Even after I finally fell asleep last night, I really got deep into a REM cycle. At 0630, I gave up on sleep and started teleworking. I ate breakfast in the hotel lobby at 0800 and talked about India with the owner. Also examined whether I could easily extend my visit for another day... Back in my room, I talked to Eileen (planning for later in the day). I had meetings until 1030 - after that, got in my car and drove west (on US-11) to Saint Lawrence University. I explored the campus a little bit and then located the trailhead for the Kip Trail (starts near Wachtmeister Field Station) at 1055. Eileen got there shortly afterwards (she had Mika with her) and we started walking into the woods. It’s been snowing almost continuously in Potsdam and Canton while I’ve been in the area so there is no shortage of powdery goodness on the trail. I needed gaiters because the snow was about 4-6 inches deep (more coming) but, fortunately, didn’t need micro-spikes or snowshoes. Temps were in the teens and, unsurprisingly, it felt quite cold. This walk was very pretty - the forest was almost completely silent throughout my time there and I kept thinking of Robert Frost’s iconic line: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep”. Eileen and I were able to talk a lot and I had fun playing with Mike. Meanwhile, it started snowing again... At 1245, we finished our wintry walk and I dropped off Eileen at her office. After that, I headed (via US-11) back towards Potsdam (it continued snowing most of the way). I stopped at Tim Hortons for lunch (1255) and got a nice turkey sandwich (with warm chips!). Back at my hotel, I teleworked all afternoon (finished at 1730). Eileen had suggested that I pick her up for dinner but she had to postpone a few times (for work, dogs, kids). Eventually (1830), she was in my car and we first tried to get dinner at Jake's on the Water. Unfortunately, it was closed for the day so we backtracked into Potsdam and parked near the Clarkson Inn. Eileen told me she wanted to have a meal at Maxfield's, a surprisingly fancy dinner spot on the main street. We had some good drinks (local beer for me, cocktail for her), appetizers (brussels sprouts, seafood jambalaya and salad) and shared a main course (the special, roast duck with noodles). Everything was excellent and we topped off the meal with some Crème Brule (also good). We had a great conversation and the whole evening was wonderful. Afterwards (2045), I took her home and we made plans for the next day. On my way back to the hotel, I tried to return Erin's calls (from earlier in the evening) but she texted that she was too tired to talk. Since I'd earlier been unable to get the remaining 1000 steps for an even 10K for the day, I stopped at the Walmart and walked around inside until I reached my goal. It was warm inside the cavernous building and it was tough to go back outside to the car... I headed back to my hotel (arrived at about 2200) and spent the rest of the evening reading and relaxing until bedtime (2300). Today ranks as one of the best I've had in New York's North Country - hope to have some more like it!
