8/3 - 8/6 Adirondacks Family Trip

We decided to get away up north for the Labor day weekend. One of our favorite places to go as a family is Moss Lake in the central Adirondacks. We got started a little later than we expected and arrived at the lake around 8:00 pm, just as it was getting dark. Moss Lake is a small lake with campsites surrounding it. Some of the sites are accessed by canoe only and some are hike in, Two of the sites are handicap accessible. One of the best things about them and many other primitive camp sites in the Adirondack's is that they are free of charge, just sign the register and go. Since we got there so late, we chose the closest available hike in campsite and got the tent setup quickly which was a good thing because it immediately started raining. The next morning we woke up to the sounds of loons calling, and decided to move to another site on the other side of the lake that is right on the shore. We packed up, hiked over and got setup by late morning. We spent that entire day just hanging around camp relaxing.

 These guys swam by while my wife and youngest daughter were filtering some water.  

On a small island in the middle of the lake is an Osprey nest, and every so often we could hear the Osprey calling. My oldest daughter walked down the lake to get as close as possible without bothering it to get some pictures. Although I couldn't see them, It looked like they were feeding young ones in the nest. 

One of my favorite things about the north country are the Loons. Watching them dive and then reappear sometimes hundreds of feet away from where they started always fascinates me. Listening to their long, haunting calls is a great way to wake up in the morning. I tried to get good pictures of them but they were apparently not in a photogenic mood, staying just out of camera range all weekend.

The last full day there was spent hiking some of the trails and enjoying the scenery. The next morning was spent packing up to go home. In my opinion, The Adirondack's are one of the most beautiful places in the Northeastern United States. You can climb mountains, visit waterfalls or hike to old growth forest all in the same day.

It is home to countless bird species, deer, black bear, and the occasional moose. If you live anywhere near the north country and haven't visited, then I encourage you to go. If you do go, please do me one favor, Please pick up after yourself and carry out what you carry in. It always upsets me to see that someone has left garbage in such a beautiful place. Beer cans and aluminum foil do not burn in a fire ring and the next person (My family in this case) end up cleaning it up and carrying it out. Thanks for reading, Have a great week and go explore.