#0002 Lessons from the Adirondacks: Winter
I live in a giant state park. Well, not like a state park that you’re used to visiting. It’s called the Adirondack Park. It’s huge. I mean, really huge. It’s 6 million acres, which means it’s bigger than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and the Great Smokies National Parks combined. We’re essentially the same size as Vermont. It includes both public and private lands, several small towns, two colleges, and around 120,000 year-round residents.
Living here isn’t always easy. Some basic services are far away, jobs are limited, cost of living is high, housing is scarce, winters are long, black flies are insatiable… but if you can make it work, it’s a beautiful life.
Here’s a few of the things I’ve learned from living in the park (winter edition).
Embrace the season
Winters are long and cold. It’s not uncommon to have weeks of sub-zero temperatures. Snow can start falling in October and the last snowfall has sometimes been in May. It can be isolating. Nothing you do will hasten the end of winter, so you might as well enjoy it. I love getting out and snowboarding and XC skiing, either by myself or with family and friends.
Life has seasons as well. Sometimes it’s a winter. But just because you’re in a winter season doesn’t mean there are things to enjoy.
There’s no such thing as bad conditions, just bad attitudes
Is winter snowy? Yes. Will it be snowy today? Maybe. It could also be raining. The snow can be deep and powdery or boiler plate ice. We have a weekly nighttime ski tradition here. Our mantra is that we go regardless of the conditions. That means that’s I’ve done some really sketchy things on XC skis. But we always have fun.
No matter what life is throwing you’re way, give it a wink and a smile.
Don’t underestimate the value of a good pair of gloves
Growing up in Georgia, the idea of paying more than $50 for a pair of gloves sounded insane. But a good pair of warm, waterproof gloves can make or break your day.
Invest in what will make a difference to you. If it’s important, don’t be cheap.
