FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, ISLANDS TO MOUNTAINS

Brookgreen Gardens

Upon leaving Charleston, we stopped in Murrell's Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While there we visited  Brookgreen Gardens. Once one of the largest rice plantations in the country, it is now a magnificent wildlife preserve and sculpture garden. Read more about our time there and the blog it inspired on my website. 

Per and Saskia's wedding ceremony

The trip north from South Carolina was uneventful; a mix of hot, cold and rainy weather. On May 1, we flew from Newark, New Jersey to the Turks and Caicos where I had the pleasure of officiating at the wedding of my godson Per and his beautiful bride Saskia. It was a fun filled celebration and a wonderful chance to be with dear friends. 

The Hall of Springs Saratoga

Former Bathhouse Saratoga State Park

Returning to Newark after a couple of weeks, we drove north to Saratoga, New York, a beautiful town. The State Park there houses the former bathhouses that once drew the rich and famous to Saratoga for the mineral baths. Now Saratoga is more famous for the racing season that takes place the end of July to early September. 

Saratoga is a short distance from Lake George where I used to live - many years ago. Fortunately, I have friendships that have endured throughout those years so it was a great pleasure to see those friends again. 

Mirror Lake 

Mirror Lake in heart of Adriondack Mountains

The six million acre Adirondack Park begins just below Lake George. Our next stop, Lake Placid, is right in the heart of it. Within the Park are 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 30,000 miles of lakes and rivers. 44 of the mountains are over 4,000' in elevation. 

The town of Lake Placid is actually situated on Mirror Lake, a pristine lake we enjoyed walking around. We had a great view from our hotel which was located right on Main Street. On Saturday, June 11, we will take the ferry across Lake Champlain into Vermont.

Nighttime view from our balcony

Daytime view from our balcony