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Essex Chain Lakes - by Doug

10/14/2013

1 Comment

 
PictureFrom here the road gets rough.
On Thursday, October 10, 2013 I got my first glimpse of the Essex Chain Lakes. Most recreational users of the Adirondacks are likely familiar with the recent activity concerning the Essex Chain Lakes tract, which is part of the former Finch, Pruyn & Co. lands purchased by New York State from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The State Land classification of this tract has been in the news for several months and the decision is now in the hands of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and will be subject to approval by the Governor.

PictureKiosk & register box at Deer Pond parking lot.
The day was slightly overcast, warm and dry. The mornings have been cold, so my two friends and I took our time
getting started. It was 11:05 AM by the time we signed in and started carrying
our lightweight solo canoes the 0.25 miles to Deer Pond. Still waters and no
bugs made ideal conditions for exploring the Chain Lakes.

PictureSecond Lake outlet.
Leaving Deer Pond we carried
0.5 miles to Third Lake, paddled into Second Lake and then carried to First Lake. The carry to First is flagged and lightly brushed out, but it has not been cut or developed yet. We paddled the length of the lake then down the outlet as far as the first beaver dam. Wanting to explore the other lakes in the chain we retraced our strokes to Third Lake.

PictureA glimpse of Vanderwhacker Mt.
We stopped for lunch and watched as a member of the Gooley Club trolled around, fishing from an aluminum boat power by an electric motor. Although I am pleased to have a new portion of the Adirondacks to explore, I couldn’t help but think about the sense of loss members of the Club must be
feeling. These lakes have been a special part of their lives for a long time and now that is all changing. For the next five years this group will have lease access to the camp buildings and will be able to use motor boats on Second through Sixth Lakes. The DEC’s Interim Plan allows Club members to use electric motors from July 1st to September 30th and ten hp gas motors from October 1st to the end of the big game hunting season and from ice out until June 30th. As the day went on a few more fishing boats appeared on the water. Another paddler we encountered made a comment about eliminating motorized boats from the tract. I on the other hand did not find the boats to be bothersome. My earliest experiences in the wilds were fishing with my grandfather in boats like these. 

PictureThis sign was not posted when we entered the tract.
After lunch we resumed exploring
lakes Fourth through Seventh. As it was getting later in the day we did not have time to investigate Sixth or Eighth Lakes. We will save those for future trips. The sun was setting as we retracted our route to the Deer Pond carry. We arrived at the parking lot before needing to break out the headlamps. We talked to some mountain bikers at the parking lot and discussed the potential for riding that the logging roads on the tract would provide.

Picture
The day’s paddle was an enjoyable experience. I am grateful to have the opportunity to explore this
beautiful area. While we were paddling we discussed the classification options currently being decided by the APA. I think we all had preconceived ideas about what classification we would favor. The area certainly is a great addition to the Forest Preserve; many people will enjoy experiencing it. Having seen the
tract first hand has provided me with a much better idea of the recreational use potential available. Given the character of the land I favor a Wild Forest classification over Wilderness. The
road network was constructed for extracting timber and can easily withstand the impact of mountain biking which would be allowed as Wild Forest but not as Wilderness. As far as motor boats, I think the current restrictions that apply to Gooley Club members would work for me. I know that some paddlers would disagree, but the area can certainly withstand this level of use. In addition, the Wild  Forest classification would allow appropriate development of accessible facilities for use by people with disabilities.

PictureMap from DEC Interim Plan
I hope that those deciding the final classification have had
a chance to explore and discover what the tract has to offer for the people of New York State.

1 Comment

Recreation Has Value For Everyone - by Doug 

11/27/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture


This article first appeared in the July 2009 issue of Embark.

Picture
Jack, John and Doug at Whiteface
Recreation plays a valuable role in our lives. Getting outdoors and having fun are not luxuries; they are a necessary part of life.  The benefits of recreation include physical fitness, good health, self-worth, joy, friendship and an appreciation for the environment.  Playing outdoors enhances our lives through increased enjoyment and learning.

For people with disabilities, these benefits are equally important. Positive recreational
experiences can be life changing. My son John is a perfect example, here is his story.

Picture
John in the middle on the Buffalo River, AR
By the age of nine months it became evident that John would have some level of disability in his life; developmental disabilities for sure and probably some physical limitations as well. John is the youngest of three boys in our active outdoor family who lives in the Adirondacks. He was a handful and by the age of three it was evident that getting him outdoors and moving around was crucial. Indoors, he was hyperactive and challenging, but put him in the middle of a canoe on an Adirondack pond and he was calm and happy.

Picture
The brothers on vacation
Our family loved to be outdoors pursuing physical and recreational activities. His brothers found great joy in skiing at the town slope, but for John, the commotion of the ski area was hard to process. While the older boys skied, John and I found other things to occupy our time. It was a family divided until his brothers convinced John to give the skis a try. Before long the joy of the sport took hold and he was skiing and riding the lift independently. Recognizing his new abilities, peers took notice of him for the first time.

Picture
Growing up skiing at a small local hill can lead to a lifetime sport and advancement to bigger more challenging mountains. John soon discovered the joy of skiing at new places. He learned how to research by searching for information on other ski areas, first through brochures and later the internet. At school, teachers and aides found they could engage him in academics by relating lessons to skiing and ski areas. On the slopes John learned about safety, communication and physical fitness. He developed his motor skills and self-control, but mostly he discovered independence for the first time in his life. As John became trusted to take safe solo runs his independence grew. Today in his mid twenties, John is an expert skier. He has a season pass at Whiteface Mountain and drives himself there when he can’t find a ride or anyone else to go with.

Picture
While downhill skiing has had a tremendous impact on John’s life, he is also a skilled river paddler and has participated in several extended wilderness expeditions. The lessons learned through recreation have helped him achieve success in many other aspects. He is an Eagle Scout and a blood donor. He was a varsity athlete and completed high school. He is a valued employee, trusted friend, community volunteer and an all around great person. John also appreciates the environment and understands the importance of protecting it.

Picture
John’s story is one of many. Everyday, people of all abilities enhance their lives through fun outdoor activities. Whether it is paddling, hiking, fishing, or one of many other opportunities, the benefits that outdoor recreation offers for people with disabilities are numerous. Explore the
possibilities; search out things to do, places to go and experiences to discover.

Picture
Enjoying the out of doors can be simple. It does not have to be a daring adventure. Begin with energy and enthusiasm to create a positive environment. Initiate the planning process by asking some easy questions: What do we want to do? Who needs to be involved? What supports need to be in place? Then step into action. Starting small and building on successes are effective ways to kick off any new venture. Helping people discover the joy of outdoor recreation begins the same way. At the end of an activity, the spirit of success is captured when something like “the next time we go…” is heard. Positive outdoor experiences are worth repeating and can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment and learning.

Picture
Connecting people to nature through outdoor recreation is an enriching experience. No matter what your ability may be, find a way to get outside and have some fun.

Picture
To arrange a presentation on this topic check out our Presentations page.
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    Jack Drury 
    & Doug Fitzgerald

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