Garnet Hill Lodge Cross-Country Ski Weekend, February 6-9, 2009

Thank you Joyce and Richard for running such a fantastic weekend trip to Garnet Hill! After a two-year absence, we returned to Garnet in the South Central Adirondack Region. We had 19 attendees at this premier cross country ski resort. It’s a great location where we could ski right out the door. The Owl’s Nest, the lodge most of us stayed in, was a beautiful, Adirondack-style great camp. It was new to the club and apparently to Garnet Hill management, so we experienced some growing pains when the weekend started. The heat didn’t work and when we started the fireplace to warm up, the room filled with smoke. So we started the weekend shivering and coughing and rubbing our burning eyes. Things were looking bleak. However, after a flurry of workmen visited to fix the heat and broken flue, we warmed up, had a few pops, and the weekend took off. We ended up having a fantastic time and a very enjoyable three-night stay. Saturday had fantastic snow. Sunday it became increasingly icier and treacherous as the day progressed. Monday the ice was broken up on major trails making them a bit more skiable, but still slippery fast. So we ended up with a few bruised egos and blows to confidence due to the icy conditions. Unfortunately, we also had two injuries. Barb R. fell while skiing Saturday and broke her right femur above the knee. On Sunday, Karen E. took a fall and sprained her knee. We all wish Barb and Karen the best and hope for a speedy recovery. Thanks to Richard and Joyce who did a wonderful job organizing this weekend trip for the club. And, thanks to those who brought crockpots of soup, chili, and transported supplies.
- Carol & Jon.