What I Did On Summer Vacation- Part One

Day Zero: A Late-Night Sendoff

The night before my departure, I had to close at work. I planned to head home and catch a few hours of sleep, but as things often go, the night had other plans. My fellow closers and I lingered, sitting by the drive-thru speaker, launching bottle tops, and indulging in late-night shenanigans. At one point, two of my friends even managed to ride the same electric scooter around the parking lot, a feat of questionable safety but undeniable hilarity.

Looking back, I see this impromptu gathering as a fitting celebration for my upcoming birthday. Eventually, I made it home, grabbed a couple of hours of sleep, and was back up at six to get ready for my journey.

Day One: The Journey Begins

One of my best friends picked me up early that morning to drive me to the bus station in Syracuse. As we parked, she gave me a hug, told me to be safe, and then, eyeing my military style rucksack, quipped that it felt like she was sending me off to war. We shared a laugh and in true us style with that, I was off.

The travelers constant companions

The bus was mostly empty at first, just a couple of other passengers. As we made our way north, we started picking up and rotating groups of what I assumed were Mennonites traveling to visit family. Having grown up around Mennonite communities, I was intrigued, watching them come and go along the way.

Somewhere near Lake Placid, a small but amusing moment of connection occurred, a fellow passenger had the exact same day pack as me. We exchanged a quick glance, then shared a moment of silent brotherhood, chuckling at our matching gear. The rest of the ride was spent gazing at the passing scenery, rolling landscapes of northern New York and the Adirondacks, while listening to music.

When we arrived in Lake Placid, I tried to snap a few pictures of the Olympic landmarks but saw them too late, resulting in a series of “bad pictures.” Regardless, I’ve decided to include them here in my collection titled, "I Went to Lake Placid and All I Got Were These Lousy Pictures."

The olympic training center and ski jump in Lake Placid

Into the Wilderness

The bus dropped me off at a local gas station, an unceremonious but fitting entrance into the wilderness. As I gathered my gear, I realized I had forgotten two essential items: my compass and eating utensils. Luckily, my phone had a backup compass, and since I was sticking to trails, I pushed forward. However, in an ironic twist, I immediately set off in the wrong direction. Passing back by the gas station, I could feel the amused glances from those who had seen my brief detour.

Once on the right path, I began my hike into the wilderness area, pausing frequently to capture the scenery through my lens. One of those photos, an old barn standing alone against the landscape, would later become my piece titled "Roaming Homestead." The sight of it evoked a deep sense of familiarity, like home, just far away from home. Although the place I was had become like another home over the years.

This was my fourth visit to this wilderness area in the last decade, but this time, I was determined to reach the summit of Pharaoh Mountain. I wanted to see the view for myself and share it with others. With a casual pace, I allowed myself to absorb the surroundings, experiment with my camera, and cleanse my mind from the weight of the world.

As I trudged on, the weight of my poorly adjusted pack took a toll on my shoulders. When I finally reached my planned stop for the night, I found it occupied. With dusk approaching, I had no choice but to move on to another campsite, a decision I would soon be grateful for. I found a secluded spot on the shore of a medium sized pond, where I set up camp, built a fire, and stretched out for the night. The view from my campsite was breathtaking, but little did I know, something even more breathtaking lay just around the corner…