Baptized at Bull Rush Bay
Ari Rae Marra’s Adirondack Outlaw Christening
The Son,
and this lake we so love…
Bull Rush Bay 2022 was not only our Monroe family’s 50th anniversary camp celebration, it was also an Adirondack Outlaw camp celebration as Ari Rae’s first.
Plans and preparation for this big event began late last fall. The NYSDEC built a brand spanking new lean-to to mark the occasion. Grandpa made a week’s camping reservation for the 2nd week of September at our family’s favorite Middle Saranac Lake site 63 Bull Rush Bay spot.
Grandpa and Uncle RJ went all in on our family’s new Outlaw boat.
The plan was for Grandpa to canoe down the lake with one load of camping gear on Thursday morning via South Creek. Uncle RJ and Aunt Abby would ferry the main load of camping gear up through the locks on the new Outlaw boat. Momma Monroe would hike in from Ampersand with a full backpack load of her own, accompanied by Maizee Mae and Khalisi, two of our family’s ADK Outlaw dogs, where she would rendezvous at the beach with the Outlaw boat after Uncle RJ and Aunt Abby linked up with Grandpa at camp and offloaded.
Everything went according to plan. Gear got unloaded, tents and camp got set up. After a traditional Monroe first night in camp Hunter’s Stew dinner, everyone awoke early Friday morning to prepare for Ari Rae’s arrival in camp.
Grandpa and Momma deployed first, canoeing to the beach where Mom and Dad were hiking in with Ari Rae, Graham and Blue from the Ampersand walk-in. Khalisi and Maizee Mae accompanied Grandpa and Momma in the canoe.
Momma Monroe at the Ampersand Walk-in with Maizee Mae & Khalisi
Momma waited at the beach with the pups, where Uncle RJ and Aunt Abby would soon join them with the Outlaw boat to ferry Ari Rae into camp. Grandpa hiked up the trail to meet Ari Rae as she experienced her first hike into camp with mom, dad, Blue and Graham.
Ari Rae, Mom, Dad, Blue & Graham
At the Ampersand Walk in
Grandpa snapped photos as Ari Rae and her family walked in to meet the rest of the family waiting at the lake.
I think I hear a bear!”
Ari Rae on the trail with her family
I’m having so much fun!”
Grandpa, that bridge is DANGEROUS!”
Khalisi heard us coming down the trail.
She came to greet us.”
I’m so happy to be here with Momma & my family.
I love camping.”
How much further is it to camp?
Oh, that’s way too long to wait.
I think I need my binky.”
Ari Rae’s first camping binky catastrophe. There was an incident.
Uncle RJ and Aunt Abby met us with the Outlaw boat, as planned.
I’m so excited!
Am I an outlaw yet Grandpa?
I just love camping!”
Uncle RJ supervising.”
I’ve got my life jacket on.
I’m ready to roll!
Uncle RJ at the helm.
Stony Creek Mountain in the background.”
Making her first trip across Middle Saranac Lake into camp.”
Here I am, sitting in camp.
Boy am I starved!
Dinner’s simmering on the fire.
Mom’s rustling me up some grub.”
Grandpa & Aunt Abby came back across the lake in the canoe w/Maizee Mae & Khalisi.”
“Here I am, Bull Rush Bay.
Sitting in camp with my family.”
I’ve got this camping stuff down!”
Ari Rae & her family hiked back out Friday night. They stayed at Great Uncle Ray & Great Aunt Patty’s house in Saranac Lake. They were out of town. Ari Rae hiked back in with her family on Saturday for another day full of awesome Adirondack Outlaw adventures in camp.
I’m a little nervous.
Grandpa says we might see a moose!”
Look at me!
I’m an awesome outlaw hiker!”
This is a pine tree.”
He’s doing that pose again, isn’t he.”
Grandpa says he’s going to teach me how to use them to help us build a fire.”
Celebrating 50 years of Monroe family Bull Rush Bay Camp.”
“In the name of The Father,
The Son
& The Adirondack Outlaw…”
Ari Rae has been Bull Rush Bay Baptized.
Amen
**********
Until Our trails Cross Again:
I’m an outlaw!”
ADK Ari Rae & ADKO
About The Author
rdmonroe5
Lifelong NYS resident. Raised in Saranac Lake. Cornell graduate(ROTC). Army veteran, Airborne/Ranger qualified, 10th Mtn Div, stints in Honduras and with JTF VI. 3rd degree Black Belt; 3x cancer survivor; published writer with several featured stories in Adirondack Life Magazine. Residing in Watertown NY with wife Robin & our 3 adult children. Loving Life. Living in the Day I am in.
Great story. Great tradition. Wish I could have been there.
Love you, Mom! You & Dad started it all!
I loved every picture and phrase! What awesome memories your family continue to make. Ari is quite the character and may be taking after her Grandpa.
Love you all!
💗 Aunt Susie