I am someone who has been molded and shaped through the many paths and places I have walked...I have seen little and much...I believe but struggle to have faith...I desire to know God but still at times run from him...I desire life but at times lack the bravery to chase after it...I am me but all that that entails is still a mystery.
Monday, October 21, 2013
I am moving...
Please visit my new blog at amykradford.wordpress.com. I will be posting here from now on.
The One Where I Lost My Shoes
Currently I am taking courses at a local college. One of my favorite courses is my Environmental Science class. We have had to do a inventory of the region we live in and it has sparked my curiosity about the world around me and I really get excited to investigate.
This week our lab is about phosphates in water and my professor told us we could bring in a sample to test. I was pretty excited about that and decided I want to grab one from the mill pond.
Driving to church this morning, I discovered they had drained the pond down significantly again. However, water was still there and I would not be deterred. I sent the kids into church and planned on running across the road and grabbing a sample. No problem.
On a side note, I am in dress pants, my favorite red flats, cardigan, dress shirt and have my purse over my shoulder. My bottle was ready and I started toward the water.
I noticed my feet were sinking in a little so I made my way toward a spot that seemed to have more rocks. Unfortunately, before I could make it, my feet began to sink...a lot. I am now standing mid-stride ankle deep in mud and any effort I make to lift my foot results in my shoe starting to slip off my foot.
At this point I only had one option. I stepped out of my shoe, balanced on one foot while trying to keep my purse on my other shoulder and my collection bottle in my hand. I then reached down and painstakingly fought to get my shoe out of the mud.
If one foot is in the cold wet mud, I might as well get both in. So, I stepped again, and retrieved my other shoe. It is fall, in the Adirondacks. The temperature has dropped. Yep, the mud is cold. But, If I have gotten this far, I am not giving up now! Two more steps and I am on more stable ground.
I obtain the water sample and pick my way back up to shore desperately clutching my mud covered shoes in one hand and the bottle in the other. I frantically wipe my feet off and sprint back across the road barefoot.
As I walk up the ramp and deposit my shoes outside the door, I get ready to walk into church as the pastor's wife with mud covered bare feet. My husbands reaction was simply, "Your tracking in mud." Everyone who came in after me asked, "Whose shoes are they?" I headed to the kitchen and desperately tried to clean my feet only to be captured on camera.
So, I sat in church, smelling slightly of pond, in bare feet. Too bad we weren't the foot washing type. That would have been the icing on the cake.
This week our lab is about phosphates in water and my professor told us we could bring in a sample to test. I was pretty excited about that and decided I want to grab one from the mill pond.
Driving to church this morning, I discovered they had drained the pond down significantly again. However, water was still there and I would not be deterred. I sent the kids into church and planned on running across the road and grabbing a sample. No problem.
On a side note, I am in dress pants, my favorite red flats, cardigan, dress shirt and have my purse over my shoulder. My bottle was ready and I started toward the water.
I noticed my feet were sinking in a little so I made my way toward a spot that seemed to have more rocks. Unfortunately, before I could make it, my feet began to sink...a lot. I am now standing mid-stride ankle deep in mud and any effort I make to lift my foot results in my shoe starting to slip off my foot.
At this point I only had one option. I stepped out of my shoe, balanced on one foot while trying to keep my purse on my other shoulder and my collection bottle in my hand. I then reached down and painstakingly fought to get my shoe out of the mud.
If one foot is in the cold wet mud, I might as well get both in. So, I stepped again, and retrieved my other shoe. It is fall, in the Adirondacks. The temperature has dropped. Yep, the mud is cold. But, If I have gotten this far, I am not giving up now! Two more steps and I am on more stable ground.
I obtain the water sample and pick my way back up to shore desperately clutching my mud covered shoes in one hand and the bottle in the other. I frantically wipe my feet off and sprint back across the road barefoot.
As I walk up the ramp and deposit my shoes outside the door, I get ready to walk into church as the pastor's wife with mud covered bare feet. My husbands reaction was simply, "Your tracking in mud." Everyone who came in after me asked, "Whose shoes are they?" I headed to the kitchen and desperately tried to clean my feet only to be captured on camera.
