Adirondack Peeks Winter 2025

Dave Martin #5914WV distributed copies of Ruth Riford’s, #85, book of poetry, Ruth Riford’s Rhymes – A Lifetime of Poetry , while at the 100 th anniversary celebration at Paradox Brewery. Ruth’s poem, “I Belong to the Mountains , ” won her the Editor’s Choice Award from the National Library of Poetry in 1996. I Belong to the Mountains Ruth Riford #85 Just to see the mountains and to know that they are there, Cradling the peaceful valleys within their friendly care, Make me feel I’m home again, and that those kindly heights Will smile on me through sunshine and through starry nights; Or, when the storms are raging, they still will seem to say Amidst the thundering darkness there they’ll always stay; It’s in my heart that all these things can be For I belong to the mountains, and they belong to me.

I can hear the very stillness of their deeply wintered wood And almost see the winds rush on peaks where I have stood. There’s balsam-scented dreamland beneath the trees and sky, And humility in knowing that such a one as I

Can freely love and climb them where’er it pleases me, For I belong to the mountains, and they belong to me.

Ruth also penned a poem for Dave while he was completing his 46.

Thanks for sharing, Dave!

Two previous Pok-O-MacCready Campers, Ken Ryba #1661WV —former director and Outdoors Skill Workshop chairperson — and Tim Singer #1038, climbed Emmons on June 10 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first 46ers. There were around 10 other hikers on the trail that day despite rain and overcast skies. Interestingly, everyone knew of the anniversary date.

46 | ADIRONDACK PEEKS