50 incredibly hopeful, cool things about the North Country
These days there’s a lot of ugliness going around, what with the national economy still sputtering, Albany in chaos, and (yes, this makes my list) snow flurries and chill winds persisting into May.
So this thread is a challenge to In Box readers:
By the end of the day, I’m hoping to gather fifty different comments — hopefully from different commenters — highlighting incredibly cool, positive, hopeful things about the North Country.
Doesn’t have to be huge. Digging in your asparagus bed? Your kid’s report card? Your first paddle of the season? A new job?
Or maybe it’s the opening of a new store on your local Main Street, or a trash clean-up day. Anything goes.
But I’ll be honest: This won’t be easy.
Usually it’s the negative posts that attract a lot of attention and comment.
So let’s dig deep. Find something to celebrate and share it. Who’s first?
You guys are awesome. I haven’t tallied exactly, but we’re right around 50 — perfect way to psych up for a North Country weekend.
My cool, positive thing?
I have a son, Nicholas — he’s 14. And I love raising him in the Adirondacks.
That combination: a kid, summer, and Saranac Lake…really good.
Have a great weekend.
–Brian, NCPR
Hearing the first woodthrush of the spring, and stretching out in the spring grass with my kids to watch the wood cock flying into the dusky sky
The fishing!
I go few times a year to see my grandbaby in nc, though I love the fact that it is hot weather there, the air is very stiffiling,(did I make that up) so I always look forward to coming home to breathe in our fresh, crisp air.
If you can’t find something to do here, you’re not trying , The Adirondacks, The St.Lawrence River, All the other Less Famous Rivers, Short Distance to Ottawa and or Montreal and MUch Much More, and it’s all a relatively short drive away, and let’s not forget our College towns as well. This area has Plenty to offer, if we take the time to appreciate it.
I love walking in the evenings. The fierce blue of the skies slams the intense greens of the pstures, and the sun’g gold is papable. The winnowing snipes are sounding, and every part of me is familiar with this, my natural habitat.
NCPR
The school bus driver pulls the bus over so the kids can watch a turtle laying eggs, or see a bald eagle or ferret being interesting.
Living where the weather is serious, and where, if we can’t walow in prosperity, we can be thankful for contentment.
I’m surprised the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake or downtown Lake Placid haven’t been mentioned.
The smell of the first cut of of hay about an hour before sunset.
The smell of wood smoke and syrup from a sugar house.
The zamboni/ rink smell at 6:00 am before anybody is on the ice.
Sunset with a warm breeze across the lake at Southwick Beach in September.
The river, any river, any time.
Two things that are magicall – how there are so many butterflies around and you can see rainbows
After Washington D.C. and Detroit I think my favorite thing about the north country is the neighborly feel, when ever someone is in need of help there is always someone there, a jamboree for someone sick, a lawn mowed for someone with a broken leg, a ride if your vehicle is broke down, food brought in for the sick, I could go on and on, and not one person mentioned this in your list, I wouldn’t trade my neighbors and friends for all the money in the world, when there is a crisis we all come together, the north country is a wonderful place…….
Horseback riding at Otter Creek Horse Trails in Lewis County. Lampson Falls in Degrasse and hiking to the fire towers in the Adirondacks.
The River…..we live on the St. Lawerence River and the start of The Thousand Islands. I cannot say enough about the change of seasons on the river; the fabulous sunsets, river birds, exotic yachts, sailboats, tall ships, etc.. And, isn’t this the forth largest body of fresh water in the world? The St. Lawerence River Valley is truely on of the great wonders and beautiful places in this world. Living here, at our house, means no true stress ever gets to us because all we have to do is look up….at the river………. and the river views….and we feel awe, and peace and thankfullness for being able to live in such a truely beautiful place.
The herons coming back to their rookery in my back yard.
Getting everyone’s mail to them (checks and bills alike!) with no mistakes.
The annual 4th of July parade and “Duck Race on the Oswegatchie” in Wanakena. The parade only lasts about 10 minutes but it’s amazing how many people come out for those 10 minutes. Last year someone counted over 200 people. Following the parade is the “duck race.” Over 300 numbered plastic ducks are set loose on the river to await the winner, the first to cross under the 100 year old foot bridge on the Oswegatchie!
Being awakened by loons and coyotes answering each others’ calls.
21 college graduates who commissioned this spring from our Associated Colleges. They have completed ROTC training and have chosen to serve in our military as Officers. The product of great schools (Clarkson, St Lawrence, SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton), these students are the product of the #3 ROTC programs (the Golden Knight Battalion and Detachment 536) in the nation in percentage of students participating in ROTC, a measure of service by Washington Monthly.
and I have to throw in another vote for Hockey!!!
The fresh smell of my bedsheets and clothes after being dried outside on the clothesline in fresh Adirondack air. Clotheslines are outlawed in some towns/communities around the US – and in some, you’d never want your clothes hanging outdoors in the putrid, industry-laden air.
Let’s keep the list going, Brian….never will another advertisement for the Adirondacks be needed!! I believe the list would never end!! What a place!