Almanack Contributor Randy Fredlund

Randy Fredlund enjoys hiking, paddling, and taking pictures of the area around his camp on Stewarts Landing. He is happiest when breathing Adirondack air.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Loon Lullabies on Lovely Lakes

by Randy Fredlund

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Looking north across Essex Chain’s Third Lake. Photos by Author.

Geezers Paddle The Adirondack Essex Chain Lakes

“Is that rain or water bugs?” was the question upon arriving at the 3rd lake put-in, after walking a mile or so from the trail head.

Walking is not quite the right word. Carrying is more accurate. I am very glad I don’t carry an extra 60+ pounds all the time. A canoe and pack for a little over a mile is more than enough. And thank you, Peter Hornbeck, for keeping the canoe portion of the poundage to a minimum. May God rest your soul.

The gout is in retreat, but the large knuckle on my left foot’s big toe is still sore. Perhaps the modified gait to baby that joint was the reason for missteps, but twice I was happy to be wearing above-the-ankle hiking boots. The boot saved a rolled ankle both times.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Caroga Lake Music Festival: Amazing music, beautiful setting

by Randy Fredlund

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How Amazing Music Has Come To A Beautiful Location

In July and August, music and more will fill the Town of Caroga and the surrounding communities. The Caroga Lake Music Festival features multiple styles of music performed by excellent musicians from all over the country. The quality and quantity of performers and performances is well beyond what one might expect to find in a small town of 500 souls in the southern Adirondacks.

The festival presents a variety of musicians from nationally recognized orchestras, chamber ensembles, and bands who regularly perform on reputed stations and shows including NPR, PBS, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, Saturday Night Live, Ellen, Steve Harvey show and more. GRAMMY award winners include artists from multiple genres, including Sierra Hull, Geoff Saunders, Sandeep Das, Mike Block, and Cara Samantha.

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Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Poetry: At 4 AM, I Took A Walk

by Randy Fredlund

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At 4 AM, I took a walk
In sunlight, reflected off the moon.

Unmoving shadows blink with points of light
Broadcasting codes unknown

The water rests, completely still
’Til a V of ripples spreads backward from the beaver’s nose

Somewhere floats a sleeping loon
Unaware of the voice of the owl

I took a walk at 4 AM
In sunlight, reflected off the moon.

Photo by Randy Fredlund

Friday, April 23, 2021

Geezers Make a Raquette at the Falls

by Randy Fredlund

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A hike to Raquette River Falls

(All photos are property of the author)

Raquette Falls walk — Since it is difficult to determine what the weather and conditions will be like in early April, the car was loaded with all manner of equipment. Snowshoes, crampons (spiky additions to boots), two flavors of hiking boots, hiking poles, and a sled filled the hatchback, along with the usual packs full of necessities.

Raquette Falls was the goal. A view of the cascade on a beautiful September day caused Jim and Randy to wonder what the river would look like during the spring runoff.

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Thursday, February 11, 2021

Stewarts Landing: Long dammed but still special

by Randy Fredlund

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With the water down for the winter, it’s easy to imagine the channel as the Mohawks of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy once saw it. Though the current dam on Stewarts Landing determines the summer level of the water, the top of the upstream rapids appearing when the level goes down is the determining factor for the winter level. This waterway was suitable for canoeing long before any dams were constructed.

What we call Stewarts Landing is the 2 mile stretch of flat water carrying the outflow of Canada and Lily Lakes to a concrete dam. Once called Fish Creek, the stream through and below Stewarts Landing is currently known as Sprite Creek. Below the dam, the unnavigable rocky stream flows into East Canada Creek, which joins the Mohawk and then Hudson Rivers.

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