Slackpacking Trip - Day 13

Rainy and miserable... Woke up at 0700 but spent a few hours trying to figure out what to do (to hike or not to hike?). Ate breakfast (apple turnovers and coffee - rare for me) in the Orchard Store with the owner. It was an interesting conversation about leaving life behind to purchase an orchard... Eventually (0900), I drove east on US-4 to the AT trailhead (near Killington) and decided I'd try to hike. I got all my rain gear on, remaining determined to cover a little more AT before I have to go home... Started SOBO but (after only a mile in the pouring rain) gave up and turned around. As I was backtracking, I actually ran into another section hiker (he seemed more motivated) but I never regretted my decision - I was drenched when I got back in the car (0945)! Guess this will be the end of the AT hiking for this trip... Drove west on US-4 into New York, passing the birthplace of the US Navy: Whitehall. Changed to NY-149 and continued into the Lake George area (where I found drier weather). Right as I reached US-9 (1100), I noticed a bike trail along the road. Ol' Reliable was ready! Over the next few hours, I biked on a nice rail trail that ran between a little outlet mall and the town of Lake George. It was still overcast and cool, so there weren't many people out on the trail - or in town. Saw some vintage ferry boats plying the lake and passed by historic Fort William Henry (of "Last of the Mohicans" fame). Not many places of business (including McDonalds!) were actually open, but I enjoyed lunch at one of the only open restaurants in town: Mezzaluna's (ate pizza). After a nice meal, I rode back on the rail trail to the car. Overall, I finished about 16 miles of biking and finished just as the rain began (1300) - got lucky again! Used NY-9A to get to I-87 and drove north. Stopped at a rest area for information (1345). When I finally got cell signal for few minutes, I received an email from Carolyn, telling me she'd heard good things about hiking Whiteface Mountain. Decided I'll hike that in the morning! Got off the Thruway at Exit 30 and drove on US-9 and NY-73 into the Lake Placid area. Along the way, I enjoyed miles of Adirondack wilderness: swollen rivers, impressive terrain, quaint towns... Drove on NY-9N to Jay and then took NY-86 to the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center. Continued up NY-86 to NY-431 and explored the Whiteface access road (prep for tomorrow's hike). Found a place to stay (North Pole Resort) in Wilmington, arriving at 1530. Got a quick shower and then got back in the car (needed to gas in Lake Placid). Delayed for a bit because of an accident on NY-86 but found a gas station before running out of fuel (1605). Drove back to Wilmington and stopped for a late-afternoon hike (another mile, just as the rain stopped again) on the Flume Trails (ADK). Just down the street, there was a restaurant that looked good: D. E. McDougall's (Hungry Trout). Stopped for the ADK Burger and a Labatt (1730) and enjoyed the atmosphere. Back at the Resort around 1900, repacked my stuff and went to bed early. AT total today = 1.01 / G.T. = 222.43.