Saturday, June 24, 2023

Red Lake Preserve (IRLC)

 


Indian River Lake Conservancy (IRLC) has done it again, and just in time for the summer and fall hiking season. They just had their grand opening on a brand-new preserve and hiking trail. And we felt it was our civic duty to go and be among the first to check it out. We are so glad we did! We discovered a beautiful mile-long trail through a wide variety of terrains that led us to the stunning rock ledges and all-natural shoreline of Red Lake! 


The Red Lake Preserve is located at 41315 Honey Hill Road in Theresa NY.  The one-mile walking trail leads to a scenic waterfront area on Red Lake that, at least on our visit, was bursting with wildlife. IRLC has plans to add kiosks (perhaps even by the time you read this) but the trail is already marked with blue trail markers. 


Let your GPS get you to the preserve in Theresa. When you arrive at the trailhead you will see a small parking area (room for about two cars) and a beautiful brand new sign with the name of the preserve.  You will immediately see the trail head down and into the thick woods. But even though it is only a mile long it takes you through an amazing variety of terrains, deep woods and a winding path (beware of one small area of poison ivy on the trail) following aside impossibly high rock ledges on one side, and a drop off on the other, then through open meadows, and finally to the shores of Red Lake. We were greeted by a blue heron and an eagle that quickly departed on our arrival. 


The shore area itself ranges from tall rock ledges to a stony and shallow inlet. The area is very remote. We never saw another person on the trail or on the lake. It was serenely beautiful and we enthusiastically recommend the trip! 



Be sure to see in this blog...
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Abbé Picquet Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Carnegie Bay Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Cerow Recreation Park Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chaumont Barrens Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chippewa Bay Preserve Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Coyote Flats State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Downybrook Nature Reserve 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...French Creek WMA 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grass Point State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Jacques Cartier State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Keewaydin State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Macsherry Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Maple City Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morgan Island

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morristown Red Barn Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Otter Creek

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Pulpit Rock State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Rock Ridge Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Wellesley Island State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Zenda Farms Preserve

Saturday, September 7, 2019

NORTH COUNTY TROOPERS ASSISTING TROOPS

Update 9/21/2019: The 7th Annual North Country Troopers Assisting Troops Fishing Day


The 7th Annual North Country Troopers Assisting Troops (NCTAT) fishing day took place on Saturday, September 21st at 1:00 PM at the main dock in Clayton. Over 70 Fort Drum soldiers, disabled Vets, and even a WWII Veteran were treated to some awesome river fishing that was provided by several of the local fishing guides.


Several Gold Star families were also honored at the event and treated to a fun day on the river.  At the end of their day, they were greeted by the Alex Bay and Clayton Fire Departments, local police and EMS workers, and of course the NNY Troopers with salutes, cheers, a color guard and a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by one of the Troopers.  


The crowds on shore cheered and waved flags to honor our military heroes and their families.


They were then treated to a shore dinner and entertainment at the Harbor Hotel.



A special thanks to the event planner, Officer Michael C. Pastuf who made it all possible along with all of the volunteers, officers, and private citizens who showed up to show their support. 


A few more photos from this epic event...

















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The 7th Annual North Country Troopers Assisting Troops Fishing Day
Update 9/14/2019

Have you ever wondered what you can do to help support our troops?  If so, we have a wonderful opportunity for you!  If you haven’t had the privilege of participating in this incredibly inspiring event in the past, we would like to invite each of you to come and take part in the 7th Annual North Country Troopers Assisting Troops (NCTAT) military recognition event on Saturday, September 21st at 1:00 PM at the town docks in Clayton. You can help be a part of this very special salute.  


 On September 21st, approximately 80 active duty Fort Drum Soldiers, Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star and Surviving Family Members will become the honored guests of NCTAT and will partake in a day of fishing on the St. Lawrence River.  Twenty-five Professional Fishing Guides from Cape Vincent, Clayton, and Alexandria Bay have volunteered their services to take these heroes on a chartered fishing trip. The Fishing Captains will depart their home town docks with their guests at 9AM in the morning.  After a great day of river fishing, the heroes will be taken by fishing charter boat to the Clayton Town Dock at Frink Park (Riverside Drive by the Train Depot) at about 1:00PM. Local police, firemen, and other emergency responders will be waiting for them at the docks to make this a special day to honor our Service members.  The soldiers will then be escorted to the lawns of the beautiful Harbor Hotel where the local fishing guides will prepare a good ol’ fashioned Shore Dinner for them.

So, here’s where your part comes in.  The hopes of all of the troopers who have worked so hard in arranging this wonderful event is that there will be hundreds of appreciative civilians (that would be us!) joining them at the dock to cheer and applaud the troops as they arrive and walk through the crowds on the way to the special reception that awaits them.  The troopers are inviting and encouraging the public to assist them with this event, by showing their support for our military members when they arrive at the dock at 1:00PM.


