Northwood Cabins

06/11/2026

They get to the point much quicker than me.

It's normal to just see a post:

"Anyone missing a dock?"

As in a full blown, roof having, big ol' dock. They just wander off a lot apparently. Then in the comments people keep updates going on its location. Others will tag people.

"Looks like yours Bob."

Like they're talking about a dog on the loose.

"Spotted off the point headed east."

It makes me smile.

I just saw one that said:

"Our dock with two Adirondack chairs has escaped. Please be on the lookout."

I love the description. I saw one, but it only had one chair so I didn't let them know. Clearly not theirs.

There's a lot of water based ones.

A photo with the caption:

"I tied your boat to my tree."

So when someone recognizes it, they know.

Or simply:

"Wheelbarrow floated away on Raquette Flow. Yellow."

No story.

Back where I grew up we'd write six paragraphs. Around here, yellow wheelbarrow. Go get it.

Wonder if anyone spotted one but it wasn't yellow? Nah, not Jim's, leave it.

The casual way they say things.

"The cow is on Route 30. Drive careful."

Not A cow.

THE cow.

The known culprit who enjoys grazing on the highway.

There's a pig who comes by Northwood and I'm told to "send him home if you see him."

Do I just tell him to go home?

That simple?

This one maybe needed another sentence or two, but apparently not.

A local restaurant posted the other day:

"Not opening. Doing yard work. See you tomorrow."

The information was all there.

Truthfully, for around here the part about doing yard work was probably unnecessary detail.

"Heads up, don't put out your bird feeders. The bears are breaking them. Bent my mounting pole last night."

This is in town.

Shouldn't the post be:

"Heads up, there's a f***ing bear in my yard!!!"

Nope.

We're making sure your bird feeder is okay.

And what kind of bear is eating bird food anyway?

"There's coyotes walking down Church Street."

Okie dokie.

"I need a chainsaw for ten minutes."

Someone replied they left one on their porch so he could grab it.

The funny part is that when I see that now, it actually makes perfect sense. It's just different.

They don't, like me, babble on.

They just say what's what.

I went to Perk and Pine one day and the bagel sandwiches had always been wrapped in foil. I walk up and they're about one third the normal height.

I say,

"The sandwiches look flat."

The always sweet and kind Beth simply replied,

"They're on flatbread."

Perfect.

Meanwhile my brain was waiting for three more sentences. She did go on to explain about why, but that's cause I stood there looking dumb. Truth is, I didn't need the background story.

- shout out to them by the way, they were just named best coffee shop by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Best of the Mountains! Go Tupper!

I also find myself defaulting to the Southern way of asking for guidance.

"I was thinking I could just put a valve on this and then.....what do you think?"

This often elicits an eloquent and helpful response like,

"No."

And that's it.

Didn't get the alternate idea I was hoping for. Had I simply asked they would have gladly assisted.

"Do you have Dr Pepper?"

"No."

As I wait for what they think my next best choice should be, nope.

So now I'm secretly enjoying asking for unlikely things one at a time.

"I'll have a Cheerwine."

"No."

"RC Cola?"

"No."

People really are so nice. Like the kindest folks ever. Just a different version of it.

They often just make the point.

And after three months here, I think I'm finally starting to understand.

I'm not converting, we will find a happy median.

I ♥️ TUPPER LAKE

06/09/2026

We hope everyone is having a wonderful day and enjoying life 🙂♥️

Summer is gonna be awesome in Tupper!

Party on Park is returning to Tupper Lake on Saturday, June 13th 11am-4pm it's a day of live music, food, vendors, family activities, and community fun to Park Street!

Tupper Lake Riverpigs baseball kicks off June 19! That's right we have an MLB affiliate team right here in our little town!

- There's a rumor my sweet wiffle ball skills may have gotten me a shot at throwing out the season opening pitch 💪😁 come on!!

The Tupper Lake Tinman is June 27, and it's one of the oldest triathlons in America. There are multiple distances, so whether you're a seasoned athlete 🏃or just getting started 🤸 there's something for you.

- Sign up and race, volunteers of all sorts are needed (canoes, kayaks and SUPS you can be on water volunteers, so cool) or grab a lawn chair and cheer everyone on. They could use the extra hands and the extra noise!

