Camping Trip - Day Four

Our last day. We all agreed we wanted more days but sadly reality called. We had a leisurely morning. Joe made bacon (bought at Donaldson's the night before), pancakes and we broke down the camp. We didn't hit the water until 11am and still had a fairly aggressive paddling day ahead BUT WITH NO CARRIES! Our plan was to make it through Follensby and have lunch at Donaldsons. Then head through Fish Creek Pond (also called Square Pond), take the Fish Creek through to Little Square Pond, continue on the creek and land in Floodwood Pond. Our car was parked about a mile from there, at the Long Pond parking lot. We didn't take lots of pictures, as our arms were pretty much paddling all day!

It was a windy day, so Clarke needed a break from the kayak after Follensby. I took over and had a great time. The weather was just beautiful. In fact, it was beautiful and perfect all three days, which is an Adirondack miracle. We had sandwiches at Donaldsons and finished our journey through the creeks. Once we got back into Floodwood, it felt like an old friend. No navigation or maps required. It's amazing how a pond that looks just like the other ponds, can feel so familiar and unique. The boys and Joe took a swim to cool off while I hiked the mile to our car. We ended the trip with Donnelly's ice cream and dinner at Casa Del Sol.
The trip was tremendous. Between the loons and the moon and the chance to relax with my favorite people in the world, it was really quite perfect. For those whole like the outdoors, canoe camping is the way to go, as you can be a bit more luxurious in your packing because you don't have to haul everything on your back (except for the carries of course) The entire St. Regis/Floodwood canoe area is the best of unspoiled, spectacular beauty. In most of the ponds, there are no motor boats allowed, no development or private houses, and very few people. Because this draws a certain type of enthusiast, the camp sites are left super clean, and well stocked with firewood. "if you carry it in, carry it out". There are no reservations, you just paddle up and see if there is a tent set up. The sites typically have a fire circle, a clearing for tent and/or eating, some have picnic tables, and some have been accessorized with hooks and nylon lines etc. We did hang our food high in th trees away from our site, and some use bear cannisters, as there is plentiful wildlife throughout. We saw three blue herons, dozens of loons, ducks, chipmunks, fish, but thankfully no bears. There is no accessibility to any of this land unless you paddle in. Can't wait for next year. Joe and I have our eye on a lighter, bigger canoe!
Now, we start organizing for our return to Manhattan. GULP.