Today I hiked Peaked Mountain, elevation 2919, ascent 1245, with most of the climb in the last 1/2 mile. It was beautiful, and I would love to hike the top 46 peaks over 4000 feet. The adirondacks are beautiful, and there is a vast wilderness to explore. To boot, Alexander loves the streams, lakes and mountains!
The adirondacks are a beautiful mountain range, eroded by glaciers over time, decorated by birches, maples and beach trees in the valleys, hemlocks and black birches at the peaks. Unlike Shenandoah Valley, oaks are very uncommon (at least in the little bit of the mountain range I've explored.) I haven't seen too many creatures out and about though... a frog, a trout, and a few hawks. This part I definitely enjoy in Shenandoah Valley.
Yesterday, I went canoeing in Lake Abanakee, a nice canoe ride... but Alexander was a _bit_ distressed. It was actually pretty amusing... he kept wanting to jump in and swim, and couldn't understand the purpose of sitting in a canoe. One cute thing, he kept lunging at lilly pads as we glided by, nipping them out of the water as if they were some dangerous threat to the canoe.
I have several companions... of them, two I will talk
about here. Jenn (aka: Puffer) is most familiar with this
area, and has been a wonderful companion. I think she
is a wonderful friend, and I hope to build on that. Jamie,
also a good friend, is planning on joining a seminary
in a few years if they will take her 
Apparently she
should be a lesbian to ideally get in, but hopefully they
will look past her sexual orientation and accept her anyways.
I think she would make a wonderful preacher!