urban ku # 84 ~ everything every which way # 2, or, Popeye slept here
Monday, July 30, 2007 at 09:52AM 
Sea Haven - Inet style • click to embiggenThe little hamlet of Inlet on the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the south-central Adirondacks is, in many ways, a perfect 'snapshot' of the Adirondacks both past and present.
First and foremost, the hamlet is surrounded by 'forever wild' forest. In addition, within the hamlet, there is a mix new developemnt (mostly renovations) and some properties and businesses that have been there since the late 1800s. There is also a high concentration of properties - motels, stores, camps - dating from the 30s, 40s and 50s. That era was part of the motoring heyday of the Adirondacks in the last century.
With the advent of the interstate highway system in the 50 and 60s, the Adirondacks experienced a severe decline in tourism as vacationists traveled much farther afield in their cars. Over the later part of the last century, many of the 'heyday' properties fell into economic and, consequently, physical decline. Some aged gracefully with a patina of character and nostalgic charm. Others just disappeared.
That said, everything every which way # 2 (Payne's Boat Livery/Air Service) is a prime example of a 'heyday' property and business that is still hanging on, some might say, literally 'hanging on'. FYI, everything every which way (#1) was pictured inside of the boat livery. For a view of the flipside, see Aaron's life jacket anyone? cinemascape.
Payne's Air Service (seaplanes) has moved across the inlet to newer more modern digs, presumely to instill a bit more confidence in those who are in the market for seaplane ride.
It is this unsanitized mixture of old and new that is sprinkled throughout the Adirondack Park in little villages and hamlets (I live in one which is much more patina-ed than new) that I treasure. It is one of the primary reasons that I live here. Even though the Adirondacks are an extremely resurgent tourist destination, the place still remains very 'real'.
Reader Comments (1)
I think this image is suffering from some serious distortion. LOL.
With the pitch in the upper deck, how could anyone walk the walk? I would feel as tho I was into a constant drunk.