A Tribute to the Late Anne LaBastille of the Adirondack Mountains

Anne LaBastille's cabin is being moved from her secluded location to the Blue Mountain Adirondack Museum (see Dave Dudajek, Observer Dispatch, Saturday August 2, 2014). The Adirondack author, ecologist, environmental advocate and Adirondack Park Agency Commissioner died in 2011.

Anne LaBastille

I am one of the fortunate who got to meet her and actually talk to her. When I mentioned part of my own life journey, when I hiked a bit of the Appalachian Trail and lived in my car, she lit up and enthusiastically said, "Write THAT story. I wanna hear about that!"

One day I believe I will but in the meantime I want to share with you an article I wrote for the Adirondack Weekly in honor of Anne LaBastille, a woman who the mere mention of her name gives me strength to stay focused on what I really want from life, what is sufficient, adequate and enough, and who wakes me up to how GRATEFUL I am to live so close to the Adirondacks, the most beautiful place on my planet (outside of my own backyard!).
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The following article appeared in The Weekly Adirondack (newspaper) on February 8, 2007. Reprinted here by request of its author.)

Adirondacks: A little peace of mind goes a long way

by Lorraine Kreimeyer

I hear people all the time complaining about feeling stressed. What if rather than taking a six-week vacation to the Caribbean, they rode to Old Forge to stay one or two nights away from projects,chores and "To Do" lists? Most stressed out people fantasize about elaborate, expensive getaways. Or maybe, like me, you think you need property in the Adirondacks. I not only realized that I don't need my own cabin, but that regular trips, stays of two nights in a row, is a vacation!!

There are infinite excuses as to how and why you can't do this, but start thinking of excuses for why you have to.

For me time slows way down in the Adirondacks. There's an exact spot on Route 12 over the bridge and up that little hill after the Buffalo Head, where the Pines lining both sides of the road comb the crazies right out of me.

I am so grateful to have realized I don't need snow in the winter or sun in the summer - the peace I get in the Adirondacks is always there, rain or shine. It's not about the weather. It's also not about a six-week vacation or spending tons of money.

It is about:

• Fresh air
• Building a campfire (even in the rain with a good umbrella it's fun!)
• Hearing the quiet (dental floss for the brain)
• Listening to North Country radio
• Walking in the woods
• Taking photos
• A hot dog at the Pied Piper
• A swim or just sitting on the beach or dock laughing at the ducks
• Sleep when I'm tired
• Eat when I'm hungry (I need one of those home-made donuts right now!)
• It's about visiting the gift shops that trigger memories of every vacation my family ever took (now I include the Old Forge Hardware book shop and the library).
• The list could go on and on. Okay, one more...
• A Northern Lights ice cream cone.

And when I return home it's about the peace I feel in every cell of my body. It can last for days. My visits feed my soul.

Photo by Lorraine Kreimeyer

Lately, I've become so intrigued with people like author/illustrator Tasha Tudor, who moves slowly, seems to have so few things and so much JOY. (Mid-York Library System has her videos: Take Peace and Take Joy.) Take note of what brings you joy and peace. Get them on your "To Do" list.

When we're stressed, we have a tendency to over estimate our needs and desires. I know people with beautiful camps who barely use them. From the minute I decide to head north, whether it's for an overnight or just a day trip...I'm ecstatic!

Abundance isn't about excess or extravagance. Abundance lies in the satisfaction of knowing what is sufficient and adequate. Thoreau said, "A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to leave alone." Sounds like he understood abundance. When I'm up north, I feel RICH!

You have to take time to really experience having time. If you  love the Adirondacks, what are you waiting for?

After all these years, I just subscribed to The Weekly Adirondack. Why didn't I think of it sooner? A little piece of the Adirondacks comes right to my door. Now I won't have to miss any of Mitch Lee's homespun stories.

Life is good. After 51 years, I'm still loving my Adirondack vacations!!