Further description of lodge 174256

SATURDAY, 10:00 PM

Arrived this afternoon after a late start out of D.C. Great to be back! Got in a few runs and the conditions are excellent. Now, a great evening in front of the fire. Emma and Jen playing checkers, me reading a Christmas present from Jen. In the back of the book, the author says dreams are the 'touchstones of our characters.' That's what this place is all about. A touchstone for each of us and all of us as a family.

SUNDAY, DAWN - CLEAR 32 DEGREES AND NEW SNOW!

Mornings like this, I bless 'The Commitment'. That's what Jen calls the promise I made to her and Emma and to myself about spending more time together. More fun. More balance. We sure found the spot for it. It's not just the way we can relax and play together here, it's the look on Emma's face every time she spots another bird - or better yet, another deer! (She particularly likes the ones 'with horns')

SUNDAY, P.M.

Just back from shopping in the Village. Nice walk. Snow crunching beneath our feet. Emma leaving a trail of snow angels in our wake. She looks spiffy in her new hot pink mittens and matching hat. 'You won't lose these,' Jen says. Right! Love the Village - and love being away from it too. So happy to get home to our own cozy fire. Emma brings me a mug of cocoa with little marshmallows and big hugs.

TUESDAY, BEDTIME

Just back from the spas. Hard to believe that's our backyard. Emma calls it the 'bird garden.' Jen calls it her sanctuary. Either way, it's one of the things that drew me to this place. Mother Nature had a hand in that one! Jen's family arrives Friday. They can't wait to get back here. Jen and her dad are planning another snow golf tournament. Must look for those orange balls!

THURSDAY, 5:00 P.M. SNOWING!

Went snowshoeing yesterday, made new animal friends, and a few human ones too. Saw Ben and Karen. Hooked up for drinks last night in the bar while the kids played checkers in the hearthroom. They're all coming over later, and Emma has big plans. Movie night for the young ones, while we old folks do dinner. I've set the table and stoked the fire. Jen and Emma are baking a cake. We're all set!

FRIDAY, 5:00 P.M.

The gang's all here! That's why we chose this place. We've got a ton of room. Jen and her sister won the tourney (found the balls). They're off celebrating in one of the spas. Brother-in-law Ted (not a nature boy) is checking out the fitness room. Dad and I are minding the kids who have plans to camp out on the balcony. Dad says they'll last there three minutes. I give them two. We'll see. SATURDAY: Packing up to head back to the city. Faces would be glum, except Emma is already planning activities for our next visit, chatting away about the additions she'll make to her bird count list (so far: chickadees, cardinals, woodpeckers, and, of course, eagles). Jen smiles at me. Her eyes say it all (and she does it every time we come here): This may be the best vacation we've ever had.