I just returned from the sixth "expedition" of the League of Extraordinary Adirondack Gentlemen, which was a glorious overnight outing to Forked lake on July 15-16, 2015. We explored the Brandreth Lake outlet and the former site of Frederick Durant's The Cedars Great Camp. Pete Hornbeck, Rick Davidson, Rich Rosen, Bill McKibben, Tom Curley, Tome Bessette and myself. The weather, water and cameraderie were perfect, and hopefully members of the Adirondack Moutain Club can read all about it in next summer's Adirondac  magazine. Three weeks ago, my illustrated account of the 2014 expedition to Long Lake,  the Raquette and Cold Rivers was published as the cover story in the current July-August 2015 issue. I will publish the photos from this year's outing in a new album by July 22. Look for it  by clicking my "photo album" tab at the top of my home page.

March 2, 2015 

Matthew Brady 

I have just completed an article about Matthew Brady, the legendary Civil-War-era photographer, for Adirondack Life magazine. It should be printed in the April-May 2015 edition. Many people don't realize that Brady, one of the most famous and important photographers in American history, was born in the Adirondacks. Only recently was his birthplace discovered by Glenn Pearsall, which he chronicles in his 2008 book Echoes in These Mountains. You can learn more about his discovery at the following website:

http://www.warrencountyhistoricalsociety.org/rewind-back-issues-2012/rewind-back-issues-2013/rewind-november-1-2013-documenting-the-birthplace-of-mathew-brady/

 

As a tribute to Brady, in 2012 the Johnsburg Historical Society erected a plaque near his birthplace along route 28 just above the Glen Creek bridge in the town of Warrensburg, which I would drive past on my commute to the North Creek and Indian Lake Health Centers. After only a few months however, some very evil person stole the plaque, which cost the Johnsburg Historical Society over $1100 to make. I am hoping that someone will read the article who may be able to help recover the marker or at least shed some light on its fate.

If anyone has any useful information, please contact Delbert Chambers, the President of the WCHS at 518-743-0734 or email him at mail@warrencountyhistoricalsociety.org

Never A Dull Moment wins People's Choice Award at annual Adirondack Center for Writing meeting on June 1st!

My trip across "The pond"

 My wife Harriet and i just returned from a trip to Paris and Normany. I hope to post new photo albums of  both places when I get the chance to edit and select some of the 800-odd photos I took.

Almost ready from prime time!

After eight years of work including over 120 images and 91,000 words, my manuscrit for Never a Dull Moment; A Tapestry of Scenes and stories from an Adirondack Medical Practice is ready to go to the publishers for fine tuning and being made ready for publication. It contains forty different vignettes and several essays about the people and landscapes of the Adirondack Park, including World War II veterans, physicians, legends, patients, friends and relatives. Like my first book, it is very personal and intimate, with color photographs and stories that reveal the strength and character of the amazing residents of this very specail part of upstate New York. The lessons these folks teach us however, are universal.

At this time I do not know how soon the book will be ready, but i am hopeful that it will at least be before the end of 2013. I will post more details as I learn them. If you are interested in buying a copy please use the "mailing list" tab on my homepage to add your name to my mailing list. I will also be selling it on Amazon.com along with All in a Day's Work, which is available now.