Hiking Mt. Mansfield

My husband, Rick, and I hiked Mt. Mansfield in Vermont yesterday.  It is the highest peak in Vermont at about 4300 ft.  The weather was perfect, mid 70's, cool breeze and I was looking forward to hiking.  Hiking in the woods (about that later) is one of my favorite activities.  It has become very spiritual for me.  Do I consider myself a "experienced" hiker, no way.....I struggle going up and may even cry coming down!!  Which, I have to just stop and say, God knew what he was doing when he chose Rick for my mate.  Rick is literally my rock when we hike, following closer than he should on the way up (why?  to catch me, of course!) and determining the safest way down. After asking staff at the  VonTrapp Family Lodge, we decided to take the Hellbrook Trail to the summit of Mt. Mansfield. 

(The picture is grainy, I know, I have to take photography lessons one of these days).  I enjoy hiking in the woods, only because I can't see how high I actually am!  Open up the trail at the summit and that's soon enough for me!  None of this seeing the entire world as I'm scrambling up the trail!  The sun coming through the woods was so beautiful on yesterday and there was water running down the mountain almost the entire hike up!  Which, of course means slippery rocks, moss or tree roots.  We encountered lots of sheer rock on steep terrain.

 Thus the hazards of hiking:  My shin after a slip - Rick was there, just not anticipating a fall where I was climbing at the time.  It looks a lot worse than it was! Arriving at the top of the Hellbrook Trail.  This is where I thought of a new book title, "The Older I Get, the More I Sweat"!   Look for it in Amazon!!  

We decided to take the "Adams Apple" to the summit, only to find it wasn't the summit, we still had to hike up to "the chin". There was a group of 5th graders from a Vt. school on their annual hiking trip.  Skipping and laughing all the way up "the chin".  I hated them!

Remember earlier when I stated I enjoy hiking in the woods?  The views are what we hike for, right?  I am scared of heights!  At one point on the hike up "the chin", I actually panicked.  I had to step, literally only step, over a crevasse and all I could think about was the sheer cliff behind me.....Rick had his work out for him!  He handled the situation beautifully.  He took my arm, knelt down beside me and didn't say anything!  The touch of his arm on mine was warm and comforting, thus the courage to continue on came.  The views were spectacular and I'm always glad when I make the summit.  If only to prove I can overcome my fears.

 
After having lunch on the summit, it was time to climb down!  Starting out over the ridge, knowing that we would end up about a mile away from where we parked, mutually we decided to take a trail called The Cliff (exactly), since it would take us down to Stowe Mt. ski trails and closer to the car.  Climbing up over rocks on steep terrain is more appealing to me than face planting on those rocks on the way down. Hiking down boulders and sheer rocks can bring out the crazy in me!  In hiker-like fashion (I'm sure this is any trail magazine), I "crab" crawl my way down.  Rick affectionately calls it my butt slide.  Often he would stop and turn to me and say, "honey, you need to butt slide here"!  The Cliff trail was the most grueling trail I have ever hiked so far.  Some of the rocks had hand grips - yes, hand grips - how on earth do they get them in the rocks?  And why on earth am I there to see them?  We were crawling over, under and squeezing through rocks and trees the entire way down on this trail.  Obviously, we made it down safe and sound.  

I have such a admiration for people who continually conquer their fears and don't give up.

Got back to the car after hiking for 6 hours.  After cleaning up at our room at the lodge, it was time for my 1 hour photography class.  Here are pictures of the sunset and full moon I captured.  What a great day!

Ahhhh......A Rainy Day

I've been busy getting gardens ready for their Spring debut.  Needless to say, I'm a little sore.  For me, Winter is a time to rejuvenate and I don't always exercise as I should, so, my muscles are talking to me!!  Anyway, I'm getting off track.  Rainy days are usually spent in my sewing room.  (one of my favorite places on earth!!)  I have a project I'm working on, but, I can't reveal it just yet. But, I can share some of the other projects that I have made.
This is a family quilt for our grandson.  Muslim squares were sent to members of the family and they were asked to design a square pertaining to them or the area they lived.  It turned out great, everyone created a unique and personal square.  The quilt was really fun to put together!

