Whitewater Derby Mini Pub Crawl and Recipes

North Creek's annual Whitewater Derby is an event which deserves proper recognition - of the drink persuasion. We spent some time on "research" last week, creating the Whitewater Rushin', and an interesting variation; its subtle maple flavor and frothy finish a tribute to spring in the northeast. It's been some time since we were at Whitewater Derby - back when it was just a great excuse to party, camping at the ski bowl, an inch of snow on the roof of the VW bus, and no watercraft in sight. Considering our current livelihood, it was high time we returned, so we had our own private, mini pub crawl in North Creek on Saturday.

Whitewater Rushin'
1 oz. Sapling Maple Liqueur
1/2 oz. Amaretto
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. cream or milk
Shake with ice or use a blender

Beginning with Trapper's at the Copperfield Inn, Pam ordered a "Snow Bunny Martini", a delicious grape-flavored concoction that set the tone for the afternoon. We met a newcomer to North Creek, Michael, who had just begun the arduous task of tearing down an existing home and putting up a camp. Good luck with that, Michael. We couldn't stay long; we had planned to visit five of the local pubs, including Laura's which we have yet to review. As we headed out, under the gaze of Teddy Roosevelt's moose, bedecked in his own derby number, Pam remarked that Trapper's has, by far, the very best outdoor ashtray we have yet seen.

Snow Bunny Martini
3 Olives grape vodka
Whipped cream vodka
Cream

Off we went to the Barking Spider. We hadn't been there since February and were pleased to find it quite crowded and noisy and we managed to grab a couple of seats at the bar. Pam couldn't decide which direction her next cocktail should take from the grapes of Trappers and, ironically, the bartender suggested the Grape Crush. A theme was emerging. It was even more delicious than the previous drink.

Pam went outside to see what was happening on the deck (perhaps "landing" more aptly describes it) and talked to some nice people about the Derby - the Kentucky Derby. Two kayaks paddled by on the Hudson, lending a feeling of being a part of the Whitewater Derby! That's more than we've ever seen in our history of attending. Hmmm, what if OTB got involved in whitewater racing??? When it was time for the ladies on the deck to order, they advised their companions that they wanted what Pam was having. She must have had "delicious" written all over her face as she sipped her beverage because she hadn't commented on it. Upon further reflection, perhaps it was the pint sized glass the drink came in that attracted their attention.

Grape Crush
Grape vodka
Chambord
Splash of craberry juice
Top off with Sprite

And we're off...to do a review of Laura's. We popped in and found it totally empty; even the bartender was missing. So we scooted out undetected, planning to stop at barVino. With the grape theme going, that would have been an obvious choice, but Pam didn't think their grapes would complement the grapes she had already consumed. So, it was decided, one last stop at Basil & Wicks, then home.

Pam once said, "A good tavern is one that makes strangers feel they are in their own home town." Basil & Wick's is like going home. From our parking space we could see into the dining room, where Jane, the owner, was waving to us. She even came out onto the porch to greet us, making us feel really special. She proudly showed Kim her newest museum piece - a barstool from the original Basil & Wick's, hermetically sealed in its own plexiglass case. The bar was fairly full and we actually knew a few people there, among them local music legend Hank Soto, of Stony Creek Band fame. We will actually be reviewing the Stony Creek Inn next week, celebrating its reopening on Sunday, May 15, featuring the Stony Creek Band. You know 'em, you love 'em... Hope to see some of you there!

A Visit to (not from) The Barking Spider

It was late Saturday afternoon, or was it early Saturday evening?  In January in the Adirondacks, if there's still daylight, we must cling to daytime and call it late afternoon.  It was late Saturday afternoon when we entered The Barking Spider.  This establishment was recommended to us, but I was already curious about it myself.  Last week I saw the sign from across the street while we were visiting Trapper's Tavern.  I was just far enough away, and at an awkward angle, to have trouble reading their sign and laughed later as I described the thought process to my sister.  It went something like this.  Reading horizontally, The Bar, The Bar King, The Barking?  But what's with the spider web worked into the sign below the name?  Aha, vertically, I read the word Spider.  Ooooh, The Barking Spider.  Now, keep in mind, I was sober and it wasn't dark yet.  Then, ok, what does that mean?  So, of course, when it was suggested that we check it out on our "quest", I had to go, not to mention that I found I know the owner.

It's a guy thing, and many of you may already know the meaning, but I did not.  While interviewing the owner, Tim McGraw, naturally I had to ask.  I think he knew the question was looming, and I think he has answered it just as delicately many times before.  It was his 8 year old son's idea - sure, blame it on the kid (they usually blame it on the dog)!  But then I'm really thinking...an 8 year old boy knows this term and I do not?  Tim proceeded with a description of a closely cramped hunting camp after a night of beer drinking, and noises in the night.  We were left to draw the obvious conclusion from there, as I will leave you as well.  If there's any doubt, Google it!

