What a great story! I've been flying the Lake George area for over 15 years and it never gets old. A great place to bring visitors - although I admit I now park the airplane for the winter, for the very reasons you said, too much work for too little flying.
I'm considering changing out the front seats on my 58 180A. Are all types of seats for the early models of 180 and 182 interchangeable? Will seats from a 170 or early 172 also work? Hoping to have lots...