Promoting the Gateway 8 Challenge
A Demonstration of AI-Assisted Writing
Driven by a passion for storytelling empowered by technology,
the First Wilderness Story Collaboration supports
heritage tourism in Western Warren County.
With our development of Explore Warren County, we’re
demonstrating the power of GPS-triggered storytelling.
Now we’re exploring ways we can use Artificial Intelligence to increase the quality of our content and our efficiency in producing it. Many thanks to Jennifer Kietzman for her participation in this. We’ll be demonstrating four tools in the following order:
STEP 1
Load into NotebookLM links to 20 sources relevant to Jennifer’s developing the Gateway 8 Challenge
Gemini 1.5 has created a workspace in NotebookLM into which I’ve uploaded all of the material published on all of the links you’ll see browsing down the left-hand column. Developed by Google Labs and so new they have not yet announced a pricing plan, NotebookLM is “a personalized AI collaborator” that assists users in understanding complex information by summarizing content from various sources, including documents, YouTube videos, and books.
The 20 sources I uploaded are now available for querying. Gemini 1.5 is now an expert on these sources, enabling me to read, take notes, and collaborate to refine and organize ideas. The tool can generate summaries, explanations, and answers based on the uploaded content, and it offers features like "Audio Overviews," which transform documents into engaging audio discussions — as we’ll demonstrate.
Gemini can also generate feature stories in support of heritage tourism in the First Wilderness. I’ll show you how.
STEP 2
Give Gemini a directive, describing
exactly the output you want it to produce.
This was my prompt: Write a long Stories from Open Space feature that describes Jennifer Kietzman’s development of the Gateway 8 Challenge, names the partners she worked with, and details all 14 of the outings spotlighted in the Challenge.
Below is the draft it generated.
Jennifer: Please review this closely and make note of any information that’s incorrect or missing. What more would you like to add to this story?
Unveiling Upstate New York's Hidden Gems:
Jennifer Kietzman and the Genesis of the ADK Gateway 8 Challenge
Shortly after relocating to Corinth, NY, Jennifer Kietzman, an avid outdoor enthusiast, sought avenues to engage with her new community. Her path led her to the Healthy Corinth Coalition, an organization committed to enhancing the well-being of Corinth residents. Inspired by Dan Smith’s Chester Challenge, a local hiking initiative, and recognizing the abundance of scenic trails near her home, Kietzman conceived the idea of a similar challenge closer to home to the south.
“The challenge is first and foremost for Corinth, but it also seeks to unite the communities of Lake Luzerne, Hadley, and Stony Creek in a shared venture,” she says. “I wanted to include communities engaged in the fashioning of their identities.”
With the backing of the Town of Corinth, Village of Corinth, Healthy Corinth Coalition, and an Economic Development Fund Grant from Saratoga County, Kietzman embarked on creating the challenge. Recognizing the area's diverse outdoor offerings, she expanded the concept beyond hiking to encompass biking and paddling, thus capturing the region's full splendor.
The ADK Gateway 8 Challenge, or “Gateway 8”, comprises 10 hikes, four bike rides, and four paddles, all within a short distance from Saratoga Springs. Participants are encouraged to complete eight activities to earn the title of "Gateway 8 finisher", receiving an embroidered patch, a sticker, and a listing on the challenge website. A “Gateway 8 Lite” option allows participants to complete four activities, earning them a sticker and website recognition.
Instrumental in the challenge's development were individuals who lent their expertise and passion to shape the Gateway 8. Peter Fedorick, Outings Coordinator for the Crooked Canes, advocated for including paddles, while Sunny Nealey, a Healthy Corinth Coalition member and avid biker, assisted with mapping the biking routes. Eric Butler, Corinth Town Supervisor, Dave Borque, creator of the Great Brant Lake Challenge, Dan Smith, Rachel Clothier, Town Historian and Director of the Town of Corinth Museum, also provided invaluable support.
