Canoe Camping on Thirteenth Lake

Looking for cool water to jump into, ways to force kids outdoors when camps are closed and some fun for ourselves, witenoize and I packed up a few days worth of food, gear and our canoes and headed to 13th lake, tucked behind Gore Mountain in the southern Adirondacks. It’s a classic Adirondack setting, a little to the south, easy logistics and there are trout and land-locked salmon if you know how to get at them.

Thirteenth Lake camp site

The forecast was looking volatile with a thunderstorms called for our third day, and though I have some unresolved childhood trauma from camping trips in downpours with canvas tents, we had to project positivity to our kids and go for it.

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Follensby Clear Pond Camping

A few years ago a friend of mine was married on the summit of Cascade Mountain at sunrise. Part of the wedding weekend involved camping out on an island on the Follensby Clear Pond system. I had never been much of a camper, but I fell in love with the spot and planned to return.

Follensby Clear Pond

Camping on Follensby is a great experience without the added labor. There is no need to hike in with heavy packs, just load up your water craft of choice and paddle to your chosen camp location. For this trip we booked a 2 person and 3 person canoe from Raquette River Outfitters a few weeks prior. Early Friday morning we packed my car and after a few rearrangements, fit everyone in and headed out.

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USS Slater Albany Waterfront Paddle

When you think about paddling in New York, you probably don’t think about the state capital, Albany. There’s good reason for that. There are many paddling destinations in the state that are more exciting, more challenging and more picturesque then the Hudson River along the Albany waterfront.

Albany boat launch

Why would anyone paddle Albany? Well, it’s there. Really, it’s right there. If you’re in Albany county, paddling the Hudson River is really convenient.

Recently, on a visit to see family, I brought Junior and my kayaks north with me. It had been a long time since I paddled this part of the river.

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