If you wish to learn more about North Country Troopers Assisting Troops, you can visit their web site at www.nnytroopers.com.  NCTAT encourages anyone to contact them for more information, or to offer financial support for our soldiers. All money raised by NCTAT stays local to support our Service members.  

My husband and I are thrilled to be able to take part in this beautiful tribute to our military.  We are so thankful for the troopers who, themselves, are public servants yet choose to honor the service of our troops.  They are using their freedom to honor those who use their freedom to ensure our freedom.  Come help us celebrate freedom and its defenders on September 21st.  Hope to see you there!


See original Post:
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NORTH COUNTY TROOPERS ASSISTING TROOPS ANNOUNCES MILITARY RECOGNITION DAY

PUBLIC INVITED TO CLAYTON TOWN DOCKS ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019, 1:00PM, TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO OUR SOLDIERS, VETERANS

North Country Troopers Assisting Troops will host approximately 80 active duty Soldiers, Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and Gold Star and Surviving Family Members, to a day of recreational fishing on the St. Lawrence River. Guide boats captained by Clayton, Alexandria Bay, and Cape Vincent fishing guides will depart their respective ports in the morning.   

In addition, North Country Troopers Assisting Troops, with a gracious donation from the Uncle Sam Boat Tours, with further offer a scenic tour of the 1000 Islands, to approximately 100 of our honored guests.

All of our fishing and Uncle Sam Boat Tour guests will then join together in front of the Clayton shoreline at 1:00PM, at which time a “Hero’s Welcome” boat parade will commence, with the assistance of local law enforcement, fire vessels, and fire departments. As our guests come to shore, they will be greeted with a “Flag Ceremony”, with assistance from the Clayton, Alexandria Bay, and Wellesley Island Fire Departments. All our guests will then be taken to the Harbor Hotel for a “Shore Dinner”, provided by our friends at the 1000 Island Harbor Hotel.  

North Country Troopers Assisting Troops is requesting the public to come to the “Train Depot” on Riverside Drive, Clayton, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 1:00PM, to welcome to shore our Military and Veteran guests, and our Gold Star and Surviving Family Members. It promises to be an event that will move you as we all show respect for our Heroes!!!

In April 2013, the North Country Troopers Assisting Troops (NCTAT) was formed by a group of local New York State Troopers in collaboration with U.S. military members. The mission of this group is to raise local and regional awareness, as well as to provide local recreational activities and events for Fort Drum service members, and other Armed Forces Members (active or retired), that were wounded, injured, or became ill while protecting our freedom and country. We have further been able to help the families of these service members, often during times of personal tragedy.  We are a not for profit organization, and all monies raised stay local to support our heroes!!  NCTAT have made sizable donations to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and we have purchased for them two large transport vans to take Veterans to their medical appointments. You will often see these vehicles on our local roads. NCTAT has further purchased tracked wheel chairs, in conjunction with a group called Operation 2nd Chance, to assist disabled Veterans pursue their dreams to enjoying remote locations for hunting and fishing, in spite of personal limitations.

We strive every day to support and provide for those that fought for this Country, and our freedoms that we all enjoy

We are inviting and encouraging the public to assist us with this event, by showing their support for our Armed Forces Service members and extended families when they arrive at the Clayton Town Dock at 1:00PM on September, 21, 2019.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Hiking Rock Ridge Trail



Hiking the Rock Ridge Trail
#1000islands #Thousandislands


We heard about the Rock Ridge Trail in Thousand Island Park thanks to some pictures published in the Thousand Islands Sun by Erin Greene.  We finally got to experience this amazing little gem for ourselves. It was definitely worth the visit!  It is a beautiful well marked trail that takes you through a variety of terrains. There is a sign (with some interesting history of the trail and its original creator, Minna Anthony Common) and a kiosk where hikers can sign in.  


The trailhead is located near the beginning of Bay Shore Rd (off of Park Ave). There is no formal parking so residents recommend parking up at the Guzzle and walking to the trail from there.   We would estimate that the trail loop is a little less than two miles. It is hilly and might be a bit of a challenge for some, but nothing too difficult for most hikers.  Plus, there are benches all along the way placed in strategically lovely spots. 


In the forested area, yellow trail markers are on the trees. Up on the rocky ridge, yellow arrows are painted on the stones.


A special treat of the trail is that it passes by the original reservoir used by the islanders prior to the days of pumps and electricity.  It is located just below the water tower, is well marked, and includes more interesting history about the reservoir and Ms. Common. The residents of Thousand Island Park do a wonderful job maintaining the trail and have future plans yet to be seen for this lovely and historic trail.  We can’t wait to go back!


Be sure to see...
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Abbé Picquet Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Carnegie Bay Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Cerow Recreation Park Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chaumont Barrens Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chippewa Bay Preserve Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Coyote Flats State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Downybrook Nature Reserve 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...French Creek WMA 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grass Point State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Jacques Cartier State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Keewaydin State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Macsherry Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Maple City Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morgan Island

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morristown Red Barn Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Otter Creek

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Pulpit Rock State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Rock Ridge Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Wellesley Island State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Zenda Farms Preserve