From Syracuse, eastwards on Interstate 90 to Utica (57 miles), left onto State 12 northwards. After approximately 22 miles, at Alder Creek, bear right onto State 28, northeastwards. 30 miles to Old Forge. To the east of this route is the Adirondak railway up to Lake Placid. At Old Forge, there is an information centre, enchanted forest etc. ? lunch in this area.

Continue along State 28 for about 40 miles to Blue Mountains Lake. We pass alongside Fulton Chain Lakes, numbered First lake up to Eighth Lake. At about 25 miles is Raquette Lake and a ‘Golden Beach’ is shown alongside the road! Spend the afternoon at B.M.Lake. Does not appear to be much civilisation for overnight-stay on the map, but if not more is shown 10 miles on at Indian Lake.

Day 2 - To Lake George via Gore mountain (53 miles plus mountain tour)

From Indian Lake, drive eastwards on the State 28 to North Creek, about 20 miles. The last 8 miles of this route drives alongside the Hudson river (on our left). Just after North Creek (about a mile) and on the right is Gore Mountain Road which leads towards the summit of Gore mountain. There appear to mines, mineral shops, etc., at the end. ? lunch here.

After visiting the mountain we retrace our tracks and towards the end of Gore Mt. Rd. is a right turn into Peaceful Valley Road (may be good for botany) towards Sodom! At the end (4 miles) we turn left onto State 8 for 5 miles before joining State 28 again, turning right eastwards towards Lake George. After 12 miles we bear right onto Federal 9 for the final 9 miles into Lake George township. Spend rest of day here and stay overnight.

We travel north from Lake George village along State 9N to Ticonderoga (38 miles), along the west side of the lake (L.George). After we lose sight of the lake, Tongue mountain range is on our right for 5 miles or so, followed by Bloomer and Catamount mountains on our left. We ‘rejoin’ the west bank of the lake and Hague village and lakeshore is a little further on. ?stop for coffee. Ticonderoga is about 10 miles further. There is an old fort to the east of the village (2 miles), perhaps worth a visit?

Continue northwards on State 9N/22 for 15 miles to Port Henry at the foot of Lake Champlain. Stop for lunch and walkabout.

Leave Port Henry westwards on County 4 (5 ml), then taking County 70/ County 7 to join State 9N (turn left) again just before Elizabethtown which we pass through. After 10 miles we join State 73 where we turn left and make our way to Lake Placid where we stop overnight.

We spend the morning investigating Lake Placid area, perhaps having coffee, before moving on the Lake Saranac (10 miles). Suggest lunch here and then motor on to Tupper Lake (18 miles) for the afternoon. After this we have a long trip to Watertown (94 miles) where we stay overnight.

This is perhaps the most boring trip! We leave Watertown northwards on Interstate 81 and cross into Canada after 30 miles. We turn left on MacDonald Cartier Freeway (401). It is about 140 miles to Newcastle. Driving time will be over three hours.

We shall need to play this part of the trip by ear, perhaps leaving the freeway occasionally and motoring down to the north bank of Lake Onatario which is about 3 miles or so from the freeway. Stay overnight in Newcastle area.

Day 6 - Visit to Valerie and Derek and back to Newcastle (125 miles)

This apparently a two hour drive. Ought to get there about 11 a.m. and can stay for about five hours. Stay in Newcastle or nearer to Toronto overnight

This is Bryan’s day. Has he got a map etc. and the places he wants to visit. Can stay here overnight or see Day 8.

We leave Toronto on QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) following it round to Niagara Falls.

We can either do this this morning or could have done it at the end of Day 7. The advantage of the latter is that there is a fireworks display at Niagara Falls on Friday evenings. This means we would stay in Niagara Falls area for two nights which would allow a longer visit, since there are so many things to see.

The long drive home!

We get back onto QEW to Buffalo ring road turning right. We leave it at ? 5th junction, turning right onto Interstate 90. .... so to Syracuse!