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Explore Fourpeaks 700-acre private Vacation/Getaway!
Learn about Fourpeaks? CLICK HERE to start.
  • Meet Your Host
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  • Private hiking trails
  • Romantic getaway?
  • Pet-friendly vacation
  • Meet Our Guests!
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    CLICK for a prompt detailed response to your vacation Inquiry.E-Z Inquiry Form
  • Email Us
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  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Safety First!  and Guest Information
  • Adirondack Photos
  • Adirondack Poetry
  • An Adirondack Miscellany
  • Personal Potpourri
  • The Fourpeaks Story 1968-present
  • Select Link Pages
  • CLICK HERE for bigger photo of Your Adirondack Guide at Blueberry Hill. Martin Schwalbaum
    (Your Adirondack Guide.)
    "FOURPEAKS"
    Stonehouse Road
    JAY  NY  12941
    Phone 518-524-6726
    or CLICK HERE for Toll-free calling any time.

    Dear Visitor,

    Think of me as Your Adirondack Guide. I'm from the city, so I know where you're coming from. And what you're looking for.

    I came to my Adirondacks 40 years ago. Here, in a small mountain valley, I discovered the woods, fields and homesites of the pioneer settlers who made their way here from New England in the 1700's. Abandoned by their successors for an easier life in town when electricity got here in the 20's. I explored the many roads, trails and skid paths accessing every corner of the place. I loved their place, so I set about to preserve it, to keep it open. In the process, I discovered a way of spending time away from my work in the city that was more healthful and refreshing than any commercial vacation experience.

    Over the years I built Adirondack-style places to share my experience with a few personal friends, clients and employees. Today (retired from business in the city) I'm renting them to select vacationers who appreciate quiet, seclusion, and real comfort in a natural place. There are seven Fourpeaks camps (cabins) to choose from. Each one is architecturally unique, authentically Adirondacks, with all natural building materials, tucked away in its own secluded wilderness setting with lots of open space all around. Functional housekeeping with complete kitchen, fireplace, comfortable old furniture and rugs.

    Adirondack Park development restrictions (in place since the early 70's) and my own bent for preservation make Fourpeaks a genuine Ecotourism vacation experience. Not for everybody. Gas lights, no electricity. Hand pumps, no running water. An outhouse, not a flush toilet. A wood stove, not central heating. But I'll be your Your Adirondack Guide and show you how--the fun, the Quiet and the beauty which living close to nature "Off The Grid" brings with it, even if you stay just a week or a weekend. Living green, the lifestyle of the pioneers.

    Thanks for finding Fourpeaks. I hope you'll visit soon, then like it enough to make my place your own private 4-season Adirondack getaway.

    There's a lot to like. Right at your doorstep are miles of woods roads and trails for exploring Fourpeaks hidden valley and four mountains. The AuSable River, prettiest stream in New York, is at the bottom of the hill by the old covered bridge. And it's far enough away from Lake Placid so there's no tourism to spoil your view.

    Romantic getaway? Vacation with your pet? Experienced in backcountry living? Or just want to try something different? Fourpeaks is your kind of place!

    Find some time for Fourpeaks! Check the up-to-date All-Seasons Availability Calendar and pick your dates.  For a personal response by email, use the Easy Inquiry Form--"Your Adirondack Vacation/Getaway." Or phone right now and I'll tell you about it-- 518-524-6726. Thanks.

                            Sincerely yours,

                            Martin Schwalbaum
                           (Your Adirondack Guide)

    P.S. For webpage visitors (and potential guests) who are not "onto" Ecotourism, and it is in fact relatively new coinage, here is some help (from Wikopedia):

    "Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions."

    "Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities."

    CLICK HERE for more about Ecotourism.

    Encls. A few links with a personal interest.
    [CLICK on photo/image for more.]
    CLICK HERE for me and Maggie on school break in San Francisco. CLICK HERE for Dad's Winter 2008 Road Trip with George in the 'Black Thing.' CLICK HERE for George at home, at work and just playing. Me and George are looking for Ms. Right-for-us. Adirondack Summer: Exploring Taylor Pond and more. CLICK HERE for 8 pages with over 100 photos! Let's take a hike! Join me for a private nature experience with exceptional views! (That's me on Blueberry Hill.).
    (L. ro R.)  (1) Your Host on vacation. CLICK HERE for me and Maggie on school break in San Francisco.
    (2) Your Host on vacation. CLICK HERE for Dad's Winter 2008 Road Trip with George in the 'Black Thing.'
    (3) CLICK HERE for George (your Fourpeaks Canine Host) at home, at work and just playing.
    (4)My Singles Page. Me and George are looking for Ms. Right-for-us. CLICK HERE if you know of somebody.
    (5) CLICK HERE for Becky and Me enjoying Summertime in the Adirondacks: Exploring Taylor Pond and more. (8 pages with over 100 photos!)
    (6) Let's take a hike! Join me for a private nature experience with exceptional views! (That's me on Blueberry Hill.)


    And a few appreciative Guest Notes concerning my hosting talents.
    #1083 "Thanks Martin for the wonderful time - you are the greatest host . . . ."
    #1846 "and you were the perfect host - friendly, available but not intrusive . . ."
    #0020 "Only a nut like you would build a camp on that ridge . . ."