So, I sat in church, smelling slightly of pond, in bare feet. Too bad we weren't the foot washing type. That would have been the icing on the cake.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
A Favorite Family Hike
Another post for www.adirondackmama.com
Schroon Lake is a nice little 20 minute ride from our house and Mount Severance is just north of the town. My husband has hiked Severance before and was confident it would be a good hike to do with kids. It was a beautiful fall day, a great time to do something together as a family and he said the views at the top were amazing.
According to schroonlakeregion.com, the hike is a 2.4 mile moderate climb to an elevation of 1693'. It is not difficult to find the trail head and there is a large parking lot off the road.
My husband, myself and our friend Kayli headed out with my son (5), my daughter (2 1/2), and her daughter Liese (4). With three small ones, I did not know how we would do but I was willing to try. We started out with smiles and plenty of energy.
One of my kids favorite parts of the hike is actually at the beginning. The parking lot is on the east side of the Northway and the mountain is on the west side. You walk through two tunnels that go under the Northway. There is just something fun about starting off the hike going through a tunnel.
My son had prepared a map of how he thought the route would go, so we decided to let him lead the way. The trail was well worn and so we didn't have to worry about taking a wrong turn.
The hike is definitely not flat. It is still a mountain. Sometimes those with small legs needed a little rest or a helping hand. It took longer than if we were doing it alone but their excitement was contagious.
The day was partly sunny and the temperature was just right. We took our time and enjoyed the climb. When we arrived at the top, we sat down to rest and enjoy the view.
There was a small trail to our left that took us to another part of the mountaintop and we discovered another incredible vista.
This was our first time with the kids and it will not be our last. For those who live in the area it is a hidden jewel. But, it was such a great family adventure I needed to pass it along.
After a hike like that, you may want to stop for something to eat. The town of Schroon Lake has some great places for families. Our favorite diner style eatery in Schroon Lake is Pitkins. They even have my favorite - sweet potato fries with melba sauce.
If you are in need of a good cup of coffee stop at Higher Grounds where their list of specialty drinks is extensive. If you are in a mood for delicious crepes, try Morning Star Bistro. I recommend the strawberry and Nutella combination.
If pizza sounds like a good idea, stop at De'Cesares Pizzeria. If you are looking for a local grown, quality meal check out Witherbee's Carriage House. They are a little pricer but so worth it.
Don't forget, Stewarts is a great place to fill up and pick up some good ice cream but there is also Severance General Store right near the trailhead if you need some gas or a quick snack and drink.
Schroon Lake is has a few shops to check out as well and a park right along the lake. You and your family can definitely make a whole day trip filled with adventure and great memories.
Here are directions to get to the trailhead:
Mt. Severance trailhead: Directly across from the Alder Meadow Road intersection where it meets I-87, on State Route 9 approximately one half mile south of the intersection of Route 74. Parking. The trail passes through tunnels under the Northway.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
The Great Brant Lake Duck Race
This blog was featured on http://www.adirondackmama.com
One of our favorite fall activities is the Great Brant Lake Duck Race. The fun kicks off with a delicious FREE Pancake Breakfast at the Horicon Fire House! Then, at the "Quack of Noon", the ducks are released.
The kids enjoy watching the ducks come down the water!
Next, we head up to the Town Pavilion. The Friends of the Horicon Library have pumpkin painting, goodies, and gifts. It does get a little messy but it is so much fun!
They have baskets of kids sized pumpkins just perfect for decorating and everything is laid out and ready when we arrived. It is decorated for the season and having plenty of activities for the kids to do. After we were done painting pumpkins, they had coloring pages and crafts.
They also sent each kid off with a goody bag and a craft to do at home. My son was so excited he painted his immediately! He also enjoyed running around and chasing his friends as the "pumpkin monster".
All in all it was a lot of fun and a perfect way to enjoy a sunny fall day in the Adirondacks!
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
The one where they went to Montreal
Since we have moved to the Adirondack's, Kevin has talked about going to Montreal. He really wanted to eat on the patio of a street side cafe and of course we had to have crepes.
We walked hand in hand along the cobblestone streets. Visited the Notre Dame.
And he has his first taste of poutine, which he had to have with bacon.
It was so nice to get way, but it was great to be welcomed back home.
I am so grateful for the chance to spend some time with my wonderful husband and that my kids were able to enjoy time with Nana and Papa. Most of all, I can't believe it's been 12 years!
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