Top of Algonquin (Pete H, David, Pete K, Bruce, Anne, Kathy, Joe, Lisa, Ken)	Algonquin View	Algonquin View	Algonquin View
Trail down Algonquin Interesting plant	Avalanche Lake	Avalanche Lake	Avalanche Lake
Group at Avalanche Lake (far end)	Cascade	Cascade	Group on Cascade
Group on Porter

Trip Log

Thursday:  At 2 PM, I met Anne and Bruce at my parking lot and began driving up.  We encountered little traffic except near Albany, and arrived at around 7 PM.   We had just missed Joe and Lisa's car.  They had the misfortune to eat at a terrible fried food restaurant nearby.  Having been warned, we proceeded to Keene Valley in search of a diner Anne had spotted on the way up.  This restaurant, the Noon Mark, turned out to be (understandably) famous for its food.  We ran into Barbara and Pete Hardy there.  I tried the blueberry pancakes, which were so good that I violated my breakfast taboo on Monday to have some again on the way back.   After dinner, we all returned to the inn, introductions were made, and we retired for the evening.  Though the weather was cold and wet on Thursday, the next four days were gorgeous (until we returned to NYC).   

Friday:  Breakfast was at 7:30.   I only attended to hear any announcements Joe might make, and slept in the remaining days.  Our first hike was up Algonquin, starting from the ADK lodge parking lot.    Having been unable to hike for two months for various reasons,  I found this hike a little strenuous.  The weather was beautiful, and bugs did not bother us on this or any of the other hikes.  We started at 9:30 and returned around 4:30;  the hike was around 8.5 miles roundtrip.  For the first time, I observed (and experienced) sweat evaporating directly off the skin, clothes,  and head - an eerie sight    We returned to the lodge for showers and proceeded into Lake Placid for dinner at Nicola's, a touristy but good Italian place on Main street.  Afterwards, we returned to the inn.  Here, I rued, for the first of several clear nights, having neglected to bring my telescope.  The Milky Way was visible, though not as clear as in Hawaii.

Saturday:  We undertook a relatively flat hike along Avalanche Pass, once again departing from the ADK lodge.  The trip was 10 miles roundtrip, but less strenuous that its predecessor.  Circumnavigation of Avalanche Lake itself requires a system of platforms and ladders, a fun interlude which provided practice for my new loft bed.   Near the destination, Anne fell and cut herself, but was hardy enough to continue to the lake and execute the return journey.  Upon our return, we drove Anne to the local hospital and returned to the inn to freshen up.  Joe remained with her and we picked them both up on the way to dinner.  This time we ate at Caribbean Cowboy, an establishment primarily frequented by locals.  A hiker on the trail had recommended it to us, and we were not disappointed; the food was excellent.  After dinner, we returned to the inn and retired for the evening. 

Sunday:  The final hike consisted of a relatively short ascent up Mounts Cascade and Porter.  It departed from a parking lot on the road to Lake Placid.  We left relatively early, but on the way back (early afternoon) the trail had grown crowded.   The ascent was steeper than Joe had remembered (for which we gave him endless grief).  The top of Mount Cascade was chilly and windy.  From there, we proceeded to Mount Porter - which entailed a slight descent and climb.  Surprisingly, the top of Mount Porter was warm and sunny.  Perhaps the trees provided a barrier that was absent on Mount Cascade.  We rested for a while and ate lunch.  Joe had originally planned to continue to Blueberry Mountain, but the sign indicated this to be further than expected so we decided to turn around.  We returned to the inn to shower.  Kathy, Anne, Bruce, and myself went into Lake Placid early to peruse the shops.  I revisited the Pipe and Book shop, one of my favorites, and was required to muster all my willpower to avoid buying a couple of sets of books.  We all gathered at the Adirondack Steakhouse for dinner.  However, the proprietor of that establishment proved inflexible in allowing us to reserve space for our large group.  Therefore, we went to Desperados, a Mexican place next door to the Caribbean Cowboy.  This had also been recommended by a local and the food wasn't bad.  We returned to the inn and chatted for some time. 

Monday:  The trip back to the city was quick and pleasant.  Overall, it took four hours and the weather was clear until we reached the outskirts of New York.