Central & Western NY Outdoors Newsletter  
September 2004      

                 ~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~                                 

      Aldrich Change Bridge Project Completed

      The Woods Are Alive With The Sound Of Music 

      The Beauty of Our Region Captured in Photography

      Whitetail Deer Lecture Presentation

      Are you “yurting” for a peaceful vacation in the Adirondacks?

      Visit an Outdoor Club in September

      Need any outdoor recreation gear or equipment?

      Scarecrow Safe Journey 5K Run/Walk

      Lake Erie "Beach Sweep" Clean-Up

      September Presentations

In the early days of the Erie Canal, life proceeded at a snail's pace as horses and mules towed boats along the canal at four miles per hour taking just under six days to make the trip from Albany to Buffalo. The packet boats, dandy drivers with stovepipe hats, mule teams, and "hoggee" mule drivers are long gone. But, thanks to a cadre of volunteers, a remnant from those days has been preserved.

The 144-year-old Aldrich Change Bridge now sits in Aqueduct Park, on the western edge of the village of Palmyra. A change bridge allowed mules towing barges and packet boats along the canal to reverse directions without having to be unharnessed and transported across the canal. The 74-foot-long, 14-foot-wide Aldrich Change Bridge was built by Squire Whipple in 1858. It was an ingenious piece of engineering, especially for the time. Originally it sat over the canal in Rochester. In 1880 it was relocated to the enlarged canal near the border between Macedon and Palmyra.

It collapsed into Mud Creek in 1996 during an ice storm but was hauled out and restored by volunteers over a 6-year period. It is the oldest dated surviving composite cast iron bridge in NY State, and the only surviving canal change bridge. It now sits across the former canal bed, which is filled in with soil and grass, a tribute to the original engineers and the volunteers who rescued this relic of our history. View the bridge progress report along with pictures.

Visit the park to see this unique piece of preserved canal history. While there you can see the remains of the aqueduct that once carried waters of the canal over Ganargua or Mud Creek. When the canal was built, engineers had no way of controlling water level in the canal from spring floods and summer droughts so canal waters had to be kept separate from creek waters. To span creeks, stone aqueducts were often built. Large U-shaped stone structures were built and lined with wooden planks. This formed a trough for the canal waters to flow through, high above creek waters. Today the Palmyra Aqueduct timbers are gone and the channel is used as overflow for the Erie Canal. It flows as a waterfall most of the time but turns off as water is siphoned off when boats go through the locks.

This brings us to the third attraction at Aqueduct Park. It's home to Lock 29, a functional lock on the current Erie Canal. In summer, it's fun to watch boats get raised and lowered through the lock.

reprint from Footprint Press Newsletter (November 2002)

In 2001 Rich & I attended a special musical concert called "Playing Outside," that was written by Robert Morris and performed in Rochester's, Webster Park. It included 65 musicians (chorus, orchestra, and four improvisers) and a Balinese gamelan playing solo and concerted music in ten locations throughout the park. The audience and musicians moved among different areas in the park. The piece was 100 minutes long and provided us with a new way to enjoy the wonders of the woods. 

Now, there's to be a new concert in the woods. "Coming Down to Earth" is the second in a projected series of musical works that are to be played outdoors in the midst of natural surroundings such as forests, fields, hills and canyons. "Coming Down to Earth" is a more modest composition, 50 minutes long. It may be played in any appropriate location—and even, under special conditions, indoors—and does not ask the audience or performers to move about. The performance requirements are also less demanding: no gamelan is required; the number of parts is fewer; and some of the sounds are played from CDs over loudspeakers. The performers are asked to improvise to some extent. In addition to music sound, various texts are recited, sung or heard over loudspeakers. Three performances will occur on Sunday October 3, 2004 at 1, 3 and 5 PM.

For full details, visit http://www.esm.rochester.edu/rdm/cdte/. Then come enjoy the music of the woods.

Also, check out Patrick Regan's work. He creates a vibrant feel in his full color waterfall images. Patrick will have his works on display at Rochester’s Clothesline Art Festival.  www.scenic-impressions.com. One of my favorite shots is of Grimes Glen.  Click here to see how Patrick captured this beautiful falls.

Purchase their photographs and you can bring the region’s beauty into your home.

     Whitetail Deer Lecture Presentation - October 19th

Charles Alsheimer, an award winning outdoor writer, nature photographer and whitetail consultant will give a lecture presentation on the whitetail deer on Tuesday, October 19th at the Holiday Inn Riverside in downtown of Elmira from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Seating is limited, advance ticket purchase is recommended. Admission price will be announced in September; however, seats can be reserved now by calling Tanglewood Nature Center at 607-732-6060.