    The Spotlight, or Prime Location, puts the spotlight on those sites that are so compelling that even jaded web site reviewers bookmark them for frequent reference! CLICK HERE if you're buying a home or planning to. Website awards (you all must know) are something of an Internet gimmick. What website hasn't got a bunch of awards? Here's ours.
    The IRED.com award is as close as one gets to a real commendation. We're really impressed to be grouped along with some of the other Spotlight Prime Location awardees.
    CLICK HERE for links to the exceptionally attractive and informative worldwide webpages at IRED.com. Thank you Betty Swann and IRED reviewers for this coveted award!

    Member Whiteface Mountain Visitors Bureau
    Member Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau


    #1083 "Thanks Martin for the wonderful time - you are the greatest host . . . ."
    Subject: Guestbook Entry
    Date: 10/23/2003 - 12:30 AM
    Name: Karen I*** & Frances T****
    Email: kareni****@hotmail.com
    Location: NY, NY,
    Comments:
    Wolf's Nest will always seem like a home away from home to
    us. we were only there a few days but it was so restful and
    serene and inviting that it felt like our own secret place.
    and there was even a pump shower! what fun! we also spent
    one night at Gypsy, which was beautiful...Mars was at its
    closest point ever and we watched it all night as it
    traversed the sky. it is incredible to know that such a
    special place exists only 5 hours from Manhattan. thanks
    Martin for the wonderful time - you are the greatest host.
    xoxo k & f

    #1846 "and you were the perfect host - friendly, available but not intrusive . . ."
    Date: Tue, 29 May 2001
    From: linda g*** lg****@cd101.emmis.com
    To: VisitUs@4peaks.com
    we just wanted to tell you that the three of us enjoyed ourselves enormously at fourpeaks - we
    did everything we wanted, we hiked, we slept, we played in the grass, we relaxed, we enjoyed
    new barn and you were the perfect host - friendly, available but not intrusive...we will
    definitely return...thank you for a great experience - you are blessed to live in a beautiful
    area...it was hard coming back to the city noises and pollution - oh well - see you soon

    #0020"Only a nut like you would build a camp on that ridge . . ."
    Subject: Hello Martin
    Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002
    From: PaulG***@aol.com
    To: VisitUs@4peaks.com
    Dear Martin,
    I meant to write soonerbut I've been pretty busy. We all
    had a good time at Ridge Camp last weekend. We stopped at Camp Barn to say
    goodbye, but you weren't home. Only a nut like you would build a camp on
    that ridge and only nuts like my friends and I would backpack on snowshoes
    up to that ridge. It was definitely a worthwhile experience, it forces you to
    appreciate the things that you really need to have more appreciation for and
    makes you stop worrying about things that really aren't important. The
    River Story was very good, thanks. Keep in touch.
    Paul H***
    More about this. Keep reading.More about this. (Keep reading.)
    Subject: Re: Thanks
    Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003
    From: PaulG***@aol.com
    To: VisitUs@4peaks.com
    Martin,
    I don't think Bill has an e-mail address but I will definitely pass
    your regards. Bill & I also enjoyed our visit with you, I've been wanting to
    do something like that with you for a while. There's nothing better that a
    few drinks and a stimulating conversation.
    I'll be in touch,
    Paul
    More from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism:
    Criteria
    According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990). Those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
  • minimize impact
  • build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
  • provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
  • provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
  • raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate

    Ideally, ecotourism should satisfy several criteria, such as:
  • conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection
  • promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations
  • sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous people by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises
  • tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern.
  • minimization of tourism's own environmental impact
  • affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
  • local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions

    For many countries, ecotourism is not simply a marginal activity to finance protection of the environment but is a major industry of the national economy. For example, in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar, and Antarctica, ecotourism represents a significant portion of the gross domestic product and economic activity.

    The concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood, and in practice is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism which is related to nature. This is an especially frequent malpractice in the realm of Jungle tourism. Critics claim that these greenwashing practices carried out in the name of ecotourism often consist of placing a hotel in a splendid landscape, to the detriment of the ecosystem. According to them, ecotourism must above all sensitize people to the beauty and the fragility of nature. They condemn some operators as greenwashing their operations: using the labels of "green" and "eco-friendly”, while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways.

    Although academics disagree about who can be classified as an ecotourist[6] and there is precious little statistical data, some estimate that more than five million ecotourists - the majority of the ecotourist population - come from the United States, with others from Western Europe, Canada, and Australia.

    Currently there are various moves to create national and international ecotourism accreditaion programs[7], although the process is also controversial. National ecotourism certification programs have been put in place in countries such as Costa Rica, Australia, Kenya and Sweden.

    History
    Ecotourism, responsible tourism, jungle tourism and sustainable development have become prevalent concepts since the late 1980s, and ecotourism has experienced arguably the fastest growth of all sub-sectors in the tourism industry. The popularity represents a change in tourist perceptions, increased environmental awareness, and a desire to explore natural environments. Such changes have become as much a statement affirming one's social identity, educational sophistication, and disposable income as it has about preserving the Amazon rainforest or the Caribbean reef for posterity.

    Like anything else in our modern human experience, Ecotourism has it's shady side, commercialization, exploitation and just plain more of ruining our little planet. CLICK HERE for http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism to hear about Ecotourism criticism, Greenwashing, the negative impact of tourism, some direct environmental impacts, environmental hazards, the displacement of people, threats to indigenous cultures, mismanagement, tour operators, travel agencies and retailers and more on the negative side of Ecotourism. (Here at Fourpeaks I offer only the good side of it--you, your dog, your lover, your family, and a pretty cabin to share some time together in a natural place.)