This morning at breakfast I happened to see some long time return guests … one of the many great things about being an innkeeper! (It’s as if old friends are always coming to visit, and it’s a perpetual surprise to see familiar faces. What fun!). Only half of this family was here this time, however: Bruce B. and his daughter Hailey. (‘Mom’ Julie who recently got her Masters degree, had just started a new job working with the blind, so she couldn’t come; and daughter Mikaila was home with a sitter). The occasion for Bruce and Hailey’s visit this time was to celebrate Hailey’s 8th birthday. They have a tradition in their family to downplay the ‘gift giving’ and put more focus on ‘experiences’. Each year the girls get to pick what they want to do for their birthday, and their parents take turns having one on one time with them. For Mikaila’s last birthday she wanted to go to the theater to see the musical ‘Grease’. Hailey was interested in more of an outdoor adventure. Before they reached the Lodge, she and her dad had hiked to the Mitzpah hut from the Highland AMC center (a pretty awesome hike!) , where they spent the night at the hut. The second night of their birthday adventure they got to spend with us here at The Lodge, where they slept in real beds, showered in comfort and swam in the pool. If you’re unfamiliar with it, the White Mountain hut system is a wonderful resource you should know about if you like to hike. We very often have guests stay with us at the Lodge who reserve a night on each end of their hut experience, and its so fun to hear their stories. Hailey was telling us about the Mitzpah hut, which sleeps about 60. Accommodations are definitely not deluxe, but there is a full staff, meals and activities, and a wonderful energy. Hailey met another 8-year old girl from Canada named Olivia, and they became friends and will soon be e-penpals. (Coincidentally, they were both missing their front teeth, a typical condition of 8-year olds!). I love the whole idea of sharing ‘experiences’ rather than ‘stuff’ (it is something that Dana and I did with our children as well). It has certainly been a good thing for our guests; they are a delightfully close family. Hailey tells me that next birthday she wants to come in the winter to either go downhill skiing (she and her sister are already good X-C skiers) or learn to snowboard. It was so great to see you, Hailey … Happy Birthday!
Aww..how sweet. You know you have a lovely place when people come back for return visits :) :) :) So cool to hear about Hailey's birthday adventure :) :) :) Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)