LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 28 For nearly four decades, the weekend after Labor Day has meant hundreds of pad- dlers from around the countr y traveling to the Adirondacks to compete in the "Adirondack Canoe Classic." Fondly re- ferred to as the "90 -Miler" or simply "The 90," this three-day event holds a special place in the hearts of many. For me and my family, this trip from Old Forge to Saranac Lake is more than a race. It's a tradition. A family event that we look for- ward to year after year. The idea of canoeing 90 miles in three days might not seem like most people's idea of a good time. But the race travels through some of the most beautiful water ways in the Ad- irondacks. And it brings together paddlers who love these waters in a unique celebration of wilderness, recreation, and sheer endurance. My family has been fortunate enough to participate in the race in one capacity or another for the last 20 years. In doing so, we've come to know and love these wa- ters and the people they bring together repeatedly. For reasons unknown, our mom, Jean, began participating in The 90 in 2000 in a plastic tandem kayak, a boat that I'm pretty sure has not seen water since. All in all, Jean has com- pleted 13 trips from Old Forge to Saranac Lake since then. The remaining races have primarily been in her Wenonah Minnesota 4 and one ver y memorable race in a homemade six-person voyageur canoe. Jean's spirit and love for the race have never dulled, and she's pulled her family into the fold. My twin brother, Andy, leads the pack with 14 races under his belt. A few strokes be- hind him is our youngest brother, Chip, who has participated in 13. I have 11. Casey, Chip's twin ( yes, you read that correct- ly, there are two sets of twins in the family), has finished five. Joe, the oldest Brother G, has managed to evade all but two races. Collectively, we've amassed nearly 60 entries into The 90 with no intention of slowing down. I credit our mom for instilling the love of water in each of us. She helped us form a lifelong passion we hope to pass on to our children. Where Mom inspired our decades-long affair with The 90, our dad ("Grizz") has provided the support to keep things running (mostly) smoothly. Nearly ever y boat that enters The 90 has a support group, their pit crew. These unsung heroes line up campsites, make sure ever yone is fed, provide warm clothes, organize shuttles, and, importantly, provide cold beverages at the end of a long day of paddling. Aside from backing into the occasional tree with the truck, Grizz has un- failingly proved to be the most capable and supportive pit crew chief imaginable, despite the low pay and crappy hours. He wakes before dawn to get the coffee on, has dealt with numerous odd meal requests and dietar y restrictions, and always has spare quarters for the showers at Fish Creek. He "...more than where you are going and how fast you get there, it's who you are with that matters most."

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