Tag: Outdoor Life

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Roadside America

Our summer 2023 three week road trip brought us to some interesting places. My wife and I had the opportunity to see and eat at some really interesting places that we do not have here in New York State. One particular place is called “The Legs Inn” an authentic Polish food restaurant located in Cross Village, MI. at the end of historic M-119 and the (Tunnel of Trees).

Cross Village is 811 miles from our home and 695 miles if you cut through Canada. It is nestled 30 miles southwest of Mackinac City, MI on the Lake Michigan side.

I have never had Polish food before so this would be a treat. The restaurant itself is just really neat looking, a far cry from our modern world of ugly architecture. It just has character which so much of our landscape lacks these days. The grounds and gardens are just spectacular and are immaculately kept. The day of our visit the weather could not have been anymore perfect, so we chose to sit outside in the garden dining area taking in the beauty and peace along with some amazing views of Lake Michigan.

Not knowing much about polish food I struggled to order wondering if I would like it. After careful thought and changing my mind frequently I decided to keep it simple ordering thee “Old World Sampler”. As the Knight in Indiana Jones said “You Chose Wisely”. TheOld World Sampler” is a popular combination of Pierogi (Polish-style dumplings), Kabanosy (Polish Sausage) and our Bigos (Hunter’s Stew). It was absolutely delicious as I found myself hooked on the Hunter’s Stew. Oh heck I loved it all!

Not wanting to leave and eyeing dessert my wife’s sister Chris and husband recommended we share the “Old Fashioned Polish Berry Szarlotka” Old World Polish crumble cake baked with a blend of fresh apples, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Even more delicious A ‘La Mode. Holy cow was this good, probably one of the best desserts I’ve ever had while out to eat.

So if you ever find yourself traveling through northern Michigan I would highly recommend you taking the time to stop at the Legs Inn. The food and atmosphere are just amazing and you find yourself at peace sitting under a lush canopy in a truly beautiful place. Note: Legs Inn is only open Spring-Fall.

Cheers!

Waiting for the Legs Inn to open on July 13th 2023 Cross Village, MI.

Waiting to be seated at the Legs Inn Cross Village, MI July 13th 2023.

Looking over the menu in our little slice of heaven in the lush gardens of the Legs Inn Cross Village, MI July 13th 2023.

My wife Julie taking in the spectacular view of Lake Michigan from the gardens of the Legs Inn Cross Village, MI July 13th 2023.
Old World Sampler at the Legs Inn Cross Village, MI July 13th 2023.

Old Fashioned Polish Berry Szarlotka and Łomża (woom-zhah) blend of the local Polish beer and natural honey from apiaries located near Łomża, a city in north-eastern Poland at the Legs Inn Cross Village, MI July 13th 2023.
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Final days of summer

As autumn approaches summer takes its final breaths. I find peace and reflection in a morning paddle on a small lake close to home. There is just something soothing about sipping a hot cup of coffee out in nature.

My newest addition to the fleet is a Northstar Canoes ” Northwind Solo”. This boat is in the starlite layup weighing 27#’s at 15′ 6″.

Enjoy the video!

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A Brief Update

It has been a while since I’ve written so I figured I’d give you all a brief update. On May 16th I traveled to the Adirondacks to pick up a new canoe I had made. I purchased a Hornbeck Boats New Tricks, this pack canoe is 14 feet long and weighs 24 pounds.

I cannot express enough how fortunate I feel to own two beautiful canoes handcrafted right here in New York. Some people collect cars, me I have begun to collect canoes. I’m Looking forward to this years adventures, however I’m not sure what they might be as our world is different now and I plan to adapt accordingly.

Paddling Jabe Pond in the Adirondack Park with my brand new Hornbeck Boats “New Tricks” 14′ pack canoe May 16th 2020.

 

Paddling my Adirondack Canoe Company 14′ 24# “Boreas” on Little Colby Pond in Saranac Lake, NY August 2019.

