Fort Drum, New York

This Polaroid on Post feature about Fort Drum is from my Maria! Maria has been a military wife for 18 1/2 years. They have lived at 5 duty stations. Her husband has deployed 7 times and gone on countless TDY and trainings for the Army. He is an Apache pilot!. I love this quote from her about military life:

“It’s easy for the military and the long hours, and separations to take over at times and this thought helps to feel grounded and connected to my husband. I work as a life coach helping military wives learn to love their perfectly imperfect military and everyday life.”

Maria and her family have been at Fort Drum New York 6 years and counting. (Thanks high school stabilization) Hopefully this will bring you some helpful insight into Fort Drum. If you have any questions or need a friend in this area, message Maria anytime on Instagram @mariastrangecoaching

Is there anything you wish you knew before heading to Fort Drum?

Buy Ugg snow boots- the good ones with real wool.

What is the weather like in New York?

Summers are amazing and winters are long and cold. March for me is the hardest month because I still believe it should be warm and it just isn't!

Did you live on or off post?

We bought a house and that has been amazing for us. We moved here with 3 teenage boys and 3 three young girls. We needed the space that a house and yard provide. The location in Carthage has been great for us. We are five from all the kids schools and it takes my husband about 20 mins to get to work. The same as it takes some of the guys to get to the flight from their house on base. On base there are always children running around and playing and my younger girls sometimes wish they had more of that.

What should a newcomer know about the installation itself?

Be prepared for the weather. Post doesn't plow their roads as good as the surrounding area. Take advantage of the community centers. The restaurants on base close early. The lap pool is open but the pool with the slide for the kids is closed because of an HVAC issue.

What bloggers or Facebook pages should people follow?

Fort Drum PCS Pay-it-Forward®

Army Wives of Fort Drum

Food & Drinks

Do you have any date night recommendations for other milsos?

Tin Pan Galley has amazing french toast!
Zero Dock Street
Bombay Duck Pickle Cafe, her soups are amazing. I couldn't pick just one. She has soldiers send her goodies from where they are deployed or TDY and then she fills the box up with her goodies and sends it back to them.

Add it to the Bucket List

What should a milso add to their Fort Drum? bucket list?

Maple Fest: see how maple syrup in made and get to try fresh warm maple syrup
Niagara Falls: go on the boat, check it out from both the American side and Canadian side.
Berry picking
Canoe in the Erie Canal (go through a lock, they lower and higher the water)
Grand Canyon of the East- hiking and the views
Ice skating on the pond at Fort Drum
Sackets Harbor War of 1812 days
Watkins Glen State Park- hiking and waterfalls
Boldt Castle - was built for his love she died before they every lived in it
Lights on the Lake- Christmas time Onondaga lake 2 miles long

Are there any surrounding big cities you took weekend trips to?

Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, so many cool places to go and see.

What are some ideas for people with kiddos or families?

Go to the maple festival in March. Lights on the lake in December is amazing. Lots of outdoor activities, from hiking, waterfalls, sledding, Saint Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, the Black River and tons of other lakes and rivers to explore. In Syracuse they have Billy Beez (one is supposedly coming to Watertown). Berry and apple picking. Being willing to get out and explore and you won't bored.

Other Recommendations

Get on Martins Point its amazing and has the same coverage as Tricare. We go to the Carthage Family Health Clinic and love them, if you have children go to Watertown Peds.(love them)