A veteran north country writer & story teller raised in Saranac Lake, when not busy chasing new Adirondack adventures or sharing his survivor’s voice at Adirondack Center for Writing’s “Barkreaders” open mics, Dick enjoys weaving new outlaw stories, poems & tales. “Most of them are all pretty much true. Then again…maybe some of them ain’t.” He shares many of them here. Read the rest on his blog at www.adirondackoutlaw.com
So, you’ve been doing some hunting, managed to bag a few Grinches! Congratulations! NOW What??
Well, I wanted to take a moment and offer some suggestions and an easy original Grinch recipe from my own Whoville Santa’s chef pantry.
Now – Whoville Santa is a firm believer that proper Roast Grinch preparation begins in the sleigh. He recommends that once you bag a Grinch- field dress it right away!
I don’t know if this little story’s “bona fidis” qualify it as authentically blue-line “Adirondack.” I guess I’ll leave it to others to decide that. What I do know is this. Regardless of geography, truth is quite frequently stranger than fiction. Each day in life’s circle re-proves that.
At this point it should surprise no one to know that my father, Tom Monroe, spent his career in the NYSDEC. I have frequently referenced this rise through the ranks while writing my numerous Adirondack adventures and stories. From 1974 until 1994, when he finally retired, he served as Region V’s Regional Director. As a result, my brother and I were raised within and by our dad’s DEC family.
Life moved on. I grew up, went away to college, served time the army. My father retired. My DEC roots faded from view. My wife Robin and I met, married and settled in Watertown. We bought a house there, settled down, went to work raising our three children.
“A crew of hardy young Adirondack men, a deck of playing cards, a cabin, a pair of “One Eyed Jacks”, a whiskey bottle, & a shot glass”
It was getting late. Time measured by the near empty whiskey bottle and battalion of “dead soldier” beer bottles standing in neatly rowed formation on the floor in one corner.
We were young Adirondack men, sitting around a worn deck of playing cards at a table in a cigar smoke filled cabin after an honest day’s work. Young men discussing recent adventures with women and fishing as we collectively evolved our individual world views.
One Night, Adirondack
How Much Would You Pay
For One Night of Quiet Solitude
By A Crackling Campfire
Under the Stars
Varsity Football Memories & Lessons, taught by a true Adirondack coaching legend
Saranac Lake High School. Varsity practice field – July, ’78:
“Hey MONK! Get over here!”
I shot my best friend Chris a quizzical look. (Yes! THAT Chris, SLHS track star of “Olympic Outlaws“ fame).
“Does Coach Raymond mean ME?!” Chris shrugged and nodded.
“Looks that way. Better hustle over find out.” My first ever football practice. Already I was “Monk.”
Early one fall, several years ago, my wife Robin & I were planning our Christmas gift shopping list. We asked my mom, who lives with us, and has everything;
“Mom-What do you want for Christmas?”
Mom’s answer?
“A really neat Garden Gnome.”
“What was that noise I just heard? Was that just a squirrel or a chipmunk? Or is somebody watching me? Are we ever truly alone in the woods?”
“In the mountains lurk predators that remain undiscovered.”
**********
Author’s Note: Everything in this story is either true, or could be. I truly enjoyed writing it.
**********
“The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee’
The lake it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy”
These classic song lyrics from Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald” haunt the forefront of my mind as I put pen to page in an effort to somehow capture the events of this true Adirondack Outlaw father/son canoe mounted duck hunt survival story.
From the ashes of our beloved Bull Rush Bay lean-to’s old cedar logs, life rises anew!
Meet “The Phoenix”
Fantastic fall foliage. NYS DEC Forest Ranger rescue tales. A hike along Paul Smith College VIC trails with wife, family, and our own troop of “Paw Patrol” canine companions. Adirondack memories reflected, shared, and new ones made at the VIC.
I recently took time before heading full on into hunting season to spend some weekend time at Paul Smith College’s Visitor’s Interpretive Center, aka: “The PSC VIC.”
(A True Story)
“Folks would pay big bucks for this experience.”
My non-hunting brother uttered those words, as he sat dining fireside one early September lake evening.
Taking advantage of the special early NYS military/veteran’s waterfowl hunt, I had experienced success, and bagged several ducks. What good is hunter’s bounty not shared? So, I called up my brother;
“If you want a “Camp Chef” duck dinner, meet me up on the lake. I’ve got my spices, some olive oil, butter, and an onion already. Bring a frying pan, spatula, some scallions, and a fork. I’ll kindle a fire. When you get up this way, just look for the smoke.”
I didn’t have to ask twice. There were no leftovers.
Author’s Note: It’s hard to believe that my 1970’s childhood was a half a century ago. As I look back, which I seem to do as time passes with increasing frequency, I cannot help but thinking:
“Life Adirondack for kids growing up was so much simpler back then. We didn’t get criminal arrest records for every heinous kid crime, like playing down by the river and chucking a few rocks at some ducks. Police gave kids stern warnings. When it came to kid enforcement, our MOMS were the law!
If I & my neighborhood crew of Adirondack Outlaws had been held to the same societal standards for kids that exist today, by the time we were teenagers, we’d have all collectively been sent to reform school, never again to see light of day.”
Author’s Note: Greetings. I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone. Your reads, RETWEETS, FACEBOOK shares, compliments & comments have all been so all greatly appreciated. I especially want to thank Editor Melissa Hart & all the great folks at Adirondack Explorer & here at The Adirondack Almanack. I have truly enjoyed the opportunity they have given me to share some of my adventures & stories with all of you.
“Adirondack lean-tos are so much more than simple cedar log structures built in the woods.”
“The Bull Rush Bay lean-to is scheduled some time later this month to be demolished and replaced.”
This news hit me like a heavy weight title fight sucker punch in the gut. I’ve been barely able to catch my breath since I first heard this news in a reader comment to my most recent Adirondack Almanack story, “Smoke on the Water,” posted just last week.
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Adirondack Dinosaurs
“Adirondack Dinosaurs are far from extinct. In fact, certain species are quietly expanding their territory, migrating. Ancient carnivores slowly reclaiming what was once their domain. Patiently biding their time while they plot their next move. Watching us. Waiting to reclaim their Adirondack apex predator throne.”
Ever since I was a young boy, there have always been three things I’ve dreamed of being when I grow up: major league baseball player, writer, archeologist.
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