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 Old Forge, N.Y.
Great
quality of life in a Northern town
Article and
photos by Eric H.
Old Forge
brings back some great memories of childhood. Perhaps that's
why so many adults go there.
What initially
brings us there will forever bring us back. Try, for starters,
the cool, crisp pine-scented air and the sun's chosen destination
to shine most brightly. There are the locally-owned stores, bursting
with pride. The ice cream stands shine their yellow awning lights
at night, and a glorious beach at Fourth Lake glistens, sparkles
and shines, inviting the whole world to swim. To a child, the
fresh water scent competes with the beach's by-products,--sun
tan lotion, and hot dogs and hamburgers, which we initially thought
were inherent, built-in scents at any beach. Here, at Fourth
lake, they are.
The blacktops
perspire profusively lending a tar smell, which confirms Summer.
The perspiration ends later , however, as the mountain air almost
always saves the day with some cooler weather. If not convinced,
some soft serve ice cream can always tip the scales in the right
direction.
A walk down
the main street will probably always be a walk back in time.
The centerpiece, Old Forge Hardware, has everything under one
roof without the backing of a Home Depot corporate mentality.
Furniture, home improvement items, lighting, hardware, books
and more suggest a leisurely afternoon of shopping. Having visited
there a few years ago, I recognized an employee from 30 years
ago. He didn't look much different, suggesting that small-town
living and mountain air preserve the soul. A small market, bank,
clothing stores and real estate offices are ultimately bigger
than they look upon inspection for they are the catalyst which
allows those lucky individuals to remain in Old Forge.
A game of
miniature golf, some broasted chicken at any given restaurant,
or just sitting on a dock bench at Fourth Lake makes one realize
that the true America still does exist in some places. And everywhere
you look, families visiting or living here prescribe, in an almost
spiritual way, to this simpler way of life. The recipe is indeed
simple: stay outdoors as long as you can, breathe in fresh air
and sample bits of wholesome Americana. It is the life that Native
Americans have enjoyed many years here, and the melting pot of
residents and visitors who have come to realize this "comfortable-as-an-old-shoe"
town.
Nights are
forever in Old Forge as the sky opens wide to showcase the myriad
stars. Crickets chirp as do children, knowing that staying up
late is a privilege and might not happen again, soon. Then it's
back to a nice, clean motel room (the Water's Edge, in particular),
waiting eagerly for the next day to begin. And who knows what
that next day will bring? It could be a visit to the Enchanted
Forest theme park with water and amusement rides and circus performances.
Maybe it will be a gentle hike up Bald Mountain, or the more
challenging McCauley Mountain. Perhaps some canoeing or taking
a 28-mile lake cruise will make the day. Or, just having no plans
and soaking up
the family-oriented atmopshere will be all it takes to revitalize
the soul.
In fact,
one great thing to do may not seem so big, but ultimately it
is: take a one mile walk from the downtown area to the brick
school building on the outskirts of town, going towards neighboring
Thendara. Stop for a few minutes and study the school. It may
seem like any other school, and that is the point. You went to
school and then moved on, and so did many of the students who
had the fortune to attend a school in such a magical area. What
they have is that Old Forge became, forever, part of their lives.
How powerful that is. It's enough to bring back those strong
childhood memories, and perhaps that is why adults --whether
from the region or having spent their summers here-- do indeed
keep coming back.
For more
information on Old Forge, call the Visitor Information Center
at (315)369-6983
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