Racquette Lake, Pine Knot, Adirondacks, NY

Seashore or mountains-which do you prefer? It's a good thing that we all don't have the same "likes". If this were true the mountains would be more crowded than they already are.

You guessed it- I love the mountains and the Adirondacks are one of my favorites. A person probably should not reveal his favorite fishing spot, hunting area, or Adirondack Lake-but, what the heck-spread the joy.

Racquette Lake is one of a number of "hidden jewels" in the Adirondacks. The general store and tavern have not changed for over a century-simplistically beautiful-like a movie set from "On Golden Pond".

Some of the world's wealthiest men (and women) loved this lake- spending vast fortunes building lavish "Great Camps", with many of them still standing today. Men like the Durants(Golden Spike and the transcontinental railroad), the Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Colliers played at roughing it- along with dozens of servants.

The wealthy first arrived by stage and stayed in primitive camps. Soon they were bringing private rail cars-loading them on steamboats and "parking" on the shores of Racquette Lake. Durant even built a three quarter mile railroad-needed to gain access to the lake. In 1870 he built Pine Knot-a beautiful great camp which is still in use today

What's so great about Racquette Lake? Other than indescribable beauty, there is seclusion and silence. Most of the "camps" have only water access-no motor traffic. The only sound in the morning mist is that of a loon-wailing a pitiful sound. Paddling quietly along the shore you may see deer, waterfowl, and possibly a bear, eagle or moose.

The song, "West Virginia-Almost Heaven" might be true, but Racquette Lake is right up there in the running!