The Adirondack Lifestyle Conundrum

It is amazing how quickly winter and the holidays sneak up on an innocent Adirondack bystander. Engrossed with building a new house and a myriad of other change related work, I looked up this morning and realized it is the first week of December and my pined-for winter has finally arrived.
The cold temperatures and snow blew in on the coattails of a seventy-mph wind and rain storm that buffeted the new headquarters last Wednesday. Unlike last week’s 55-degree temperatures, today’s 12-degrees and gently falling snow are perfectly indicative of December in the Adirondacks. The relaxed aura created by the warm woodstove and cozy cup of tea belie my mental preoccupation with a vexing conundrum. The problem is a classic Adirondack lifestyle issue: how does one take advantage of all the fun things to do in the Adirondacks this time of year AND complete important tasks with the looming December 25th deadline?
It is a fact of life in the Adirondacks: the many temptations of this beautiful region can easily lure one away from less interesting obligations. Since we are on the topic, I might as well mention a few of those ‘problems.’
A good place to find scheduled fun ways to take advantage of winter in the Adirondacks is via the local convention and visitor’s bureau database of events. For example, the upcoming “Holiday Stroll Weekend,” December 10-12, in Lake Placid offers opportunities to visit the Olympic Venues and shop, dine, and experience the picturesque mountain village of Lake Placid. You can also find a schedule of upcoming competitive events planned for the Olympic venues at the Olympic Regional Development Authority's (ORDA's) site.
On the other hand, if you are one of those who understand the real Adirondack lifestyle brand calls for a large dose of fitness: experiencing the incredible Adirondack outdoors while moving one’s body through space, you don’t need a scheduled event to enjoy the region. Snow is falling and the Famous Internet Skiers weather forecast calls for cold and snow for at least the next week. This means cross-country and backcountry ski conditions will continue to improve. Reports from Whiteface indicate skiing and sliding is already great with more terrain opening each day. Climbing routes will soon be ready for ice climbers, some of the heartiest athletes on the planet. The speed skating oval in Lake Placid is open for business and area lakes and ponds are freezing in preparation for casual skaters and pick-up hockey games.
Here we are, back at the Adirondack lifestyle conundrum: there seems to be so much to do and so little time. My advice is start with the fun outdoor activities and everything else will fall into place. That’s how I’ll handle my Adirondack conundrum.
Today’s featured photo is last week’s view from the yoga mat at the Lake Placid Lodge. Lest I forget, yoga: another good-for-you activity made even better with an Adirondack view.