Day 32: October 4, 2026: touring Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake NY

Early morning brought a crisp chill to the air, and the furnace fan kicked on with increasing frequency as dawn approached. Inside the Foster house, though, it was all warmth and comfort. We sat down to a breakfast of hot coffee, eggs, bacon, and delicious gluten-free pancakes. Outside, the church bells rang on the hour, setting a gentle rhythm for the morning.

After breakfast, Jonathan treated us to a house concert, singing songs we selected and a new one he hasn't released yet called Wearing Rainbows. It really made us feel special and Susie beamed with pride and enjoyment. 

It was a glorious day, sunny and nearly warm enough for a T-shirt. We headed out after our concert to see the countryside and some of Jonathan's old stomping grounds. The geese were vocally signifying the changing of the seasons. Tupper Lake was our first destination. We drove through miles of forested areas covered with the various shades of fall foliage. Jonathan mentioned how we timed our visit at its peak for fall foliage. 

Tupper Lake is a charming town filled with small shops, local businesses, and independent galleries. It's also where Jonathan spent his early post-college years starting out in his first job as a biologist. The village and town is located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Situated along the shores of its namesake lake and the Raquette River, it serves as one of the key central hubs of the Adirondack Park. Adirondack Park is a massive, publicly protected region covering roughly 6 million acres (about 9,300 square miles). Established in 1892, it is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States (larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Everglades National Parks combined). 

Wandering into one of the local galleries, it didn't take long for a few people to recognize Jonathan and Susie. Since building his framing business, Jonathan has become well-known among the area’s creative community. The gallery featured some exceptional craftsmanship, including a few beautifully made wooden tables crafted by Jonathan’s godfather.

The timing couldn't have been better: a plein air painting competition had just wrapped up over the weekend, and many of the fresh canvases were on display. A few of the artists were still in attendance, chatting with visitors and sharing the stories behind their outdoor pieces.

We next headed to Saranac Lake, another charismatic town set in the heart of the Adirondack High Peaks region. Located just 10 miles northwest of Lake Placid and northeast of Tupper Lake, it forms part of the "Tri-Lakes" area and is renowned for its rich health history, vibrant arts scene, and extensive water access. It also has the dubious honor of some of the coldest temperatures in the lower 48 states of the US, regularly contending with International Falls, Minnesota, and Fraser, Colorado, for the unofficial title of "Icebox of the Nation." On numerous mornings throughout late fall, winter, and early spring, Saranac Lake logs the lowest daily minimum temperature in the lower 48 states.

We happened to see a few monarchs on some flowers. It is a little late for them to still be around but there they were. We know how at least one local feels about monarchs. We found some milkweed pods that had not opened yet and decided to help them disperse.

Somehow we stumbled into the local brewery and sampled some liquid refreshments before heading back to the car.

On the way to the car, I spotted a dynamic frame and had a little fun with it.

We headed toward Malone with a quick stop at the visitor center and had a dendrology lesson from local expert, Jonathan Foster.

​A short side trip brought us to a well-established beaver lodge resting prominently in a quiet pond. It was a picturesque spot, giving us the perfect opportunity to take in, and capture, the remarkable surrounding scenery.

The sky was just a perfect blend of dark and light.

And more color on the drive.

Glancing at the horizon ahead, it was clear a storm was gathering for tonight. Fortunately, the rain held off as we pulled back into Malone. After waiting patiently for five hours, Tad was more than ready for a stretch, so we set off on a walk just as the daylight began to soften. It was a perfect chance to capture photos of the neighborhood houses, every one of them filled with character.

Back inside, we relaxed with sports on TV. Jonathan did a masterful job toggling between sports talk with Kasey and botany and biology discussions with me while Susie kicked back to nurse her sore ankle enjoying the sports and botany discussions. She had ankle surgery not long ago and is still mindful of the recovery process. With pizza delivered right to the door, it was the perfect end to a fun-filled, action-packed day.