LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 14 is that you don't even have to feel motivated to act. Waiting for motivation to materialize is often the sur- est way to feel stuck. Hope, as they say, is not a strat- egy. Consciously choosing a behavior that reflects who you want to become, not how you happen to feel in the moment, is sound practice. The mantra is not "Do something." You've already thought of that. It's "Do one thing that leads to something." Finally, my suggestion to get outside will likely come naturally to the hardy folks who choose to live in a park, which is a special arrangement in itself. The Ad- irondack Park is accessible, varied, and free, and it's about the size of the entire state of Vermont. If you want your adventures to be as big as your values, th- ru-hiking the Cranberry Lake Fifty, Northville Placid Trail, or Trans Adirondack Route constitute legitimate expeditions. Scaling High Peaks is typically no easy feat. Look, if you want tough things to do, this is the place to do it. People are drawn to premier adventures like these because they recognize that the greater the challenge, the greater the psychological reward. But if adventures that send a shiver down your spine just ar- en't your thing, there are plenty of other options that align less with conquering and more with experiencing. Here are a few: In the northern region of the park, visit the Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center. "The VIC," as locals call it, maintains thirty miles of trails and of- fers snowshoe rentals on site. In the eastern region, check out Lake George Battlefield Park. It offers big-sky views from forgiving terrain and boasts historical mark- ers, accessible parking, and plowed paths. Lapland Lake Nordic Center in the southern Adiron- dacks features loop trails for beginner snowshoers and skiers. You don't need mounds of skill or stamina to enjoy this place, and you can rent all your gear there. When you're in the western Adirondacks, segments of the Remsen-Lake Placid Rail Trail are ideal for hik- ing, snowshoeing, skiing, and fat-tire biking on gentle grades. Then there's the central Adirondack region, which is my favorite part of the range. Fern Park in Inlet is a gem for easy winter outings. The snowshoe loops are short and well-marked, the forest is peaceful, and the terrain is mild enough for almost anyone to tack- le. There's a warming hut to boot. Across the park, adventures both big and small are everywhere. Walk an unplowed road, snowshoe with a friend, or stand on your porch at night to watch the Milky Way. These aren't grand gestures. They don't have to be. As someone who grew up in the Adirondacks and has worked for years as a clinician helping people navigate life's emotional drag, I can tell you that winter can af- fect the mind as surely as it affects the physical envi- ronment. Short days, heavy skies, and raw cold shape how people feel, think, interact, and move. And again, that's not "weakness." It's psychology and biology, which can be nudged toward the light with the three above suggestions. When you commit to your values, take great or small steps forward, and let the outdoors remind you why you live in the park, winter becomes something you can meet on your terms, and that's something to look for- ward to each year. t Dix Range from Bald Peak, Giant Mountain Wilderness Area

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