Adirondacker Tim Burke Claims First Podium Finish in Biathlon World Cup

Tim Burke, a local member of the United States Biathlon Team, had the best finish for a U.S. biathlete in 19 years when he placed second in the opening Biathlon World Cup today in Östersund, Sweden. Congratulations Tim!
Tim grew up in Paul Smith's, New York and competed in Bill Koch Youth Ski Races with the crew pictured below. A much younger Tim, wearing bib number 37 in that illustrious line up, is not the only current Olympian on yesteryear's podium. Nordic Combined Olympian, Billy Demong, is in the center wearing bib number 61.  Then we have with his arms folded, sporting a darling purple race suit, USA Biathlon Olympic Team member Lowell Bailey.  Assessing the situation is my son the rocket scientist in bib 63, who went on to compete on the US Telemark Team. The overriding memory from those days is how much they all loved to be on skis!

Ghost Mountains

Adirondack Prescription: Get Out!

Admittedly, I expend a large percentage of column inches reveling in my surroundings here on the Adirondack lifestyle blog. It happens for a couple of reasons: this medium lends itself to visual communication, people frequently don’t have time to read too many words, and the scenery actually is pretty darn nice here.

However, the reason I made the decision to relocate to the Adirondacks involves considerations much larger and more important than big mountains and breathtaking views. I believe living close to nature and natural cycles helps create a wholesome and healthy life. I find it easy to live close to nature in the Adirondacks, and thus I feel better.

Since my first sentient moment I have been drawn to the outdoors. It turns out I wasn’t so odd. There is the Adirondack Wellness Theory, based on scientific data that supports spending time outside in nature is good for humans. In a “forest kindergarten” class for example, in Saratoga Springs, New York, just south of the Adirondack Park, pupils spend three hours a day outside. The children ages, 3 ½ to 6, are outside, rain or shine, every day! That sounds reasonable to me. My son spent at least three hours a day outside growing up in the Adirondacks. He was a happy kid and he slept well. Oh yes, here is another new study that provides the obvious answer to the question, “Does Exercise Help You Sleep?”
I wish they had talked to me before they spent all that money on the study.

Lake Placid Olympic Connection Featured on ABC News

This Feb. 19, 1980 file photo shows workers dwarfed against the white layer of snow, as they prepare the jump for practice for the 90m special jumping event in Lake Placid. (AP Photo/File) (AP)

The Olympic legacy of the Village of Lake Placid is discussed today in today's ABC News feature article, "Lake Placid, Winter and Summer Playground: Lake Placid owes its legacy to winter sports and the impact of hosting 2 Winter Olympics"

"Ski In - Ski Out" Living in Lake Placid

Adirondack Thanksgiving 2009 Nor'easter Snow Report

It snowed last night and we are skiing in Lake Placid!

Staff at Mount Van Hoevenberg rolled and packed the five inches of fresh, wet snow on some of the trails early today, and by afternoon the wind and cold had dried the snow for perfect nordic ski-skate training. The trend looks positive for cold temperatures and light snow.

The Famous Encroaching Fog Before The Snow!?

I am not trained as a meteorologist, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I think fog indicates the weather is changing. It looks like my new weather/ski friends at Famousinternetskiers.com agree. I think they are pulling into the lead in the Adirondack Lifestyle weather hero category. The other weather sights including Accuweather, NOAA and Weatherunderground issued their Winter Weather Advisories this morning. But Greg, one of the famous internet skiers, made his call yesterday afternoon. By the way, their site has a nice collection of weather tools for the weather obsessed like me.

We are all keeping our fingers crossed for snow of course. However, once again, snow or not, it was great to be out in Adirondack weather for my morning photo shoot.