So, I accidentally invented a perfect day yesterday. Here's how:
Some wish we'd just skip spring and go straight to summer. Not me. As the temperatures rise throughout spring in the Adirondacks, I find the higher temps, longer days, and sun have an almost dangerously energizing effect on me; dousing my cabin fever and sending me outdoors to do more than my lazy winter fitness levels should allow.
I don't usually wake up in Lake Placid, as I live on the Adirondack Coast of Lake Champlain, but on occasion, events or meeting schedules make staying overnight convenient. This week, I woke up early at the Golden Arrow Resort - with a view of the sunrise over Mirror Lake. The weather forecast called for nearly 60 degree temperatures sometime during the day, but it was only in the 30's early that morning.
I stepped out on the balcony to assess the situation, and found that although it was still a bit chilly, there was no wind, and as expected, gorgeous scenery that was calling me to go out and see more of it. So I donned my running gear to get an ATL under my belt. (In Lake Placid terms, ATL = "Around The Lake", a nice 2.7 mile loop circumnavigating Mirror Lake.)
I use my smartphone to keep track of miles and to take pictures whenever I go for a jaunt. The trouble is, then I have a record of how long it really takes me to go just a few miles, as I stop so often to capture the stunning Adirondack landscape we call home.
This April morning, I almost had the ATL route completely to myself. On a typical summer morning there would be a steady stream of walkers, strollers, runners, but it's a quiet time of year in town, and I was able to take pictures of the stunning reflections that justify the name of the lake in solitude.
I made sure to run the route in a counter-clockwise direction so that I could pick up a caffeinated beverage near the end of the loop. I stopped at Coff-e Bean and selected an extra large maple coffee to go.
I had just enough time to get ready for an event at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake. The NYS DEC has compiled statewide information in a new guide called "watchable wildlife" - and I got a sneak peak at the guide and a special presentation at the region's natural history museum - complete with de-scented skunks and a friendly porcupine named "Stickley". That was topped off with a couple of shots of maple syrup courtesy of the full sugaring operation they have on site for the community project and maple weekend events they promote for the tapping season. Can't wait to go back to the Wild Center again this summer - there are always cool new and different displays and programs.
I left Tupper Lake, and it was about 60 degrees under cloud-free sunny skies. As luck would have it, we needed some photos of one of the Saranac Lake 6er Challenge summits - Baker Mountain. So I grabbed the trailhead coordinates from the visitors center, changed, and headed out for a hike.
It's a short one - about a mile to the top. The trail wasn't muddy, so I decided to press on (hiking on muddy trails is discouraged in spring). I took my time getting to the top, then took pictures at the summit, chatting with a local hiker and new friend, and reluctantly headed back down to the trailhead to drive back to Lake Placid.
After checking in at the office, I had one more stop to complete my accidental perfect day before heading home. This was an errand, really; a stop to shop for our favorite beer from the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. I spoke with Kevin, the brewmaster briefly about mountain biking and marathons, of all things, then obtained the required Lake Placid IPA to bring home.
ATL, porcupines, maple syrup, an Adirondack peak and a local brew under sunny blue skies. Now that's MY idea of a perfect day!
Kim Rielly is the director of communications for the Lake Placid CVB.
