benefit of walkers, hikers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.