We met some nice people, almost immediately.  That's the way things are in the Adirondacks.  The bartender was pleasant and professional.  She was fairly busy so we didn't bother her with our plethora of questions but instead took in our surroundings and jotted some notes.  We got into a conversation with two men from New Jersey.  They have been coming to North Creek for 15 to 20 years so we reminsced about some bars gone by (some even before their time).  We learned a little about the imaginary line between North Creek and Indian Lake, skis vs. sleds, from Al Mulligan of Indian Lake.  We intend to cross that line with tires.  I believe the line melts with the snow, but wonder if a new line between canoes and motorboats replaces it.  Al owns the Adirondack Trail Motel, which is conveniently located across from the Bear Trap Inn in Indian Lake.  Good to have accommodations nearby if you really want to explore an Adirondack tavern.

Shift change... In comes the owner, Tim McGraw, who immediately gets to work restocking the bar.

More to come on The Barking Spider...

Bottoms up!
Pam

Trapper's Tavern: Our First Review

Less than 30 minutes from exit 23 of I87, Trappers Tavern at the Copperfield Inn in North Creek is a perfect place to stop along your way to points further north, or as a destination in itself.  We had been to the tavern a couple of years ago when my husband and his musical co-horts played a gig there, and it was well worth revisiting.


Armed with Pam's checklist of must-know information, and nerdy little folders, we sat right at the bar and started taking the place in, probably making the staff a little suspicious. Trappers Tavern's cozy Adirondack-themed interior is appealing in a not-overly-rustic kind of way. It was warm, inviting and friendly. The beer selections, while not extensive, included a variety of both bottled and draft choices in domestic, import and craft brews. I had a brown ale pint (I think it was a  Dogfish Head), which was excellent, and sampled a stout and a Saranac Trapper's lager, crafted especially for Trapper's Tavern.


BUT, one of the yummiest drinks I have ever tasted, as Pam mentioned, was the pumpkin martini, which we shared, and I think helped to break the ice with the bartender and other bar patrons. The concocting of the drink created some curiosity among customers, who waited eagerly for our reactions to the first sip. I didn't really think I'd like it all that much, being primarily a beer drinker, but we figured we'd better order one of the house specials since we would be writing about the place, and our book will focus on drinks as much as it will places. 


We gradually got some conversations going, and the "Front of House Manager" Steven Joiner, gave us a list of specialty martinis, a menu, and a copy of the book Trapper's Tales, from which inspiration for the Tavern menu originates and includes such cleverly-named offerings as The Smokin' Ugly Horse and The Most Impertinent Chipmunk.


We stayed less than two hours and had considered stopping at another bar, but we were pretty excited about what a great experience we had just had and wanted to get our blog started right away. There's also the driving issue, so we made sure to be smart keep it legal! I think this is a place we will find excuses to visit on a regular basis. As Pam mentioned, Trappers Tavern has set the bar pretty high. By the way, our check was surprisingly (and pleasantly) low-end. Their prices are very reasonable, with the exception of the Pumpkin Martini, but that was worth every dollar!


Can't wait for the next adventure inside the blue line. We have a place and day picked out. Check back in about a week.


Cheers!
Kim

First day Drinking in the Adirondack Mts.

We went to our first bar today.  Well, we've been frequenting bars for many years, but today we visited our first bar to research for our book.  My sister and I are writing a book about bars and taverns in the Adirondacks.  Our first bar was Trappers Tavern at the Copperfield Inn in North Creek, NY.  What an awesome place!  They set the bar pretty high for other bars in the Adirondacks.  The tavern staff was terrific, but the best part was the PUMPKIN MARTINI!  I had a martini once, but it sucked.  I thought I would order the martini so I wouldn't like it and would sip it, but it was incredible.  It was like drinking a pumpkin pie with loads of whipped cream!.  It was invented by one of the Copperfield chefs, Stephanie (maybe trying to get rid of the leftover pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving?)  Well, I think she should get out of the kitchen and start working in the bar.  First, I wondered what liqueur would you use for the pumpkin flavor, but they used pumpkin puree.  BTW, you can't get pumpkin puree at Walmart, guess you have to make your own.  I had my first beer of this year, too!  Actually, not a beer drinker, except at Saratoga Racetrack in August - get hot enough you'll drink anything.  They have a tremendous selection of local beers on tap, and Kim (that's my sister and co-author), got to sample them all.  However, they are adding six more draft choices tomorrow, so I think she's going back to check those out too. Visit the Copperfield Inn's website for more information at http://www.copperfieldinn.com/.  Stay tuned for our next Adirondack bar review.  Remember, we can't give all the info here, because we have to save something for the book.  Any suggestions for places we should visit, please let us know. They just have to be inside the blue line.

Bottoms Up!
Pam