Central
& Western NY Outdoors
March
2006
~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~
Reed Hoffman to Lead Grand Canyon Photo Expedition
Upcoming Events from Footprint Press
I have been named. Tired and cold, I asked for some
warm water once we reached 15,000 feet on a mountain in Africa.
In response I heard “wafuma unatoka.”
Glancing at Yusuf, our Tanzanian Kilimanjaro guide, I inquired what “wafuma” meant. My limited
swahali had picked up a new word. With
an embarrassed grin he said “King.”
In Tanzania, many local people develop nicknames.
In respect, jest, deference, and by accident mine had become Kaka
Yangu Wafuma. (my brother, the king).
A little over a year ago, Yusuf emailed me to tell me
after three trips to Dar Es Salaam, a few phone calls to the embassy on my
part, and six months of waiting he finally had a visa and was ready to come
to the US. It was November. I had no work for him that time of year, no money for a ticket
and I lived in a 2 room cabin with an outhouse.
But it was more than Yusuf had. I bought him a $2,000 airline ticket
to the US. In the two months he
was here “camping,” he taught me a lot.
“Yes, you have a lot of food,” he told me, “but you have no
time to eat it” He learned
that there are many amazing things in America but his family and friends
were more important and they were in Tanzania.
We started calling each other “Kaka” or brother.
I guess in sharing life on a mountain and in another’s country,
both sacrificing and caring for each other, the guests and our families a
bond forms and the word “brother” comes easily past one’s lips.
Yusuf returned to his country to explain what life in
America was like. At home he
explained to astonished ears how I planned my life two years out. In Africa
they did not know next week if there would be food or life.
He talked of how we spent more money on helping our animals to be
healthy than whole villages in Africa did on people. Not in disgust, anger or rejection but in amazement he told
his stories to his friends.
Somehow I was convinced by Kaka Yangu, (my brother)
that it would be a good idea to help him with college. I guess it was an
easy sell job because Kaka Yangu is very smart. He knew he needed an
education to succeed and to support his son and a wife.
I know what it is like to have a son and wanted him to be able to
make it in the world.
Since that decision, many people have touched and been
touched by Africa and Yusuf’s life. Many
have chosen to help Yusuf with his college fund.
I have watched as people learn to transition from simply passing out
candy as one passes through villages in a foreign country because it makes
us feel good to taking a more substantial move to improve our world.
Actions that go beyond just being about us.
Candy produces a temporary smile that the traveler can keep but
leaves behind school kids leaving school and begging, rotted teeth, a quick
high and then an emptiness. To
make a decision to not pass out candy and instead choose to do something
that makes a difference requires that each person reflect more deeply than
maybe he might care to. If
the quick fix of a piece of candy is not helpful then what about the other
quick fixes promoted in our western world?
If we reject the idea of the candy, how can we not also come face to
face with other choices we make about meaning in our lives?
So, last week I was again hiking up in the jungle on
Kilimanjaro. Behind me I heard
“Kaka Yangu Wafuma.” Hands
reached out from under bundles on heads to touch mine as Raziki, Mohammed,
Yahiwa and others greeted me. They
are friends of Yusuf who for years have helped him on the mountain.
They help us make our way in the thin air. I had seen most of them for over two years.
They are there to help us with our burdens.
I wonder how much we lighten theirs.
Once the expedition was over we
were invited into Yusuf’s house. Two
rooms, no running water, five hikers, six neighborhood kids politely sitting
on the couch, his friends, a friend of a neighbor who dropped by because
there was food, and an adopted mom. Her
job was quality control for the dinner the young Muslim women cooked for us. Wide-eyed and giggling, the kids drank their soda and then
went outside to play past the charcoal burners cooking green bananas, white
ugali (a corn porridge) and golden fried fish.
Earlier that day, Mohammed Moja (meaning Number One, as
I call him), held my hand tightly in clasp and in perfect English thanked me
for changing his life. Six
years before, we had paid $60 for his English class.
Now he was a guide on the mountain and able to earn his own way.
He just got married this year. Later
in the day we left what we were buying on the shop counter because the store
owner would not let Yusuf and Mohammed Mbili (number 2) in.
I am unused to blatant discrimination and was shocked to see how
these caring people where excluded because of their color.
As we walked away from the store down the street,
Mohammed Mbili, who earlier in the trip I had helped to assist a climber at
19,000 feet walk to the crater rim, walked beside me, held my hand and said,
“Kaka Yangu”.
The essence that those few words conveyed was built on
more than just passing out candy.
Rick French
You probably learned to tie your shoe laces around kindergarten age. But, creative lacing may be a skill you have yet to acquire. Did you know that you can lace your boots differently to address specific foot problems or pains.
If you’re having trouble with foot comfort in your boots, maybe re-lacing them according to the suggestions below can help alleviate your problems. These suggestions have a long lineage. They originated with experimentation by marines, paratroopers and military police and have been published over the years in the newsletter of the
American Orthopedaedic Foot and Ankle Society, in Science News magazine and this past month in the
Crescent Trails newsletter.
