ADK Talks

Ultralight, All Heart: Adirondack Pack Canoes by Hornbeck

Guest: Josh Trombley, head of Hornbeck Boats
Topic: The Adirondack pack canoe—past, present, and why it changes how (and how often) people get on the water.

Hornbeck Boats began in the 1970s with founder Pete Hornbeck, a paddler-artist who revived the Adirondack tradition of pack boats—open, canoe-shaped craft paddled with a double-blade. 

Pete’s minimalist ethos (light, durable, no unnecessary weight) and his embrace of Kevlar created boats that many paddlers—especially solo and older paddlers—could lift, carry, and launch on their own.

Josh shares:

• The origin story (from fiberglass kayaks to Kevlar pack boats)
  
  
• What makes a Hornbeck unique (lightweight performance, “patina of use,” red stripe lore)
  
  
• Who buys them (a surprising number of women, Boundary Waters travelers, and—newly—duck hunters)
  
  
• The demo pond, pandemic pivots, and the move to Hornbeck Midwest (Minnesota)
  
  
• The creative legacy of Pete & Anne Hornbeck—and a “museum of failure” that led to better boats
  
  
• A favorite Adirondack spot: 13th Lake in North River
  
  

Why it matters: a Hornbeck often means more days on the water—and the independence to go where motors don’t.

Learn more: hornbeckboats.com • adktaste.co/talks043

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us to discover more ADK insights.
• Subscribe and never miss our insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's spread the love for the Adirondacks together!

Got a question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com.

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and experience in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

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Step inside the North Star Underground Railroad Museum with President Jacqueline “Jackie” Madison of the North Country Underground Historical Association. 

We trace the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad through the stories of real people and places—John Thomas’s journey to freedom, the Quakers’ moral stand, and local heroes like editor Wendell Lansing. 

Jackie walks us through can’t-miss exhibits (the object-theater “John Thomas Room,” the life-size “Germinal” sculpture) and the power of docents in small, mighty Adirondack “pocket museums.” 

Immerse yourself in the unique experience of visiting the museum near Ausable Chasm. Discover community programs, Juneteenth tours, and easy ways to support the museum.

For more information about the episode and links to the places we mention, visit adktaste.co/talks42.

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us to discover more ADK insights.
  
  
• Subscribe and never miss our insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
  
  
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's build a community of Adirondack enthusiasts and spread the love for the Adirondacks together!

Have a burning question about the Adirondacks? We'd love to hear it! Send your questions to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com. We might just answer it on air!

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and experience in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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Discover the unique and fiery world of glassblowing in North Creek, NY, with Greg Tomb, the passionate owner of Adirondack Glassblowing Studio. 

From the warm glow of the furnaces to the hands-on workshops, Greg shares how visitors can shape molten glass into their own keepsakes. We delve into his journey from Corning-inspired beginnings to teaching thousands in the Adirondacks, his seasonal pumpkin patch fundraisers, and how glass brings together art, science, and community. 

Discover a unique Adirondack experience that's not to be missed-the art of glassblowing.

For more information about this episode, visit adktaste.co/talks041.

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us to discover more ADK insights.
• Subscribe and never miss our insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's spread the love for the Adirondacks together!

Do you have burning questions about the Adirondacks? Send them to us at [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com. We might answer them on air!

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and experience in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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ADK Talks: Chasing Colors: The Adirondacks' Best Fall Adventures

In this brisk, handy fall guide, we map the Adirondacks region by region—from Lake George up through the High Peaks and out to the Adirondack Coast—sharing on-the-ground tips, quick stories, and can't-miss events.  

Fall in the Adirondacks is peak season — and we've got your insider's guide. 

From the breathtaking dawn hot air balloon launches in Queensbury to the serene Lake George cruises, the lively Oktoberfests, the artistry of glassblown pumpkins, and the enchanting Great Adirondack Moose Festival, Jane and Steve share their top picks for foliage adventures that promise unique experiences. 

Explore hidden history at Fort Ticonderoga and the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, sip farm-to-glass ales at Ausable Brewing, and cozy up at glamping retreats like Huttopia. Whether you're chasing color on scenic drives, looking for family fun, or planning a foodie weekend, this episode is packed with practical tips and local favorites.

🎧 For the complete list of ADK Talks recommended places, events, and links mentioned in this episode, visit ADKTaste.co/talks040.

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us to discover more ADK insights.
• Subscribe and never miss our insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's spread the love for the Adirondacks together and make everyone feel connected and part of our vibrant community.

Got a burning question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com. We're here to listen and share our knowledge with you.

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and experience in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

A Force for Nature: David Gibson on Paul Schaefer’s Adirondack Legacy

What does it take to protect six million acres of wild Adirondack Park? In this episode of ADK Talks, we sit down with David Gibson, conservation leader and author of A Force for Nature: Paul Schaefer’s Adirondack Coalitions. 

Gibson takes us deep into the remarkable story of Paul Schaefer, the man who rallied hunters, anglers, labor unions, conservationists, and everyday citizens into powerful coalitions that forever changed the fate of the Adirondacks, preserving its wilderness and beauty for generations to come.

