Licks and grins
Summer is here and along with the heat comes the opening of many seasonal specialty shops. This week we're talking ice cream in the Adirondacks, and we were more than ready to go out and sample the local wares.
Your guides for this adventure include my friend, Kristen, and my 6-year-old, Oliver — two very discerning taste-testers. I dropped the top on Jeep, slathered on the sunblock, and we hit the road on a beautiful mid-June day. Our plan: Stop at every seasonal ice cream shop we spot from Speculator to Long Lake, and order their most popular or unique item.
As your guides for this adventure, and speaking from experience, we suggest you follow the guidelines below:
Step 1: Work up an appetite, you'll need it.
Summit a peak, paddle a pond, chase the kids at the beach, then check out this handy-dandy guide to discovering your new favorite ice cream spot!
Step 2: Do not eat for anything else for a week leading up to this trek.
Okay, that may be a bit extreme, but who knew there were so many spots to stop!?
Step 3: No matter how big your eyes are, order small. Or baby.
If you plan to complete this trail, don't order a large at the first two stops. We speak from experience (and a 5-pound weight gain, ugh!)
Disclaimer: For the purpose of saving a few calories, we decided not to hit every Stewart's and stores that sell ice cream year-round — I can't imagine how we would have been moving at the end of the day!
The Ice Cream Trail:
Speculator to Long Lake
Please note: These are numbered in the order we visited, not necessarily our ranking of faves - we'll let you decide that for yourself!
1. King of the Frosties
King of the Frosties started our day. "What's a frostie?" Glad you asked — we did too. It's soft-serve blended with the toppings of your choice.
Kristen and I split a vanilla and chocolate twisted frostie with M&Ms as our topping. Oliver went with a chocolate soft-serve topped with gummy bears.
Note to moms: At this point I sucked it up and just decided I would deal with the sugar-high/sugar-meltdown that was bound to ensue later in the day. I mean, c'mon, how often do I let the kid splurge like this? AND... it was the first day of summer break... don't judge!
2. Lakeside Licks
We encountered Lakeside Licks just a block or so up the road. Their specialty? A Frisbee Sundae.
Yes, a Frisbee Sundae. Yes, (Oliver) you get to keep the frisbee.
The ingredients? Six scoops of your choice of ice cream, topped with three toppings of your choice, plus whipped cream and cherries.
Note to my trainer: At this point I decided this trip was going to count as my free day (make that weekend) and I was going to just enjoy myself. Waist and waste be damned. Don't judge.
3. Happy Camper Ice Cream
Moving along we found ourselves at Happy Camper Ice Cream in Indian Lake.
Here we encountered a dilemma. Ice cream or a homemade, fresh, still-warm, Sweety Pie. But, we're smart. This is an ice cream trip, so both Kristen and I purchase a pie to take home with us. She went with blueberry, I chose the strawberry-rhubarb. Oliver chooses a blue slushy.
Now... back to ice cream. Happy Campers' specialty? The Adirondack Black Bear. Oh. My. A fresh chocolate waffle cone topped with chocolate ice cream, fudge, toppings, more fudge, more ice cream — you get the idea.
Note to fellow chocolate-lovers: Let me tell you, this was overwhelmingly, awesomely, delicious. If you like chocolate, don't even consider the rest of the menu.
4. Hoss'S Country Coner
On to Long Lake and Hoss's Coner. Now, I have been to the Corner Store many times, but this was my first time at the Coner.
Their specialty? Simple, old-fashioned, soft custard twist. And, this makes Oliver very happy!
Note to all: The fact that they have a little mini-golf course attached was an added bonus. What a fun way to work off a few calories and run out the sugar!
5. Custard's Last Stand
Custard's Last Stand was our last stand for the day. While we thought we might not be able to eat another lick, we managed to finish the job right. Kristen went with a simple vanilla, I chose chocolate. And, Oliver? Well, he went out with a bang.
He chose a Glacier. A play on his favorite, standard, the Slush Puppie.
Blue Raspberry with vanilla soft-serve. Yeah, he was a happy, happy boy.
Note to pet owners: Stop here for a Doggie Bowl, because after a long day, man's best friend deserves a cool treat, too!
Well, we made it. You will too. Perhaps you'll even discover a new favorite flavor on the Adirondack ice cream trail! Good luck.
This week's ADK scoop:
