Weekend Treats: Lake Placid Edition

Creating bucket lists has been our thing since we started dating. We spend time making a new list each time we move, and we plan our weekends around meeeting our goals. While we have dreams together, we also maintain our individuality and aspirations to acconplish things as our own person. It not only makes us better people, but it makes us better as a couple. There is something about growing together while encouraging one another to reach for the stars.

So in addition to our bucket list, we also make yearly goals for ourselves, our marriage, and our family. We write them down at the start of the year then share them to create accountability. This year, Ryan wanted to pour himself into several things but most notably his entreprenuer endeavors and his biking hobby.

His end goal is to qualify for the Leadville 100, a 100-mile (hence the one hundred) bike race in Colorado. With a qualifying race in our backyard basically, he signed up. Training for the past several months via his stationary bike, mountain bike trails in our area, and weekly calls with his coach, his big race was this past weekend in Lake Placid, NY. You know, the home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

(In case you don't know, the Olympics is a bit of a touchy subject at the moment strictly because we had tickets to the 2012 London Games but due to my sweet child, who I am sure once is born will be forgiven, we had to sell them. Yes I am that brat.)

Moving on...after an exciting week for both (he in Europe, me with my mom), we headed up north on Friday afternoon. A mild 5 hour drive where I rode shot-gun resulted in a gorgeous scenic view through plush green countryside into the mountain peaks.

We stopped for dinner just outside our final destination in a little town named Keene Valley. The Noon Mark Diner was a cute, small town dive with amazing breakfast food. If you don't believe me, just see the picture of my "Edna" below. Checking into our upscale lodge room, we literally crashed onto the bed.

Saturday we slept in a bit before heading to Chair 6 for brunch. The setting was a tiny house with a side porch and delightful bakery indoors. We enjoyed our meal outdoors with the covered porch and gossiping ladies at the adjacent table. I now know all of the dirt of the town including who is cheating on who, who owes what to the government, and just how active little miss match.com has been since recently signing up. Perfect.

We spent the majority of the afternoon at Whiteface Mountain as Ryan got checked in, attended the mandatory race meeting, and tuned up the ole' bike. We rode the gondola up to 'Little Whiteface' to 2700 feet with the most breathtaking views since summiting Mt. Whitney. We could see the Olympic slopes, Lake Placid, numerous towns, and stunning gifts from God's creation.

Next we decided to explore downtown Lake Placid via stroll. We stopped in the 1934 Olympic Center where they held the ice hockey and skating events. We shopped in the local shops complete with antiques, knick-knacks, and the perfect furnishings for our future lake/ski lodge. We dined at The Cottage with a window seat overlooking the lake boasting swimmers, kayakers, and boaters. No day would be complete without ice cream so we, of course, enjoyed some dessert from the local soft serve spot. Yes you know I am all about the cold, sweet treats these days!

Sunday I dropped Ryan at the race bright and early. Say oh 6am which meant a 5am wake up call...guess I better get used to that early riser thing ;) He was so cute with his nerves and energy. It reminded me of early morning tennis matches at tournaments as a kid. And of course our hiking journeys from 2010.

After getting the race off to a start, I headed back to the hotel for some more zzz's. Then I treated myself to breakfast at the Creperie in dt Lake Placid. It was a delicious make-your-own filled with eggs, cheese, avocado, and sausage. Topped off with a Bushwacker (aka pumpkin spice latte). Then I wandered the streets shops for a bit before heading to the finish line to catch my stud complete the 70 mile ride. He had the biggest grin on his face and I was one proud wifey!

Wrapping up the weekend with a good burger, beer for the athlete, and car trek back to Westchester. It is amazing what a mini-getaway can do for the soul :)


How was your weekend?