Hello, lovelies!

I've mentioned New England camping trips to all of you, and since everyone has expressed some interest, it looks like it's finally time to plan one!

The Pitch

A winter camping excursion over the weekend of Dec. 8, spanning the evening of Thursday Dec. 6 through Sunday Dec. 9.

Destination

The Adirondack Mountains, specifically Blue Mountain Lake in Indian Lake, NY. This campsite is quite suited to car-camping (a wonderful amenity this time of year) and is directly adjacent to the lake, affording a breathtaking view of the mountain range and the clear night sky. Sunrise at 7:07AM, sunset at 4:28PM.

Gear

All core camping gear (tents, stoves, pots and pans, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, long underwear) is available at my home in MA. Groceries, extra supplies, and liquor will be procured en route from Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart and Liquors 44, respectively. A bag of firewood is only $8, but Laura and I have enjoyed felling a tree and setting its guts ablaze. The char also provides both a good cooking surface and an excellent walk-on-coals dare station.

Transportation

The goal is to secure a borrowable van or SUV to bring us all from New York, but if we lack the fortune to benefit from such largesse then a rental is the logical fallback. In either scenario, I volunteer to do all of the driving.

Cost

Gear is entirely provided, though I suggest everyone dress in layers as it will be brick. Depending on how many of us can make it, we're looking at about a $120 alcohol bill, $180 food bill, $50 in firewood, and $100 in gas, or $450/6 = $75 per person, soup to nuts.

Nota Bene

  1. I realize that Dec. 6 is on the soonish side, but we are entering the final dates that camping is even viable in the North East. If we don't go soon, then we won't have an opportunity again until late March.
  2. I understand that leaving Thursday evening might be problematic for some people with inflexible work schedules. Let me know if you're one of those people, and we'll see what can be done.

Itinerary

Day 1

Exodus

  • Leave New York for Northampton by 8PM Thursday Dec. 6
  • Acquire supplies, fill gas tanks, prep the next day's meals
  • Early to bed in Northampton

Day 2

Canaan

  • Leave Northampton for Adirondacks by 7AM Friday Dec. 7
  • Arriving around 11AM means 5½ hours of remaining daylight, which is enough time to set up the tents, eat, go for a hike, and to make a bonfire
  • Commence aggressive drinking, card-playing and debauchery

Day 3

The Tabernacle

  • Arise shortly after the sun does
  • Make a run for more firewood and any additional supplies
  • Large breakfast to offset heat-loss and to stimulate hedonism
  • Additional hike on whatever trails went un-hiked before, picture taking, sledding
  • Enormous fête - steak and pig on a spit and roast vegetables and salmon in a pan
  • Consume psychadelics, descend into the winter forest, like Pan

Day 4

Philistines

  • Awake early and accept defeat at Shiloh
  • Collect equipment, breakdown tents, secure Tabernacle and move it to safety in Northampton
  • Jettison extra gear, shower
  • Early dinner in Northampton
  • Return to NYC mid Sunday evening