A few days in the Adirondacks

Last Sunday we drove up to the Adirondacks for a few days of rest and relaxation. For reasons that I do not care to explain, that vacation will certainly not go down in our family history as a great one, but it was good to have a change of scenery.

We were based in Inlet, on Fourth Lake. Aidan was thrilled to spend a day at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge despite arrival temperatures in the mid-50s. Yes, the mid-50s. It did warm up to the mid-60s and the sun was shining but make no mistake, it was chilly at times.

We did a little hiking, and a little fishing at Long Lake:



We visited the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, which all three of us enjoyed tremendously. It is a fabulous facility and it was good to learn more about an area we adore. Aidan tried out the oversize chairs, both alone and with James:



Meals, for the most part, were average with two exceptions. We had a delicious dinner at the Seventh Lake House Restaurant, and we had the most amazing wings EVER at Matt's Draft House at Screamen Eagle - they were called Peanut Butter Panic. Yes, peanut butter! They were spicy and out of this world delicious.

More good eats

In my last post about freshly made salsa, I mentioned that we are also eating many tomato sandwiches and lots of tomato salad. I adore tomato salad, although I never make it the same way twice. In addition to tomatoes, of course, the basic ingredients are always olive oil, red wine or balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper; the other ingredients that may or may not be added are shallots, red onion, cucumber, feta cheese and Greek seasoning from Penzeys Spices.

Here is the version I made yesterday:


To accompany the tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper, I used shallots grown in James' garden, red wine vinegar, feta cheese and the Greek seasoning. I like to prepare the salad early in the afternoon and let it develop its flavors at room temperature. In tomato season, I often eat some variation of this salad every day, and I never tire of it.