As the third day in a row of single digit temperatures progresses, I wonder if the heat from the simmering pot of beans and ham hock on the stove is enough to take the chill out of the kitchen. I consider lighting a fire in the wood stove, but decide what might be nicer is a cup of golden spring time sunshine to warm me up. If you are a regular reader of the Lake Champlain Region blog, you know we have many fine spots to enjoy a cocktail...

For me, one of the most valuable experiences in traveling is getting to support the local makers of a region. By local makers, I mean farmers, artisans, and other craftspeople. The Adirondacks has a thriving scene of local makers, especially an abundance of innovative farmers. The mountainous landscape may be rough, but these farmers make it work. I recently spent an afternoon at the Hub on the Hill, which is not only the hub for this local food...

Submitted by guest blogger, Tim Rowland When America’s first landowners were parceling out property to colonists, it came with an unusual condition: When taking residence, the new homesteader was required to plant a substantial orchard of 90 to 100 fruit trees. The reason was straightforward enough. Survival on these new plantations was sketchy at best; what became the town of Frederick, Maryland, was originally given the not-so-...

“Heed this warning, gentle travelers: the depths of Lake Champlain shall not be plumbed after the sun has set over the Adirondack High Peaks.” It sounded like a request born of paranoia and 18th-century superstition, something to be scoffed at rather than followed. But there it was, and the old man who said it, a classic captain-looking gent with cracked skin, boney fingers, and a squint to his eyes, looked dead serious.  Rich and...

My favorite part of seeing a new town is often trying the food. The local restaurants always give an insider look at a town’s personality. Is it pretentious? Is it inviting? Recently I returned to one of my local favorites in Elizabethtown, otherwise known as the county seat of Essex. Elizabethtown is right next to Keene which is ensconced in the High Peaks. And, similar to Keene, Elizabethtown offers stretches of scenic driving and...

The Lake Champlain Region is prepared to offer you a warm welcome during the cooler days of autumn. October also brings some annual festivals that we look forward to every year. Here are a couple, coming up rather quickly, that might entice you to visit: Heritage, Harvest & Horse Festival A not to be missed autumn event is Fort Ticonderoga’s Heritage, Harvest & Horse Festival held on Saturday, October 6th this year.  The...

Everything You Want To Do & More!  Submitted by the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce  Temperatures cool off, leaves start to turn to a vibrant array of colors and a sense of calmness is in the air.  Fall has arrived! This is a time to get festive and enjoy all the great seasonal things the Ticonderoga Area has to offer including leaf peeping, pumpkins, apples, and harvest/fall events galore.  And of course,...