We broke from the caravan today as they went to the museum we had already visited. Instead we headed to the outdoors. The brief downpour “wet” our appetite for a walk along the rim of AuSable Chasm. A forest of pine and hemlock grow to the brim of the sandstone chasm. Many people equated it to New York's version of the Grand Canyon. It did not quite fit that bill but the view from above is striking as the water tumbles over boulders and small waterfalls.
After walking about a mile on the rim, we got close and personal with a class 1 ½ raft trip through the chasm. Our guide was excellent at explaining the geology of the area.
California has Squaw Valley and New York has Lake Placid. Unfortunately, Lake Placid is a pale comparison. The town and facilities look their age. Some stores are empty and others filled with the usual clothes and souvenirs of a mountain town. Maybe it’s the altitude of only 1800 feet that makes it seem small. We did enjoy a good lunch and the drive to and from the area is beautiful, forests, lakes, a few wildflowers and some charming buildings.
Dave and I really enjoyed AuSable Chasm last year and walked quite a long way along the rim. It was too late in the year when we were there to do the raft trip, but something we would like to do at some point. Lake Placid was a place we would not go back to at all. Too commercial with little remaining charm. The view of the lake is pretty, but there are so many better views to be had in that area...(See, I read your blog!)
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