Pre Race: Faces And Fashion of the ADK Marathon

They're Off for the 17th Adirondack Marathon

Bathed in glorious sunshine, a field of around 400 runners took off at 9am in downtown Schroon Lake for the 17th Annual ADK Marathon.

The runners -- dressed in an array of dazzling neon colors – were cheered on by hundreds of enthusiastic spectators who lined Main Street.

With cooler temperatures, perfect for a marathon, organizers expect some records may be broken today.

Before the race, there was a party atmosphere along Main Street.  Runners of all shapes and sizes were stretching in a multitude of poses, adjusting their iPods, while their friends and families looked on.

This year’s race featured four runners who have participated in all 17 marathons: Joseph and Mary Healt of Forestport, NY, Laura Scarpinato of Milton, Vermont and Dan Kress of Churchville, NY.

Race Organizer Joel Friedman welcomed te runners, from as far away as New Zealand, Broome, from Western Australia Down Under, (Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy!, Oy! Oy!), Brazil, Costa Rica, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong and Finland.

The starting pistol was fired by Patty Christian from Witherbee's Carriage House, one of the event's major sponsors. 

The first of the runners are expected to cross the finish line between 11:30 am and 12 pm.

Fall's a Comin'

From from the top of Bear Mountain at Gore, Saturday. 

It's 10pm: Do You Know Where Your Boat Is?

As a flatlander, after a long drive back to the 'dacks and our lake house from down south, there's nothing more rewarding than checking in with Mother Nature and looking at the lake, we love so much.

So, as is the usual practice here at Treetops, I wandered down to the dock with a glass of red wine, to marvel at the stillness of the calm waters and the moon's reflection into the lake. 

So, imagine my surprise when the dogs and I discovered a hastily deserted speed boat, tied up to our very own dock. The boat -- above -- does not look like a neighbors, so who could it belong to?

We hope there wasn't an emergency involved, and the sailors were forced to decamp the scene in a hurry, leaving all of those Coronas,  a beer of some Canadian extraction, and a couple of Buds, on fresh ice. And there's all of those bags of beach towels  -- and that key in the ignition!

Come day break, we'll be calling the fuzz -- or Craig or Captain Jack at the Marina... that is, unless those boaters happened to sneak over to Witherbee's Carriage House  tonight, and chose the closet dock near the famed roadhouse. 

As we are generous souls, a couple of those cold beers (or the whole cooler) should cover the "docking fee". 

Stay tuned for the outcome.