Unveiling the Fourteen Adventures
The Gateway 8 website, launched in collaboration with Five Towers Media, streamlines registration and participation. It features detailed descriptions of each activity, including maps, trail highlights, historical insights, and captivating photographs aimed at inspiring exploration and fostering a deeper appreciation for the region's beauty.
Here are the 14 outings that make up the challenge:
Hikes:
● Baker Trail to Old Moreau Overlook Trail: A 2.4-mile out-and-back hike through Moreau Lake State Park, offering sweeping views of Moreau Lake and distant mountains.
● Bear Slides (aka Buttermilk Falls): A gentle 0.8-mile out-and-back hike near Lake Luzerne, perfect for families, featuring unique rock formations carved by flowing water.
● Dean Farm Heritage Trails: A scenic 3.6-mile loop suitable for all skill levels, meandering through meadows, streams, and woodlands in Stony Creek.
● Hadley Mountain Trail: A moderate 3.6-mile round-trip hike in the southern Adirondacks, culminating in panoramic views from a restored fire tower atop Hadley Mountain.
● Lake Bonita Loop (Lite Only): A 1.7-mile loop within Moreau Lake State Park, circling Lake Bonita and offering peaceful views and a glimpse into the area’s history.
● Lake Bonita to Lake Ann Loop: A 3.7-mile hike through Moreau Lake State Park, encompassing both Lake Bonita and Lake Ann, with scenic views and a mix of challenging inclines.
● Potash Mountain Trail: A moderate to difficult 3.26-mile round-trip hike in Lake Luzerne, featuring steep climbs and rewarding summit views of the Adirondacks and Lake Luzerne.
● Redmond’s Overlook Trail: A moderate 3.6-mile hike in the Corinth Reservoir Recreation Area, passing the Upper Reservoir and offering panoramic views of the southern Adirondacks.
● Spruce Mountain Trail: A scenic 2.6-mile round-trip hike culminating in a historic 73-foot fire tower, the tallest in the Adirondacks, offering breathtaking views.
● Stonewall Trail: A 3.2-mile loop in Moreau Lake State Park, offering a peaceful hike through forests and along the Hudson River, passing historic stone walls.
● Western Ridge Trail: A 5.4-mile point-to-point trail in Moreau Lake State Park, featuring challenging inclines and rewarding views, particularly from the Spring Overlook.
Bike Rides:
● Corinth Beach and Back: A 19.9-mile round-trip ride on paved country roads, passing local landmarks and offering scenic views of the countryside.
● In and Around Northumberland: A 19.1-mile loop through Northumberland, featuring charming farms, wooded areas, and a segment along the Hudson River.
● Stony Creek to Harrisburg Lake via Harrisburg Road: This bike route information is not included in the provided sources.
Paddles:
● Harrisburg Lake Paddle: A peaceful paddle on a picturesque 186-acre lake in the Adirondacks, known for its tranquility and pristine natural beauty.
● Hudson River Paddle: An easy, flatwater paddle along a scenic 5.5-mile stretch of the Hudson River between the Palmer Falls Dam and the Spier Falls Dam.
● Lens Lake Paddle: This paddle information is not included in the provided sources.
● Stewarts Bridge Reservoir Paddle: This paddle information is not included in the provided sources.
Celebrating Outdoor Achievement and Community Engagement
The ADK Gateway 8 Challenge represents more than just a series of outdoor activities; it embodies a community-driven initiative to promote health, well-being, and a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us.
Jennifer Kietzman's vision, brought to life with the support of dedicated individuals and organizations, invites adventurers of all levels to discover Upstate New York's hidden gems and forge lasting connections with the outdoors.
STEP 3
Host an interview in Zoom with Jennifer and any project partners she wishes to invite. Produce a transcript with Otter.ai.
