Here I’m with my daughter and 3 granddaughters
My Story How I started
A Century in the Adirondacks – The Memories
For nearly 100 years, my family’s business was located in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. It all started with my grandfather, who brought horses from North Carolina to local summer camps in the late 1920s and 30s. He later opened a riding stable, eventually setting down permanent roots in Lake George, where my father continued growing the business.
Every single summer since the day I was born, my family made the long journey hauling horses from our winter home in North Carolina up to Lake George. The Adirondack Mountains and Lake George were the summer homes of America’s richest families of the Gilded Ages, where you can still see their mansions along the lake. Growing up spending endless hours outdoors among the mountains, swimming in the lake, and riding horses on the trails inspired my deep love for nature and the beautiful scenery the region has to offer. My childhood memories are deeply embedded by the sights, sounds, and vibrant energy of Lake George that I grew up with, the local businesses, the attractions, and the amazing views. I cannot imagine my life without them.
So when our family business sold, the finality felt incredibly heavy and sad. A piece of our history was gone. But while my life will never be the same, I realized those memories belong to me forever. I needed a way to hold onto those precious moments, to keep them close.
That is how Tote-ally ADK was born.
I picked up a paintbrush and created a tote bag of my memories. By painting the places, landmarks, and landscapes of my childhood, I found a way to preserve our history. Today, each hand-painted tote is a piece of art you can carry with you on your own adventures, or hang up in your home to cherish every time you look at it. The stables may have closed their doors, but through these bags, our love for Lake George and the Adirondacks continues to travel forward.
I think everyone feels the same about their favorite places and would love to remember them. Let me help you capture your favorite memories and places by creating a custom canvas tote bag displaying your own unique loves and stories!
