From Snowy Stowe to the Balmy Big Apple to a Wintry Mix!

This weekend was spent enjoying the beautiful snow covered slopes and the warm and convivial bars of Stowe, Vermont. We joined 30 members of our ski club on a bus jaunt up to the north country where we found abundant snow and 80 miles of open trails. The temperatures ranged from 10 F. on Saturday to 30 F. on Sunday, and the slope conditions were really excellent for mid-December. We skiied so hard on Saturday and Sunday morning that it was necessary for certain members of our small ski group to quit skiing right after lunch because the legs just would not move anymore. Those long runs at Stowe definitely provide a tough wake up call to the ski season. We skiied most of the time with two of our favorite ski companions Mark R. and Janet D., but we were also took a few runs with Kathy D., Chip and Bob on Sunday.

With Mark and Janet in front of Northern Lights Lodge

Relaxing with Mark, Janet and Kathy D. by the crackling fire The snowy expanse as seen from our room at the lodge

We stayed at Northern Lights Lodge, a vintage Austrian-style ski inn owned by one of the absolute best innkeepers in the world, Al Holzgruber. From the hot cider and just baked cookies warming not only our 1:30 AM arrival but also each time we returned from the slopes to the delicious and abundant comfort food dinner on Saturday night to the hearty breakfasts both mornings to the fact that he personally took orders for and went out and bought all of the fixings for our "box lunch" dinner on the homeward bus, Al comes out on top. The inn was also beautifully decorated for the holidays, and that only enhanced the friendly and festive atmosphere. Although the inn does not have a real bar, BYOB is totally expected so Saturday night was party night in the cozy confines of the bar/dining room next to a roaring fire.


Affable Al discussing his special flocked Christmas trees.

Our bus home pulled into the Mt. Laurel, NJ lot at 12:30 AM on Monday morning, and by 7:30 AM, I had been home, been to bed, and was back on the Bolt Bus to New York City. Ken and Marty Casey were in the city, and I simply could not pass up the opportunity to spend some time with such dear friends of long standing. Dale, unfortunately, is out of vacation days for 2008 so he could not join us. Upon arrival in New York, Marty told me that plans had evolved into lunch with Cos and Mary Anne Filiberto at The Boathouse in Central Park to celebrate Cos' 60th birthday. What fun!!
After a morning of shopping in some small stores and the Bryant Park Christmas Market while enjoying the sunny skies and 65 degree!!!! temperatures, we slowly meandered uptown to Central Park through the enormous crowds packing the streets and taking advantage of the incredibly benevolent weather. We enjoyed a long, leisurely lunch with an excellent view of the boating pond, and we did not leave until it was time to reset the restaurant for dinner. We then strolled through more of the park toward the ice rink and on to Columbus Circle and another open-air market. The temperatures were still so balmy, and people were out everywhere just sitting and enjoying the lights and the color of beautiful New York during the holidays. After seeing Cos and Mary off to their car for the ride back to Connecticut, Ken, Marty and I wandered on down to Times Square to admire the gorgeous tree and the bustling scene. I had intended to take them for wine and small plates at Morrell's Wine Bar, but to my dismay, Morrell's was closed for a private holiday party. Therefore, we set out through Times Square toward 8th Ave. and found a little wine bar-ristorante, Da Marino, for a good bottle of Montepulciano and a pasta dinner. By then it was time for the brisk walk back down to Herald Square so I could pick up the 9:30 Bolt Bus home to Philadelphia. It was such a great day with dear friends!


Ken, Marty, Cos, Mary Anne and Bianca at The Boathouse The Magnificent Rockefeller Center Tree

Today brought a 360 degree turn in the weather, and a mix of rain, sleet, ice pellets and snow has been falling most of the day. The temperature has been hanging right at 35. Literally, what a difference a day makes!