Date: Saturday, June 15Time: 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Weather Report: Rain, 85°F, 50% Humidity, Winds: Calm; feels like 85°F.
Location: Following the Raquette River experience, Anne and I thought we would explore one of the newer Adirondacks' attractions, The Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, or more succincintly, The W!ld Center. This new museum should not be confused with The Adirondack Museum, another excellent museum, with a slightly different focus. As its name suggests, The W!ld Place has a greater focus on the natural word aspects of the region, whereas, The Adirondack Museum is inclusive of the history of the region and the development of transportation (trains, canoes, etc.) that evolved as a result of thier use in the Adirondacks.
The W1ld Place just had its grand opening on July 4, and as you drive into the area, it is cear that there is still quite a bit of work to be done. Unfortunately, some of the outdoor "exhibits" were not yet open to the public. The Museum itself can easily be thought of as having two fairly dstiinct parts: the W!ld Center and the outdoor trail system.
Sights/Sounds/Activities: There was quite a bit of aviary chatter and birds could be observed flitting in the trees and brush along the river and marshier areas.
Notes: The W!ld Center buildingas it appears from the chip stone driveway leading to a large unpaved area which currently serves as the museum's parking lot. While the museum was busy when we arrived, we did not have much trouble finding a parking spot. Aethetically speaking, the building is beatiufl and very orgnaic in appearance.
Inside, there are some wonderful displays (I didn't many pictures, sorry!), including a series of video presentations, which can be selected by patrons and focusing on each of the four seasons as they occur in the Adirondack region. There is also an extensive consideration of the animals, birds, and fish which inhabit the area. One such display (pictured, in small part, below) includes information regarding the aviary life and containing a sample fo the birds call and habitat.
There ia also an academic room which holds microscopes, resource books and skeletons of local birds (below) and animals. Very cool... I'm sure the kids would dig this!
The other "half" of the museum consists of series of trails, each with a particular enivro-focus. We were hoping to take the path intended to have song birds, as well as, the path which passes over a man-made pond to be stocked with otters. Unfortunately, both are not yet opened.
Anne and I did, however, take the trail to Oxbow Lake which features a variety of indigeneous trees, birds, mammals... much like a forever wild area with a wide unpaved path through it. Below is a picture of Anne checking out some of the info on the trail. The information is presented attached to a flexible (and one would assume portable) pole. Upon first viewing this, my daughter thought we had gone orienteering! Almost as soon as we made our way down the trail it began to rain out... at this point, we were glad to have gone canoeing in the morning, saving the museum for this afternoon.
It rained out for most of the hike which added a nice sort of priemvial ambience to the walk--misty, warm and very quiet. Apparently people here don't hike in the rain! Despite my gloomy look in the pic before, this was very enjoyable--especially as I could sneak a smooch from Anne on the trail without risk of embarrassment ;-)!.
Oxbow Lake featured some of the same scenery we saw on our canoe trip. Apparently, had Anne and I continued down river, we would have reached this Lake. There were also free telescopes at each of the two viewing areas for a closer look at the surroundings.
Anne and I both enjoyed our trip the The W!ld Center, and found it a pleasant mix of history, hiking and education which will only improve once it is really open and fully operational.
Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!
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