Gargoyles Garden

I know many of you out there have been wondering what the Gargoyles have been up to.  So, this morning I checked them out and it appears as though they are busy protecting their gardens from deer and other pests.

Here is Lefty Gargoyle with a gardening hat pulled over his eyes while he takes a quick nap in the shade.

Righty Gargoyle was alert and ready to pounce on any intruder that might want to munch on their garden.  

Camper Cat

Living in Jay with two cats is usually wonderful, but when we have to drive them thirty minutes to the vet in Ray Brook, it simply sucks!  I would like to take them to the veterinarian we have in Jay, but I heard that she is not taking new animals. 

Mango is content to just sit on my lap the whole way, but Monty cries and shreds his nails when he is crated in the car.  This breaks my heart.  I was telling this story to a friend, when an elderly woman overheard me and told me her cat has no problem with long trips and pointed to her camper outside.

Brenda is 85 years old and lives in her camper year round with her cat Tucker .  She lives in Florida for the winter and then summers in the Adirondacks.  What a life!

When I am 85, I can only hope that I would be able to travel up and down the East Coast with a traveling companion as nice as Tucker.  

Red Barn Antiques

Today I stopped by Red Barn Antiques in Upper Jay and I must say if you are into antiques and artisans, you need to stop on by yourself.  You can't miss the sign posted right outside Paul's Bakery on 9N.  

Just park in front and walk on back to the big Red Barn where Julie is open Wednesday - Sunday, 10 - 5.  She used to be further up the road in the little green building, but has now expanded into the Red Barn and carries other antique dealers items, vintage books and also some items from local artisans.  

I am not going to show you all the cool things I saw today because I really want to go back for a few items and I don't want any of you to buy them before I do.  I will provide you with this interior picture and you will just have to check it out yourself.  

I found that things were reasonably priced.  We walked away with this vintage Cola Cooler that will be used for recyclables before taking them out to the garage and also this little old red lantern.  You can tell I like red.  

Okay, enough blogging for today, I'm off to clean up our new finds from Red Barn Antiques.  Yippee!

Mystery Spot #6

Can you guess the location where I took this picture of my New Jersey Fans?

Great Adirondack Trail Run

Today was the running of the 5th Annual Great Adirondack Trail Run.  This is a charity event that helps support the Au Sable and Bouquet River Associations.  There is a strenuous 11.5 mile trail run and also the 3.5 mile Fun Run over Baxter Mountain for all ages and abilities.  

I had volunteered to assist with the event and was on hand to help out with the Fun Run.  I was there to draw numbers on peoples bodies and to make sure those bodies got out of the woods. With all the rain we have been having, the conditions were pretty muddy and slippery and was very glad there were no bloody bodies for me to pick up on the sweep through. 

My friend Heather ran the 11.5 mile race and looking at her backside, I'm thinking she may have been sliding on her butt for half the race. 

Matthew didn't really say how he got his bloody elbow.  All runners were accounted for and there were no complaints about a fight club in the woods, so I am pretty sure it was just an altercation with a rock.  

Matthew and Heather didn't seem to0 upset since Matthew was second in the race and Heather was second in her age group.  They were all smiles showing off their prizes, new sneakers to get muddy and bloody in again!  

Maybe next year they will get their names on the Golden Trail Shoe Trophy.  It's a tough race, but George has won it three times now and appears to be a pro at drinking his beer out of it.

Congratulations to all participants of the Great Adirondack Trail Run, it was a fun muddy day!

Lake Everest Diner and Pizzeria

Well, it has taken us about a month to try out the newest establishment in Wilmington.  The night after the race was a good excuse to order up a pizza from Lake Everest Diner and Pizzeria because I was not going to cook. 

Everyone that knows me, knows that lack of sleep combined with finding a dead mouse at 5:30 in the morning before a race, is a lethal combination for me (it had been 15 months since the last mouse in the house).  So, with all that going on and running a half marathon with my friend, my mind and body just wanted pizza.

