Early Spring Restoration

By: David N.
Nyack, NY

Mirror Lake Inn Memories

“David, the Mirror Lake Inn is soliciting favorite memories for a contest.” As my wife said these words, we were in fact at the Mirror Lake Inn.

Ah, memories from our stays in Lake Placid. That shouldn’t be too difficult, I thought. Since, this week has barely begun, what about two years ago, when we stayed at the Inn on the cusp of Spring? My mind sorted through those not too distant images.

In 2005, Kathy and I were intent on ridding ourselves of creeping Winter crankiness. With each passing year, we found ourselves succumbing to a seasonal disaffection for cold and gray. We realized that the answer was not suburban hibernation. Rather, we needed to get outdoors and breath fresh wilderness air. So, we headed north.

Soon, we were out in the wilderness alright. In the back woods on one of the Adirondack Loj cross country ski trails we attempted to hone our virtually non-existent Nordic ski skills. Kathy, being the more sound thinker of our small expedition, had the sense to remove her skis and traverse the more windy, icy and steep declines in the trail. I, on the other hand, well, I learned the hard way that cross country skis are hard to control, at least for this office bound adventurer wannabe. Barely avoiding collisions with glacial bolder droppings and trees, I survived the day sore and tired. But then, there was the Mirror Lake Inn spa awaiting us. Into the sanctuary I went, as if back to the womb. A private whirlpool tub, just the right temperature, soothed my muscles and the eucalyptus steam bath softened me up for my massage. And this wasn’t just any massage. My therapist, Lisa, expertly found all of my little trouble spots, perfectly adjusting her touch, minute-by-minute. By the time I was escorted back to the sanctuary parlor and into the comfort of the overstuffed chair, I knew that the day was a perfect combination of physical challenge and pampering.

The next day, we were back at it, only this time it was at the Olympic Center at Mount Van Hoevenberg and its wide, well groomed trails. “Okay, this is more like it,” I thought. “I can handle these trails.” Like a child who doesn’t know when to come out of the pool, I immersed myself in the rhythmic ski effort. With images of heroic Nordic skiers undeterred by flash frozen faces, ever onward I pressed my middle aged body (special emphasis on middle aged). By the time I met up with Kathy, who was relaxing by the tupa, I was completely depleted. But then, there was the Mirror Lake Inn, awaiting with cookies, hot tea and an inviting fire. My spirits were never so high, buoyed by fresh air and the warmth of the Inn, I began to feel restored. A short time later, my recovery was completed when we had a savory dinner at the Inn. I cannot think of a more cozy dining experience for husband and wife, nourishment for the stomach and for the relationship.

A trip to Lake Placid would not be complete without attempting to break my leg at least once. Thus, Whiteface awaited. Now, what kind of an Alpine skier was I? Not much! That is, I skied regularly – every decade or so. Kathy deposited me at the mountain and she returned to walk the town and maybe do a little shopping. Careening down the slopes, I wondered, exactly what type of foolishness possessed me. But later, there was the Mirror Lake Inn. We sat on our balcony on this gorgeous late March day in shorts and tee shirts, soaking up the warm sun, recounting our respective days while gazing peacefully at the high peaks in the distance. I was beginning to feel truly restored. This was a vacation to remember. Or rather, this was a vacation to forget about work and deadlines and commitments. This was our time. And the best part was that we still had days to go.