NORTH COUNTRY VIEWS
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Snapshot Perspectives On Life,
Offered Through The Lens Of My North Country Eyes
Accidentally Insightful, Occasionally Humorous
Frequently Neither
Sometimes Both
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Outlaw Author’s Note:
I will continually update this post through time
As new thoughts & views arise
Whenever the mood strikes me
To read updated entries
Please continue to scroll down
Welcome To My Views Of The North Country!
ADKO
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The Monroe Family Legacy
Thomas R. Monroe
Resting In Peace
“Forever Wild”
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Dad’s DEC Honor Guard
A Forest Ranger Salute
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North Country Views:
One More Sunrise
Upright & Above Ground
God Bless This Day
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“I Roam The North Wood”
“Where Sun Is But Myth”
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“Sign Don’t Say Nuttin’ ‘Bout Huntin’.”
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“Definitely Different!”
“Legends Or Myths?”
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What Defines “Adirondack”?
I Recently Attended
An “Adirondack” Writer’s Conference
Poetry Entries Were Solicited
The Caveat?
Submissions Must Be “Adirondack”
I Politely Inquired:
What Constitutes “Adirondack?”
The Response:
“Current Residency Within The Blue Line”
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I Posed The Question:
I’ve Lived At Both Ends Of The Northville/Placid Trail
I Was Raised In Saranac Lake
My Father Lies Buried There
I Hunted, Hiked, Fished & Worked These High Peaks
My Brother & His Family Still Reside There
My Son Attends Paul Smiths
Am I Not Adirondack?
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“Oh! Your Brother Resides Here?!”
“He’s Adirondack.”
“You Aren’t.”
“However, We Shall Consider Your Submissions”
“Use Your Brother’s Address”
Not EXACTLY What I Was Thinkin’ Right Then…
But I’m Pretty Sure You Get The Picture
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The Saranac Lake Free Library?
Where the “Adirondack” Poetry Group Meets In Each Month?
The One I Must Use MY BROTHER’S Address To Be Eligible for?
My Mom Was Part Time Librarian There!
I Shoveled Those Library Sidewalk Each Winter Day Before School
After Hours, I vacuumed Floors, Dusted Tables
The Saranac Lake Free Library Paid 25 Cents An Hour
I Was Paid Once A Week
My First Paid Job
I Had My Own Front Entrance Key
My Own Saranac Lake Free Library Card
Apparently My Membership Expired
Once I Grew Up & Moved
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What Defines “Adirondack”?
Or More Importantly; “Who?”
These Peaks have Existed For Over 400 Million Years
Beyond Ashes To Dust
They will Reign 400 Million More
What Gives Any “Current Resident” The Authority
To Define “Adirondack”?
That Just Ain’t Right!
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“Adirondack” Is Not Some Exclusive Club
It Transcends Geography
Exists Unconstrained By Artificial “Blue Lines”
Is Much More Than Any Given Spot On A Map
“Adirondack” Has No Permanent Residency Requirements
Just Ask The Ducks, Canadian Geese, Birds, & Loons
They All Fly South For The Winter
Are They Still “Adirondack”
When They Make Their Return?
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“Adirondack”
That Fragrant Windblown Evergreen Scent
“Forever Wild”
Broad Based Roots
Nature’s North Woods Soul
Mortal Man Has No Right To Define
“Adirondack”
Majestic High Peaks Forest Terrain
Here Long Before Us
We Simply Pass Through It
We Don’t Define “Adirondack”
“Adirondack” Defines Us
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So That Begs The Question:
Did I Submit?
“HELL NO!”
I’m An Adirondack Outlaw
I Pitched Camp Right Here!
Middle Saranac Lake
Where The Monroe Family’s Been Camping
Ever Since My Brother Ray & I Were Young Boys
Be “Adirondack”
Come Visit Our Family’s Camp For Awhile!
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“Camp Monroe“
Site 63
“Bull Rush Bay”
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Visitors Welcome!
Reasonable Rates
Rooms Available
Shirt & Shoes Optional
No Reservations Required
Bear Dances Nightly
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Camp Caretakers:
“Here- YOU Take The Selfie!”
“NO – YOU Take The Selfie….”
“I’ll Take The Beer”
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Fine Dining
“Chez Bull Rush Bay”
House Specialty:
“Camp Cuisine”
Menu Varies
Hot Dogs & S’Mores Always On Tap
Take Out Available
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Camp Kitchen
HOURS:
Seasonally Operated
Open Daily
Dinner Served About Five
If It’s Windy Or Raining…
Or The Camp Chef’s Out Fishin’
Better Make That Six
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Meet The “Camp Chef”
Canadian Currency Accepted At Par
No Credit Cards Please
Tips Not Recommended
“Don’t Feed The Bear”
He Does Accept Beer
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BYOB:
“Bring Your Own Boat”
Ferry Service
Available Upon Request
Chauffeur A Bit Loony
Ride At Your Own Risk
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The Monroe Artist’s Gallery
Always at Work
Caution:
Armed & Dangerous
“We Deal In Wood”
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Aspiring Artists
Erratically Motivated
Questionable Talent
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Fine Art
NOT FOR SALE!
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Hands Off My Hatchet!
Adirondack Outlaw Use Only!
Go Make Your Own!
