Friday started with barn chores and then an Environmental History lesson with Dr. Jones, who taught about the human history of the Adirondacks. After lunch, we had a “challenge by choice” hike, with a mellower option cruising along the beautiful Au Sable River with plenty of photo opportunities (pics to come in a separate post), or the longer and challenging adventure option to a stunning viewpoint called “Balanced Rocks.” Students made a delicious dinner of lamb and black bean tacos (all from ingredients sourced on the North Country School farm).

 

On Saturday students had the opportunity to do barn chores for the first time without the guidance of NCS students. They took care of the horses, including mucking the stalls, grooming, and cleaning their hooves. At bedtime this evening, several students mentioned that doing the horse chores by themselves was their “favorite part of the day.” Today was quite a change weather-wise – from 6 degrees last night to 52 degrees this afternoon! We baked in the sun bouncing off the snow and all enjoyed some mid-winter Vitamin D production.

We had a good amount of rest and homework time in the afternoon, then dined on homemade kale and potato soup, with maple-syrup infused butternut squash on the side. Megan spoiled us with a “North Woods” dessert of maple syrup, boiled down to a taffy-like consistency and flash-cooled on a tray of snow. Delicious.

James doing AM barn chores – with a horse named Brownie

 

 

Barn chores with the horses – several students said this was their favorite part of the day (even with the early morning wake up, hike across the frozen lake, and cleaning up horse poop!)

 

Barn cat “Domino!”

 

Chris with his horse, Lola, during barn chores

 

James, Chris, and “Lucky” the sheep

 

 

Hiking to Balanced Rocks – epic snowshoe, epic views

 

Hiking to Balanced Rocks – cutting a trail through deep, deep snow