avatarPamela Oglesby

Summary

The author recounts a memorable family vacation to the Adirondack Mountains in New York, highlighting the region's natural beauty, family activities, and historical significance, particularly in relation to the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Abstract

The article describes a family's vacation to the Adirondack Mountains, where they enjoyed quality time together amidst the autumnal splendor of the region. The family, including the author's mother and grandchildren, engaged in various activities such as hiking, sightseeing, and visiting local attractions like the Adirondack Museum. The author emphasizes the vast wilderness of the area, its suitability for outdoor sports, and the historical importance of Lake Placid, host to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The trip was not only a chance to bond but also to explore the rich history and natural beauty of the mountains, with the author suggesting that readers might consider joining Medium for access to more such stories.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a deep appreciation for the Adirondack Mountains' scenic beauty, particularly the vibrant fall foliage and the presence of wild deer.
  • The family vacation was a cherished opportunity for multiple generations to connect and create lasting memories.
  • The author holds the Adirondack Forty-Sixers in high regard, valuing their mission to promote responsible wilderness activities and stewardship.
  • The article conveys a sense of awe and respect for the historical significance of Lake Placid, especially its role in hosting the Winter Olympics.
  • The author is impressed by the infrastructure that allows visitors to drive to the top of Whiteface Mountain, making the panoramic views accessible to a wider audience.
  • The author is proud of Eric Heiden's achievements in speed skating during the 1980 Winter Olympics and considers it a highlight for the United States.
  • The author encourages readers to explore membership on Medium, indicating a belief in the value of the content available on the platform.

Travel To Gorgeous Adirondack Mountains

Whole Family On Vacation To New York

Author Photo of Scenic Drive

Trip To Visit Family In New York

My son lived in Rome, New York when we went to visit in October a few years ago. My other two sons with families also came to visit, and I took my mother. This was the first time we had all been together in a long time.

We had a great time being together, just talking, cooking, playing games and sightseeing. We especially loved the Adirondack Mountains.

We decided to drive up to Lake Placid, and the scenic drive was so beautiful with trees of so many colors and wild deer everywhere.

Author Photo of Deer in NY
Author Photo in Mountains

The Adirondack Mountains are found in upper New York, and they represent the largest area of wilderness in the Eastern United States, consisting of 46 mountains. There are over six million acres, with over 3000 lakes and 2000 miles of hiking trails.

These mountains are a haven for numerous outdoor sports, including; hiking, camping, trophy fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and even historic attractions. There are numerous resorts, spas, rustic cabins, camping sites and B&BS. There are also many isolated waterfalls and splendid panoramic views.

Author Photo in Adirondack Mountains

The Adirondack Forty-Sixers Inc., founded in 1948, is an organization of mountain climbers that have climbed all of the 46 Adirondack Mountains. Their mission is to educate the public on responsible wilderness activities and to encourage stewardship in the High Peaks Region. They also want to encourage people to enjoy the mountains safely.

We hiked on one of the easier trails. We also visited the Adirondack Museum, which has a lot of historical information about the mountains, and lovely gardens as well. We even found a terrific restaurant for dinner one night.

The picture dirctly below is of my mother being hugged by my granddaughters. They loved her dearly.

Author Photo — Mother and Granddaughters
Author Photo

We decided to drive to Lake Placid where the 1980 XIII Olympics Winter Games were held, which is in the northeastern area of the Adirondack Mountains. The winter Olympics had also been held at this site in 1932. We loved the opportunity to enjoy the 360° panoramic view. The great thing for us was the ability to drive to the top, as Whiteface is one of the larger mountains.

The 1980 Olympics was the first time they ever used artificial snow. The Alpine skiing competition was held on Whiteface Mountain, which is 4687' high. Whiteface Mountain also has the greatest vertical drop of any mountain in the east.

There were several problems with the planning of these Olympics, and a lot of tension as President Jimmy Carter had already announced a boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow. Despite that, Russia did compete and win. The United States came in third for total medals, with the USSR being number one, and East Germany coming in second.

Eric Heiden won 5 gold medals for speed skating, which was the most exciting win for the US.

Author Photo — Granddaughters
Author Photo

There is so much to do in the Adirondack Mountains, in addition to hiking, skiing and camping. You can always purchase one of the Adirondack chairs made in the area.

We had a wonderful time on this vacation.

I hope each of you enjoyed reading my article. Maybe you learned something new. If you would like to become a member of Medium, you can read all the articles each month for only $5. I will receive a small commission if you use my subscription link.

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