Today is the opening for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The winter games are a showcase of winter adventures. We get to view the sharp serpentine turns in alpine skiing, rat- a- tat bounce of mogul skiing, air in freestyle and long jump, grace in figure skating, endurance in cross country skiing and the trajectory speed in the bobsled and skeleton races. There is just so much action except maybe for curling- the jury is still out about that one. Lake Placid NY, which was home of the 1980 winter games, is a place where you can venture on your own Olympic experience.
The Adirondack Mountains (Whiteface Mountain) and Lake Placid New York is a doable drive 8.5 hours from Pittsburgh. Once you reach the Adirondacks, you will experience the mountain beauty and some of the best alpine skiing in the east at Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort (see Day 187).
The negative digit temperatures of February's east artic blast can be mitigated by visiting the Olympic Sports Complex . There is a museum and a tour that will recreate the drama of the 1980 US Hockey win over the Russians, forever coined as the "Miracle on Ice." You can skate indoors where the figure skaters competed or enjoy the outside oval of the Olympic speed skating track. You will marvel at size of the jumps up close and watch the jumpers at the ski jump complex. There is plenty of cross country skiing but for the brave, a ride on the bobsled track is the pinnacle of an Olympic adventure.
Reflection
In 2017, I took my philosophy of celebrating life by “keeping some type of forward trajectory” literally when I ventured on the bobsled. I always marveled at the skill it takes to get the sled over 80 mph with only gravity and the manpower of teammates pushing it on a narrow banked concrete ice covered twisting course. It is dangerous, exciting, and fast. This is the perfect way to start a new year of new experiences!
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| Great experience with my son |
Over the years, I have watched bobsled teams crashes (see US bobsled team crash). The bobsled seemed way too dangerous even if it was a "ride." Now I was with my son ready to “brave it.”
At Lake Placid, although it’s a little slower at about 55 mph, you can experience the feeling of being catapulted down a twisting iced course. It felt like a roller coaster going right, up the bank, and to the left, with the simultaneous swoosh of wind and the sound of scraping ice. You feel the speed. Even though the ride is only a few minutes, I exited feeling tipsy but smiling nonetheless. My son and I walked away with that “wow feeling.” (view video of bobsled)
There are only a few places where you can do this and Lake Placid is one of them. It really is a ride full of anticipation.
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| Get a picture with brakeman and runner at end to prove that you made it. |
Just like the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team, I felt the thrill of being in an unlikely environment with the Bobsled Experience. When watching the power house action of the 2022 Olympics consider taking your own adventure in Lake Placid and don't forget the bobsled.
Spiritual Reflection
But forget all that-it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! (Isaiah 41:18-19)
Other sources
Whiteface web cam https://whiteface.com/mountain/webcams/
Bobsled Expereince https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/lake-placid-bobsled-experience/
Whiteface Mountain http://www.whiteface.com/activities/bobsled-experience
View video Bobsled Experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJlq-9rT0JU
Calgary Olympic Bobsled Crash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hITRkroHGgI
Jamaican Bobsled Team https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm4DjRcmoPY
Lake Placid Olympics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Winter_Olympics