Our resident Moose celebrity has been making regular, very early appearances at Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains Recreation Area, as he did for this photo taken by local resident Rich Nelson. Reportedly, over 60 people were on site one recent weekday morning, hoping for a glimpse. Other sightings include a bull moose on the Thendara Golf Course and a moose calf near Enchanted Forest Water Safari.

 

As the leaves change color in the upcoming weeks, McCauley Mt. Scenic Chairlift will become a popular destination to view the magnificent foliage without a strenuous hike.

 

 

Don't wait until the last minute to purchase your ticket for the 2014 Camaro Raffle held on Sunday, September 1st.  Last year the tickets sold out on the Friday before the drawing and many people were left disappointed that they missed out on their chance to win the car.

Autumn’s changing colors include many beautiful sunsets and continuing paddling weather, such as this evening scene by Kurt Gardner of Adirondack Mountain Productions. The Lock & Dam project is completed on the Moose River, and the water level is back up for paddlers like these stand-up-paddle board enthusiasts.



The first wave of swimmers cuts through the fog at the start of the Old Forge Triathlon.

Summer showed up again this past weekend, with indications it will hang around for a while. After early morning fog, Sunday blossomed into a beautiful day for the Old Forge Triathlon. Over 300 athletes participated, and over 1000 cheering supporters enjoyed a perfect August day in the Adirondacks. Most used the weather and support by triathlon sponsor Enchanted Forest Water Safari to cool off at the water park during the afternoon.



Triathlon bikers pass Bald Mt. Pond on their way from Old Forge to Inlet,
before returning on the South Shore Road.

People gather at historic Hemmer Cottage, the finish line of the Old Forge Triathlon.

 

In its second year, the Old Forge Triathlon shows all the signs of unlimited success as another family oriented event bringing active folks of all ages to the area. Many were just active spectators. The athletes, supporters, and spectators all seemed to appreciate the “perfect storm” of weather, natural resources, course layout, and close proximity to all the community has to offer.

Sunset over Old Forge Pond provided the backdrop for the
Gwen Tracy Band at the free Sunday Lakefront Concert.

The weekend started with Friday’s opening reception of the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors at VIEW. The exhibit, now in its 32^nd year, is ranked as one of the ten best watercolor competitions in the nation. A tour of the exhibit and VIEW shows why this has grown to such prominence, and, with it, Old Forge. The community is vibrant and determined to succeed on service, not merely survive on entitlement. Old Forge has New York’s largest water theme park, VIEW with its national reputation, the historic Adirondack Scenic Railroad, McCauley Mountain (home to three skiers named to U.S. Olympic teams), and the Fulton Chain of Lakes, home base of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Route and the 90-mile Adirondack Canoe Classic.



Later Sunday, an almost-full moon beamed in the warm, summer sky as Gwen,
her husband and parents lit up the Adirondack night with great music.

The final phase of construction on the TOBIE Trail began last month in Thendara. In addition to the paved pathway, the project includes a pedestrian bridge over the Moose River and a rest and information building in Eagle Bay.  The bicycle and pedestrian pathway connects the communities of Thendara, Old Forge, Big Moose, Inlet and Eagle Bay along a 14-mile corridor utilizing the paved pathway and roads, as well as the dirt roads of the Webb/Inlet snowmobile trail system. The hard packed trails are great for mountain bikes and hybrid bikes.

Mountain bikers take a break atop McCauley Mountain

It's off to the to the new McCauley Mt. single track trail



Adirondack Scenic Railroad offloads bikers at Carter Station

Strand Theatre's 90th Anniversary Gala was held last week on the Forge Knoll. The Gala raised approximately $30,000 for the Save Our Strand (SOS) fund, created to help finance the mandatory conversion to digital projection. There is still a long way to go to reach the  fundraising goal of $150,000, half of the conversion cost. Efforts for SOS are ongoing this Saturday, August 3, with Songs for the Strand at VIEW. Area singers, musicians and dancers will provide an evening of fun and music from your favorite films. Donation information is available at: CAP-21.org 

Below is a video created by Kurt and Ximena Garnder, owners of Adirondack Mountain Productions, documenting the history of the Strand.