Among the projects on my westward Odyski is researching a number of stories on American's skiing heritage, and raconteur Joe-Pete Wilson, a former cross-country mogul, is one of the more interesting people I've met in years.

Joe-Pete competed in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic Winter Games, and he was the site manager for the cross-country (plus bobsled and luge) in the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games.

Joe-Pete Wilson, who raced cross-country in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic Winter Games, is a renowned raconteur and authority on America's skiing heritage.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Joe-Pete Wilson is the owner of the Bark Eater Inn, a favorite stopover among skiers who visit the Lake Placid region.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

I've been staying at his Bark Eater Inn, a B&B in the nearby town of Keene.

There's no bark served at the Bark Eater. Breakfast is made and served by Betsy Ross. After breakfast I've been interviewing Joe-Pete. He's got some great stories to tell. Skiing stories include making the Olympic team and writing one of the first how-to books on nordic techniques. He also once owned a chain of cross-country ski centers -- the McDonald's of nordic.

Betsy Ross cooks up and serves breakfast at the Bark Eater Inn.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Non-skiing tales include riding a horse through a fancy restaurant in downtown Lake Placid.

I've also been researching the skiing in the area. On Thursday I did a few kilometers at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the 1980 cross-country venue. Yesterday I headed up to Whiteface to ski the mountain and catch some of the action at the Nature Valley Freestyle World Cup competition.

Skiing on Whiteface, looking down at the Little Whiteface summit area.
COURTESY OLYMPIC REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

With 3,166 vertical feet, Whiteface boasts the most in the East.

By the way, Whiteface celebrates its 50th anniversary on Friday, Jan. 25!

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