white pine camp

Camp is not only for the young

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We just spent a remarkable, relaxing respite at White Pine Camp in the Adirondacks.

Tea house on Osgood Pond

Tim has undertaken a quest to swim 3/4 mile in 47 lakes in the Adirondacks and we took dips in Lake Colby, Lower St. Regis Lake and Osgood Pond. I finally shed my wetsuit and breathed deeply.

We kayaked the Osgood River one day with friends,

and through a canal system to get to Church Pond and a short walk to Paul Smiths college.

Canal and footbridge

We had to shimmy ourselves off some shallow spots in the canals.

We hiked to the St. Regis Mountain fire tower, where the views of the Adirondacks were stunning. A young boy told us he could see Canada, but I think he was dreaming.

Not Canada
Tim’s rock

Tim recalled taking cover under this ledge 30 years ago when he was caught in lightning near the summit. We dodged a few ourselves this trip.

We took time to smell the roses.

We never had to pick up a kayak, they slid into the water from the boathouse.

We went bowling, on an ancient alley, reset the pins by hand, played pool, ping-pong, and took lots of naps.

Camp is good for all ages.

Winter fun in the sun

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I probably don’t spend enough time playing outdoors in the winter. Sitting near the wood stove is so cozy.

Because I’m a princess, conditions have to be just right: not too cold (above -10 f); not too icy (this could keep me in all season); and a chance to spend time with family.

Grandkids drew me to Vermont, where I skied with my son’s family. Conditions met all my criteria and, for some reason, there were no crowds. I even went tubing! Our faces show it all.

This week Tim and I stayed at White Pine Camp. He had high hopes to cross country ski, but there wasn’t enough snow. So instead we walked and hiked.

First to Debar Pond Lodge, which is in a beautiful wilderness setting. The buildings themselves are in disrepair and there is some controversy over what NY State should do with the property. I hope we the voters decide to keep it as is.

The wind picked up ahead of a cold front and we could see how it funneled down the pond by the lean of the trees.

It was an easy walk with microspikes although my dendrophobia (fear of trees) kicked in. I don’t fear trees, just the possibility of them falling on me.

So I kept my head down and examined the pond.

These reflections morphed from a hawk flying overhead to a large goose.

At least to me.

Back at the Camp, we played pool, ping pong, and Tim tried his hand at bowling on what must be one of the oldest “functioning” bowling alleys. There was a sharp curve to the right but the ball return worked.

He had big plans for us the next day. The temperature had plummeted and the strong winds continued, creating a windchill that barely met my criteria. We walked from Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center, the VIC, to the summit of Jenkins Mountain.

A good part of the walk is along a part of the 85 mile long Rainbow Esker in the St. Regis area. An esker is a narrow ridge, formed by an underground ice tunnel when glaciers covered the land. Very cool.

Trees squeaked, groaned, and scraped but I only saw one branch actively fall. Active fall?

Then we headed home to our house, which had lost power due to – fallen trees!

Who knew I was such a slacker

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My house chores have increased significantly now that Tim is one handed, and lefty at that. I realize that he does the lion’s share of housecleaning. I was able to ignore many things, knowing full well he would take care of it. Now it’s up to me, temporarily.

So I dusted and washed a few floors (on my hands and knees, the only way). I think if I had more free time, I might actually like cleaning. But when I pulled out the ammonia from under the sink the bottom of the bottle was wet. I found a drippy sink hose and tried to tighten things up to fix it. It didn’t. So now I will try to replace the whole faucet when it arrives.

Next up, the wood stove. We were a little short of wood at the beginning of the fall and had to buy some seasoned hardwood, cut too long for our wood stove. Tim gave me a brief refresher course in safe chain saw use and I cut and split a wheelbarrow full of wood to start.

Any task with scissors or a screw top lid requires my second hand. He writes pretty well with his left hand and thank goodness for dictation on the iPad.

Sunrise White Pine Camp

I had a reprieve from chores for Christmas. We went to a cabin on a lake in the woods, with heat, a kitchen and bathroom. All with plumbing that worked and didn’t leak. It was beautiful and relaxing. We took walks and played games. I knit mittens and sewed in threads on a quilt.

Tea house in snow
A little Christmas tree

Now it’s time to get back to work.