A) Hikers with narrow feet should thread wider-set eyelets for a snug fit.
B) Hikers with wide feet should use eyelets closer to the tongue.
C) If one has a wide ball and narrow heel, two pairs of laces are suggested, with one tying at the top and the other at the bottom. Pull the laces at the top to fit the heel, and adjust those at the bottom to fit the ball.
D) If there is a bump at the top of the foot or a high arch causes discomfort or pain, the experts advise skipping an eyelet midway up.
E) High-arched hikers might try lacing up their boots without criss-crossing the laces.
F) Hikers plagued with hammer toes, corns, etc. can try stringing one end of the lace from the toe eyelet to the top and pulling that lace to lift the front end of the boot.
G) If there are heel problems, it is suggested that they might be avoided or relieved by
threading the laces through each other at the top of the boot.
Not able to do the heavy lifting of trail work? You can still give back to trails by being a temporary office volunteer at Finger Lakes Trail Conference in Mt. Morris.
FLTC is currently embarking on a project to clean out their obsolete files and reorganize the important "stuff." They are also approaching membership renewal time, so it becomes extra busy around the office. Typically, the office is open on Mondays and Thursdays, so those are the preferred days for most projects, BUT they can be somewhat flexible for special projects.
FLTC Is currently in need of several volunteers to help with office projects during March, April, and possibly May. Of course, those who can volunteer on a regular basis would be greatly appreciated as well.
The FLTC prides itself on dedicated volunteers. They can best accomplish their mission at the reasonable cost by utilizing as much volunteer labor as possible, SO if you are willing and able to volunteer for office (or other) projects, please contact Gene Bavis. You don’t even have to be a FLTC member.
Gene Bavis gbavis@rochester.rr.com
Executive Director
Finger Lakes Trail Conference
www.fingerlakestrail.org
phone 315-986-1474
Take
advantage of an incredible opportunity to experience some of the grandest
scenes of nature in the world! In a small group, guided by one of the best
photography instructors in the country, you’ll explore and create images
of the unique natural beauty and of the people in the North American west.
From the most photographed of all the canyons in the US to the people who
live around them, you’ll find an amazing variety of images to capture.
Helicopter into the Grand Canyon and explore its depths through
your lens. The diversity extends to Route 66, locked in time in the
1950’s. Vintage vehicles, people dressed as in the fifties and tourist
culture from that period awaits you in this community.
And the final night we’ll extend the diversity of the trip to the
Strip at Las Vegas.
This
is an opportunity to live photography for a week, day in and day out.
You’ll be able to share your shots daily (if shooting digital), ask
questions and get feedback to help open your mind and eyes to the wonders
of the next day. Come home
with photos you’ll treasure for the rest of your life.
As
we write this, Reed is on a photo safari in Tanzania. To see some of those shots go to www.PackPaddleSki.com
and click on the Photo
Galleries
link.
About
Reed Hoffmann: For over 20
years Reed worked for newspapers in Indiana, Alabama, and New
York, twice winning National Press Photographers Association Photographer
of the Year honors for Region 2 (the northeast). Now based in Kansas City,
he’s a partner in Blue Pixel, a digital photography and consulting
company (www.bluepixel.net), where
he creates and teaches digital photography programs across the country.
His
photography clients include The New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles
Times, the Dallas Morning News, Nikon, Discovery Channel, Sony AXN, Lexar,
Lowepro, Sports Illustrated, and Outside Magazine. His personal work can
be seen at www.reedhoffmann.com.
Beyond
that though, Reed’s love of the outdoors and joy in working with people
has led him to accumulate a long list of devotees for his workshops.
This
opportunity is coming in October to the Grandest of Canyons. To find out
more information, email info@packpaddleski.com
now.
The Crescent Trail Association and
Perinton Town Parks folks were busy this past winter, building 240 feet of 5-feet-wide boardwalk and a 24-foot bridge across White Brook. Winter may seem like an odd time to build trail but working on the frozen wetland allowed the materials to be slid into place more easily and vegetation damaged in the building process will recover more rapidly in the next growing season.
It looks like cold, hard work doesn’t it? Well, it is, and we are entirely grateful to hardy souls like Dave Schaeffer and Mark Gwaltney, with help from Jamie Baker, Rick Taft, Dave Morgan, Howie Newton, Dave Dahl, Jim Unckless, Bob Youmans, Zach Krause, Steve Polimeni and all the others who worked so hard in the harsh conditions.
The new, elevated boardwalk connects trails from Lyndon Road Bridge to the White Brook Nature Area, east of the Leander Creek Subdivision on Aldrich Road in Perinton. This gives Crescent Trail Association a total of about 36 miles of hiking treadway. Perinton continues to live up to its designation as “Trail Town USA.”
Work 
continues through this spring to build the boardwalk. Crescent Trail Association plans to have an all-day hike on Saturday, June 10, to include a stop and crossing at the boardwalk for a photo op/media event/ribbon-cutting. Plan to join them to celebrate this major achievement.