I found their pizza prices to be the best around and think their location is very convenient for those living in Wilmington and Upper Jay/Jay.  We had no major complaints about the pizza although the crust could be a little more puffy and doughy, but that's just my preference.  I know I will be calling in the future from work in Lake Placid to place an order because by the time I arrive in Wilmington, there will be a hot pizza waiting for me.  

I am glad that our dinner from Lake Everest allowed me to fall asleep with happy thoughts of pizza rather than visions of the dead mouse outside my bathroom.

Favorites From the Lake Placid Half Marathon

Today was marathon day in Lake Placid and I had decided to help my friend Sarah out with her first half marathon.  This was a lot of fun for me since I was out there for her and didn't have to concern myself with getting a personal best.  Normally before a race I get all nervous and freaked out, but today I was relaxed and ready to have fun!  

Here is a run down of a few of my favorite things from today!

"Favorite Outfit" went to the man wearing a t-shirt that said, "Size Does Matter, 26.2." He got extra points for coordinating it with a zebra hat and flame zebra spandex shorts!

"Favorite Friend" went to Amy for finding some sunscreen for me and meeting us just before 3 miles.  Here I am holding the camera above me while she slathered me up so I didn't turn into a lobster! 

I should probably give "Favorite Coworker" to Steve for working for me today, but Nancy wins "Favorite Coworker" because she helped pass out water to all the runners for a wonderful organization "Run for Dad." 

On that note, my "Favorite Accessory" of the day was the tattoo that I received in my runner's pack. 

Run For Dad is committed to raising awareness about prostate cancer and stressing the importance of early detection as a life saver.  I was proud to wear this tattoo and celebrate the health of all the men in my life, especially my Dad!  

As Sarah and I settled into the race, we were able to enjoy the beautiful day.  Here is a shot of my "Favorite View" along the Ausable River with lupine.

I was very excited about the pizza at the end of the race and the large supply of gu that I came home with.  However, my "Favorite Food" of the day was an orange. 

"Favorite Moment" of the day goes to Sarah for finishing her first half marathon and being able to run it in with her daughter!  Her son was there too, but like most little boys he wanted to sprint in on his own.   

What a great race!

Welcome Signs

Has anyone else noticed how "Welcoming" the businesses in Wilmington are this summer?

For instance, the Alpine Country Motel welcomes 

Fishermen and Riders.  

Cyclists are welcome there too!  

If you are a Rider staying at that motel, take note that you can grab a bite to eat at Steinhoff's Restaurant where Bikers are welcome.

North Pole Resorts is kind enough to welcome Big Rigs.  

Triathletes were once welcomed at a motel in Lake Placid, but when I went back to take a picture, the sign was no longer there.  It makes me wonder if they had an unruly triathlete that ruined it for other Ironman competitors that would have liked to stay there.  Don't fret triathletes, you are one third cyclist, so you can book a room back in Wilmington where you are clearly Welcome!

I have not seen a sign advertising, "Welcome Runners That Don't Want to Do the Dishes."  If I do, I'll be booking a room for the night.

Unidentified Purple Object

For the last week or so I have noticed these purple objects hanging in trees.The first time I saw one I thought it was a kid's kite that was caught in the tree, but a few miles later there was another one.  I figured they were placed to kill off the black flies or something.  

After finally getting out of my car to take a picture of the purple structure, I discovered a little card on the base of the tree.  The card told me it was for the Emerald Ash Borer Survey.  I know all my readers will be surprised by this, but understanding the science of ecology is not a strength of mine.  My mind went, "Ash Borer what?"  

Thank goodness for the color purple and the word emerald in this survey that kept me interested.  Apparently, the beetles like the violet colors too and that is why these traps are constructed from purple plastic panels and then covered in insect glue.  

Here is a picture of the Emerald Ash Borer, the focus of the project.  

Without using any scientific jargon here, the Emerald Ash Borer looks shiny and pretty but I don't think we are supposed to like it.  They are a threat to various ash trees.  The pests can travel hundreds of miles by hitchhiking on firewood to new locations and destroy trees.  

In wrapping up my research on the Unidentified Purple Object, if you are going camping this summer, buy your firewood where you will be burning it and make sure it is local.