And that's just scratching the surface. Live music, art shows, the Trolls at The Wild Center, hiking, paddling, biking, beaches, and something happening around town all the time.

Plus we are smack in the center of the Adirondack Park so you can get to everything from here!

This town is the best!!

I ♥️ TUPPER LAKE 🌲😊

06/07/2026

The Tupper Lake Bike Rodeo was today and it's one of those days that just makes ya smile. I laughed and smiled for about four hours straight.

It's all run by volunteers. Everything is free. Burgers, hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, snow cones (can you imagine being a kid at this, straight up tweaking on sugar and snacks) balloon animals, bounce houses, bike safety, free helmets, an obstacle course, and they even raffle off bikes to the small humans!

That's pretty amazing. Like I'm up in Mayberry!

I decided riding the mechanical bull was a good idea. It was not. I got my butt kicked, but you all know I don't mind looking like a goof if it gets a laugh. 😊

A special shout out to Mike Vaillancourt, who's really the backbone of this whole thing. This lovely man and an incredible crew of volunteers and donors are the reason it happens year after year. Good for all of you!

Days like this happen because good people give up their time so kids, and grown ups, can have an unforgettable day and families can make memories. That's small town life at its finest ♥️

These people just keep surprising me!

This type of thing is exactly why you visit, or move to, a town like Tupper Lake. Your money stays here. It supports people who care about their community and each other.

You'll get treated the same way they've treated me, with kindness, generosity, and a genuine welcome.

Oh yeah, your reminder that this is happening in the middle of the largest protected park in all of the United States. Mountains, rivers, lakes and trails covering 1/5 of the entire state of NY!

It's so damn beautiful!

Thank you for being you TUPPER LAKE ♥️

06/04/2026

Here at Northwood Cabins, we don't really practice tolerance of different people.

In fact, we don't like the idea much.

We tolerate the black flies after the thaw. We tolerate mosquitoes. We tolerate mud season. We tolerate when it rains on a Saturday.

We do not accept any of those things 😁

People are different.

People deserve acceptance, not tolerance.

If your wishes, hopes, beliefs, dreams, or relationships aren't hurting anyone else, who on earth are we to have a beef with that?

We don't have to agree on everything to care about each other.

If your faith, values, or personal beliefs lead you to see things differently than us, we accept you too.

That's the whole point. Acceptance isn't something reserved only for people who think exactly like we do.

Now, since we're being honest...

When my brother and I bought Northwood, quite a few people thought we were a couple.

Few light hearted happy guys buy a 97 year old motel together. Good start to confusion 😂

Then they found out he wasn't actually my blood brother.

That really seemed to confirm it for some folks.

We've been the dearest of friends since childhood, when a few challenges in life made us especially close.

To be fair, I don't exactly help my case.

I sit with my legs crossed like I'm judging a figure skating competition because when I broke my spine in the Army, it made crossing them the "regular guy way" hurt like hell. So I sit rather lady like without shame.

I say "fabulous" without irony. I'm animated when I talk. I tell my male friends they're handsome. I wear shorts with an inseam like it's the 80s. I prefer colorful drinks and don't like beer. I tell my friends I love them. Sometimes I skip; I think it's fun.

I've always been a person who tries to be exactly who I am and not worry too much about what anybody thinks. Apparently that can confuse people.

Since I arrived, I've been asked when I came out, had friends tell me people asked them if I was gay, and heard plenty of speculation.

None of it ever felt mean spirited or offensive.

Mostly it seemed like curiosity.

Heck, maybe somebody had a nice guy in mind and was trying to help ol' Matt out.

What I love is this:

From the very beginning, before people knew anything about me, a whole bunch of folks apparently thought there was a decent chance I was a gay man who had moved to town.

And they welcomed me anyway.

They invited me to dinner.

They stopped to talk.

They offered help.

They became friends.

The people who thought I might be gay accepted me.

The people who knew I wasn't accepted me.

The people who never thought about it one way or the other accepted me.

And that makes me really happy.

Because what it showed me is that most people in this small blue collar Adirondack town honestly didn't care.

Not in the cold "that's none of my business" way.

In the warm "you're welcome here, you do you, happy man" kind of way.

One thing I've learned since moving to Tupper Lake is that this town has all kinds.

