You picked it: The Grand Prize Winner in the ARTC Online Photo Contest Announced

Plattsburgh resident wins Grand Prize

ADIRONDACK PARK, N.Y. - The people have spoken and Joanne Kennedy of Plattsburgh, N.Y. has won the Grand Prize in the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council's Online Photo Contest for her photograph of "Lake Colden at Sunset." She will receive GORE-TEX gloves, footwear and hats valued at $500.

Kennedy's photo was chosen by members of the public, who logged onto www.visitadirondacks.com to cast their vote for the winning photo.

The Grand Prize winner was chosen from three finalists, who were selected from a pool of 300 entries in three separate categories: family and friends, outdoor winter recreation and winter scenics. Kennedy's photo was a finalist in the Outdoor Winter Recreation category.

In August, Kennedy, and six other women, will head to Africa this summer to tackle Mt. Kilimanjaro, which means she'll be "putting her new GORE- TEX gear to work." she said.

"It's really exciting news," Kennedy said of her Grand Prize winning.

"The photo 'Lake Colden at Sunset' was taken on the return hike from a trip to the summits of Gray Peak and Skylight where my fellow hikers and I had the opportunity to watch Mount Marcy pop in and out of the clouds living up to its name Tahawus translated as Cloudsplitter," Kennedy said. "When we arrived at Lake Colden, the sun was just beginning to set with a peaceful glow over the mountains providing just enough light to cross the lake and soak in the incredible views. Each footprint guides you as you discover the Adirondack Park, a treasure trove of mountains and valleys forever wild."

About the Adirondack Region

The Adirondack Park, named for the Adirondack Mountains that lie within its boundaries, offers some of the best opportunities in the United States for outdoor recreation in a superb natural setting. The wilderness lands of the Adirondack Park are an outdoor-lover's paradise and vacation packages offer a wonderful opportunity for visitors to sample all that there is to see and do in the region.

The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council can provide information about planning a vacation in the Adirondack region. Call 800-487-6867 or visit www.visitadirondacks.com for package listings, events, activities, restaurants, lodging and maps.