Imagine a place where few go, except you and those you choose to take with you. A place where tranquility, beauty and peace surround you and all that is heard is the rush of a cascading waterfall and the chirp of colorful birds waking and entertaining you through out the day. Many have ventured to the Adirondacks to motels with TV's and phones, crowds and traffic. Few have ever experienced a stay in a backcountry yurt where none of these societal interruptions take away from your vacation time and the real raw beauty of the Adirondacks surrounds you.


What is a yurt? A yurt is a round, insulated structure with skylight to the stars located in less traveled regions of the Adirondacks. It is more cozy than a cabin and very unique in that you're in a round structure. Falls Brook yurts are located along a state trailhead for the Stony Pond Wilderness. Hike in 2/3 mile, passing cascading waterfalls and cross a foot bridge over Falls Brook. 

Falls Brook yurts offer modern comforts of propane heating, lighting and cooking, real mattress sleeping, kitchen, dining and sleeping areas for a unique backcountry stay. 20’ round yurts sleep up to 8 guests and everyone who stays leaves with a clear mind and a rested soul. Step out your yurt door to hundreds of miles of state marked hiking trails and the Vanderwhacker Wilderness area. Kick back, read a good book, play games, have good conversation, wind the radio for a half hour of electric free music, have some one-on-one quality time with your guests, hike and explore this truly beautiful part of the Adirondacks. For a refreshing dip, wade under the waterfall just a step away or stop by Minerva Lake, a pristine non-motorized lake for a dip. Or stop in for the weekend music and barbeques.

Antiquing and fine dining are close by. Most guests hike in, dine in and stay in to enjoy what they find when they visit… peace and quiet, beauty and time to think about everything or nothing without interruption and noise.

The “karma” is magical at Falls Brook, and this place offers a truly alternative, peaceful, relaxing vacation to both the avid outdoors person and those who just want to try it out for the first time. All you need is your sleeping bag, clothes and food. Falls Brook Yurts provide the rest. For a vacation without the hustle and bustle in one of the greatest of outdoor locations in the Adirondacks, visit Falls Brook Yurts.

www.fallsbrookyurts.com. info@fallsbrookyurts.com (518) 761-6187

Falls Brook Yurts 
John Brannon Road, Minerva, NY 
"Take the path less traveled" 

Can summer really be over? Rich & I had to head northwest to Alaska to find hot, dry weather this summer. Before we know it, the snow will fly again. Yikes!

September is the start-up for many clubs that take a hiatus over the summer. Find an outdoors club in your area and attend their meetings this month to meet other active-minded outdoors people and to stay active with club outings. The clubs open their meetings free of charge to the public and welcome new members. Here are some clubs we’re aware of that offer programs at their meetings and/or outings.

Syracuse Area

The Onondaga Ski Club 
Holds it’s first meeting of the season on Tuesday Sept. 14 at 8 PM at the Ramada Inn (7th North & Buckley in Liverpool). This club is active year-round with lessons & trips in skiing, biking, hiking, canoeing, tennis, etc. Visit www.osc-ski.org or call 422-9382 for info. 

Adirondack Mountain Club, Onondaga Chapter
www.adk.org/chapters/onondaga.aspx

Rochester Area

The Genessee Valley Chapter of Adirondack Mountain Club 
(www.gvc-adk.org/events/meeting/meeting.php) meets Wednesday, September 8th at Eisenhart Auditorium (Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Ave., Rochester). The meeting begins at 6:30 PM with a workshop on outdoor photography gear. Lee Frost and Bob Van Hise, along with Bruce Hahn of Rochester’s Hahn PhotoGraphic, will demonstrate photo equipment to help you capture the beauty of the outdoors. See the latest digital cameras, film cameras, camera backpacks, and other accessories that you can take with you to the summit, on the trail, or on the water. 

At 7:30 Rich and I will be presenting a program on our adventures in Hawaii and dispel some misconceptions about this beautiful place. Hawaii screamed "tourist" and "expensive" to Rich so he was reluctant to visit. The tropical warmth beckoned me, so I planned a trip backpacking and hiking on the Big Island to places few tourists ever see; on a budget anyone could afford.

 

What we discovered was an island of great diversity. We hiked through tropical rainforests to remote cliff-lined valleys teeming with waterfalls, to pitch our tent next to a Pacific Ocean beach. We hiked through volcanic craters and climbed a dry volcanic peak where tropical heat gave way to snow. We visited black and green sand beaches, walked through forests of lava trees, and sat in natural saunas created by volcanic steam vents. We discovered wild Hawaii - far from the throngs of tourists. 