Old timers and newcomers.

Hunters and artists.

Church folks and agnostics.

Republicans and Democrats.

People who were born here and people who discovered this place later in life.

And yes, straight folks, gay folks, and everything in between.

The reality is that none of that matters much.

Your car is stuck in a snowbank?
Somebody will help.

Your dog gets loose?
Half the town will be looking.

Need a meal?
Someone will bring one.

Need a friend?
One will turn up.

For a place with fewer people than some city apartment buildings, Tupper Lake seems to find room for everybody.

That's a great thing.

Most people really are just doing their best to be good and kind.

So from all of us at Northwood Cabins, Happy Pride Month.

I hope all of you have, or one day get to have, a friend so close people think you're a couple. What a compliment that is.

I hope people are, or learn to be, themselves regardless of what others think.

Life is short.

Just live it the way you wish and be happy.

Whether you're visiting The Adirondacks or Tupper Lake for the first time or you've been here your whole life, we hope you feel welcome, and will always do our part to ensure it.

After all, six million acres is a lot of room. Seems silly to act like there isn't enough space for people to be themselves.

And if there's room in the Adirondacks for bears, moose, woodchucks, trolls, and Matt from down South, there's probably room for everybody else too. 🌈😁

06/01/2026

The Dambo Trolls are settled in and spending their summer and fall in Tupper Lake, NY! Right in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. You need to join them, it's a glorious plan!

They're big, they're beautiful, they're made of recycled wood and they're on a mission!

The trolls are at The Wild Center which is one of the coolest science and nature museums anywhere, named the number two science museum in all of the US this year.

They're packed with exhibits, trails, wildlife, the Wild Walk and enough fun to fill an entire day.

Plan ahead and get tickets in advance, the upswing in visitors there and in town is already very apparent 😊

After you see them, let the adventure keep going!

The Adirondack Rail Trail is open and it's freaking sweet! We've got beaches, lakes, rivers to paddle, a minor league baseball team, mountains to climb, mini golf, full size golf, fish to chase, great food, cold drinks, and night skies that will blow you away.

Don't forget the awesome towns of Long Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid are less than a half hour trip away, and it's a beautiful drive too!

We sit right in the middle of six million acres of Adirondack beauty, making it the perfect basecamp for a legendary summer getaway full outdoor adventures and great towns and activities!

I ♥️ TUPPER LAKE

Go Wild In Every Direction!

05/30/2026

What a turnout! This town is the best!!!!

Let's get a crowd and support MAC'S SAFE RIDE ♥️

Mac's Safe Ride Continued is a wonderful organization run by some truly amazing people.

The organization was created after two young men tragically lost their lives in an alcohol related crash here in the Adirondacks. A mother turned unimaginable pain into something that helps protect others from experiencing the same loss.

The Tupper Lake chapter has been helping keep people safe for around a decade, and this is another reason I love this town. People here care about each other and they do things like this to take care of each other.

📍 Raquette River Brewing
📅 Saturday, May 30th
⏰ 3:00 PM Rain or Shine

There will be:

• A co****le tournament with random draw partners, so single players are great ($30 entry)
• A Chinese auction with some fantastic prizes
• Great music from local band HammerLok
• Cold beer from the famous RRB
• Delicious food from the food trucks

If co****le isn't your thing, come buy some raffle tickets, make a donation, grab a beer, and support a great cause. MAC'S operates on a shoestring budget and every little bit helps.

If you're playing co****le, wear thick pants because I'm planning on kicking some ass.

That's completely made up 😂 On Memorial Day I lost to a child. Granted it was Christielee's kid, but sheesh. So yeah, odds are you beat at least one guy!

I REALLY hope to see you there!

📞 518-304-3282

Save that number.

If you've been drinking too much call them. No judgment. No lectures. No questions asked.

Or just tell your bartender you need a ride and they'll make the call.

This is for anyone, you don't have to be a resident or anything.

It's not just you that you might save!

Now come on!!!!! Let's have a fun Saturday!!!!

I ♥️ TUPPER LAKE

05/28/2026

I’m not from here and had never heard of a “redemption center” before. Combined with the fact y’all seem to make up pronunciations for half the town names around here, and also don’t call things what I call them, I was confused from the jump.

