My first visit to the Adirondacks was on our honeymoon. We spent most of the week in Lake Placid NY and I fell in love with the mountains and all the trees. It snowed day after day during our stay. Neither of us are skiers, but we took advantage of the weather with lots of snowball fights, ice-skating, and evenings by a warm fire. We moved from one bed and breakfast to another, getting a sampling of what each had to offer. Two were rustic-type ski lodges, and the third was a fancy Victorian style place that made us a fabulous dinner on Christmas Eve.Being away from home at Christmas was actually really nice because we were removed from all the usual hustle and bustle. Christmas night was a little lonely and we had to struggle to find a place that was open for dinner; if I remember right, I think we found an Italian place and had dinner early - traditional lasagna, of course.
I've been back to Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain (pictured at right) many times since, but alwa
ys in early summer when the fields are covered with blooming orange hawkweed and the sound of a running stream is somewhere in the distance. The Adirondacks are beautiful then, but seeing it for the first time, so stark and white and cold, is something I will always remember. I have dreams of moving there, when we're old and gray, to live beside some quiet lake in the middle of nowhere. When I imagine that day in the future, it's always a winter's day with snow falling and a view of the ice on the lake outside my front window.
13 comments:
LOVE that picture of you in the red plaid coat, big smile, snow falling. You look so very happy!
Oh my, your honeymoon sounds very familiar! Everyone made fun of me for going to Vermont for my honeymoon instead of someplace hot - I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves snow and cold and mountains and warm snuggly fireplaces. You look like you had a great time!
Here's another vote for you in the red plaid coat!
Your honeymoon sounds wonderful, almost magical. I've heard such wonderful things about the Adirondacks!
As for a restaurant on or around Christmas, Indian is always a good bet.
So sweet! Thinking of the two of you playing in the snow, all cute and in love and giddy with thoughts of the future...just too neat for words.
Lynne: Thanks - I was happy and sort of googly-eyed in love!
Naturewoman: It was hard to explain that we went there, not being skiers, but it was so pretty! Vermont must have been nice!
Bunnygirl: The village at Lake Placid is very touristy - I don't think there was even a Chinese take-out place.
I've never really tried Indian food, but a new lady at work has been *teaching* us about Indian cuisine - so far I can say that I love samosas!
Susan: It was sooo cold - required lots of by-the-fire snuggling.
What a great bunch of memories! I'm so impressed by your writing!
It usually triggers memories for me too. Anyway . . . my great-grandparents had a summer place at Lake Placid -- I think my Gammy Lola had been raised there. I never got to go there but my mother spent some summers there and loved it.
As for the snow -- it's lovely when you can huddle in a bed and breakfast by the fire but living in it. Brrr! No thanks! :)
What a great bunch of memories! I'm so impressed by your writing!
It usually triggers memories for me too. Anyway . . . my great-grandparents had a summer place at Lake Placid -- I think my Gammy Lola had been raised there. I never got to go there but my mother spent some summers there and loved it.
As for the snow -- it's lovely when you can huddle in a bed and breakfast by the fire but living in it. Brrr! No thanks! :)
Laura, when you are old and gray, the place by the lake in the mountains I hope will be yours. Great memories and I, too, like you in the plaid coat!
I'm drawn to snowy places too. There's something about the clear brisk air, brilliant white snow on evergreens, and knowing there's a warm fire to return home to, that is about is romantic as it gets. I hope you get your dream place when you are old and gray. You will love it, and everyday will be like your honeymoon.
I like that red coat, too.
I have never been over in those mountains. A Mainer, Julia Spencer-Fleming writes mysteries from there, and I enjoy hearing about the area.
That would be a neat place to retire, if you are snow loving people.
Lovely photo. Looks like you were placed in a snow globe. (Sandy, I love the Julia Spencer-Fleming books. The last one doesn't have an ending I would choose though!)
I've only been in the Adirondacks in summer and autumn. However, at those times, they're actually quite a bit like around here, so I think winter would be similar - great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. I love that photo of you in the red coat against the snow-covered trees.
Liza: You've got a good point - the snow can be tiresome and all the mud that follows in the spring. It's just so pretty there.
Mary: Everyone wants to move to Florida or somplace warm, but you miss the snow, don't you?
Robin: From reading your blog, I think maybe you're living my dream!
Sandy: I'd bet that my brother would want to retire where you live in Maine. Our family always went there for vacations. How do you like it there?
Bodysoulspirit: Me in a snow-globe! lol! Will have to look for those books - thanks for the hint.
Bev: I've never learned to ski or snowshoe - but can imagine myself doing it in some remote place.
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