From the Publisher...

I started  exploring New York's Adirondacks at around age 10. Until I finished college I was mostly interested in fishing the many brooks, streams, rivers and lakes.

I grew up in Queens NYC (coincidentally, in President Trump's childhood neighborhood) and went to college upstate in Troy, NY.

Until I was old enough to drive, I would take the subway from Queens to the Bronx, a 45 minute trip; then walk a couple of miles in the early morning foggy darkness through van Cortlandt Park; then hitchhike up the Saw Mill River and Taconic Parkways to go fishing in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Returning home exhausted, tired and smelling of fish -- the same fire drill in reverse order!  Kids were tough in those days!

When I turned 16 I got my first driver license which greatly expanded my access to more of upstate New York and, occasionally, the Adirondacks.

(As an aside, NYC required drivers to be at least 18 years old and, statewide, 16 year old New York licensees could not drive at night.  I remember looking out for cops in the rear view mirror as my fishing buddy and I -- both of us not yet 18 -- drove up the Taconic Parkway anxiously waiting for the safety of daybreak!)

At college I spent most of my free time fishing the numerous local trout streams in the evening; and from Troy it was an easy drive to fishing and exploring the nearby Adirondacks on weekends.

When I graduated from college I left New York state to make my mark in Canada, Boston and ended up in the San Francisco Bay area.

While I lived in California I would visit my elderly mother in Queens, NYC.  As it turns out I was able to spend considerable time in the Adirondacks of my youth and was intrigued by how much New York had changed, the 'dacks had changed; and in many ways how they had NOT changed!

After my mother passed away I continued my trips to NYC and the Adirondacks; this time with my 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger vintage MOPAR with which I had shared 18 cross-country adventures from San Francisco to New York and return.  Trust me!  Traveling cross-country in a vintage MOPAR is a no-brainer conversation starter!

These later trips were more focused on the people of New York's North Country and their everyday lives rather than the fishing.  

This website is a compilation of many adventures and experiences that I enjoyed on those trips.  The videos, slide shows and photos I recorded are indeed memories of a very special place.

adirondackmemories.com is my tribute to a special place in America.  My Dart and I experienced a wonderful place and amazing people.

My Dart and I enjoyed the ride!

Dave S.