Anything for a Deal

At the risk of losing any potential readers, I'm going to do one more post about skiing and weekend getaways. You see, I have a severe obsession with deals (mostly, Groupon and Gilt City) and while I rarely spend money on anything in my daily life like a sandwich or brand name products - I am completely out of control when it comes to deals for hotels and/or skiing. And frankly, living in New England - it's just too easy to find cool places for cheap on these deal sites because the winter has been SO warm. 

Anyway, Jordan and I had our last ski day of the season. It was 48 degrees, rainy, foggy but remarkably good skiing. Then, we came to this incredibly funky lodgy Inn called the Common Man Inn. I couldn't get enough of the atmosphere here. It was so cool. We read by the pool, watched some college bball and went to the inn restaurant for dinner. 

The best part? They had self-serve cheese in the restaurant -- unlimited. It was my DREAM COME TRUE. 

It's like we were in Colorado somewhere - but really just an hour from Boston in New Hampshire.

Even if you're not from around here, I would TOTALLY recommend coming for a ski trip. It's 25 minutes from some of NH's best slopes. 

38 Wilson

I love New England. In such a short distance, you can be in the mountains or the lake or beautiful beaches or the ocean or a thriving city. I hustled back to the city after work one Friday and traveled up to VT with Caitlin, Zack and Lisa (roommate #3 of 4 from college - Abby was missed). 

After skiing on Saturday, we took an amazing hike -- taking in views like this. 

So peaceful.

Ski Weekend

The whole crowd - minus me (photographer) and Mike (who was busy flirting with 45-year-old ladies in the lodge)

 In January, I went with a bunch of friends to Stephentown again (thank you Ellmans!). It was so much fun to get away with a group of great friends, long car ride after work, lots of cooking that went somewhat disastrous, complicated card games and for me, the absolute TORTURE of trying to stay away past 10PM. 

For the record, I stayed up until 2AM the first night and 1AM the second. It was seriously the most pain my body has felt - I just need sleep people. We spent Saturday on the mountain and the skiing was great - Jordan, Stephen and I skied until the lifts stopped and joined the rest of the group back at the house. After quickly realizing that the beef we brought was UNBELIEVABLY gross and not edible, we ordered pizza from Pizza Plus (gross) and spent the rest of the night playing games. 

I drank coffee and giants cups of water in hopes of staying awake while everyone else acted their age and had beers and fun. 

Katie and Alex - like video game characters

Me, being a tool bag

Katie - being a tool bag

Alex - being an Urchin (Thanks Johnny Tsunami)

Aaron - the rule creator

Mike - the skeptic

Jordan - the sleepy eye

Katie - the cynic

Going strong at 12:30AM

Friends:)

I thought they wouldn't notice....but they found me.

Sometimes you just have to accept small victories. The weekend was awesome:)

Stephentown

We started the new year off right with a long weekend in Stephentown with Jordan's cousins. Sure, most 25-year-olds might fancy an expensive bar party for new year's...not me! We skiied all day, played Uno with the kids, ate awesome stuff ALL NIGHT LONG, had some fancy shmancy wine and hung out by the fire. 

It was amazing and we haven't had a REAL snowfall since - it is crazy! 

 No, that's not Jack's beer, although he did impulsively take a giant sip. 

We had that Monday off from work so Brandon and Daniele came back to Boston with us and me spontaneously decided to go to the Celtics/Wizards game. (I know, I'm CRAZY...a game, unplanned, on a work night)

 This kid has been famous in Boston since I moved here. I love him.

On heck of a smile eh? 

It was such a great weekend. Relaxing and fun all around:) 

Soaking it up

 Shocker, yet another post begins with a giant, cinnamon-sugar-infused awesome crepe. Unfortunately, these are some of the healthier things I've been eating these days. But, that's besides the point. They are awesome and Jordan had a coupon for this one (which we weren't actually allowed to use, but whatever).

A few Saturdays ago, Jordan and I took the train to Central Square in Cambridge to go to this delicious crepe place. While we didn't get the deal, the crepes were awesome. From there, we walked through Harvard Square and decided to walk all the way home (about 5 miles) since the weather was so nice and neither of us had anywhere to be. The weather was amazing--a far cry from the snowy hell that was Halloween weekend.

On the way, we came across one of Boston's famous outdoor gyms. I can't get enough of these things. They're ridiculous, but it a lot of ways, they're somewhat effective. But really, if I'm going to "leg press" my own weight, there are like 9,000 more efficient ways to strengthen my lower body--not nearly enough of those options are as funny as this though so I'm fine with the time we spent at the "gym".

This is what I always look like when I lift

Getting serious on the URG? Not sure if that's what these things are called.

This one was actually really difficult and made me tired--not as tired as this guy though.

This machine is now our Charles River stretching stop. Other than providing far too much momentum to be safe, it's a great stretch for those hammies.

I would totally only workout here if it was always this weather and these things actually didn't something for me.

The Charles River walk. My absolute favortite view other than the Harbor Walk in the North End.

 After making our way back to the city, we just kept walking to Seaport (another 2 miles or so) for the Ski and Snowboard Expo. There were a bunch of crazy raffles (none of which we won), free cliff bars (my primary interest), trampoline freaks (see below) and GREAT deals on Ski boots. For Jordan's birthday, I gave him an IOU for ski boots--90% of the time I don't follow through with these promises because I'm flaky like that and end up getting him something random or paying for a fancy dinner and calling it a day. It only took me 3 months to follow through on this one and man was it worth it. I don't have pics of the boots--in due time, people--but we got them for almost half price and they are awesome. We also got poles and I'm placing my bets now that Jordan freaks out because he'll decide that the ones he picked out (haphazardly as we were hot and tired) are far too short for him and a way-too-girly white. I'm always stating right here, right now that NO, he cannot use mine instead.

Even though we're ready for the ski season--PLEASE stay warm and awesome through the New Year. I LOVE long weekend runs and walks and hate risking my life on the icy sidewalks. Thanks.