Gore Mountain Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving is often our first chance to ski, and this year was no different. After a midday feast with extended family, we drove to the mountains. We arrived around 9pm. I was up early, and headed to the hill by myself, letting the girls sleep in.

I pulled into the upper lot right next to my friend Duck and he had the prodigal ski with him. Five days after Stella, I ripped out a binding in the Tahawas trees and my ski ran far in deep snow. After a half-hearted look, I started the long hike out. This past September, Duck hiked the mountain and brought the orphan out. I put it in my car, a good start to the day.

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The Adirondack Dream Week

Some things exist, while others are only in your mind. Still perfect conditions can make reality fantastic. Or put another way, just because something exists doesn’t mean it’s not fantasy.

The Adirondack Dream Week is something I’ve come to expect every September, or at this time in my life, every August. This is not to say that conditions are dreamy every year. But it’s often enough to keep the dream alive.

This year was just about perfect. Sunny, cold, breezy and almost bug-free.  We didn’t really have big plans when we arrived. Mountain biking, glade clearing, trail maintenance, gymnastics, paddling, walking and drinking it in.

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Rafting the Hudson: All Forward!

All Forward! The urgency was noticeable in our boat guide’s voice. Two More! Paddling from the bow my first stroke waved in the air, and my second stroke never had a chance.

The wave crashed me to the floor of the raft. We shot out the backside of the rapid, paddles raised, everyone still aboard. High Five!

In the morning energy was high at Square Eddy Expeditions, full of handshakes and hugs. Lori and Linc greeting everyone with their infectious upbeat personalities. “Going to be FUN today, this river is going BIG!”

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