Monday, February 27, 2023

Burst Pipe Adventure - Day 20

After another nice night at the High Peaks Resort, I woke up at 0600 and started teleworking immediately.  Not wanting to interrupt the limited time I had to log hours for my job, I ate breakfast (leftovers) in the room and stayed online until 0800.  After checking out of the hotel, I drove west on NY-86 to the Whiteface Club & Nordic Center.  Using the pass the High Peaks Report had given me, I was able to go skiing from 0830 to 1000.  I found Jackrabbit Trail again but had to wade through deep snow to even connect to where Eileen and I had skied the previous day.  The weather was nice (sunny and mid teens temps but no wind).  Sadly, my winter fun was wrecked by an “important” call from my landlord, who indicated that I might not be able to move back into my condo for “several more weeks."  Oh well.  Back in my car, I attended a work meeting via Zoom (1000 to 1045) and then took a walk around the area near the Whiteface Club.  Down at the lake, I got some amazing views of Whiteface Mountain on the other side and saw pretty little cabins.  Before leaving, I walked into the main lodge (very swanky) and a clerk told me the cabins started at $1000 a night (!!!).  By 1130, I was back at my car and joined another work telcon - I had to stay in town to keep a cell signal.  Before leaving Lake Placid, I looked around for the Jackrabbit Trail as it followed roads - it was possible but NOT easy...  I then followed NY-86 west to Carolyn Road and used to reach Old Military Road, which bypassed the town center.  A bit later, I reached NY-73 and headed east.  I got disconnected from another work call on the way so stopped at the Adirondack Mountain Club Cascade Welcome Center to try to stabilize the connection.  While there, I bought Eileen a map of the trails in the area (1155).  Back in the car, I continued south and then turned east on NY-9N.  Near Keane, I got on Water Street, which became NY-9N again.  I lost cell signal a few more times but continued to rejoin the telcons as much as I could.  Eventually, I crossed the Thruway (I-87) and then reached the western shore of Lake Champlain.  From there, I continued south (still on NY-9N until reaching NY-185) and crossed the lake at Crown Point.  In Vermont, I used NY-125 (and part of NY-22A for a bit) to reach Middlebury.  One of my work calls ended at around that time so I stopped for lunch at McDonalds (1330) and ate while joining another meeting.  When that was over (1400), I resumed my drive towards White River Junction.  I used US-7, VT-125, VT-100, Bethel Mountain Road and Camp Brook Road to cross a series of mountain ridges.  The weather was OK but there were slippery spots and several cautious drivers.  After finishing another few (short) work calls, I listened to audiobooks.  Eventually, I reached VT-12 and then followed I-89 until I got on US-4 just east of Quechee.  I arrived at my hotel at around 1530 and unpacked.  After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon teleworking.  When work was finished, I started emptying bags and talked to Erin on the phone.  I ate dinner in my room (1715).  At 1745, I drove over to Hanover (via I-91) and attended a Maple Syrup Seminar with the Hanover Conservancy (at the Howe Library).  I got to sample some of the syrup (it was good) and then walked back to my car (checked out bars nearby but didn’t go inside).  I drove back to White River Junction via I-91 (it started snowing on the way) and arrived by 1930.  After that, I watched movies in my room until 2130 and then went to bed (early). As I fell asleep, I reflected on how much I'd needed the change of scenery I experienced in Lake Placid.  After living in a hotel in the Upper Valley for about three weeks, I began to feel stifled.  The High Peaks Resort (located in the heart of the Adirondacks) provided something different - personal choice and freedom,  Of course, it also had great views and lots of incentive for outdoor time. The whole weekend was very cold - below zero when I arrived and in the teens the rest of the time; it also snowed almost continuously for nearly 48 hours - but I loved these conditions!  I got to spend a lot of time on skis, mostly on the Jackrabbit Trail.  Without a map, it was hard to find but I eventually visited almost the entire section near town (probably about seven miles).  On top of the fun in the snow, I tried food at several awesome restaurants, took in a movie in an old-timey cinema, sampled local brews and original mixed drinks, walked a borrowed dog, relaxed in a nearly private hot tub (no one else used it or the pool), enjoyed a warm fire with champagne and cookies, read some good books and (for some of my vacation) shared the good vibes and ADK wildness with another adventurous spirit.  I’m sure I’ve said (maybe too often) that I had an unbeatable weekend but this one takes the Olympic Gold for 2023!