Fall 2015 LOCALadk Magazine 29
LOCALadk
• 2015 Octo-Bear-Fest, Sat Oct 3rd
• 2016 Authors Night, Tues Aug 9th
• 2016 Annual Tent Sale, Aug 11-13th
even ts
1142 Main St. Box 247 | Long Lake, NY 12847
1 (800) 952-HOSS (4677)
hossscountrycorner.com
Adirondack Landmark
— Martha Stewart
the trail caused by hikers opting around patches of
mud. Keenly, I keep myself to the center of the trail
and think about all the effort it takes to fell one
tree to make one bridge.
On the summit, I stumble upon a bubbly group of
elderly women with cups of champagne. It's a 46er
party. In the middle, the newly christened mountain
woman laughs and opens a gift. She's beaming—the
process has been decades in the making and worth
every step. They've gone all out to celebrate with
good food, drink and company.
These mountains, trails, woods, valleys, and waters
are a sacred place. I feel it and believe it every time
I step foot on trail. I unfasten my pack and pull out
my camera. I snap a few photos from the summit
and reflect upon the day. I'm thankful these trails
are here, and I'm thankful for the dedication put
forth to maintain them. I began hiking six years ago
as an uncertain college graduate. At the time, the
only thing that made sense to me were high plac-
es and the step-by-step, hand-over-hand process it
took to get there.
An eruption of laughter breaks my reflection. I smile
and begin to pack. The hazy sun is drifting behind a
cloud and a band of rain is falling over Saddleback
and Gothics. It's a beautiful and rewarding accom-
plishment to complete one summit, let alone 46. So
next time you find yourself atop a beautiful moun-
tain or beside a serene waterfall, give thanks to
those who carry the 70-pound packs, saw the stub-
born spruce, and lay the rocks to help you get there.
To the trail crews of the Adirondacks: thank you.
Bethany Garretson
