The bed wasn’t comfortable at the Comfort Suites Hotel. It was soft and “warped”. I spent most of the night grasping for the side of the bed so I would roll down into the middle.
Breakfast was very basic. The buffet table offered assorted sweet donuts, cold hard boiled eggs, assorted packets of flavored oatmeal, breads, bagels, and yogurt. They had a waffle maker and French toast you were welcome to heat up. It wasn’t our type of weekend breakfast but it’s what we have come to expect on these tours.
Our morning drive took us through the Village of Lake Placid, along Mirror Lake. We drove past the Olympic Center which houses 3 ice rinks and the 1932, 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum. The speed skating arena is also at this location. We drove past the Lake Placid horse Show Grounds(AA-rated Hunter Jumper shows throughout the summer), the Ski Jump Complex (host of the ski jump competition we are scheduled to see tomorrow at the Flaming Leaves Festival).
After driving 49 1/2 miles, it was time for our first pit stop at the Adirondack Ranch Country Store and The Fat Mouse Cheese Shop.
Interesting items for sale and time for a quick cup-a-joe or sugary snack. We continued on, passing the AuSable River, considered the number 1 Trout Stream in the East. Now comes LUNCH! We were ready. We stopped for lunch at Steinhoff Sportsman’s Inn, Wilmington. Steinhoff’s is a classic Rathskeller tavern sitting on the West Branch of the Au Sable River, a popular trout fishing area. Our buffet table was supported by a 1900 wooden canoe. 
Talk about carb loading! They didn’t offer any vegetarian protein on the buffet. My plate consisted of pasta, rice, a roll, and green beans. I went up twice for green salad. On the second trip, the only dressings were chunky blue, ranch, and thousand island. Blah!
The afternoon drive took us along Veteran’s Memorial highway. This highway was built in 1935 and is 8 miles to the summit of Whiteface Mountain, the 5th highest mountain in the Adirondacks. 
We took the elevator to the Observatory for this view of the Adirondack Mountains.
It was 32 degrees! 
The wind was blowing!
Leaving the Observatory, we went along Route 30 and past Paul Smith’s College. It is the only 4 year college in the Adirondack Park. We were the lead “dog” until we took the wrong turn about 4 miles from our hotel. We made the best of our error and did a little shopping.
At 7pm, it was party night with the club. We enjoyed a banquet of salad and assorted dishes. It was held at the Howard Johnsons next door to our hotel. The Lake Placid Howard Johnsons is one of two only remaining Howard Johnsons left in the country. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us. To be honest, the only thing that was thoroughly enjoyed by both Ted and I was the Lindeman’s Chardonnay.
We were back in our hotel by 9:30 pm listening to pounding music of a wedding party having the reception in the hotel. Good thing we drank a lot of coffee because there won’t be the chance of closing our eyes early.
Looking forward to the Flaming Leaves Festival tomorrow.
Joanne
