T H E   A D I R O N D A C K S   -   D A Y   # 6

Monday, September 27, 2004

Near the border of NY and VT and about 10 miles south of Plattsburgh, NY I pass by Ausable Chasm. Here's what the promotional materials say about the attraction.

"As the oldest natural wonder theme park in the United States, Ausable Chasm has been the site of golden age movie productions, presidential visits and more. Throughout the years, countless visitors have searched for words to describe their impressions of Ausable Chasm in diaries, letters, newspaper stories and poems. Artists have tried to capture its majesty on canvas. Hollywood has preserved it on film and presidents have romanticized it."

Well, being a visitor myself, I'll try to search for the words to describe my honest impression. Two words to be exact. Big Deal! I almost laugh out loud when I read the brochure.

With many regrets I have to literally tear myself away from the wonderful spectacle that Ausable Chasm is and continue on with my trip. I'm just speechless and spellbound as I slowly stagger back to the van, feeling stunned by all the beauty that I have just witnessed. Strangely enough I'm feeling really romantic and have a strong urge to shoot a motion picture using Ausable Chasm as the film's backdrop. And then I want to run for the President of the United States. What is happening to me?! By far, Ausable Chasm is the most beautiful *sniff* sight I have seen on my trip, perhaps have ever seen.

Okay, back to reality. I put rubber to the road once again. Soon thereafter I discover, given my route, I will have to take a ferry across Lake Champlain. This is because a good portion of NY and VT is separated by Lake Champlain. On the other side of the lake is Burlington, VT, my destination. I arrive at the ferry dock.

Click here for more detail (and pictures) of my ferry crossing experience.

Having grown tired of getting busted by the police for van-camping on the street, upon arrival in Burlington I find an Internet connection where I search for a Walmart to overnight at. Walmart has an open door (open parking lot?) policy of letting folks park their RVs in the remote sections of their parking lots. After finding the closest store I drive there then parked the van.

After arrival I find the evening is upon me so with little left to do I pen a few pages travel writing then retire for the evening. The next few days I have plans to be heads-down with my travel writing.

I must say, I really enjoyed my time in the Adirondacks. My 6 days there went by really fast. I was very fortunate to have wonderful weather and to be in the park during the color peak for foliage. I hope someday I have the opportunity to go back and visit again.