*This post was originally written in June of 2013 shortly after our youngest graduated high school. With the girls already in college, the reality of an empty nest was staring us in the face. This narrative is the account of an eye-opening weekend that Dom and I spent together. Food is not the focus. Life is.*
Dom and I arrived home late last night from one of our favorite places – Snowshoe Lodge in Lake Placid, New York.
We’ve been visiting Lake Placid since the kids were in car seats, eating animal crackers from circus-themed cardboard boxes and singing ‘The Wheels On the Bus’. Over the years we’d pack up the minivan and head up to the mountain town that we loved so much. We’d look for any excuse to get there… birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, mastering the multiplication tables, a new haircut, a clean house…
What is it about this place, I often wonder?
The lush landscape? Yes! No, wait. The opportunity for sport? The shopping? The quaint village? The restaurants? The Greek wings? The friendly people? The Christmas shop? The old-fashioned movie theater? The majesty? Will we ever get to the bottom of this?
Our research would just have to continue…
This weekend was a first for us. My partner-in-crime and I had our first extended stay without the kids.
The ride up was misty (and that was inside the car), but no sooner did we settle in, we began to remember why we love it so much.
It soothes.
There is something restorative about being there with my guy (the ultimate comforter), with calming views of the mountains, the sparkle off the lake, and the familiarity of a place that we have come to adore.
So we put Lake Placid to the test.
We knew we needed to plant some new seeds. So with tender hearts and rose-colored attitudes, we ventured out.
We did some antiquing, indulged in an afternoon of window shopping and wine tasting, and came away with a stunning bottle of Vignoles – a late harvest wine with hints of peach and pineapple. Vignoles is probably as close to an Ice wine as you can get without the labor of harvesting frozen grapes. It is sweet.
Billed as a dessert wine, we enjoyed it with lunch (rebels that we are).
Side-note: I have one rule for wine as it pertains to pairing with food. Drink what you like, when you like, with what you like. (Is that three rules?) If you like Chianti with your seafood – go for it! Riesling with a steak? Have at it! Vignoles with lunch? Perfect. Who better to decide what you like than you? I guess the only thing I might discourage is Port with your pancakes, but then again, not for me to say! 😉
We enjoyed our Vignoles with a satisfying antipasto which included a small wedge of organic extra sharp cheddar, sliced pears and apples, red grapes, dried mango, a handful of almonds, spicy salami, sweet fig spread and a thinly sliced multi-grain baguette.
We munched from our generous platter and sipped our sweet wine all afternoon long.
And all afternoon long, correction, all weekend long, can you guess what our favorite topic of conversation was?
The kids. 🙂
So did Lake Placid pass the test?
You betcha!
QUESTION: Where is your happy place? I’d love to know!
CIAO!
That is such a charming story. My husband and I have a similar place to which we retreat regularly; I know how restorative it can be. I also recently read something along the lines of, “Don’t let anyone tell you how to like your food.” Have to agree.
Thank you, Jeff. It’s all important – to find the places that restore, and to enjoy our food the way that we want. No rules for that. Have a great day, my friend!
How beautiful! Happy places are truly amazing, aren’t they? 🙂
Thank you, Kevin! They sure are!
What a beautifully told moment and now memory. The pictures are so beautiful. I love the little bit of fog over the water. You’ve inspired me to find a special place for my family. Take care.
What started as a weekend up north to visit Santa’s workshop has turned into 21 years and counting… It’s a very special place for so many reasons! I love that you feel inspired! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
I can see why Lake Placid draws you back over and over, Annie. Lovely photos and, for me, the perfect meal for two…
Indeed it is! Thank you, Marissa!
Beautiful photos and stories Annie! My husband and I like to take the train to Chicago for quick get-aways from it all.
We just eat at restaurants, enjoying the chicago skyline and doing whatever we please. You’re lucky to have all those memories my friend.
Well that sounds lovely!! I imagine you have enjoyed many a wonderful time there! 🙂
This is so beautifully written (as is all of your writing!) Beautiful photos and beautiful memories made – such a special place!
