There was rain and hard wind overnight but around 8:00am it stopped long enough for a breakfast of leftovers. There were hot showers available that were utilized as the rains started again. Larry and Sophia called and said they were scouting the Raquette River, but they chose not to paddle it. Instead they paddled the Saranac River from State Bridge on Route 3, down to the Lower Locks and returned. They reported unsettled weather and wind that blew harder than any other time on the trip.
Since scattered rain showers were predicted for all day, the campers decided to play tourist and headed for Saranac Lake Village. They first stopped at the main store for St Regis Canoe Outfitters and relieved them of even more inventory, then off to the first pub they found. It was called the Waterhole and the building had stone walls. A patron educated them to the fact that the building originally was a horse stable. In fact, the whole town has that 19th century flare to it and the style and architect of the houses and businesses was just intriguing.
They then drove around town just sight seeing when Captain Cooks Pub appeared. While sitting at the counter talking to the bartender, they found out that he also owns the place and he was bragging about having the best wings in town. Since they were hungry, they tried to order some, but he doesn't start serving until six pm. It was only around noon so a deal was made that if they came back later and ate wings; he would give them all a free beer.
Laurie came back from the restroom and reported on the writings found on the wall. An amusing saying was... What did one saggy boob say to the other saggy boob? If we don't get some support pretty soon, people will think we are a couple of nuts.
Checking out the downtown area again, they found a pizza shop that looked good for lunch. The pizza shop was right next door to Grizle-T's, another bar. There was a delivery window between the two businesses so they went to the bar for pizza and beer. While chatting with the barmaid, they found that the same person owns both establishments, hence the delivery window.
Since the paddlers/tourists were drinking locally brewed beer they soon learned that Lake Placid, eight miles away, had TWO breweries in town. Between the two towns was Larry and Sophia's hotel room. So they stopped and harassed those two until Larry kicked them out. It was time for their afternoon nap.
Driving around the town that hosted the 1932 and 1980 winter Olympics, a person can see the big arena in town and the giant ski jumps off in the distance. Again the leaves were so beautiful and being in the mountains you could see for miles.
It wasn't too long before the four were sitting at a table in the Adirondack Brewing Company. Tony ordered the sampler with six, 4oz beers and the price came to $12.00. The brew was very good but the atmosphere was too stuffy for them, so off they went to the Lake Placid Brewing Company. Tony's sampler package there was only $6.00 and everyone was so much friendlier and fun to talk with. They could have stayed there all evening but it was now supper time and wings sounded very appetizing.
Back to Captain Cooks they went and after being seated, the waitress/owners wife had their free beers for them. And yes the four dozen wings they ordered were very delicious.
They arrived back at camp around 8:30pm where Tony immediately tripped over his own tent string and landed flat on his face in the pitch black darkness. Thankfully, Ted pulled him up off the hard ground. Everyone hit the tents early hoping for better weather the next day.
