Adirondack Camp with Hunters, 1902

An antique postcard dated January 1st, 1902 shows Adirondack hunters at a typical Adirondack camp in the Adirondack Mountains, New York.

Childhood Bedrooms are Irreplaceable

This is the bedroom that I grew up in. Later, it became more than a summer bedroom filled with toys but a haven from city life in New York, an Adirondack living space carved out in a hundred-year-old house. Now we have built a newer, more modern house on the property, but the new, more spacious bedroom with a better view of the lake will never be the same as this one, with its pattern of light in the morning and the frogs, old friends, ribbet-ing outside the windows at night.

Adirondack Postcards: Camp Meeker

Inside The Point, Saranac Lake

Photo Credits: Christopher Peterson. Use requires attribution. No commercial use or derivative works.

Retasking an Outdated Structure

There are two massive granite fireplaces at Penwood, a necessity at the time of the lodge's contruction. There were no space heaters; there was no electricity. As a result, fire was the way to keep warm and that required a lot of wood. This is the old wood shed that had fallen into disrepair over the years. It became a storage shed and was sorely ignored by ourselves and our guests. A few years ago, we cleaned it up and installed a simple paver floor and short wall to prevent damage from erosion. It is now a new space to sit, entertain, have dinner, relax. It has a perfect vantagepoint from which to view the lake. We now call it the Chime House and have installed a dozen chimes that gong softly in the wind, sounding out across the property.

A Fine Patina, 100 Years in the Making

These are the solid, old patinaed beams in the dining room of Penwood. The fresh blonde beams used in log construction today seem uninspired in comparison. Of course, these have been aging for a hundred years, and have stood the test of time well. The logs are solid and unblemished. The wood between the beams is covered with canvas. When Seymour Point, the original name of the house, was built, similarly impressive logs were set as the breakwater all around the property. A few remnants of them remain today, but the water has a way, over time, of eroding everything in its path. The water has nothing but time, and patience.

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Photo Credit: Mark Burstein
As soon as the cold hits the Adirondacks, the sunny days on the lake are gone. It becomes a different world, quiet and cold, remote, solitary. The summer days, like this one, are energetic and warm, full of possibility. The world outside is inviting and sometimes it seems dreamlike. The winter season has such moments, too, but fewer of them. The quality of air and light is different once the snow comes. This is a perfect view on a perfect day in the Adirondacks.

Stealth Camp

Some of our friends who have Adirondack homes like to remove trees and brush to open their view of the lake. We take a different approach, trying to blend the home with the woods and taking out as few trees as possible. Of course, some trees die as a result of the trauma of construction, but here you can see how well the house blends with, becomes a part of, the woods around it. From the water, you can see only a bit of the evergreen shingling and yet we have great light and views of the lake. Being a steward of the Adirondack Park means being a good stewart of your own land, keeping it healthy and treading lightly. We think a stealth camp is much better than a camp that shouts for attention.

The Adirondack Boys Recommend: Stickley Furniture

Stickley furniture doesn't need our recommendation. It has its own storied past and was part of the venerable Arts & Crafts movement; antique pieces are auctioned for tens of thousands of dollars or more today. But that's antique Stickley. Here, new Stickley furniture fills the living room at our camp. This is all oak furniture. The settle is very traditional Arts & Crafts style and is upholstered in a thick, green, textured fabric. The sitting chair on the left is upholstered in deep red leather and is adorned with detailed inlay on the sides and back. The lamp is a new Stickley lamp as well, in oak with a mica shade. The mica is very fragile; it's a natural material and can easily break or chip. Our experience with Stickley was great. The salespeople are very helpful, the furniture is of excellent quality, and the designs are timeless. For more information about Stickley, go to www.stickley.com.