A plethora of activities available at Lake Placid

What images and memories do Lake Placid bring to you? The 1980 Winter Olympics and the “Miracle on Ice?” Or perhaps ESPN's initial Great Outdoor Games? Maybe it's the fabulous trout fishing on the world-famous Ausable River, or hiking or mountain biking the hundreds of miles of trails, or a winter skiing vacation? Or perhaps a visit to the Olympic Center, or leisurely sightseeing boat ride on Lake Placid? How about strolling Main Street and visiting all the unique and quaint shops and/or restaurants? If any or all these might apply, therein lies the magic of Placid, for it does, indeed, offer something for everyone.

Last week a handful of outdoor writers, myself included, visited Lake Placid to partake in some of the various activities available there. Naturally, we leaned heavily toward the excellent fishing opportunities that are so plentiful. Of course, the Ausable River receives the bulk of the attention and coverage by the outdoor media, and deservedly so, for it offers world class trout fishing. But as great as it is, it's just one of the many wonderful places to wet a line in that area, albeit one of the most accessible. Just a relatively short drive or hike off the area's beaten paths are dozens of small lakes, ponds and classic mountain-fed trout streams that harbor trout and offer great fishing amidst a classic Adirondack backdrop. Trout aren't the only species anglers can go after, for the area's larger lakes and some of the smaller ponds contain healthy populations of warm-water fighters such as bass, pike and pickerel.

The visit was choreographed by Margaret Marchuk, Director of Media Relations for the Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau (www.lakeplacid.com). Our base of operations was the historic and recently renovated Northwoods Inn on Main Street. At six stories high, it is one of the tallest structures in the village and offers a breathtaking view of Mirror Lake and the mountains beyond. It's famous for its unique Adirondack furnishings and decor, as well as the fine cuisine served there. The Inn is currently constructing a rooftop hospitality area to host social activities while also offering a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside through the plexiglass security windows that frame the entire rooftop.

Our group consisted of six longtime writers and good friends – Leo Maloney, Mike Seymour, Ron Kolodziej, Leon Archer, Rod Cochran and yours truly. The outdoor media profession tends to be a strong fraternity and usually cements solid friendship ties over the years. That was evident that evening as we enjoyed swapping stories over a sumptuous dinner in the Inn's Northern Exposure Restaurant. The following morning we met with the cadre of guides that Margaret had arranged to lead us on our various discovery trips.