SLC is directly north of the Adirondack Park and mountains so there are numerous streams and rivers that wind their way down from the mountains and foothills and flow through the St. Lawrence Valley before ending their journey in the St. Lawrence River. The waters in these rivers stay very clean and full of fish to the fact that there is very little industry, no cities, few towns, little pollution, and they have very little fishing pressure on them. There are just so many miles of rivers and so few people; the rivers would look deserted even if all the people went out fishing (or swimming) on the same day. Once the waters get out of the foothills there are miles of smooth water to take leisurely kayak trips on and almost no people, and many places you can kayak for miles and not even see a house. Just nature at its best. The area is full of wildlife and in the spring and summer months the vegetation simple explodes with growth, including wild flowers, because of all the water in the ground from winters snows.

   Couple this with the fact that the majority of folks coming to this area for vacations, go to the more well known areas of 1000 Islands, Lake Ontario, Lake Placid, and perhaps Black Lake. These places get fairly crowded with people in the summer season, while I kayak on the beautiful and crystal clear Oswegathchie River and hardly ever see another soul.

   In some ways, I hate to let this secret out, but in all probability, I will be gone before the crowds come and wade in for a dip on the sandy bottom of the Oswegatchie. So in the meantime, perhaps I can share this treasure with just a few souls that like to be away from the crowds, love water and nature, and want to get some fresh air, moderate relaxing exercise and a few sun rays that work their way through the pine needles and reach the water.