Otter Space

Otter Space

illustration by Brucie Rosch   Making new traditions at a family getaway My story begins like many others found in the pages of Adirondack Life, of summer—and some winter—holidays spent at a beloved camp. My grandfather Floyd Betters bought Camp Hohoiken on Upper...
Four Peaks

Four Peaks

Remembering my favorite place on Earth—and my long and complicated relationship with its owner In the first five years after moving my family back to my native New York after a long out-of-state exile, I wandered the Adirondacks searching in vain for the perfect...
Skinning Up

Skinning Up

Illustration by David Owens   A father, a daughter, and an early morning tradition It’s still dark when my bedroom door creaks open. My father tiptoes in and sets the cat down beside me on the bed. I check the clock: 5:15. Last night we agreed on five; my father...

A Piece of the Park

Half my life ago I spent summer weekends at a family camp on Lake Ozonia, with perch-catching extravaganzas, epic campfires and other multi-generational traditions. After that, while renting a place along Lake Placid’s Main Street, tourism—crowds, gift shops and...
Death of Jon Cody

Death of Jon Cody

Illustration by David Owens When my son, Noah, emailed me to tell me Jon Cody had died, in July 2015, I was at our cabin on the Saranacs recovering from a stem-cell transplant. I read the message on my phone while sitting at the picnic table in the sunshine and let it...