The sweet girls in our family received a jumper from Nana for their birthday.  Each was designed with their tastes in mind. 

I enjoy making things for other people and have a difficult time making something for myself.  But, I did just that for Spring.  This is a wreath made out of different scraps of flower material I had. The bow was the most difficult piece. 

These are my grandson's Saints slippers.  His mom wanted to  preserve them.  Aren't they adorable??

These are a few of my projects.  I am currently working on place mats, for me.  I had received an old "dresden" quilt from a family member.  The quilt was purchased at a garage sale to be used for a project that never materialized:)  Anyway, I didn't have any connection with the quilt, so it didn't bother me when I decided to cut it into rectangles for place mats.  The quilt is falling apart at some points, but, to me, it adds character.  I'll share them at a later date.  

Now that my blog for the day is complete, the sun has come out:( What a dilemma.......sew or gardening......

Have a great Saturday!  

 

 

 

Within Reach

Walking this morning, I, again, realized how much my little "Hamlet of Olmstedville" has to offer.  Let's take a journey together.......
Imagine you are on vacation, driving to, hmmmm, let's say Montreal, Canada and you are passing through Olmstedville, NY.  It's getting late, you are tired and hungry.  Driving into the hamlet,  you come upon The Alpine Bed and Breakfast, the perfect place to stop and rest for the night.

Now that you have found a place to stay, what are you going to do for dinner?  Well, a short walk from the B&B is The Owl at Twilight, a fine dining restaurant, a savory experience you won't soon forget.  The next morning after your breakfast at The Alpine Homestead, you decide to shower, only realizing you forgot to get that haircut before leaving for vacation.  Don't worry, take care of it at Christine's Salon.

 Now don't you feel better?  You are almost ready to start your journey again.  Oh wait, didn't you want to send a postcard to your mother?  Sullivan's General Store has them! Don't drive to it, it's so close, take a walk!

I suggest you write the postcard in our local park, across the street from the general store. A place to sit by the stream and enjoy the sound of the water.  (P.S. Don't forget to tell your mother about the gem of a town you found in the Adirondack Park)

Did you remember to bring stamps for the postcard? What??? You didn't......you are in luck, the Post Office is a stone's throw from the general store and the park.  Aren't you glad you stop in Olmstedville?  And your adventure isn't over yet!

 It's probably close to lunch by now and do you really want to stop again before getting to Montreal??  Eat lunch at Lil' Noni's Bakery and Sandwich Shop, locally owned and operated.  A variety of breakfast and lunch selections plus their home made bakery goodies. Now that your tummy is filled, postcard has been mailed, don't you want to know more about the history of this little town?  Across the street from Lil' Noni's is the Minerva Historical Society.

 

 There are also churches nearby and our local Fire and Rescue squad are ready to serve you. 

Wow, you have had a busy day in Olmstedville, you know what you should do?  Stay another night at the B&B and rest up. 




 If you decide you want to stay permanently, we can also accommodate you..........:)

                                    Have a blessed day!!

 

My "Go To" Person

Got back from a wonderful vacation in Florida visiting family on Tuesday.  Wednesday morning was spent vacuuming up pet hair, laundry, unpacking, you know the usual.  I was taking out the garbage and went out the back door.  As I was coming back into the house, I tripped and fell against the open door, still not sure what I hit exactly, but, I split my lip in the process.  My first concern was my teeth, until I put my hand up to my mouth and felt wetness, which I immediately knew was blood.  Went into the bathroom to check and sure enough, my lip was split.  After getting some ice, I immediately called my "go to" person, my sister, Peg. (My husband wasn't home at the time).  I wasn't sure if I needed medical attention and asked her to come over (she practically lives in my backyard).  She didn't hesitate, didn't change her shoes, didn't even bring the car!!  She got to my house in less than 5 minutes!  Peg took me to the hospital and I got stitches and  blah, blah, blah.  Peg and I are there for each other, no matter what, even when we disagree!  It is such a comforting feeling to have someone who accepts me for me, the good, bad and right now, the ugly!!  (She told me this morning, my lip isn't even noticeable.....such a liar!!)  We are very fortunate to live so close to each other and are very thankful that we can.   I hope you have a "go to" person, and if it happens to be your sister, call her.   She's waiting to hear from you.

