The Milton Camp

The stretch on Rt.30 between Wells and Speculator seems to take an eternity, only sparsely dotted with familiar land marks. Eventually you part company with the river as you climb that long hill into the mountains. But when you round the curve and see Lake Pleasant you know you're almost there. Everything is familiar ground from here. You cross the bridge that marks the beginning of the Sacandaga River, hang a left at Charlie John’s Store, cruise past the Speculator Department Store, you sense you're on the home stretch now as The Inn at Speculator drifts by. The air changes, and the familiar smell surrounds you. If you're lucky you drove that stretch with VV in the convertible. As you pass the turn off for Moffitt Beach your eyes are on the lookout for the Outlet Bridge. Finally, the bridge, you're in Lake Pleasant, the hamlet that is. Past the two churches, the County Court House, and before you know it you see the long green meadow on the right (yes I know it's a golf course) and you're taking a right at the Club House, or was that a shed? Driving down the hill and you can see the lake through the windows in the camp at the bottom of the hill. Your first close look at the all familiar Sacandaga Lake. A sharp turn to the right, a quick curve to the left so as not to drive onto the fairway, and your eyes are on the left side looking for the Little Camp and the parking spots marked MILTON at 137 Golf Course Rd. But wait. It's not there. You saw what looked like the Big Camp, but the trees are gone, no place to hang the WWII canvas hammock, no rock well with a little roof hiding cans of beer in the bucket waiting to be winched up at a perfect 41 degrees, no wheel barrow stashed in the trees to bring your bags from the car. Two doors down your driver pulls into 139 Golf Course Rd. and announces in a pleased tone “here we are at the Milton Camp.

Although not as familiar from the street side, 139 Golf Course Rd is easily recognizable from the water. It's got a concrete dock and a little boat house with a ramp into the water. Grandpappy used to let us row the styrofoam boat; “just don't go past the concrete dock”.

It's a “real” camp. Built in the 40’s on piers. No heat, no AC, a rock fireplace, surrounded by trees, air filled with scents that are so familiar, and that million dollar view, just like the old days. And best of all you're all welcome to use it because it belongs to Jeanne and I. Come and get reacquainted with our beloved Sacandaga.

The house is rustic, maybe a little more rustic than Gandpappy’s but pretty close. It has 3 bedrooms that accommodate 2 in beds each, and there is a futon. I hope you will come and use the camp and get reacquainted with Sacandaga. It’s calling you.

See you at The Lake!!