 

 

 

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The Beach & Beer Life

On Thursday May 16th I picked up my new to me Subaru Outback from our local Subaru dealer. This one owner car has super low mileage and is loaded.. On Saturday the 18th my wife and I strapped our boats to the roof and headed north to Old Forge, NY for the annual Adirondack Paddlefest. The car performed flawlessly as did my canoe!

Arriving in Old Forge we could have not asked for better weather. We made the rounds, met up with friends and sat on the deck of Matt’s Draft House “Screaming Eagle” for some sunshine, beers and wings. Peanut butter panic wings to be exact! Later on in the afternoon Julie and I would make our way a few miles north to 7th lake to canoe/kayak for a bit.

Not too far out into the lake from the boat launch is a wonderful island with a sandy beach. This is one of my favorite spots and rightfully so is also very popular. Tucked on the other side of the island there is now a lean t0 as well. Since technically it is “Out of Season” we basically had it all to ourselves, minus the guy camping at said lean to…

As our day drew to a close we finished with more beer and food at Fulton Chain Craft Brewing. We woke the next morning packed up and headed for home. Another successful Adirondack Paddlefest!

If you have any questions about my canoe or the Adirondack Canoe Company please feel free to message me. This 12′ Skylight is super comfortable with amazing secondary stability and is so light it is finger lifting good!

My Subaru Outback loaded with an Adirondack Canoe Company Skylight canoe. The Skylight is 12′ long and weighs only 20 pounds. Extremely sweet boat!

The beach life on 7th lake Inlet, NY.

Buried Acorn Brewing “Hot Whip” IPA chilling on the deck of Matt’s Draft House “Screaming Eagle” Inlet, NY.

The sun struggles to set through the clouds in Old Forge, NY.

And last but not least Fulton Chain Craft Brewing’s “Bear Road Coffee Stout”. I’m not a stout fan by any means but this is one of my favorites!

Cheers!

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The Planning Stages

The gleaming warmth of the sun piercing our office window has me ever so excited that spring has sprung. More importantly some great canoe camping adventures are now in the planning stages. If that wasn’t exciting enough, I’m having two brand new carbon/kevlar canoes built for me by the Adirondack  Canoe Company of Minerva, NY. Both canoes are of their “Boreas” design which are 14 feet in length. However one will be a pack canoe (24 pounds) that can be paddled with a kayak paddle and the other a traditional solo canoe (27 pounds). I couldn’t decide which one I wanted so I’m getting both. To be honest I’m a huge fan of the pack canoe and I love the feeling of a double blade kayak paddle. With that said there is just something timeless about a solo canoe that draws me in as well.

Currently our dinning room table is littered with maps of the Adirondack Park and the Connecticut River Valley which straddles the borders of Vermont and New Hampshire.

My first almost completely planned trip which will take place in September has me  in Lake George, NY for two days where I’ll be photographing the Lake George Triathlon Festival. After that my adventure brings me further north to the St. Regis Canoe Area for several days of pond hopping and exploring. Another component to this canoe/camp trip is that my friend Gary Sharp will be joining me. Gary is highly entertaining, a wealth of knowledge and just fun to be around. Oh and he likes beer!

Once I return to civilization I’ll take in the spectacle that is the Adirondack Canoe Classic ( 90 Miler) for three days as a volunteer with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Originally I had thought that I might want to paddle this event in 2019. After much self reflection I feel its better to be an observer in order to get a feel for it first.

The map below is currently a mock of my trip. I might add to it or even do it in reverse but it is still in the planning stages.

I encourage you to visit the Adirondack Canoe Company’s website at the link above or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Their boats are stunning!

If you like what you see here please share and follow my blog. “AdirondackJoe” can also be found on Facebook and Instagram as well.

Cheers!

The current plan subject to change……..

Adirondack Canoe Company “Boreas” canoes that I have purchased and being built. Left is the pack canoe (24lbs.) and on the right is the solo canoe (27lbs.)…… Stunning, I know!