A Michigan is just a chili dog. Plenty of people have argued with me about this and I don’t wanna hear it 🤣

So anyhow, Jessie’s Route 3 Redemption sounded to me like either:
• a church youth center
• a program helping folks get back on their feet after prison
• or one of those alcohol-free bars where everybody drinks fancy root beer or kombucha

Well, I was mistaken.

I drove by the other day coming back from Lowville. Case in point, I’m going off topic already...

I had to go to Lowville last week and every person I said it to laughed at me.

It’s written LOW-ville.

Not LAW-ville. Not LAL-ville. Not whatever noise y’all are making.

I’m about two weeks away from calling it Tooper Lake out of spite.

Okay so anyhow, when I saw Jessie’s Route 3 Redemption, curiosity got me and I turned in.

Immediately things stopped adding up. Namely the giant signs for craft beer and bait, which pretty much shot down two and a half of my three theories.

Turns out it’s this sweet little fishing shop with a surprisingly awesome beer selection, gifts, snacks, worms, bait fish, some swag, and yes, they take your cans and bottles too.

Danielle, who runs the place and who I knew from around town already, was kind enough to explain the whole redemption process and show me around. I’m a very curious person.

And I still don’t fully understand it.

I assumed you brought in a can, they handed you a nickel, smashed it flat, and off it went to become a new can.

Nope.

There are bags. And counts. And distributors. And labels. And categories. Sorting. Trucks.

They’re apparently hauling craft beer cans back to the actual brewery of origin. Unsmashed.

They are literally driving around empty aluminum cans. Not compacted?

What??

What are the places doing with them when they get them back? Tucking them in at night? Asking how their trip went?

It’s honestly one of the more confusing systems I’ve encountered, which somehow makes it feel even more New York. Classic. I'm surprised there's not more forms involved in dropping off the cans.

When I got my Driver's License in Saranac Lake there was some sort of point system and the paperwork was four pages.

You want an ID, a Real ID or an Enhanced ID?? What I wanted was a big drink of Titos. I just fired up a real southern accent, used good manners, talked as dumb as I could sound so she felt bad for me, smiled at the lady and she gave me the "good one"

Do what ya gotta do 🤠

Sorry I went off subject again...

Anyhow I’m not even gonna try to explain this redemption action because I absolutely can't. Take your stuff, get your nickels and let it be.

What I CAN tell you is Jessie's Route 3 Redemption is a really neat little store 👍 run by a wonderful lady where you can get your bottle and can money back, grab fishing supplies, camping stuff, firewood, craft beer, kegs, snacks and all sorts of other random goodies. Flowers too, which were inside because the weather was maybe gonna get chilly 🌷🌹

In classic Tooper Lake fashion, even the not-really-recycling recycling center is pretty darn cool!

05/27/2026

What a great trip! Along the way there are lots of great stops too. Shopping, waterfalls, hikes, good eats. It's a perfect day adventure from Tupper!

A little about Whiteface:

• It has the biggest vertical drop in the entire East at 3,430 feet. You haul ass when you ski here.
• The summit is so exposed they’ve been doing weather and atmospheric research up there since 1937
• Winds on the summit have hit 120+ mph
• There is an actual tunnel and elevator INSIDE the mountain. It's super neat.
• On a clear day you can see Vermont, Lake Champlain, and even Canada
• It hosted the alpine events for the 1980 Olympics. Side fact, that's my birth year.
• The top is above tree line, which gives you those great views!

I ♥️ THE ADIRONDACKS

05/26/2026

We have a winner! Thank you to Jacob Brydges and everybody who joined in 😊

We’re gonna tweak the design a bit and use local peaks instead!

The neon sign is still king out front, so the flag idea was really always just meant to be a fun novelty thing to make the place feel a little more like a summer camp.

Truthfully I wanted bugle calls at sunrise or maybe a small cannon blast every morning and apparently that was “too much,” so the flag became my compromise 🤣

Probably best, guessing the ol reviews on Northwood Cabins woulda taken some hits if I got loud in the early hours.

Maybe some fun kids will be around this summer and participate in flag raising and lowering with BB Gun shots at dawn and dusk!

I really appreciate all of you!

Summer is upon us! It's SO beautiful here!

I ♥️ TUPPER LAKE!!!

05/25/2026