A Week-End In The Adirondacks
Since Ben launched the “New School Of Photography” forum in 2007, numerous meets were organized between its members, whether in Texas or New England. Eric generously proposed to gather at his place in the Adirondacks for the week-end. In total, we were a group of 9 adults and 4 toddlers around Jasmine’s age. Needless to say, everybody had a lot of fun. Also, with the foliage turning, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
We got up early Saturday morning to catch the sunrise on Lake Pleasant while the wives and children were still asleep. There was a great atmospheric fog which unfortunately hid the sun a bit too well at times. Nothing to be disappointed about though, quite the opposite. It was a beautiful scenery. We were lucky enough to even witness a brief courtship of two blue herons right in front of us.
After breakfast, we all packed up and got ready to go hike Panther Mountain. An hour walk which led us to a magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains and lake. Jasmine did really well, both on foot and on my shoulders. Our little daredevil was not afraid of running up and down the rocks, something we obviously had to refrain on a constant basis. Once we got back to the cars, Elias – Ben and Nikki’s son – was already sleeping. Jasmine followed suit right after we started driving. So did Sarah and Samantha, Jeremy and Jennifer’s daughters. A much needed time off for us all.
In the late afternoon, we – the guys – went to take photos of Auger Falls at sunset. The weather was way too overcast for the sun to pierce through but we still got decent shots. Jeremy and I climbed down to the bottom of the falls, something I wouldn’t have done by myself. It was way too easy to slip and fall, which apparently happens to visitors from time to time. That’s probably a reason why there’s a register you need to sign at the entrance. Or black bears. I did slip, so did Jeremy, but tree roots were there to stop our falls. The tricky part was to set our tripods right. Maybe it was a little dangerous, but it was all worth it. What a great feeling to come back to a nice dinner afterwards.
It was supposed to rain on Sunday, so we decided not to shoot another sunrise. We simply enjoyed each others’ company before parting our own ways: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. It was a really great week-end and I couldn’t thank Eric enough for his invitation. Till next time!
Further reading:
“NSOP weekends!” & “Adirondack shots!” , by Ben