Wayback Inn, Eagle Bay

The open, grassy grounds of the Wayback Inn in Eagle Bay projected a very different image from many of the bars we had visited. Having just left the Big Moose Inn, with its lake views and massive deck, the Wayback Inn sparked an image of biker parties sprawled on both sides of the remote road. An outdoor bar was visible in the large, open barn in the distance.

After watching a turkey with her chicks cross the road, we entered the bar and were immediately greeted by the bartender and owner, Laurie Herzstein. When asked if they had any drinks unique to the Wayback Inn, she entrusted the help of a patron and off-duty bartender who mixed up a recent creation she called the Lemon Slushie for Pam while Kim snooped around.

Laurie proudly presented us with a menu, but we had already eaten, and had to turn down the very appealing Crabby Fries. As we took in the surroundings, Laurie gave us more information about the use of their outdoor amenities. They have a big movie screen that they erect in the lot across the street for movie nights. The Wayback Inn hosts the Snow Rats Snowmobile Club, the Fireman's Banquet, and have the occasional chicken barbecue. Clientele includes locals, snowmobilers, firefighters, hunters, bikers and now even bloggers who stop by on their quest for knowledge and cocktails. Football regulars can partake of various games of chance involving spinning the wheel for the Bills or Giants. Nascar enthusiasts can play The Wheel of Caution for drink specials during their favorite season.

As we scribbled away in our notebooks, Laurie's husband, John, joined us and treated us to the Golden Cherry, cherries soaked in Goldschlagers. Very delicious and easy to make at home even for the beginner bartender.

The Wayback Inn is open seven days a week, but occasionally closes in April. The restaurant serves food from 8:30 am until 10 pm or later. They have been in business since 2007 and offer seven rooms for overnight accommodations. Though they claim winter is their best season, summer seemed the best time for us. An ATM machine is available for cash-starved customers.

Big Moose Inn and Restaurant, Eagle Bay

The Big Moose Inn and Restaurant, located directly on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay was the first stop on our Old Forge Summer Tour, more aptly defined as the Old Forge Pub Crawl. Ours was one of just a few cars in the parking lot, but it was early afternoon and we had a long day ahead of us.

The dramatic view of the grand covered porch, dotted with rocking chairs and expanding outward to a vast open deck overlooking the lake, inspires a feeling reminiscent of summer vacations of years past. Several small docks on Big Moose Lake capture attention, drawing the eye along an expanse of lawn to the lake and small beach. Quiet and secluded, The Big Moose Inn has an air of sophistication and Adirondack lore, evoking a sentimental yearning for simpler times. Its timelessness captures the imagination. A novelist could come here to spend a week and leave with a finished manuscript.

Work to be done, we grudgingly entered the tavern, leaving an early summer afternoon behind. The tavern, cool and dark with walls of wood and brick, complemented the exterior charm. We half expected to see Ernest Hemingway entertaining friends in one of the booths, or John Irving alone at the bar, having strayed from his New England comfort zone.

Spot lights shone gently on the dark plank bar which seated about 14, with ample room for standing patrons too. Each of three booths on the opposite wall were illuminated overhead with Tiffany lamps; a cozy room with brick fireplace was tucked away beyond, and provided more private seating.

As Pam’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, Kim immediately pointed out the business cards adorning the ceiling. Skewered with straws, swizzle sticks and cocktail picks, the ceiling was almost completely obscured by thousands of business cards. Hard to describe because of their multitude, some of the cards were obviously yellowed with age. Though barely visible, the ceiling was tile. Mark, the most recent owner, later advised that they came with the inn; that some had been there for thirty years. He felt compelled to leave them for their nostalgic significance, despite criticism from state authorities. Can't blame him, we would leave them too.

We took a seat at the bar and were immediately greeted by Melinda, the bartender. Upon inquiry regarding drinks unique to the establishment, Melinda offered Pam a Big Moose Manhattan, proudly laced with Adirondack maple syrup. The maple syrup sank to the bottom and Pam showed no shame occasionally enjoying it through the swizzle stick. Just good to see her sipping since this was only our first stop. A variety of flavored vodkas are available, indicating a better than average selection of drinks. Several wine, draft and bottled beer choices are also offered.



Big Moose Inn's Big Moose Manhattan:
1 part Seagram's VO
1 part sweet vermouth
Drizzle with real maple syrup and garnish with two cherries

Melinda was courteous, friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the Big Moose Inn, offering a book on the history of Big Moose Lake to help support our questions. She was busy tending to both the bar and the deck patrons, but still took time to alert the proprietor of our presence.

Owner Mark Mayer came out to introduce himself. Obviously quite proud of the Big Moose Inn, Mark spent several minutes sharing history, trivia, hauntings, and his family’s acquisition of the inn. Perhaps the most famous Adirondack ghost, stories of Grace Brown attracted TV's Unsolved Mysteries several years ago.

Offering 16 rooms, the inn is open year round and entertains summer vacationers and winter snowmobilers. The Big Moose Tavern is open from noon to midnight and Happy Hour drink specials are available from 4 to 6 p.m. They do offer music on occasion, featuring solo artists. Summer and winter hours vary, but claim winter is the best time to visit. We had trouble with this proclamation, given the beautiful view of the lake, the sandy beach and massive porch and deck. The tavern is only open four days, including weekends, after the summer season.

Reluctantly, we left the Big Moose Inn in search of our next destination. One down. Seven to go. In an effort to catch up, we plan to review some of the Old Forge area bars first on the Adirondack Almanack and others on our blog. Lake Placid reviews of The Cottage, Lisa G's and Dancing Bears have all been completed and posted.

Old Forge area Part I

Busy day today. First on the agenda was the Red Dog Tavern, but that didn't open until 4:00. It was only around 1:30. What to do...

Continue on to Big Moose Lake - The Big Moose Inn Eagle Bay...

Next stop: The Wayback Inn in Eagle Bay...

About 45 minutes more to kill, so off to the Glenmore Bar & Grill in Big Moose...

And finally, the Red Dog Tavern Old Forge...

We went back to our cottage for a quick dinner and to regroup for round two, on foot, in Old Forge. We'll catch up on our reviews in the coming weeks. We still have to finish Lake Placid write-ups. It's a never-ending job.

Cheers & Bottoms up!
Kim & Pam