|
Hiking
 We have several miles of hiking trails right on our 85 acre farm, both through groomed trails in our open- wild- flower -filled -meadows and in forested areas along isolated sections of the river. There are several ridges with rock cliffs that provide great views of the surrounding areas. We also have several tree swings and fire rings fully stocked with dry kindling, paper, matches and unlimited fire wood throughout the property for your use. "Papa Maple", a huge old maple tree is a "must swing" during your vacation here. "Indian Grave" fire-ring, the most remote section of the farm, is the place to be with a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers (or marshmallows) at sunset, as it has a great westerly view of the adjacent mountain as the sun goes down over the trees. It is our favorite "power point" of the property. We give you a detailed map of all the trails and they are also marked with blazes on the trees and periodically placed signs so you find your way and not get lost. We would consider all our trails to be easy to moderate hiking. Some of the ridges are fairly steep and have many rocks on the trails so taking one of our walking sticks we provide will help with your stability over these areas. Or perhaps take our saw and pocket knife we provide and cut and carve your own walking stick for your days here. There are more hiking options in the area.
Rock Gardens:
 We have started a rock garden (show picture of rock sculpture) on the 3 maple loop trail that goes through a area of many interesting rock formations and different kinds of rocks made up from a array of different minerals. Please add your own balanced rock sculpture to our collection. It is a very interesting and challenging way to pass some time and you will learn to appreciate the delicate but steady nature of gravity.
Mineral collectors revere St. Lawrence County for the quality of its specimens. The crystalline bedrock has yielded a host of minerals, some rare, but most of common rock forming silicate and sulfide minerals that have unusual color, size and crystal shapes. Specimens of feldspar, diopside, tremolite, tourmaline, spinel, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, millerite, magnetite, fluorite, and many others, reside in display cases of museums throughout the world. For more info on rock collections click here.
Biking:
We provide two mountain bikes and helmets for our guests if you would like to bike in the area. We are located on a small country road and there are literally miles and miles of moderately hilled areas to bike, including a few mile ride to the Amish community that we live near to. If you are interested in more biking options in the area click here.
Swimming:
We provide a very scenic and private picnic and recreation area right down several set of steps from the house along the river. We have a picnic table, outside grill, hammock, and swimming area that has easy access down the steps we have provided to the  river’s edge. The bottom of the river is mostly sandy but water shoes are a good idea. During normal summers the river levels are low and this swimming are has large section that is anywhere from 2 to 5 feet deep before getting deeper. We have a floating dock there to sun on. We have no life guards so children under 16 years of age must be supervised. Certain sections of the River have deep waters and non - swimmers should not use this area. The waters of the Oswegatchie are very clean and clear this is a great country river swimming hole.
Kayaking:
We provide kayaks and life vests, which we require you to wear. This secluded section of the Oswegatchie at our farm is very private, and you can kayak for several miles in both directions and only see a couple of isolated houses, and it is all smooth water. In the summer months, the river banks are loaded with wild flowers and ferns, the water is extremely clear and clean. In the summer low water times, there are several large sand bars close to the river picnic area where you can anchor your kayak in the middle of the stream, and get out and put your lawn chairs in 5 to 6 inches of water on a very sandy bottom filled with fools gold. It is a wonderful place to throw Frisbee, sun yourself or hit a beach ball.
 If you have never kayaked before, don't fear. Our crafts are lake kayaks that are very stable and roomy, and reasonably easy to get in and out of at the river’s edge, where the water is shallow. You don't do "rolls" here and jump over water falls - this is not triple XXX extreme stuff. This is for the nature lover who enjoys leisure exercise, beauty, and solitude. The kayaks have high back rests and are very comfortable, even on extend trips. The real beauty of kayaking like this is how intimate you are with the water and surrounding landscape. You are actually sitting in the water so to speak. The kayaks are very quiet and efficient, so you move along very peacefully without requiring a huge amount of energy. We are big kayak fans and this section of the Oswegatchie River is just a superb place to do it. You should not miss this opportunity.
We also provide guided (or unguided) kayak floats (or tube floats) down the river for a reasonable cost. (Ask Dale for pricing) We can transport the kayaks to secluded river locations for floats of varying lengths and pick you up at the end, or start up stream and you just end at the River Picnic area at the Lodge. For more info on our guided or unguided kayak float trips and tours offered by us click here.
Fishing:
No discussion about kayaking on the Oswegatchie River would be complete without mentioning the great fishing that this river offers. The very remote (10 to 12 mile hike) head waters of the Oswegatchie  River at Cranberry lake in the Adirondack Mountains has some of the best native brook trout fishing in the country. The river then comes down through the Adirondack watershed with very few towns or industry and when the water reaches our farm it is very clean, clear, and full of fish. Combine this with the little fishing pressure that the river gets here and you have a recipe for some of the best fishing you can imagine, particularly small mouth bass. We provide you with two rods and some basic fishing lures, hooks, etc., to get started. There are other great fishing spots in the St. Lawrence County, including the famous waters of the Black Lake, that the Oswegatchie River empties into before it reaches the St. Lawrence River. For more info about fishing in the area click here. Also please click here to read about obtaining a fishing license in Northern NY.
Photography and Bird watching: (No waiver necessary for these options!!)
If you are a nature lover and particularly like to photograph birds and water foul, you will find the Oswegatchie River Cliff House, as with the Beaver Creek Lodge, to be a great place to have your camera. In the summer many hummingbirds come to the lodge and river to snack on the flowers we have at both places.  You will also see many ducks, blue herons, woodpeckers, beavers and musk rats, porcupine, raccoon, deer, and occasionally, you may be graced with seeing a fox, eagle or coyote. If you stay a few days, you should definitely hear a coyote howl at night. It is one of our great pleasures in living here, in such unpopulated and forested area.
Exploring Amish Country:
Our lodge is right on the edge of a large “Old Order Amish Community”, and you will probably see some Amish wave at you as they drive by the house in their horse and buggy. If you drive around the area you will see many interesting sights of the Amish farming with draft horses, sometimes 4 or 5 in hand. Sometimes you will see some horse drawn equipment that defies the imagination as to its purpose. You will see so many splendid gardens and outdoor clothes lines draped with colorful quilts and the traditional Amish clothes of blues, purples, and black. If you are here in the Spring-Summer or Fall, you will see many roadside stands with fresh vegetables and pies, doughnuts, breads, homemade butter, jams and jellies, and one of our favorites - hand picked wild blueberries. Last but not least, you will see many Amish folks themselves, particularly interesting are the children, with their broad rimmed hats, big inquisitive eyes and round faces. They look at you - and I mean really look at you, right into your eyes - from their farm yards or wagons they are riding, and you cannot help but wonder what they are thinking. This is not a tourist area. The Amish here are the real McCoy and they make our hearts sing every time we experience them. Read here more about the Amish.
|