Adirondack Camps

I love the idea of camps and cottages.  A building in a remote place where families gather for anticipated adventures and long lived memories.  Filled with comfortable furniture that doesn't match and no televisions, laptops, ipads, Xboxes....get my drift?  Places where you have to interact with each other or curl up in a corner to read a book (yes, one you have to hold), play card games, checkers, go for walks.....do any of you have places like that?  I bet some of you do..

Our family had a camp in the Pocono Mts. of Pennsylvania, Tobyhanna to be exact.  I grew up in Southern Lancaster County of PA and summers were expectant times.  We would vacation in Tobyhanna a number of weeks during school break.  My Nana and PapPap built the cabin.   I don't remember the "original" cabin.  The cabin was built on to and had enough beds to sleep 12 people comfortably.  There was no running water and a hand water pump outside with a slate patio built around it.  The water was so cold and a serious wake-up call in the morning.  We had enamel bowls to wash in and pumped 3-4 buckets of water to drink, which would be placed in the kitchen.  There was an outdoor fireplace as well as one inside.  Almost every night a fire was built indoors, the nights would get very cool and there wasn't any other heat source, and we would make s'mores and play Screwball Rummy.  During the days we would go to the State Park nearby and swim, take walks through the woods, rake leaves, always gathering firewood, sit on the porch with Mom and Nana and took drives at night to see the deer in the meadows.  It was great.  I learned to crochet and cross-stitch at the cabin, but that's another blog.  

A picture of few of my sister's, brother's and my children enjoying the cabin

A picture of our "children" a little older (they have now given us grandchildren!)

Some pictures of ADK cabins within 4 miles of my house 

 Interact with someone in a positive way today!

 

Sunrise Service on Gore Mountain

Beautiful morning for a Easter Sunrise service on Gore Mt.  The pictures speak for themselves.   Have a wonderful day.

Sister  and Brother-in-Law, Barry and Peggy

My better half, Rick

 

Temporary Home

Like many of my friends in the Northeast, this is what I woke up to.  It was 29 degrees and windy in Oville this morning.  Sun shining, another beautiful day.  Walked around the Federal Flats loop this morning, about 4 miles.  The roads were basically bare although there were a few treacherous shady spots.  I am more cautious as I get older, my bones are weaker, arthritis kicking in, so I tend to watch where my feet are landing more than I used to.  If I could come back in life as anyone, I would choose my husband, Rick.  I have never met anyone who enjoys life more than him.  There was no doubt in my mind that he would ski today.  We live 8 miles from Gore Mt. and this is the last week of operation, Easter being the last day.  Rick has skied over 100 days this season, crazy, right?  He is living his dream.  He finds good in every day and every person (sometimes to a fault).  I thought about him while walking today.  The battery on my camera died, so I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted, but, it gave me the opportunity to reflect.  I am so focused on my next step that I wasn't enjoying the life around me.  How many of us do that?  I can talk myself out of a walk quicker than anything.  You probably think, it's easy for her to say, she's retired and doesn't have any worries or responsibilities.  I worry.....still have bills to pay, will we have enough money to live on, concerns for family, health issues......   But, I guess what I'm talking about is finding that good in every day, looking up and enjoying the life I have.  Whatever you are doing today, I hope you find good in your day.  Enjoy this temporary home we have been given. 

Blogging is fairly new to me.  I am going to attempt to share interesting topics about my life in the Adirondack Mountains.  This will range from day to day happenings to sewing projects to where I like to eat. (and I do like to eat!)  Hopefully the stories will be interesting to you and I promise to keep posts short!  The picture above was taken yesterday on a walk down Trout Brook Road.  It was a beautiful day yesterday and the streams were flowing with snow melt.  My goal is to walk for an hour, 5 days a week.  My other goal is to see a Moose before I die!  Therefore, I take my camera with me, I figure the extra weight can only add to my fitness!  Today there is a flood watch for our area, it's been raining hard, off and on, with temperatures dropping.  Possible rain mixed with snow later this evening. This is my round about way of confessing I didn't walk today.......  Talk to you tomorrow.  Have a blessed day.