We were sad to leave Vermont but excited to board a car ferry! For Harper and Jameson, this was a first. It was completely cute to watch them as I explained that our entire car was going to drive onto a boat. Really?!
There are three different locations that you can grab a ferry to cross from Vermont to New York and vice versa. We left from Charlotte, the southernmost point. It was efficient and easy and so much nicer than just driving! We enjoyed the built in views of Lake Champlain and loved seeing the other sailboats around us.
We exited in Essex, New York and continued our drive into the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Destination: The White Face Lodge in Lake Placid.
Our plan was simple: enjoy this lovely inn amongst the gorgeous scenery. Jason and I were at the Whiteface ten years ago with our family for Thanksgiving, and it was breathtaking. We knew we wanted to come back someday when we had kids and during the summer.
When we arrived, we were invited in with warm chocolate chips cookies. My kind of greeting. Then, we were off to explore the property and hit the pool. After settling in to our room, we went for an evening sunset walk and found a sweet place to read. Jason and I were reminiscing about the decade-old memories we had together here (Do you recall those times before kids? I know … they are so fuzzy. But, we remember something like lounging and listening to music, having long conversations, taking swims in the snow, ice skating, and cuddling up in the lean-tos.) It was fun to be back.
Rain was predicted for the next day, so we planned to take advantage of the amenities offered on site. After a delicious breakfast in the beautiful dining room, I hit the gym while Jason and the kids went to the game room for games of pool and shuffleboard. Then, we hit up the bowling alley! Yes, the sweet ole-fashioned two laner. It was a blast. By then, the drizzle had started to fall, but the kids were insistent on taking a dip. The lodge pool is an indoor/outdoor pool with a cute little bridge you can swim under to get in and out. Harper and Jameson were charmed to swim in the rain. After that, we snuggled into the inn’s movie theater for popcorn and Madagascar 3. Each day, there are three children’s movies played. It was such a treat. The sun came out for the evening, so we tried our hand at the fishing pond (no luck) and played for a bit. The night ended with s’mores around the fire. Jason made them particularly gluttonous (remember the chocolate chip cookies at check-in? Turns out you can request those anytime.)
It was a great day … and we did not have to go anywhere.
The weather was a gift on our last full day in Lake Placid. We used the lodge’s shuttle to take us down to the beach and boathouse where we plopped ourselves for the day. We dug in the sand, took out paddle boards (Harper solo’ed on her first try and rocked it!) and peddle boats, and picnicked for lunch. It was everything a summer day is meant to be.
Once we were sleepy from sun and fun, we made our way back for pizza in the room. A little shopping in downtown Lake Placid wrapped up our day. We spent moments in between soaking up each other’s company and finding cozy little niches to steal away a few minutes of reading. It was slow time, together time. I am profoundly happy that we were able to share it.
The next morning, we slept in and lingered over breakfast. Jameson was thrilled to eat pancakes for a third day in a row. The kids got in one last game of air hockey before we trekked back to Burlington to fly home. Home is always a good place to be, and there is nothing like your own bed.
But, this trip was special.
Thanks for joining us! I hope you have some new sweet summer memories, too.