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North Country Choices:
Occasionally, without even knowing it at the time, we make choices that define the course of our lives. One of my son RJ’s was when he chose to attend Paul Smith’s College. RJ’s life from here forward will be forever defined by his
“Walk In The Woods”
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North Country Naturalized
Birth Right Citizens
“Floe & Moe”
Our Canadian Herd
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Emergency Weather Alert:
The Television just broadcast the following alert for Lake Ontario’s Eastern Region:
“Gonna Keep Snowin’ Like A Son-Of-A-Bitch For Awhile
This Has Been A Public Service Announcement
You May Now Return To Your Regularly Scheduled Programming”
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Morning View Out My Window
“Just Another Day At The Office”
Three Young Turks
Headed Off To Work
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“NORTH COUNTRY DRIVE“
When You Find Yourself
Out Driving Alone
Six Inches Past Midnight
North Country Road
Snowin’ Like a Son-Of-A-Bitch
Plow’s Been Through Once
Center Line Buried
Which Lane Do YOU Choose?
I Recommend Driving OUTLAW
Think for Yourself
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North Country Notice:
“Due To Technical Difficulties,
Ice Hockey Arena Temporarily Closed For Repairs”
Season Ticket Holders:
“That’s Okay“
“We’ll Just Sit And Wait”
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The Coming Storm
Motivation?
Adrenaline Fed
That’s Not the Problem
The True Challenge Lies
In Keeping These Gale Force Winds
From Blowin’ The Roof Off My Shed
Load Heavy
Storm’s Comin’
Are You Feelin’ It Yet?
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North Country Real Estate Listing:
3 Bedroom Ranch; 17 Acre Lot
2 Stall Garage; Paved Hockey Rink
NOT FOR SALE
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North Country Math:
A “Variable Four To Six” = Eight
Except On The Tug Hill Plateau
Or In A Lake Effect Squall
Off Lake Ontario’s Shore
In That Case
Add Two More Inches
Plus A Few
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North Country Calculus:
Snowfall Rate: Two Inches Per Hour
Multiply x Three Days
Increase By A Wind Gust Factor of 30 Miles Per Hour
= My “Post Storm” Morning Driveway
OOPS! Just Lost Power!
Simple Snow Mathematics No Longer Suffices
Here In The North Country
We Use “Snow Calculus”
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Our North Country Gal:
“Saranac Diamond In The Ruff”
Just Tryin’ On
Her New Winter Coat
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North Country Fisherman’s Tale
Sorry I’m Late For Dinner, Dear”
“Another Busy Day At The Office”
BUSTED!
*Author’s Note*
That Ain’t Me
I’m Much Better Lookin’
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Diamond Mine
Middle Saranac Lake
Short Season Mining Operation
Priceless Adirondack Gemstones
Special In Season Sale Price:
Free
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North Country Viewpoint:
A Fresh Coat Of Snow
Equals
A Free Winter Trail Cam
No Batteries Required
Blanket Coverage
Just Count The Fresh Tracks
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North Country Views:
(February 29th 2020)
More Fresh Snow =Free Trail Cam Batteries
Mother Nature’s Been Generous
Half A Foot Of Fresh Snow
She Can Stop Any Time
I’ve Got Enough New Trail Cam Batteries Now
To Get My Cams Through The Rest Of The Winter
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North Country Views (Update):
(February 29th 2020)
Still Gettin’ Hammered
Lake Ontario’s East Region
To Heck With Trail Cams!
Time To Break Out The Dog Sled!
Love My Snow Patrol Paws!
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North Country Views:
(February 29th 2020)
Just Came in. Out clearing Snow so my RN wife could get in the driveway after a 24 hour overnight shift. Outdoor temp: +5 degrees balmy!
Updated cancellations/closings just scrolled across the bottom of our television screen:
“South Jefferson Central school District Swim Lessons Cancelled Today.”
Crap!
I was just putting on my suit!
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North Country Views:
In This Current Somehow Anti Male World Climate
I Just Wished To Share One Outlaw Male Thought:
Driving A Sexy Four wheel Drive Vehicle Is Okay In Most Weather
A Good Man With a Plow?
In A North Country Snowstorm
Far Better
Any Questions?
Just Ask My Wife
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“Mouse Trap”
30 Plus Years
Safe In Our House
We Add a “Mom Suite”
BAM!
Intruder
A Mouse!
1 Peanut Butter Trap
One Mouse Caught
Add One More Trap
Catch One More Mouse
Then Three
Then Five
Then Seven
What the ????!!!
Then It Dawns On Me
I Remove All the Peanut Butter Traps
This Winter?
Zero Mice
Lesson Learned:
Want Fewer Mice?
Use Less Bait
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Lucky Charms
“Saint Patrick’s Day Pals “
North Country Leprechauns
*I’m The Good Lookin’ One On The Right*
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North Country Views:
“Give ‘Em The Heater!”
Melting Snow Slowly Fades
The Thermometer Teases
A Robin Flits Past Frosted Sills
Winter’s Chill Lingers
Old Bones Still Seek
A Warm Fireside Spot
Spring Hints The Air
Yet My Stove Still Burns Wood
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Until Our Trails Cross Again:
Enjoy the View!
Live Outlaw!
Each Day You Are In
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.
Always enjoyable to check in with ADKO…this gave me lots of smiles and more than a few chuckles.
😊 Aunt Susie
HI Aunt Susie- Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it. Mission accomplished! Robin says “Hi” too! Love Ya! “ADKO” (P.S. I’m trusting you with my secret: ADKO is an alias. I’m really just me-“Dick”. Mum’s the word! Might still be warrants out!)