Crescent Trail
www.ggw.org/~ctha/

Friends of Webster Trails
www.webstertrails.org/

Genesee Valley Hiking Club
www.fingerlakestrail.org/gvhc.htm

Huggers Ski Club
www.huggersskiclub.org/

Rochester Nordic Ski Club
www.rochesternordic.org/

Victor Hiking Trails
www.victorhikingtrails.org

Ithaca Area

Adirondack Mountain Club, Finger Lakes Chapter
http://web.empacc.net/~scottez/

Cayuga Trails Club
www.cs.cornell.edu/dis/Stuff/CTC/New/ 

Finger Lakes Land Trust
www.fllt.org/

Cayuga Nordic Ski Club
www.spidergraphics.com/cnsc/

Buffalo Area

Adirondack Mountain Club, Niagara Chapter
www.adk.org/chapters/niagra.aspx

Foothills Trail Club
www.foothillstrailclub.org/

Buffalo Hike Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffalo_hike_club

Buffalo Nordic Ski Club

Clinton Area

Adirondack Mountain Club, Iroquois Chapter
www.adk.org/chapters/iroquois.aspx

Binghamton Area

Adirondack Mountain Club, Susquehanna Chapter
www.adk.org/chapters/susquehanna.aspx

Triple Cities Hiking Club
www.tier.net/users/tchc/

Triple Cities Ski Club
www.triplecitiesskiclub.com/

Southwest NY

Chautauqua County Hiking Club

Chautauqua Rails to Trails
www2.cecomet.net/crtt/

Central & Western NY

Finger Lakes Trail Conference
www.fingerlakestrail.org/

Genesee Region

Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway
www.fogvg.org/index.php

Finger Lakes Region

Ontario Pathways
www.ontariopathways.org

          Need any outdoor recreation gear or equipment?

Are you in need of any outdoor recreation gear or equipment? Mark your calendars now for these upcoming new & used equipment sales:

1. October 23, Saturday, 9 AM-3 PM, FREE 

Used Outdoor Equipment Sale & Swap Meet 
Genesee Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Ave., Rochester (behind the skating rink and swimming pool, across Elmwood Ave. from U of R campus)

Need a kayak, paddles, life jacket, skis, snowshoes, crampons, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags or other outdoor equipment? Come for the best deals on used equipment from Pack, Paddle Ski, guidebooks from Footprint Press Recreation Guidebooks and other outdoors stuff. This is the BEST SALE OF THE YEAR for those of us who love to venture into the outdoors.

2. October 23-24, FREE

Syracuse Ski Sale sponsored by the Onondaga Ski Club at Labrador Mountain, Route 91 Truxton, New York 13158, phone: 607-842-6204

         Scarecrow Safe Journey 5K Run/Walk

A fun, family event on Scarecrow weekend in downtown Fairport!

DATE: Saturday, October 9th, 2004

TIME: The 5K begins at 9:00 AM. Race day registration and packet pick-up from 7:30 AM - 9 AM.

EARLY REGISTRATION: Registration and packet pick-up available on Friday, October 8th from 10 AM - 7 PM at Fleet Feet, 2210 Monroe Avenue, Rochester (between 12 Corners and the 590 exit).

PLACE: The 5K will follow a USATF certified course through the Village of Fairport and along the beautiful Erie Canal (see map on the entry form). Race day registration will take place in the Box Factory parking lot, downtown Fairport (see map on the entry form).

COST: $15 if registration is received by October 5th. Race day registration is $20. The fee includes a t-shirt and post-race refreshments.

TIMING: YellowJacket Racing - AMB Chip Timed

All race proceeds benefit Safe Journey, a non-profit transitional program that provides resources and support for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Join us in our commitment to helping survivors of domestic violence and raising community awareness. For more information, registration form and waiver, go online at www.safejourney.org or call 425-1580. Join us in our commitment to helping survivors of domestic violence and raising community awareness.

Sponsored by the Fairport Perinton Merchants Association.

          Lake Erie "Beach Sweep" Clean-Up

Saturday, September 18, 2004
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Help preserve our part of the Great Lakes basin by joining caring citizens and environmental groups across WNY as they set out to clean up Lake Erie's shoreline, from the Pennsylvania border to Niagara Falls! They'll be joining thousands of volunteers all around the world as part of the 19th Annual International Coastal Clean-Up Day, clearing debris from beaches and waterways and even diving off coastlines for underwater clean-up. Please join them to preserve our marine environments and protect people and wildlife from harm, in the world's largest one-day volunteer effort on behalf of our precious marine resources. They'll be compiling data on the debris during the day, to help stop future pollution by identifying the source. 
Check out www.coastalcleanup.org for information and to find out the "Top 10 Debris Items found in New York's waterways".

(Sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the American Littoral Society.)

For northern Erie and Niagara County beaches, contact Julie Barrett O'Neill of Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers, (716) 881-1217

For southern Erie County beaches, contact Sharen Trembath, (716) 549-4330

For Cattaraugus County beaches and tributaries, contact Julie Broyles of the Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Task Force, (716) 228-1430

For Niagara Falls area and tributaries, and portions of Lake Ontario, contact Jeanette Brunner of the Aquarium of Niagara, (800) 500-4609 x209

For Dunkirk area beaches in Chautauqua County, contact Amy Smith, (716) 763-7058

September 8, Wednesday, 7:30 PM

Hiking Wild Hawaii slide show
Adirondack Mountain Club meeting (public is welcome for FREE)
Eisenhart Auditorium, Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Ave., Rochester (www.gvc-adk.org)

Rich and Sue Freeman will be presenting a program on their adventures in Hawaii and dispel some misconceptions about this beautiful place. Hawaii screamed "tourist" and "expensive" to Rich so he was reluctant to visit. The tropical warmth beckoned Sue, so she planned a trip backpacking and hiking on the Big Island to places few tourists ever see; on a budget anyone could afford.

What Rich & Sue discovered was an island of great diversity. They hiked through tropical rainforests to remote cliff-lined valleys teeming with waterfalls, to pitch their tent next to a Pacific Ocean beach. They hiked through volcanic craters and climbed a dry a volcanic peak where tropical heat gave way to snow. They visited black and green sand beaches, walked through forests of lava trees, and sat in natural saunas created by volcanic steam vents. They discovered wild Hawaii - far from the throngs of tourists.

September 9, Thursday, 7 PM,    FREE

Adventure Along the Appalachian Trail slide show
Seymour Library, 161 East Ave., Brockport
(585) 637-1050

Imagine walking over 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine by way of the mountaintops of the Appalachian Ridge and spending 6 months living in the woods. You can do more than imagine it as Rich and Sue Freeman bring their Appalachian Adventure to life through slides and music.

Come along on their adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail. First, they'll give you a feel for the trail - What's the terrain like? What types of people hike this trail? How do they communicate? Where do they sleep? How do you prepare for a trek this long? In part two, they'll take you on a pictorial walk from Georgia to Maine with music in the background and periodic readings from Sue's journal.

September 13, Monday,  7 PM, FREE

Where to Canoe & Kayak Near Home slide show
Wood Library, 134 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 
585-394-1381 

Rich & Sue Freeman want you to "Take a Paddle." They'll share slides taken while researching their newest guidebooks and show the most scenic, unique and just plain fun places you can flat-water paddle in a canoe or kayak.

September 17, Friday, 7:30 PM

Lightweight Backpacking - Minimize the Weight You Carry 
a workshop by Rich & Sue Freeman part of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) Fall Outing ($20 registration for full event)

Learn keys to an enjoyable, lightweight backpacking experience from experienced backpackers. The Fall Outing is a weekend of lectures and outings in the Finger Lakes region. For the full schedule and registration information go to www.northnet.org/adktravel/fallouting.htm  or call Ken Harbison at 585-442-9731.

September 18, Saturday, 9:30 AM  $20

Powder Mills Park Hike - Daffodil & Irondequoit Creek Trails. 

An easy 5-mile hike led by Rich & Sue Freeman. This is part of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) Fall Outing ($20 registration for full event).

The forest we walk through was once the source of wood for making charcoal, used in the manufacture of blasting powder at Rand's Powder Mills. Today it's an easy path through rolling hills in a valley along the edge of Irondequoit Creek. We'll be too late to see the thousands of daffodils planted along the shore but it's never too late to enjoy the woods and fields that line the rushing waters of Irondequoit Creek. Our final stop will be at the water wheel and race that once powered the mill. 

The Fall Outing includes a weekend of lectures and outings in the Finger Lakes region. For the full schedule and registration information go to www.northnet.org/adktravel/fallouting.htm or call Ken Harbison at 585-442-9731.

September 25, Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM  FREE

Corning Library Celebration of Books
Corning Library, 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza. Corning, NY 14830
(607) 936-3713.

The day-long celebration and sale is to be held during the 9th annual Jazz Festival, an event which brings thousands of people to Corning for three days of music and wine tasting. 

There will be: Professional dealers, Individuals with books to sell or promote, Book signings by local and national authors, Illustrators, book designers, and book artists, A Scholastic Book Fair, Recent bestsellers, A silent auction and Literary readings.

Come meet guidebook authors Rich & Sue Freeman and pick up an autographed copy of any of their books for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

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