Together we explore:

• Paul Schaefer’s origins — from childhood explorations in Schenectady and Baker’s Mills to his lifelong passion for wilderness.
  
  
• The fight for “Forever Wild” — how Schaefer defended Article 14 of the New York State Constitution and blocked massive dam projects that would have flooded the Upper Hudson and Moose River Plains.
  
  
• Adirondack coalitions explained — how Schaefer connected unlikely allies, from hunting clubs to labor unions, to stand together for conservation.
  
  
• Lessons for today — Schaefer’s legacy is not just a story of the past, but a source of inspiration and empowerment in the era of climate change. It demonstrates how ordinary citizens can still make a significant impact in the fight for conservation.
  
  
• David Gibson’s perspective — his personal connection to Schaefer, his role as co-founder of Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve, and why he continues the fight for wilderness today.
  
  

Whether you’re a lifelong Adirondacker or simply inspired by wild places, this episode will give you a new appreciation for the people and stories behind the Park’s protection.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Paul Schaefer
• Union College Kelly Adirondack Center
• Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve
• Get the “A Force for Nature”: Syracuse University Press
• Siamese Pond Wilderness
• Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) in Newcomb

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us to discover more ADK insights.
• Subscribe and never miss our insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's spread the love for the Adirondacks together and build a community of conservation supporters!

What part of Paul Schaefer's story resonated with you the most? Got a question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com.

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and experience in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

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Step into the Golden Age of Opera — without leaving the Adirondacks. In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve sit down with Caleb Eck, Director of Institutional Advancement at The Sembrich, a lakeside museum, performance venue, and cultural retreat in Bolton Landing, NY.

Discover the remarkable life of Marcella Sembrich, the Polish coloratura soprano who conquered the great opera houses of Europe, starred in the first season of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, and chose Lake George as her summer teaching studio. Caleb shares stories of her meteoric career, her deep love of nature, and her enduring legacy.

We explore:

• How Marcella fell in love with the Adirondacks
• Why she was the Taylor Swift of the Gilded Age
• The magic of her former estate on Lake George
• Behind the scenes of The Sembrich’s summer festival & exhibitions
  
  
  
• Collaborations that bring world-class talent to Bolton Landing
  
  
  
• Why this cultural gem appeals to both opera fans and those who just love history, art, and stunning lake views
  
  
  

Whether you’re in the Adirondacks, Manhattan, Philly, Kansas City or beyond, this episode will inspire you to add The Sembrich to your must-visit list.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Sembrich Museum (Bolton Landing)
• Seagle Festival (Schroon Lake)
• Hyde Collection (Glens Falls)
• Izzy’s Deli (North Creek near Gore Mountain)

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us to discover more ADK insights.
• Subscribe and never miss our insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's spread the love for the Adirondacks together!

Got a question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com.

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and experience in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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What happens when you grow up in the heart of the Adirondack Park, spend your life paddling its waterways, hiking its backcountry, and painting its moods—and then decide to share that world with others? 

That’s the life of Adirondack guide and artist Matt Burnett, whose work on the water and in the studio captures both the wild beauty and the human stories of the region.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we meet Matt Burnett, a sixth-generation Adirondacker, licensed wilderness guide, and accomplished painter whose life defies easy labels. He’s an educator, artist, former forest ranger, and a storyteller who uses both words and watercolors to share the deeper truths of the Park.

Matt shares his unique experiences, from ice fishing on Raquette Lake to restoring a century-old guideboat. This episode of ADK Talks is a soulful, intelligent, and surprisingly funny conversation about living deliberately, locally, and in rhythm with the seasons.

You’ll learn:

• Why Matt calls Adirondack guides “fun brokers”
• How guiding today compares to the era of legendary guides like French Louie
• What a 10-year-old girl in a guideboat can teach you about leadership
• Why ice fishing is basically a social club with tip-ups
• How one misadventure in the Dix Range became a lifelong lesson in humility

Featured moments:

• A hilarious campsite debacle involving two families and dueling tents
• Why guiding isn’t about knowing it all—but about connecting people to place
• Matt shares the story behind his hand-painted guideboat mural, a work that holds deep meaning for him. This episode will deepen your appreciation of the people who live and breathe the backcountry.
• How he’s mentoring a new generation of guides through the Northern Forest Explorers program, a hands-on educational program that introduces young people to the skills and knowledge needed to become competent outdoor leaders.

Whether you're an armchair adventurer or 46er-in-training, this episode will deepen your appreciation of the people who live and breathe the backcountry.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• “Adirondack French Louie: Early Life in the North Woods” by Harvey L. Dunham
• ROOST - Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism
• William C. Whitney Wilderness Area
• Abe Gadway, Adirondack Mountain Guide
• W.H.H. Murray and John Plumley
• Nate Atkinson, Adirondack Boat Builder
• ADK Trading Post in Long Lake
• The Natural Edge gallery in Long Lake

About our guest:

Matt Burnett is a licensed Adirondack guide, painter, educator, and former assistant forest ranger. His work has been exhibited across the region and featured in outdoor education programs like the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s Explorers initiative. Learn more or book a trip at his website.