Thank you, Michelle! 🙂
I had no idea you were such a beautiful writer! I took a trip to Lake Placid with my friend Jan last winter, and we shopped and walked through the woods while my daughter Alyssa and her best friend skied Whiteface. I’ve been wanting to go back with Anthony – you make it sound even better than O remember!
Awhhh! Thank you, Jackie! I love that you’ve been there! If you ever make your way again, you must let me know! My family skies ‘the Face’, and that’s my cue to find a good book and a fire somewhere! 🙂 You and Anthony will love it!! xo
Sounds like a lovely getaway to reconnect! And those photos are just breathtaking! My happy place is on a beach with my hubby….or Disney, because we are just big kids! 😉
Ahhhh – yes! Disney has a way of doing that for us, too! Thank you, Leanne!
What a picture you paint, my friend! I’m relaxed just looking at those photos! p.s. I love your wine rules 😉 Sounds good to me! Cheers to a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Yep – all it takes is a minute to look at photos of LP and I’ find myself immediately chilled! Why do you think I post so many? 😉 Thanks, dear! Happy weekend! XOXO
I’ve always loved the way you write, Annie! I’ve seen the photos you post on social media and I’ve read the beautiful things you have had to say about Lake Placid before, and I must admit, you are the reason that location is on my list of places to visit one day! You make it sound (and look) FABULOUS! I hope you and Dom have a wonderful, relaxing summer season, my dear friend! XOXO
Just say the word and I will happily be your tour guide!! Thank you for your sweet words, Chey! And you also have a relaxing summer season, my dear!! XOXO
I just love the way you write! And I love your rule(s) for wine :). My happy place is Orcas Island, up in Washington; it never ceases to relax and restore me. Have a great weekend, Annie!
Thank you, Kelsie! I’m going to have to check that out…it sounds perfect to me! 🙂
Eat and drink what you enjoy and throw the rules out!! We have a lot in common. My happy place? Right next to the man I love! Cuddling next to each other listening to music and sipping on wine is fantastic. But so is working together packing boxes to move to our next home. I do remember the first time we took a vacation without the kids — WOW! It was wonderful — it was discovering each other all over again.
Here! Here! That is so true, though. You aren’t the same people you were at, in our case, 19 and 21…so much to learn, again…it’s a wonderful thing! Thank you, my friend! Salute!
What an awesome post Annie! Lake Placid is surely your happy place. And Dom’s! For Tom and I it will always be Avalon, NJ. It’s where we have our shore house…hence The Beach House Kitchen. It’s where we first met and have so many wonderful memories there with our boys! Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos!
Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize that’s where you two met! I love that! Thank you for sharing your happy place story; how’d I know it was the beach?! 😉
I don’t know what I enjoyed more, the wine, the story about the kids, the place, the pictures, of course the food!
Lovely story, thank you for sharing.
Been through the empty nest thing myself and at first its empty but how fast we adjust! Nothing like not waiting for
that garage door sound knowing they are home safe and sound, but now, actual sleep!!!!
Warmly, Carol from Chicago
Thank you so much, Carol! I hear you! Have never slept better! 🙂
Knowing that my favorite people were spending beautiful time together in my favorite place is what makes ME happy! I can’t wait to get back to Placido!
Thanks, Sweeta! It will be a special time to all be back together in Placido!!
What makes me happy is knowing that Tom and I will be enjoying the Lake Placid scenery with you and Dom this Fall. Can we duplicate the nosh and wine?!
Oh boy! You know, Dom and I were thinking about that with every sip!! Nosh and wine? Done! Can’t wait!!
The Reynolds/Gilmore family will be in Lake Placid next week! 🙂 Your pictures are breathtaking! Not to mention…I am hungry and want/need a glass of wine! Is 10am too early?! 😉 Miss y’all!
Are you kidding me??!! I am so excited for you guys!! Thank you, Sweeta! And no…10am is not too early, remember – it’s 5:00 somewhere! Miss you!
The pictures are so pretty! I want to be there and eat from that platter and drink wine with you!!!
Now, I’ll have plenty more time, but we’ll need to figure out how to steal you away!!!