Once the playground of Gilded Age families , Hamilton County offers a quiet retreat where modern-day travelers can unwind and reset . BY LAUREN CLEM
V anderbilt . Rockefeller . Morgan . When these wealthy industrialists weren ’ t frequenting the mansions of Newport , they tucked themselves into the woods of the Adirondacks , where elaborate , camp-style complexes offered all the comforts of a luxurious home . Today , the region ’ s lakes remain a draw for travelers seeking the rustic charm of a slower time .
THURSDAY EVENING : We head north to the Hamilton County region of the Adirondacks — a quieter outpost than the busy Lake Placid region further north — and arrive just as the sun is setting over Blue Mountain Lake . A cozy cabin awaits us at Potters Resort ( potters resort . com ), where owners Pete and Connie Sahler continue the tradition of Adirondacks hospitality with four lakefront cabins offering beach access , fire pits , kayaks and a private dock . We check in with our hosts and settle in over some local craft beer , allowing the soothing sound of waves lapping in front of our cabin to lull us to sleep .
FRIDAY MORNING : We head across the street to Chef Darrell ’ s Mountain Diner ( bluemtdiner . com ) and fuel up with a hearty breakfast . Chef Darrell , a trained chef whose career has spanned resort communities from Puerto Rico to the Catskills , is happy to swap stories over a sausage-and-Monterey-jack skillet and omelet with crispy breakfast potatoes . Afterward , we check out the Adirondack
Experience ( theadkx . org ), a museum dedicated to the life and history of the Adirondack Mountains , whose varied exhibits include outdoor lawn games and activities for kids .
FRIDAY AFTERNOON : We grab lunch at the museum ’ s Lake View Café — the patio seating area boasts an impressive view of Blue
76 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l OCTOBER 2022