On Saturday morning, we drove to Keene Valley to eat breakfast at our favorite hangout, the Cliffhanger. Unfortunately, it was closed--a sign on the window said that the owner was down south helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. So we drove a few more blocks to the Noon Mark Diner for a hearty pre-ski breakfast.
After the meal, I drove Bamidele to Whiteface Mountain where she downhill skied. Naomi and I continued on to the Verizon Sports Complex to x-country ski on the Mount Van Hovenberg trails. Unfortunately, there was relatively little snow and many trails were closed. We met Bob and Claire who were also skiing on the Mount Van Hovenberg trails.
At 4 PM, Naomi and I drove off to pick up Bamidele and we all met at Goldberries in Lake Placid for dinner.
On Sunday, Bob was nursing a bruised toe--he and Claire spent the day driving around. Naomi and I had brought snowshoes, and we drove Bamidele to the Cascade Ski Touring Center where she rent a pair. Then we continued on to the ADK Loj and snowshoed on a trail to the Marcy Dam. Snowshoes weren’t absolutely necessary; we saw many people on the trail wearing hiking boots (some had crampons to get a better grip on the ice). As we returned from the Marcy Dam, it snowed lightly. We walked about four miles in total.
We all met for dinner at the Ausable Inn in Keene Valley. Afterwards, Naomi, Bamidele and I drove to Saranac Lake to look at the Ice Castle which had partially melted.
On Monday morning, I x-country skied on my own at the Cascade Ski Touring Center. As at neighboring Mount Van Hovenberg, many of the trails were closed. Nevertheless, the trails that were open had good snow coverage and I enjoyed the beautiful trail system.
Driving home, I filled up a five-gallon water container with spring water at a turnout on Route 73 just before the Northway. We stopped at the Silo (exit 18? off the Northway) for lunch and to buy gifts. Bob and Claire remained in Upper Jay for the rest of the week.
David Levner
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