Chapter 706

July 25, 2026

Twin Ponds Road Trip

its a rally car

Colleen begins our journey in her 'new' 2019 Audi Quattro Turbo. Used but nicely cared for by a family member. I haven't driven one since my swap driver days two decades ago (wow, so long ago).

First stop at her favorite rest station entering the high peaks.

She let me drive up through the Cascade Lakes and past the many trailheads to the 46ers. Getting 30mpg is great, the digital technology takes a while to get used to and I would prefer and oil dipstick rather than the digital stored data, but I guess it will work out.

Met the Twin Ponds representative in the morning and then he let us go on our own exploring the properties. This is the downstream end of the ponds where we crossed the new dam and the Little Salmon River outlet to begin a hike. No flooding today.

The "Flow loop" trail along the shoreline was extremely difficult. Thick high ferns obscuring vision the two foot large boulders and holes where one could break a leg as deer flies bite exposed skin with no cell phone coverage (nor satellite coverage for directions) to call for help. Other people are few and far between.

But loons galore everywhere.

Nice view of the property from the "Lookout". Management requires setback for homes around the ponds so that everything stays unseen pristine primitive.

After the 2 -1/2 hour slog thru the 2.5 mile hike and leg muscle spasm cramps that nearly incapacitated Collen, we deserved the Lake Placid Brewery Stout at the Cambria Hotel. So nice up there with view of the high peaks.

We enjoy going up Whiteface Veterans Highway and wanted to see if the  Audi would make it. Awaiting a hill climb race next.

This time I wanted to experience the 28 story elevator after trundling thru this tunnel. Crowded shoulder to shoulder in the cab I started to tell everyone about our Molly Kathleen Gold Mine tour in Cripple Creek where the elevator failed killing the operator, but I was shushed.

It was nice on top as usual with the weather station behind.  Think Colleen ai-ed this to make us look better.

On the way home we ventured over to the cute little town of North Creek, famous for a white water derby in the spring.

We had been given the task of investigating of the property her daughter has been looking into near Gore Mt. Had a nice lunch at becks Tavern and Yurt Bar. 

Then met a neighbor Johnsburg Sodom guy serendipitously who gave us a tour of the neighboring property in his air conditioned John Deer Gator four wheeler. Very neighborly, very nice.

Audi made it home very smoothly without issues. If people sponsor us we can go anywhere.