Stories

Shop Local This Holiday Season!


#ShopADK - Shopping local can make all the difference to small business owners! The holiday season has snuck up on us quickly this year, but there is still more than enough time to...

Summer Events for 2023


By the time the end of spring starts rolling around, we all start going a little stir crazy. We've been cooped up for a few months, spring cleaning, dodging the rain and mud. If you...

25 Years of Maple Syrup


2023 marks the 25th season of maple syrup for Karen and Dave McComb at McComb’s Oak Hill Farm in Speculator. They began their venture in 1999 and have grown their maple syrup...

Winter Events 2022-2023


Looking for something to keep you busy in the winter months? We have got some events coming up to keep you entertained! The new year looks promising and there are a lot of exciting...

Reaching New Heights in Speculator, NY


Chances are you’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child.” This story is not of small children or new families. No, it’s a story of a relic of an older time that has...

A Double Dose of New Fire Towers


Some things are perfect together. Peanut butter and jelly. Rain and a tin roof. Fresh snow and a pair of skis. Pizza and chicken wings. Campfires and warm summer nights. Hamilton...

History of Golf in the Southern Adirondacks


The sport of golf in the southern Adirondacks dates back to the early 1920’s. During a time when the number of weekend leisure golfers doubled, there were several golf courses being...

Four Things I Discovered Skiing at Oak


This blog was written in 2022 and updated in 2024. Over 20 years ago my parents took me to my first downhill ski lesson. On a very small hill, I grabbed a tow rope and was...

Where to Chill Out and Where to Warm Up


We get lots of snow here in the winter, so why not get out and enjoy it? Here is a list of places where you can go to chill out and have some fun, and some places to shake that...

The Lemon Tree


If you are at all familiar with Speculator you may remember the Lemon Tree as it used to be: a Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo, Nautiques dealer / repair shop. It was the place you went if you...

Mountain Biking in Speculator, NY and Lemon Tree Brewery


 "Apart from anything else, I prefer cycling. It puts you in a good mood, I find." — Alan Bennett If mountain bikers know anything, it’s how to have a good time. Add biking with...

Four Paddles for Great Summer Adventures


The Adirondacks are made up of countless lakes, rivers, and streams that create endless paddling adventures. From whitewater to leisure paddles, there is something for every skill...

First Time Snowshoe


When I was a kid I was always outside. Summer time you could find me at the beach, and in the winter time I practically lived at Oak Mountain. I loved skiing and snowboarding, but a...

Winter at Oak Mountain


When winter arrives and the Speculator region becomes covered in a white blanket of snow, Oak Mountain turns into a winter playground. While most people travel to Oak Mountain for...

Foxey Brown Cross-country Ski Trail


Last weekend my husband, brother in law, pup and I headed out to check out the recently refurbished Foxey Brown Trail. It was a cold, early winter afternoon and the trail was a...

Winter Bucket List


Winter this year may look a little different than previous years. Regulations have tightened a bit and we may not be able to spend as much time indoors as other years. Why not make...

The Rhinelander Estate


The story begins in 1815 in a sleepy little town in the Adirondacks now known as Lake Pleasant. Philip Rhinelander arrived on 300 acres of land that had been given to him by his...

Leaf Peeping on Two Wheels Through the Adirondacks


Cycling is popular all summer long on Adirondack roads, but the fall is one of my favorite times to get out on the roads and take in the scenery. Throughout the month of September,...

The Peaks at Peak


We had one seriously hot summer, but as quickly as September arrived, so did the beautiful cool weather that makes us all turn off the air conditioners and crack the windows at...

Our Family Staycation


Last summer feels like a lifetime ago, but I was just sitting here thinking about the “staycation” my husband, along with my kids and niece, took while his brother was here visiting...

Mother's Day Shopping at Tracy's Rustic Relics


As you head through the infamous 4 Corners in Speculator, you'll see a cute little shop with a beautiful flower garden and seasonal Adirondack decorations. To one side of the...

Winter Options on Watch Hill


Watch Hill may not be a big mountain, but it's got a lot to offer - from unique views of the central Adirondacks to a mix of hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Located...

Where to Find the Coolest Stuff


If you are anything like me, when you have the chance to do some shopping, you love to wander around and spend time looking at everything. Whether you are in the market for a...

Short Hikes


Known for its High Peaks and tough trails, hiking in the Adirondacks can seem a little daunting for beginners or those with families. But, I’m here to tell you, while we do have...

