S'mores and Credit Freezes

KC and I had a busy morning...locating and paying for our motorcycle trailer storage, getting his front tire repaired (nail and slow leak)

Waiting for a tire repair in Albany

and then meeting Karen and Sherry at the Albany airport.  As we circled baggage claim for a third time hunting for the girls, I heard a female shout well behind us.  Given our history of confusion when meeting the girls at airports, I suspected that shout might have come from them and suggested KC pull over and let me go looking .  I found them quickly and we loaded them up, departing the airport for Lake Placid and the Whiteface Lodge.

Delta Buddies

The girls were animated and excited, and they gushed about their Delta flight attendant named Randolph.  It came as little surprise that they'd charmed him thoroughly and were rewarded with free drinks.

KC had a route planned out for us that took us through a number of quaint small towns with a historic look to them, one with an old brick church founded in 1783.  We crossed the Mohawk River, Erie Canal and Hudson River, eventually dropping into historic Saratoga Springs. 

Saratoga Springs in all its preciousness

We landed in section of town that was crammed with shops, restaurants and a boatload of tourists, us included.  Unfortunately we chose a spot for lunch that was completely empty (that wasn't warning enough?) and that served me frozen haddock.  It might have worked for a casual visitor, but I knew better, I really did.

Hotel In Saratoga Springs

A short shopping session followed (Karen just HAD to have flip-flops and Sherry has NEVER passed up a shopping opportunity), mercifully so since the temperatures, now in the mid 80's, were higher than what we'd left behind in Georgia.  Back in the truck, we proceeded north along I-87 leaving Albany's sprawl behind us and wound our way towards Lake Placid and deeper into the heart of the Adirondacks.  The country was isolated and undeveloped, the mountains became more impressive and the fall colors gradually emerged, though still far below their ultimate state.  With thirty miles to go we left the interstate and took Hwy 73 towards Lake Placid.  The route took us deeper into the mountains and along several boulder strewn creeks, all very low on water, including the Au Sable River-a noteworthy trout stream.

Approaching the town of Lake Placid we passed several venues dating from the 1980 Winter Olympics.  The Olympic ski jumping facility suddenly appeared on the horizon, a massive man made structure that jutted straight out of the tree line like one of the aliens in War of Worlds.  I hope to be able to ride to the top of that later this week to see what it would look like for a ski jumper.

The dining room we had breakfast in each morning

One of two fireplaces in this dining room

Whiteface Lodge

Lobby of Whiteface Lodge

We are staying at The Whiteface Lodge, a very upscale lodge in the grand style of old log guest lodges.  Our rooms are magnificent suites with full kitchens, living rooms and over stuffed leather chairs, couches, fireplaces, bathrooms with heated floors and Jacuzzi tubs...even washing machines.  It may be the finest guest accommodations that Sherry and I have ever stayed in, anywhere.  Dinner, simple hors'derves and drinks, was on a beautiful stone and wood balcony looking out to Whiteface Mountain. 

Whiteface Mountain

Drinks on the veranda

After dinner, as the sun set and the day's heat finally subsided, we walked the beautifully landscaped grounds a bit and ended up in a "lean to" built of huge logs with couch's and chairs and a roaring fire pit behind us. 

End of day in the Lean To

As our day wound down we relaxed together in this fantastic setting.  Conversation was wide ranging, from Equifax credit freezes to Sherry's Native American heritage and I found some Southwestern Indian flute music to add to the mood. The lodge supplied a "S'mores chef" for us and these sweet treats capped off the day.  I don't know how it could have been any more perfect.

Sherry and her relative?