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A Relaxing Vacation
Baby, it was cold outside
by Heather Atwell
With a week and a half off to play, I hoped to trek across New England and ski so hard that by the end of each day all I could manage was an après ski happy hour and an early bedtime.
Vacation is over, and my planned ski odyssey shifted gears and became official downtime with scant skiing. I was very busy relaxing and doing non-adventure activities like getting pedicures, visiting art museums and eating dim sum.
Finally, this past weekend, I braved the elements and decided enough with feeble excuses about poor conditions and cold temperatures. It was time to get on some white stuff. I am an outdoorsy gal and there was no reason to continue my indoor retreat.
With Bretton Woods, New Hamphire, as my destination and skiing the goal, I searched for a place to stay and found a bed and breakfast in nearby Whitefield with vacancy. My boyfriend and I are on the frugal side, but we splurged on a room with a king sized bed and in-room Jacuzzi at The Lion and The Rose.
Before our arrival at the B&B, we skied a few cold afternoon runs at Bretton Woods. After being in the elements for a short time, I realized that my intention to shift gears from an indoor retreat to an outdoor adventure was not going to happen. Within 20 minutes of our arrival at The Lion and The Rose, the Jacuzzi was in full operation, and we were immersed in full relaxation.
The following morning at a lovely breakfast of fresh fruit and tasty stuffed French toast topped with a raspberry Chambord sauce (the entire stay was lovely!), I noticed my ski partner was sweating profusely. Wisely, he decided that skiing might not be the best activity for him. After having the sniffles for the past few days, his cold was in full swing. Being the good and comforting girlfriend I am, I left him to recuperate on his own and went cross-country skiing.
Pulling into the entrance of the Mount Washington Hotel (where Bretton Woods Nordic trails are located) is always breathtaking, even on overcast days like this past Sunday. I grabbed a trail pass and headed out on the Bridle loop, a nice route that meanders through the woods and follows the river. Every thirty minutes, I'd pass someone on the trail, or more often, an older gentleman would skate by me. The fountain of youth and fitness, I am convinced, is Nordic skiing.
After getting my ski fix, I headed inside the Nordic Center at Bretton Woods to find my sick boyfriend nestled in front of a roaring fire, sipping hot cocoa, a picture of relaxation.
So that is how it goes. Sometimes the weather does not cooperate with vacation plans. Sometimes cold germs don't cooperate. But in the end, it's vacation and relaxation reigns supreme.
So how did your vacation plans go?
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