This is how our screens will look, with “Dan’s AI Notetaker,” powered by Otter.ai, taking a seat along with us. When we complete our interview, we’ll upload this raw transcript into Notebook LM and prompt Gemini to rewrite our feature, placing more of a focus on your background, your recent move to Corinth, your inspiration in creating the Gateway 8 Challenge, the partners who assisted, and the process you followed from start to finish. To assist in telling this story, you may invite as many of your partners into this conversation and capture their stories and thoughts about the Challenge as well.
Questions I Propose:
Where did you come from? What’s your personal and professional background?
At what age did you discover you loved the outdoors and how?
What inspired you to undertake the development of the Gateway 8 Challenge?
What were your first steps and how did the project evolve from there?
Who were your key partners and what were their roles?
Have you done all 14 outings yourself?
Do you have a favorite?
Is there a single outing you would suggest those undertaking the challenge to start with?
What is your plan for promoting the Gateway 8 Challenge?
Shall we discuss ways the First Wilderness Story Collaboration might help?
Others to Interview
Eric Butler: Corinth Town Supervisor
Sunny Nealy: Healthy Corinth Coalition member and avid biker who assisted with mapping the trail routes.
Ben Kemp: Instrumental in developing the Corinth Reservoir Recreation Area. Fielded many of Jennifer’s questions regarding the Rec Area and is one of about 10 volunteers interested in creating a volunteer trail crew to help with maintenance in the Rec Area, should the Village grant us permission. Jennifer also hopes to collaborate with Ben and the Town of Corinth Youth Commission on projects focused on local youth.
Dan Smith: Developed the Chester Challenge and is working his way through all 14 Gateway 8 outings.
Dave Bourque: Creator of the Great Brant Lake Challenge, which will soon be launched
Peter Fedorick: Long-time Crooked Canes Outings Coordinator who argued for inclusion of paddles in the challenge.
Steve Mackey: Happy to answer questions by email or phone at 518-338-8173
Rachel Clothier: Town Historian and Director of the Town of Corinth Museum: Also provided invaluable support.
STEP 4
Review Gemini’s draft as it evolves above.
You may simply forward your changes to us by email. If you prefer to redline a Word document, we’ll be glad to send you one.
Step 5
Make revisions to the above draft as they come in.
From Jennifer:
“…Kietzman conceived the idea of a similar challenge for Corinth.” <The challenge is first and foremost for Corinth, but it also seeks to unite the communities of Lake Luzerne, Hadley, and Stony Creek in a shared venture. I wanted to include communities engaged in the fashioning of their identities. “>
“The ADK Gateway 8 Challenge, or “Gateway 8”, comprises 10 hikes, four bike rides, and four paddles, all within a short distance from Saratoga Springs.” <Should we also emphasize proximity to Glens Falls?>
Gateway 8 finisher > Gateway 8 Finisher
Peter advocated for paddles AND expanding the list of hikes.
Dan and Dave were actually more than invaluable – they provided a roadmap of sorts to help me navigate the challenge of creating a challenge.
Rachel Clothier provided invaluable info, but let’s also recognize Cindy Cameron and Pam Morin, Stony Creek’s Town Historian and Lake Luzerne’s Town Historian, respectively. Emma Mackey, a member of the Healthy Corinth Coalition, also provided help with research.
Redmond’s Overlook Trail: A moderate 3.6-mile hike in the Corinth Reservoir Recreation Area, passing the Upper Reservoir and offering panoramic views of the southern Adirondacks. <The overlook also offers a bird’s eye view of Corinth. In addition, the Wilson Pass Trail features old growth white pines, and Wilson Farm Historic Site is accessible via the Wilson Pass Trail and Old Town Road.
Is it safe to assume that info for the activities “not included in the provided sources” will be sourced from the website?
That’s It!
After publishing this feature, we’ll ask you what you thought of the process and explore your interest in writing and publishing more Gateway 8 stories with it.
Looking forward to exploring all that AI can do!
Dan Forbush
C&R Interactive LLC
in Collaboration with the
Warren County Department of Planning and Community Development