Back from the Adirondacks

Oh what a week we had...

We rented a cabin in Keene, NY off of O'Toole Road. The cabin could be accessed after a 3.5 mile drive UP Hurricane Road, and then another 1/2 mile UP a gravel road. The view from the deck was well worth the drive. This cabin had no TV, the phone was not connected, no cell coverage, no Wi-Fi, in other words, PERFECT! Lots of books and a cassette and 8-track tape player for music!

We managed to hike close to 20 miles and I was also able to get a bit over 20 miles of additional trail running. I typically would wake up around 7am and leave Denise and the girls sleeping as I went exploring for 1 to 2 hours in the woods. By the time I returned, they were awake and ready for the day's activities. The girls were much stronger and able to handle some longer and more challenging hikes this year.

Sunday:
51 minute run from the cabin to the top of Big Crow Mountain
1.4 mile hike with the family on the same trail. We drove to the trail head instead of hiking from the cabin.

Monday:
8 mile hike on the West/East River Trail. We got caught in a passing thunderstorm which made for lots of slipping and squealing as we scrambled over the wet rocks and roots.

Tuesday:
1 hour trail run towards Lost Pond
Walking around the town of Lake Placid for the annual 'Hoodie Hunt'. This is where we dart into and out of EVERY store on Main Street looking for the 'perfect' sweatshirt.

Wednesday:
6 mile hike to the Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower. 1600 ft vertical elevation change and an incredible view at the summit! Lots of black flies and one incredible wipe-out by Denise on the descent.

Thursday:
1 hour 36 minute trail run from the cabin to Weston Mountain via Lost Pond. Saw a black bear less than 1 mile into the run. I am not sure who was scared the most, him or me! I never thought a bear could run so fast! I gave him a minute or two and then continued on my way, making as much noise as I could. He had run down the trail for ~200 yds before his tracks disappeared into the woods. That was pretty exciting to say the least. The view from Westin Mountain was awesome and well worth the fright of the bear sighting!
Back to Lake Placid for "Hoodie Hunt II" and an aborted swim in Mirror Lake. Too cold!

Friday:
2.4 mile hike to the summit of Baxter Mountain. This was nearly stopped short due to tummy distress by both Gina and Abby. Fortunately they felt better as we descended from a brief stop at the summit, where once again, we were greeted by lots of black flies. Abby won 'best blood' award for this hike with a nice bleeding bug bite behind her ear.
Back to Lake Placid again to find the beach packed on this 80 degree afternoon. The girls were not denied the swim this time...

Saturday:
Packed up and we drove back to Forestville to spend the night with Denise's parents.

Sunday:
Made the final drive back to Twinsburg to be welcomed home by Mia, Cassie, and Forrest. It was nice to get away from the pets, but much nicer to be back!