tourist picture / panoramic / ku # 1299-1300 ~ a birthday "kill"

Hugo + 1 of his largemouth bass ~ Hitchins Pond - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggen
swimming ~ Hitchins Pond - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggen
fallen tree ~ Hitchins Pond - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggen
attack helicopters / Bog River Flow - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggen

Just returned from a multi-day backcountry / wilderness canoeing sojourn. The trip was arranged by the wife as a fun-time birthday (mine) gathering and, not surprisingly, everyone had fun. It was a wonderful birthday gift.

On the trip there 2 surprises. The first, on the evening of our first day, was the collapse onto our wilderness campsite of a very large tree. A tree which had been snapping and groaning since our arrival and I deduced it was only a matter of time before the tree came crashing down. And, after moving tents and canoes out of the project landing zone, the tree did come crashing to the ground. Fortunately, no harm, no foul.

Surprise number 2 happened on our paddle out. As we entered into the start of a wide turn in the flow, 2 military attack helicopters came swooping around the bend / trees below treetop level. We heard them coming before their overhead pass so I was able to get a camera out of my camera dry bag and make a few pictures despite their very fast speed. And I do mean fast.

The noise of the birds (military speak) was very very loud and, as they descended even lower over our canoes, the pilot in the lead machine waved to us out of the open door of this helicopter as he was executing a hard-banked turn onto / over Higgins Pond. I am certain that he had "killed" us, simulation wise, before he wished us well.

Inasmuch as I am not a the-government-is-coming-to-take-us-away conspiracy nut job, I enjoyed the encounter and was left wondering how the wife had arranged the flyover.

diptych # 146 /civilized ku # 2924 / tourist pictures ~ quirky-ness

upstairs porch light thing / day and night ~ Au Sable Forks, NY - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggen
Clare and Carl's Hot Dog Stand ~ Plattsburgh, NY • click to embiggen
Brawler's Back Alley Deli ~ Buffalo, NY • click to embiggen
Tickets ~ Plattsburgh, NY • click to embiggen

Some simple facts about the diptych and Clare and Carl's Hot Dog Stand pictures.

The upstairs porch thing was thrown together using a dress form found in a store in the Catskill Mountains and a flower light (meant to hang) purchased by the wife in Lake Placid. They just seem to be made to go together.

Clare and Carl's has been standing and slowly listing since the 50s. It is a noted and must visit hot dog stand in Plattsburgh, NY. Visitors come from near and far to sample their Michigan hot dogs, a very popular New York State North Country delight.

Strangely enough, I have never stopped at Clare and Carl's even though I have passed by it a zillion and a half times. In large part that is due to the fact that I am not a fan of boiled hot dogs. But, to be fair, the hot dog ingredient in a Michigan is just there as a substance on which to put the Michigan sauce. And it is the sauce, the raison d'etre of the Michigan experience, which separates a merely good from a truly excellent Michigan.

Although the origins of the Michigan are unknown, the first known advertisement for Michigans appeared in the Plattsburgh Daily Republican in the Friday, May 27, 1927 edition. That ad announced the opening of a Michigan Hot Dog Stand which was located between two dance halls. The establishment may or may not have been the same one which was mentioned in a later PDR article which read in part:

Garth C. Otis has leased the quarters in the Plattsburgh Theatre building formerly occupied as the Locomobile salesroom in which place he will conduct an eating place under the name of the Michigan Hot Dog and Sandwich Shop opening Saturday. Mexican chili con carne will be one of the specialties. Mr. Otis promises a first class place for those who desire short order lunches.

On a related note, early this Fall, I'll be visiting Rochester where I will picture (and eat) a Nick Tahou Garbage Plate, Rochester's version of a Michigan, albeit a Michigan on steroids.