March 2, Thursday, 7-9 PM, Spencerport residents $12, non-residents $15
Spencerport Adult Education, 71 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport 14559, (585) 349-5680
This course will have the essential information needed for enjoying birds, including:
-how to attract birds
-how to identify birds
-understanding nesting and habitat of birds
Plus it will include tips on enjoying nature, butterflies, insects and photography.
Instructor is Norman E. Wolfe, nature photographer and author of "Birding in Central and Western New York."
Garden-scaping For Nature
March 8, Wednesday, 7-9 PM, $8
Gates Recreation, 1605 Buffalo Road, 247-6100
Are you a gardener who would like to see an abundance of animals or a bird-watcher who would like more birds in your yard? Then this course is a must. Habitat is the biggest factor for attracting animals and birds. Learn the right way to establish or complement an existing garden that is conducive to their needs. Understanding their habitat requirements and using the correct process of planting makes for a functioning garden which will attract animals and birds. At the same time you will have fun creating and watching it all evolve. Learn how to do this without impacting or degrading the environment with invasive or unwanted plants.Norman E. Wolfe, author of "Birding in Central and Western New York", instructor of birding for everyone, nature photography and experienced outdoorsman will give you the "do's and don'ts" of proper landscape gardening that will work in this part of the country.
Garden-scaping For Nature
March 9, Thursday, 7-8:30 PM, residents $12, non-residents $15
Spencerport Adult Education, 71 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport 14559, (585) 349-5680
Are you a gardener who would like to see an abundance of animals or a bird-watcher who would like more birds in your yard? Then this course is a must. Habitat is the biggest factor for attracting animals and birds. Learn the right way to establish or complement an existing garden that is conducive to their needs. Understanding their habitat requirements and using the correct process of planting makes for a functioning garden which will attract animals and birds. At the same time you will have fun creating and watching it all evolve. Learn how to do this without impacting or degrading the environment with invasive or unwanted plants. Norman E. Wolfe, author of "Birding in Central and Western New York", instructor of birding for everyone, nature photography and experienced outdoorsman will give you the "do's and don'ts" of proper landscape gardening that will work in this part of the country.
Nature Photography
March 16, Thursday, 7-8:30 PM (2 sessions), residents $17, non-residents $20
March 23, Thursday, 7-8:30 PM
Spencerport Adult Education, 71 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport 14559, (585) 349-5560
Why pay top dollar for beautiful nature photos when you can take them yourself? There are plenty of stunning landscapes and exciting wildlife in the Rochester area, and vacation spots add even more visual splendor to our memories. You can learn how to preserve these moments in photos once you learn some of the basics of nature photography. This 2-session course has all of the essentials of nature photography, using conventional and digital formats, including:
- how cameras and other equipment work
- how to set up and take great nature photos
- tips on printmaking and enlarging
- how to nature even more through photography
Bring your camera and your enthusiasm!
Birding for Everyone
March 20, Monday 7-9 PM, $21.00
Greece Adult Education, 1785 Latta Rd., Greece 14515, (585) 621-1000 ext. 7411
This course will have the essential information needed for enjoying birds, including:
-how to attract birds
-how to identify birds
-understanding nesting and habitat of birds
Plus it will include tips on enjoying nature, butterflies, insects and photography.
Instructor is Norman E. Wolfe, nature photographer and author of "Birding in Central and Western New York."
Birding for Everyone
March 22, Wednesday, 7-9 PM, $8
Gates Recreation, 1605 Buffalo Road, 247-6100
This course will have the essential information needed for enjoying birds, including:
-how to attract birds
-how to identify birds
-understanding nesting and habitat of birds
Plus it will include tips on enjoying nature, butterflies, insects and photography.
Instructor is Norman E. Wolfe, nature photographer and author of "Birding in Central and Western New York."
Birding for Everyone
March 22, Wednesday, 7-9 PM, $8
Hilton Recreation, 59 Henry St., Hilton, (585) 392-9030
This course will have the essential information needed for enjoying birds, including:
-how to attract birds
-how to identify birds
-understanding nesting and habitat of birds
Plus it will include tips on enjoying nature, butterflies, insects and photography. The
Instructor is Norman E. Wolfe, nature photographer and author of "Birding in Central and Western New York."
Nature Photography
March 29, Wednesday, 7-8:30 PM, (2 sessions) $13
April 5, Wednesday, 7-8:30 PM
Hilton Recreation, 59 Henry St., Hilton, (585) 392-9030
Why pay top dollar for beautiful nature photos when you can take them yourself? There are plenty of stunning landscapes and exciting wildlife in the Rochester area, and vacation spots add even more visual splendor to our memories. You can learn how to preserve these moments in photos once you learn some of the basics of nature photography. This 2-session course has all of the essentials of nature photography, using conventional and digital formats, including:
- how cameras and other equipment work
- how to set up and take great nature photos
- tips on printmaking and enlarging
- how to nature even more through photography
Bring your camera and your enthusiasm!
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