Another Big Mac Wednesday

My season has been a mix of things: handling my transition into retirement, managing the construction of our home and chasing NY lake effect snow. I was at it again last week, rolling over my 401k and scoring a powder day at McCauley.

Good morning

It’s weird being retired. It struck me again early last week when I realized the potential for another Big Mac Wednesday. McCauley is closed on Tuesdays, and if you pay attention, you can score some deep untracked from a two-day snowfall. I thought hell yea, I could be there. On Tuesday I drove to our camp in the Adirondacks, started a fire in the woodstove and skied our woods.

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Midweek McCauley

Most people save their vacation days for warmer weather, traveling to beaches in the winter or just enjoying summer days. Skiers and snowboarders hoard our days waiting for the opportune storm or coveted trip. Powder days are most precious and after the storm last week it was time to use some PTO.

McCauley view

Skiing midweek has its perks. Despite the sixty-minute drive to Old Forge, I still get to sleep in, compared to a work day. McCauley Mountain reported 9 inches during the week and the parking lot was empty when I pulled in just before the first chair.

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McCauley to the Rescue

After a nice big storm in mid-December, I think it’s fair to say we dodged a bullet at the end of last week. A second big event, originally in the long range as snow storm, looked more like a sure thing for rain as it got closer.

Adirondack cabin

Then, at the last minute, the storm track moved a bit east. Not east enough for a full-fledged happy ending, but enough to deliver both front and backend snow in NY.

I’ve been watching NY snowfall radar for 20 years, and I’ve rarely, if ever, seen that kind of significant last minute reprieve, even if it wasn’t complete.

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