Lakefront Lodging


The Southern Adirondacks are peppered with great places to spend the night. Whether you prefer to stay right in the hustle and bustle of town, a secluded cabin in the woods, or in a...

The Perfect Camping Experience for Your Family


The snow is gone, there’s a warm breeze that has the whole family just itching to get outside, and that awesome camping gear that you got over the holidays is calling to you. At...

Best Places to Fish


We all know that avid fishermen are notoriously tight-lipped about their fishing spots. So much so that when I asked around about favorites, the most useful response I got was "on...

Run the ADKs


Whether you are a serious athlete who competes in marathons, or if you love to just take a casual jog now and then, the Adirondacks are the perfect beautiful setting to do your...

Top 4 Ways to Enjoy Winter


You may be thinking “I’m getting the winter blues and I need a vacation,” and I know the first thing that pops into your head is somewhere tropical, but why not try something...

Maple Fest!


Maple Syrup. Sweet, sticky, delicious. And a staple here in New York state. There are over 2,000 maple sugarmakers in New York, which if you ask me, is something to celebrate! Cue...

Your Guide to Holiday Shopping


Summer is now just a tiny speck in the rear view as we fly through fall, headed straight for winter. That means it's time to pack up the Halloween decorations, maybe put up a few...

Top 4 Scenic Foliage Drives


Indian Lake to Speculator   Trip distance: 34 miles This drive will give you gorgeous scenic views of the fall foliage, as well as views of two beautiful Adirondack lakes. Starting...

Fall Festivals


Many people think of the Adirondacks as a place to visit in the summer when they can enjoy the lakes and the beautiful green scenery. Or, maybe as a place to visit in the middle of...

Summertime = Beachtime


One of my favorite summertime activities here in the Adirondacks is taking my kids and spending the day at the beach. We love to go to the public beach in Speculator. This is the...

Arr mateys! It's Pirates Weekend


Avast, ye mateys! Calling all landlubbers and scallywags alike! There is a brand new event coming to the Speculator region—Pirates Weekend! This action-packed weekend is full of fun...

Speculator Vacation


While we are quickly heading into spring, I've got sun and fun on my mind. I'm thinking summer and vacation!  As I have lived in the Adirondacks my whole life, sometimes is can be...

Finn-tastic Nordic Skiing!


I've heard that people who live in NYC often never visit the Statue of Liberty and that there are people who live in Florida that have never seen the Everglades. That's how I feel...

Fall on the water!


Last week I was fortunate enough to head out on Piseco Lake for a beautiful sunset cruise with some great friends. My husband, kids, and I  got to have a lovely lake-front dinner of...

Small Towns in the Adirondacks


When is comes to the Adirondacks, you may think of some of the larger towns like Long Lake or Speculator. But here, we are also famous for our small towns! Hope and Benson Let's...

Favorite Experience


We all have our favorite experiences and adventures. I certainly have quite a few of my own including hiking, going to the beach, and stopping by Donuts and More for hot donuts and...

Kunjamuk Cave


A Break in the Weather After what seemed like weeks and weeks of non-stop rain, we finally got some much needed sunshine in the Adirondacks. So, I grabbed my friend Steven and his...

Golfing in the Adirondacks


The following was written by Christy Wilt, the director of tourism and economic development for Hamilton County. Christy has lived in the Adirondacks for over 20 years and has been...

Playground Hopping


Have you been as stir crazy this year as I have been? It seemed like the cold weather just didn't want to let go. Well, now that the  snow is gone (and hopefully we won't see any...

Top 7 Reasons Not To Snowmobile in the Heart of the Adirondacks


This blog was originally published March 16, 2015. We love sharing the beginner snowmobiler's perspective. I recently spent a wintry weekend in Speculator, NY at the southern edge...

The Faces of Oak Mountain


Oak Mountain is a family friendly ski mountain located in Speculator, NY. Even though it is considered "small," it takes a team of dedicated people to keep it going not just in the...

For Pete’s Sake – a long hike back to Pete’s Hill


One of the hardest things about trying to find hiking partners, is finding ones who have days off during the week. This week in particular I couldn't talk anyone into taking the day...

Car camping!


Car camping gone bad! Although I grew up in the Adirondacks, I car camped only a few times.  A couple of times was with my family, and once I went alone with my twins at Rollins...