I haven’t spent a lot of time on the water in the Finger Lakes. Central New York and Adirondack lakes were always the destination when I was growing up and continue to be where I find myself most. However, knowing that I have some extended ADK time coming up, I decided to spend the day yesterday checking out one of the smaller lakes in the FLX region. Lamoka and Waneta Lakes are connected via a small channel. There’s also some pretty significant history in this area. I found this archaeologist’s paper and look forward to reading more. The DEC launch

Although the Old Erie Canal is my go-to for after-work paddling, I’ve been trying to explore other places nearby. I had to be in Baldwinsville Friday evening for work, so I took the opportunity to plop the boat on and head to Meridian, NY right after to check out Otter Lake. Apparently this and nearby Parker Pond are popular local fishing and hunting spots. And the presence of a number of hunting blinds around the lake means you might want to check the calendar before heading there. Access to Otter Lake is via a mobile home park that charges for

Little day trip to North Lake near Forestport today. Not the most remote or unpeopled, but picturesque with little islands, lots of loons and other birds (like this heron that was flying straight at me) and paddling up to the NE end finds lots of nooks and crannies to explore. I had lunch at one of the campsites on the NE end, and then found another that I SHOULD have had lunch at. Plans in my mind to go camp at that one at some point though. And back home in time for dinner. Well, if Sookie had made dinner

Lake Durant is where we* go camping annually and have been lucky enough to snag some of the great lake-side sites over the past few years. It’s one of my favorite state camp grounds for a variety of reasons, namely: the Northville-Lake Placid trail runs through it and it’s generally quiet, with somewhat more secluded-feeling sites. And, if you grab a lake-side one, you can put your canoe or kayak in right in front of your tent. I’ve gotten to know this lake pretty well over the years and regularly see loons and beavers. It’s a great little lake to