Benjamin (AKA Big Ben)
This lovable goofball joined the family eight years ago. Half Old English Sheepdog and half Irish Wolfhound, he was a giant presence around the house, a gentle herder of people,…
First Signs the Ice is Melting
Could spring be around the corner? A hike to the beach at Au Sable Point revealed the first signs of ice melting.
Little Au Sable River Hike
One of Jill's and my regular summer stops is Sullivan Park in Peru. The park hosts a superb community market one Sunday a month, and we make a point to…
2026 Arrives with an Arctic blast
Jill and I started 2026 with a First Day Hike at Point au Roche State Park, where we bundled up against the six-degree temps, slipped crampons onto our boots, and…
Goodbye, ’25
My 2025 recap, and wishes for 2026. Year End Letter 2025_2Download
Miracle on Margaret Street
I haven't been to a Christmas parade in years. Maybe decades. The weather wasn't horrible last night (high 20s, not much wind), so we walked downtown, killed some time having…
Last Exit Before Canada
Exit 43 at Champlain, on the Adirondack Northway (AKA I87), is the last exit before entering Canada. The exit leads to an American duty free shop and this striking sign.…
A Year (and a Little More) of Living in the North Country
I moved to Plattsburgh, in the North Country of New York, in August 2024 after more than 30 years in North Carolina. I didn't move without some understanding of the…
The 156 Step Club
I've never attended the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration until this year, and I'm not sure this counted as attending. Saturday, we walked downtown, got coffee at the Kat, then I…
A Weekend at Macomb
Macomb Reservation State Park is a local gem. It's 20 minutes from our house, but it feels like it's in the middle of nowhere. We met friends Beth and Joan…