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find us 

Our Best Travel Tips - Lake George Edit: Where to Stay, What to See, and What to Skip.

Planning a trip to Lake George? This episode is for you. Jane and Steve crack open the listener mailbag and serve up answers to your most-asked questions about where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in the iconic Lake George region.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between Lake George Village, Bolton Landing, Hague & Silver Bay
• The best hikes and scenic drives for jaw-dropping lake views
• Fantastic eats, from fine dining to barbecue joints and award-winning cheese makers
• Cultural attractions beyond the water: art museums, opera houses, and jazz festivals

Plus, we name-drop Rachel Ray, revisit our favorite old-school steakhouses, and even explain the world-famous Lake George Winter Carnival outhouse races.

If you’ve ever asked, “Is Lake George Village worth visiting?” — we’ve got thoughts.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Silver Bay YMCA Family Resort
• The Sagamore Resort
• Million Dollar Beach
• Lake George Arts Project
• Up Yonda Farm
• Amy’s Park
• Six Flags The Great Escape
• Mountain View Rocking B Ranch
• Circle B Ranch
• ADKX
• The Boardwalk
• The Courthouse Gallery
• Chic’s Marina
• Brodie’s Lakeside Marina
• Yankee Marina
• Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
• Buck Mountain Trail
• Lake George Steamboat Company & Waterfront Cruises
• Beyond the Sea
• Lizzie Keays
• Caldwell House 
• Le Roux Bistro 
• The Gem Smokehouse 
• The Ridge Terrace
• Nettle Meadow at the Hitching Post
• Hyde Collection
• Sembrich Museum
• Jazz at the Lake Festival
• Seagle Festival
• Lake George Baking Company

Preserving Place: Stories Behind the Adirondack Architecture We Love

Step back in time—and into the future of preservation. In this spirited episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve sit down with Erin Tobin, Executive Director of Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), to uncover the unique and fascinating stories hidden in the Adirondacks’ historic architecture.

From the rustic grandeur of Great Camp Santanoni to the region’s Adirondack fire towers and even its forgotten Cold War missile silos, Erin shares how AARCH, through its inspiring work, saves and celebrates the unique buildings that define the Adirondack Park, a testament to the power of preservation and the stories written in wood, stone, and steel.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The fight to save Great Camp Santanoni—and the Japanese influence that makes it unique
• How grassroots activism preserved the Adirondack fire towers
• Why federal funding cuts threaten historic preservation efforts
• AARCH’s tours, workshops, and hands-on programs—and why they sell out fast
• Erin’s pick for a must-see hidden gem: Debar Pond Lodge, a “fjords-meet-Adirondacks” destination

Whether you’re a history buff, a preservation enthusiast, or just curious about the stories told in wood, stone, and steel, this episode will change how you see the Adirondacks.

Explore the places mentioned:

• Great Camp Santanoni 
• Debar Pond Lodge
• Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge
• Meadowmount School of Music
• Depot Theatre – Westport, NY 
• Adirondack Experience, the Museum at Blue Mountain Lake 
• Seagle Festival 

Love the show? 

• Rate & review us—it helps other Adirondack lovers find the show!
• Subscribe for more insider stories about the best people, places, and history of the Adirondacks.
• Share this episode with someone who loves history, travel, or the Adirondack Park. Let's spread the love for the Adirondacks together!

Got a question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com.

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and things to do in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Your questions and comments are invaluable to us. We'd love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts with us at [email protected]

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

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What happens in the Adirondacks doesn’t always start in the Adirondacks—it can flow into our air, water, communities, and climate from coal-fired power plants far, far away from our lakes and forests.

In this powerful episode of ADK Talks, hosts Jane and Steve sit down with John Sheehan, Director of Communications for the Adirondack Council, to explore the science, policy, and passion driving environmental advocacy in the largest protected landscape east of the Mississippi.

We cover:

• The origins and mission of the Adirondack Council
• The threats to air and water quality—and what’s being done
• How road salt is quietly degrading lakes, wells, and even washing machines
• The scientific tools used to monitor Adirondack lakes
• The Council’s support for SUNY ESF’s Timbuctoo Institute, connecting students from underrepresented communities to careers in environmental science
• How you can take action to protect this incredible place

John also shares his favorite hidden gem in the park and reflects on decades of conservation wins—and the political battles still ahead.

Mentioned in this podcast.

• The Adirondack Council
• Boreal forests
• Beavers
• Brook Trout Genetics
• Road salt research
• Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Summer Institute
• Minerva and Irishtown
• Ireland Vly

Love the show? Help us out by subscribing, rating, and leaving a review! It helps fellow travelers find amazing content about the Adirondacks and brings more adventures your way. 

Got a question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to [email protected] or use the form available at ADKTaste.com.

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and things to do in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Your questions and comments are invaluable to us. We'd love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts with us at [email protected].