mango + pear

on top of the world.

I'm not sure that I will even be able to properly articulate the kind of experience that I had last weekend, but I have been very excited to share the photos with everyone, so here goes...

Jeff first mentioned hiking in the Adirondacks a few weeks ago, but at the time I don't think I really thought too much about it. We talked about it for a couple of minutes I think, and then that was it. The hike came up a few more times over the next couple of weeks, but we were wondering if it might be too late in the season and just too cold. I received an e-mail from Jeff somewhere in there one morning with a picture of Mount Marcy and as I read the description, the article mentioned that it was the highest peak in the Adirondacks and probably the toughest trail to hike... I think I even remember it being suggested that this was not a trail for beginners. No sweat, right?! (I believe that this is the point in the story where I should mention that I was a beginner... I had never done any hiking before... ever.) But still, I remained unfazed. Fast forward to last Thursday and it's starting to sick in... we're going hiking this weekend... I've never hiked before... it's the highest peak in the Adirondacks... I don't even have any hiking boots yet... I'm going to have blisters... what have I gotten myself into?

Luckily, we find a good pair of boots when we make a quick stop in Kingston on Friday night. The salesman assures me that they are good boots and that I will not get blisters... I'm not so sure. Jeff suggests that maybe I should put them on in the car and wear them for the rest of the drive to Lake Placid. Uh huh.

Saturday a.m. The alarm goes off at 6:10. I put on my four layers of clothing with my eyes still half shut. A hearty McDonald's breakfast and we're ready to go. (Please note: we were planning on a much more nutritious meal, however, nothing else seemed to be open at such an early hour).

We're at the base just shortly after 8 and Jeff signs us in. We have to sign in, seriously? Why is that... in case we get eaten by bears or fall of the mountain and we don't make it back? Oh great.

10 hours and 10 minutes later... we sign out. Safe and sound. A little tired, a little sore, a lot hungry, but happy and most importantly, blister free. We made it. I hiked a mountain. And not just any old mountain. Mount Marcy (yes, it was named after me)... the highest mountain in the Adirondacks (have I mentioned that before)... I did it!

Now here's the proof.

 

 

Words cannot describe how breathtaking the views were that day. We could not have asked for better weather... and standing on the top of that summit I felt like I was standing on top of the world. I was so proud of myself and it really made me realize what I'm made of. Jeff was an amazing hiking buddy... continuously checking in to see if I needed a break, making sure that I stayed hydrated, holding out his hand to help me with the big rocks... I think he was pretty amazed that even as the sun started to go down and my knees started to cry out a little in pain, I still had a big smile on my face... and how could I not?! It was a really great day. Life is good.

P.S. Pay attention, Jeff... I've done this before. You have to be careful when you're on these mountains. Otherwise you get hurt and I'm going to have to be the one carrying you out of here ;)

hello fall.

Officially, fall arrived 32 days ago. Unofficially, I don’t think I had really felt it yet, not until yesterday. I was driving down the street and a leaf came falling down in front of me… and it suddenly hit me… there was a change in the air. It was fall. I felt it again later on in the evening as I drove the familiar route to mom and dad’s house for dinner. It was only 6:00 and the sky was almost dark… yes, fall was definitely here.

It’s weird, because I have been doing lots of fall activities… I first noticed the changing of colours on our drive to Niagara Falls a couple of weeks ago… then again Thanksgiving weekend when Jeff and I were rollerblading in Presqu’ile and picking apples at Campbell’s Orchards. Last weekend we were hiking in the Adirondacks and there was no mistaking it there… fall was all around us.

I was surprised that this sudden realization yesterday actually brought a smile to my face. For those of you that are regular followers of this blog, you have heard me talk about fall before… about how much I love summer and the sun and the beach and walking around in bare feet or flip-flops all day long… the arrival of fall has always been something that I have struggled with.  It was last year, however, when my feelings toward this particular season began to change. We started to get to know each other, fall and I, and I have to admit we ended up getting along pretty well.

So yesterday, instead of sadly mourning the fact that I was no longer wearing my flip-flops and that it was finally time to put away my summer clothes… I actually found myself thinking of all of the great things that fall really has to offer… cozy fireplaces, big mugs of hot chocolate, soft sweaters, breathtaking colours and scenery, snuggling up under a warm blanket. I feel that it must also be mentioned that my new and joyful outlook on fall may have a little something to do with a special man in my life. Jeff loves being outdoors and over the past few weeks I have been more than happy to join him in most of his outdoor adventures. It’s just a plain fact, fall is definitely much more enjoyable when you have someone to share it with… and to snuggle up to when the weather outside starts getting cold.

And so it seems… that while summer has always been and will always remain my first true love… fall and I…  we are well on our way to becoming very good friends indeed. 

Adirondacks, Lake Placid, NY | October 18th, 2008

(Note: this post was written yesterday, but my internet connection would not co-operate until today.)

on my way here...

 

  

  

That's right... I'm on my way to Niagara Falls for the weekend to Great Wolf Lodge with my good friends Andrea and Tony and their kids. I'm not sure who is more excited, me or the little ones. I have both cameras charged up and ready to go! 

I have lots to catch up on from September and I hope I will be able to do that next week along with lots of great pictures and stories of our Niagara adventures.

Have a great weekend everyone!