We took our anniversary/New Year's Eve trip to the Adirondack mountains in New York and it was perfect. We were staying in the Mt. Van Hoevenberg cabins a few miles before the town of Lake Placid. We pulled up to the entrance, and as we approached the main cabin, the owner - Wayne - opened the door his inviting eyes glowing, his smile stretching across his face, his arms open welcoming us inside.

Knowing the name and location of the cabin we'd be staying in for the next three nights, we pulled up slowly and parked near the other snow-covered vehicles - we had either just missed a snow fall or these guests didn't want to leave their cabins. Either way, it was a positive indication. Wayne had shoveled the short sidewalk to the cabin's door and told us he lit a candle and turned up the heat. The light shining through was warm and receptive. Learning from past bad experience with hotels, we had rather low expectations, knowing we'd be glad if all the amenities mentioned on the... more