Transfer days are always a bit of a trial, as there is just so much to do in getting ready for the helicopter. In this case it was worse than usual, as the weather was poor, and there was a rescue somewhere else that held up the schedule. Eventually the chopper began a number of trips, ferrying people, firewood & 400 pounds of furniture! For a while it was fun to be in the middle of the chaos as everyone chipped in to get the job done, but eventually there were few other people and still work to be done.
After stacking the wood, a short rest, and a light lunch we headed back out to do what we were there for - see the sights. Since we only had the afternoon we took a shorter hike, but one filled with delightful scenery, including a waterfall next to a natural bridge. what a lovely spot for a photo op.
Dan, co-owner and our new chef for the week, decided to whip up a family specialty for us, Chinese Pork Dumplings. Now this wasn't just some appeatizer. We had them for the meal, and oh my gosh did he make a lot of them. Laura and I pitched in & learned how to make them as well (a skill I have already tested twice to decent but unartistic results - I don't have the dough quite the right consistency). To accompany the dumplings I had luckily schlepped the right bottle in the helicopter:
2005 Domaine Eugene Meyer Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
A biodynamic estate, Meyer has produced a Gewurztraminer that is both intensely floral and pretty darned close to dry, a terrific feat in the days of globally warmed Alsace. There's not much pineapple in this Gewurz, but plenty of rose and lychee, and with its essentially dry style it made a wonderful pair to the flavorful, but not spicy, dumplings. I would not age this wine, as it doesn't have the greatest concentration, but it does taste good now.
We spent the next three days exploring the benches, scree slopes and valleys around Talus. Chris kept us at least 6 inches from the cliff faces, never led us astray (though we did do some serious bushwacking), and Dan kept us fed very well. Around every turn there was something else to see, and we ran across New Hampshire's Old Man of the Mountain. It has been said that he fell from Cannon Mountain several years ago, but it turns out he just left for vacation.
I'm probably going on too much, but I cannot recommend Talus Lodge enough. It really was the absolute highlight of our trip to do and see what we did and saw there.
Until next September...so long from David & Laura (honey, maybe we should take another step back...)
