Let the Christmasing Begin

Yesterday, we fed our guests and sent them off on a hike so we could enjoy one our favorite annual events ... choosing a Christmas tree.  From the year of the exploding tree to the year we traveled most of south-central Pennsylvania because we couldn't find the right tree, I could write a whole blog post just on our tree picking adventures. 

Over the years, we've learned two very important things about tree cutting ...

1 - Take a tape measure.  Trees always look ten times bigger once you get them inside (the case of the exploding tree)

2 - Perfection is no longer the objective ... speed is.  Teenage girls have about a 10 minute patience level when it comes to choosing trees with their parents.  Enough said ....

Living in Pennsylvania, it was always our dream to cut a tree in the snow.  In 14 years of cutting trees, I don't think we ever succeeded.   This year (and the year before and the year before and ...) it was a winter wonderland as we headed off into the tree farm.
 

 

Ten minutes later ... we found our tree!  

  

One thing about cutting a tree in the snow ... it's a cold and wet endeavor!  But Wayne never complains.  He's prayed for this his whole life.

 Sometimes the tree man needs a little help from a tree puller

Whoosh!  Good thing the tree watcher had moved back a little ... and the tree photographer!

 

On the way out of the forest.  Is it me or does that girl have a tree tail?

My girl HATES to have her picture taken so I have to sneak photos when she's unaware.  I love this one ... I love her!






 

 One of our traditions is for the girls to pet the horses while Dad gets the tree baled and loaded in the truck.

For me, the Christmas season begins when the tree is cut.  Now the decorating, card writing, baking and celebrating can begin....  Merry Christmas!

We Been a Wee Beet Beezy

 When I last sat at my computer to tell a Tale from the Snow Goose, it was JULY!  We were enjoying spectacularly beautiful weather and a steady stream (116 straight nights at one point) of guests.  We were sneaking in visits to the swimming hole, trips to the farmer's market, weeks away at summer camp, the beginnings of soccer practice ... all the while dreaming of quiet days that were on their way. 

Somewhere in the craziness, I was planning to blog a lot ... hmmmm.....

The quiet days are now here and I'm blogging, but between then and now....

We kinda ...

sorta ...

maybe ....

Well, I guess we actually DID....





TAKE OVER MANAGING A MOTEL!! (Huh?)
 







It seems like it came out of nowhere, but the idea had been brewing for awhile.  We looked at a few properties, tossed around a few ideas ... and then fell in love with a special place.


Throughout the summer, we negotiated, dreamed, crunched numbers, hoped, planned and then ... just when it seemed that we needed to "let go," things came together VERY quickly.

On September 7, 2012, we became the proud new managers (and one-day-to-be owners) of a 12- unit Inn!  (Yes, that's Noah's Ark over our heads!  We'll explain more about that in a later blog update.)

Located between Keene and Upper Jay, NY, the ADK Trail Inn is perfectly located to serve  Adirondack hikers, climbers, bikers and ...

Fishermen!!  The property features over 450 feet of river frontage  along the famed Ausable River.  Don't worry!  The river never came out of it's banks during Hurricane Irene, so I think we're safe!




And since we're only eight minutes from Whiteface Mountain, skiers are going to LOVE us this winter!

 

 The property also has a great barn and another cabin - as well as some old campsites that can be cleaned up and eventually rented.  And let's not forget the fire pit where guests can make S'Mores while listening to the babble of the river.

You know me and rivers ... you'll probably be seeing a lot of river pictures in the days to come

 As far as the rooms, all twelve are in good condition.  We have some upgrades planned, but here's a peek at one of our mid-range rooms.  Not bad, eh? 

So ... for all of you who have been wondering what's going on up here in the North Country, now you know.  We've been a wee bit busy!  Now we have even more rooms in which to host old and new friends.