DINING IN OLD FORGE, BIG MOOSE & INLET, NY

While on a recent camping trip in Inlet, NY we had the opportunity to check out a few areas for dining. Old Forge, Big Moose and Inlet are all within a 10 mile of each other. All of the areas we dined at were recommend to us by colleagues or co-workers who knew the area well. All of these places proved to be great places.

On the way to Big Moose we came across these shoes hanging on a wire over the road. I never asked anyone in town if there was a story behind. So after a little research online, I found the reason behind the spectacle. Its a town tradition for seasonal employees who leave town for the season to throw their shoes on the wire.

There is a nice restaurant at Big Moose Inn. It has a nice rustic look with great views of Big Moose Lake. We sat in the balcony to enjoy the weather and views. 

The family enjoy some rocking chair time while we waited for our food to be delivered.

Artichoke dip with warm pita bread for appetizer. It was so good that we asked for more pita bread to make sure we finished our dip.

My wife had some really tasty duck, while enjoyed some clams and onion rings. Turned out to be an absolutely delicious meal at the Inn.

We needed a little break after dinner, so we walked around the beautiful lakeside property at the Inn and then headed to Inlet for some ice cream at Northern Lights Parlor. They great selections of hard ice cream. They only have vanilla, chocolate and the twist for soft ice cream. This has always been a great get-away from the campsite. 

Down the street there is a great local grocery store called Kalil's Grocery. Its a mini version of Wegmans. Great quality food, homemade creations and all the essentials. We typically shop here if we had forgot to bring something from home.

Screaming Eagle is the only place that we didn't get a chance to eat at because we ran out of time. However, a colleague recommended this place because it has the "best chicken wings in the area!"

On our way home we stopped at The Front Door Diner and it did have a Back Door Bar. It had great All American food. Great service and friendly staff. It wasn't busy when we came in at noon and were seated and served very quickly.

The waitress at the diner recommended this cafe for coffee before the drive home. So we got some coffee and enjoyed some Wegmans cookies that we brought from home and never at camp. It was a great combination. When our coffee kicked in and the kids enjoyed their smoothies we had home after a great week at camp. 

LIMEKILN STATE CAMPGROUND

One cloudy day at camp I walked around the campground and took a few photos. A great campsite that we have been staying over the past few years is 155. Although its not a water site but one side goes up to the beach area. Its very flat and spacious for huge tents and RV's. Its very close to the showers. 

Next to the showers there is this shed. The significant thing is not the shed but the good cellphone reception area. Its proven to be faithful over the years. 

There are 2 pavilions. Beach area. Kayak, canoe and rowboat rentals. Its also a great area to hang with plenty of grass to throw a blanket and picnic tables to sit on. 

CAMP DAY #6 IN PHOTOS

All fun trips come to end really fast. This camping trip proved to me that if you do less activities and don't have a cramed schedule the time goes by at a slower and more enjoyable pace. Throughout the trip the kids ran into a Maltesse dog named Sophie. The owner taught the kids how to ask Sophie for a trick and then reward her. 

The real teddy bear of the campground.

CAMP DAY #5 IN PHOTOS

We have been to Old Forge several times but have never been up McCauley Mountain. So this year we decided to check it out. It's a short drive from Main Street with plenty of signs giving direction to the mountain. I unfortunely didn't do enough research about the chair lift hours of operation. When we got to the lift, we were told we had 30 minutes before they closed. We decided to do the trip anyways and it turned out well. Thirty minutes is the least amount of time necessary to enjoy the views. The mountain can also be hiked via a trail that goes up the eastern side of the mountain. Oleg and Luba hiked the trail on the way down earlier this year and said that it was a nice short hike. 

The 7 minute ride to the top was scenic. On the way up Water Safari Park can been seen. There were also spectacular views of the Fulton Chain of lakes extending to the northeast. At the summit there are several picnic tables and Adirnidack chairs for a nice family picnic or a place to just relax and take in the views. 

CAMP DAY #4 IN PHOTOS

One thing that never gets old on a camping trip is kids playing. This year we sat around and did a lot of watching the kids play. Someone once said, "It's only for a season that they will be this young." Next year and the years that follow, their interests will change and different things will be enjoyed in a new season of our life. When you realize that, it takes camping to a whole new level. I have to say it was a joy for the adults to relax and simply watch the kids play in dirt at the campsite, in the sand at the beach, and learn things they may have never done before. 

Andrey and Oleg did a little kayaking and fishing. The lake has rock bass, catfish, pickerel, and other fish. Unfortunately, some of the lakes in the ADK have been affected by acid rain.

Adrian learned a new thing, throwing stones. He simply learned the skill from the older ones.

We all helped prepare the meals. My favorite parts of the day were breakfast and then hanging out after dinner around the campfire. 

Andrey T. and Oleg created a makeshift swing. It was a great idea and turned out to be a great success. Adrian loved it so much that it was his preferred spot while eating his meals. All the kids enjoyed their fair share of the swing. 

Alexis didn't realize that her hands were dirty and when she touched her face, this was the result. A little more dirt and she would have looked like an Native American with war paint. 

Oleg cooking some kabobs on a homemade fire pit. Unfortunately the wood was too damp and it was difficult to get a nice charcoal fire, so this cooking process was abandoned and we resorted to the well burning fire managed by the Andrey's. Nevertheless we had a good kabob turnout.