April 5th, 2015

I am so glad I had the sense not to ride thru Glens Falls on my ride out of Fort Edward. Packs were heavy and the horses lively. And Me, it takes a few weeks before I am back into the swing of things. The first 2 weeks are always the most dangerous. We headed west but around thru Corinth were I made my first night out with the Clothiers whom I stayed with on my eastward trek in September 2014.

Larry Holmes - farrier
Larry Holmes – farrier

shoes from the Blacksmith Shop, see sponsorship page
shoes from the Blacksmith Shop, see sponsorship page

Larry Holmes set on new horseshoes, he did an exceptional job. I can understand why he came highly recommended.

Rachel Clothier (red plaid) at Glens Falls Library where she works. Her and her husband have a beautiful farm, reminded me of Montana.
Rachel Clothier (red plaid)
at Glens Falls Library where she works. Her and her husband have a beautiful farm, reminded me of Montana.

                                                                                                    The Clothiers passed us onto friends, Jay Brosky and Kathy Pettelli’s home where I spent the night in the back of a pick up with the horses tied outside close to me. (I must be near the horses at night)

this must be the spot
this must be the spot

 

                                                                                                                                                                                     From Jay’s and Kathy’s (another place that reminded me of  Montana! I stayed at the home of Cynthia and Dave Hyde,(in Thurman,) who was a friend of Duane Burch whom I met on my eastward trek and it was yet another place that had me feeling like I was back in Montana. Earthy, warm, wood stove, home cooking, cozy places.

Dave and Cynthia's home built in 1802!
Dave and Cynthia’s home built in 1802!

sheep shed makes a great place to regroup get my self ready to travel
sheep shed makes a great place to regroup get my self ready to travel

 

Across the road from Cynthia’s and Dave’s a sugar shack was spewing out steam. I headed over for a tour as I have never seen one.

Valley Road Sugar Shack making fine New York maple syrup
Valley Road Sugar Shack making fine New York maple syrup

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 See that drum, it’s full of Maple syrup and it takes 40 drums of raw sap to make one drum of the famous, and delicious syrup we are all so fond of. The “shack” as they are referred to was very modern with stainless steel containers to boil the syrup in.  Owners Mike Hill and Ralph Senecal poured warm fresh maple syrup into a container for me to take with me. WOW what else could I say, but wow?

There is still quite a bit of snow as I climb northward into the Adirondack Mountains, I must rely on help with hay and grain and places to camp with the horses. Even in its bare black and white phase I must admit this is spectacular country.