Central
& Western NY Outdoors
May 2006
~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~
Do it Down and Dirty - The Dryer Adventure Challenge
Swallow Hollow Nature Trail Re-Opens
Memories of the Flats and Falls Bicycle Team Trip Along the Erie Canal
Pfeiffer Nature Center Presents an Native American Storyteller
Upcoming Events from Footprint Press
Take a Cobblestone Bike Tour by Sue Freeman
Gas prices are spiraling out of control. This summer, save the money you’d spend on gas and plan a bike tour that’s unique and better still – close to home. Go on a cobblestone quest.
In your travels you’ve probably passed cobblestone houses, but not given them much thought. Most locals don’t realize that they’re unique to this area. In fact, over 90% of the cobblestone buildings ever built in the world are within a 65-mile radius of Rochester, NY. The 700+ buildings were constructed between 1825 and 1860, before the Civil War. Each is a creative work of folk art.
Imagine moving slowly by wagon, over roads that were mere ruts of mud, to build a log cabin in a remote wilderness. This is precisely how the early pioneers to upstate New York arrived. They purchased plots of land from the Phelps & Gorham Land Tract or Holland Land Company and had to clear the trees from the dense forest to create fields for farming.
In the process, they discovered the fields were full of fist-sized stones (or cobblestones), evidence that glaciers scoured this land before the forests grew. Those pesky stones had to be moved out of the way, and as they plowed, the cobblestones seemed to multiply. It was hard work, but the land was productive and the pioneers were able to grow enough produce to feed their large families.
When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it created a way to get their produce to larger markets. The farming business flourished, enough so that the farmers began to think about building better homes for their hardworking wives and 10+ children. Why not put those pesky cobblestones to use and build a dandy home – they were, by golly, lying about free in the fields, just waiting to be gathered. And, the pioneers were not strangers to hard labor.
The original cobblestone homes were simple farmhouses. Over the 35-year span during which all the cobblestone buildings were built, they became progressively more elaborate and refined. Construction methods evolved and masons began to select stones, sorting them by size and color. They build homes with stripes, herringbone patterns and artistic patterns created with the cobblestones.
Today, many of the cobblestone buildings are still standing and in use, a testament to fine craftsmanship. A few of the masons who built houses in upstate New York migrated farther west and built a spattering of cobblestone buildings in the mid-west. But, by far, the bulk that were ever built, are in upstate New York, south of Lake Ontario.
The cobblestone buildings clustered in this region make great biking tours. 17 different tours are detailed in a new guidebook Cobblestone Quest – Road Tours of New York’s Historic Buildings. The shortest tour is 22 miles, the longest 83 miles, with most in the 45 to 55-mile range. They wind through backcountry roads, passing cobblestone houses, barns, smokehouses, stores, factories, and even cemetery markers. The guidebook describes the technique of cobblestone building and the history of the buildings, so you will understand what you’re passing. As you ride along, marvel at the skill of the masons and admire the dedication of the homeowners who have lovingly maintained these buildings over the centuries. Hop on your bike and take a summer tour through the unique history of our region.
The Zoar Valley Nature Society has a rockin' website all about Zoar at
http://www.zoarvalley.org. It lists upcoming events such as the American Chestnut Foundation spring planting and nature walk in nearby private forest on Saturday, April 29 and a bird watching outing on Sunday, May 7.
Don’t miss the great photos under “Flora and Fauna.” Heck, explore the whole site – there’s lots of good stuff there. Then grab your copy of
“200 Waterfalls in Central & Western NY” and plan an excursion to beautiful Zoar Valley.
Do It Down and Dirty - The Dryer Adventure Challenge
There is a new
exciting concept in adventure/eco challenges inspired by everyday people
who want adventure, fun and connection in their lives.
In this event
participants discover exciting adventure challenges, physical obstacles
opposing their passage, and devious problems to work out while trekking
through the woods and fields. The
course is a challenge to mind, body, and a team’s ability to work
together. More than a
multi-sport adventure race, this event is designed to mix competition with
cooperation, problem solving, and having fun.
While mountain biking around obstacles and over other terrain, the
groups need to find their route, run, hike, orienteer, use a GPS, do a
rope adventure, and use other outdoor skills.
Problems that they encounter require quick wit to solve as well as
cooperation with other participants. Along the way are lighthearted
moments of celebration as the group successfully completes their tasks.
A final event
determines the winning team. The
winning team will not merely be the most fit.
The winners also need to be clever, work well as a team, and have a
sense of adventure. Yet, more
than that, the day can be seen as a goal to strive for as well as to
motivate you to engage more actively in life leading up to the event. One big difference that makes this event unique is that
the teams can earn adventure points by active lifestyle choices they make
ahead of time. Teams of
youth, families, and corporate groups are encouraged.
There are prizes for winning teams and T-shirts for all. Teams consist of 4 person teams but the event is limited to
25 teams.
This challenge
takes place October 14th, at Dryer Park in Victor NY. Training is provided ahead of time.
The event is sponsored by a multitude of organizations such as: Pack
Paddle Ski, Town of Victor, Victor Mt. Bike Club, Trailblazers Bike Shop,
Towpath Bike Shop, American Cancer Society, Victor Department of Parks and
Recreation, Adventure Out, and a whole crew of adventurous and fun people.
Swallow Hollow Nature Trail Re-Opens
On April 15, 2006, a dedication ceremony for the Swallow Hollow Nature Trail was held on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge at Knowlesville Road.
This trail, which was closed due to unsafe conditions, is unique to Western New York in that nearly half of its length is composed of elevated boardwalk, which allows visitors to access deep into otherwise inaccessible areas. The 1.3 mile trail traverses beautiful and diverse habitat types including forested wetland, cattail marsh, and dry hemlock knolls. The trail allows visitors to view abundant wildlife including uncommonly seen bird species such as the Pied-billed Grebe, Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Shrike, Virginia Rail, Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers. The trail also provides an extremely valuable resource for those who wish to observe secretive species and to learn about wildlife and wetland conservation.
Support for the trail reconstruction was provided by the following organizations: The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Centennial Legacy Fund, Wild Birds Unlimited Pathways to Nature Conservation Fund, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Iroquois Job Corps, and the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc.
See Trail # 4 in Take A Hike – Family Walks in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region.
MAP of Swallow Hollow Trail
Iroquois
National Wildlife Refuge
Send your bicycle-loving friends a free e-card using cards from The Bicycle Site.
http://www.thebicyclesite.com/
All the e-cards are free. There are several dozen bicycle specific e-cards with more being added every week. Their goal is to have 100-200 bicycle e-cards or more.
You can upload and send your own e-cards through the site. You can select different music and backgrounds or accept the defaults.
Memories of the Flats and Falls Bicycle Team Trip Along the Erie Canal (August 16-21, 2004)
(Sung to the tune of “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm”)
It’s finally here,
With friends so dear
We’re biking across New York State.
Wha’ do we care how far it shall be;
We’re in good hands with Pack, Paddle, & Ski.
The leaves are turning
Our thighs are burning
But we can handle the ride
Wha’ do we care how fast or how slow;
Those down hill rides will make us go.
Ted is steaming (thanks
to Sully the dog)
Our thighs now screaming
We’re heading eastward to Rome
It’s Barbie’s birthday & she thinks we’re too slow (sorry Barb)
We need more ice cream to make us go.
With yummy breakfasts
And Barb’s directions
And SAG food to get through the day
55 miles will be easy to ride
If tree roots, flat tires, apples, snakes, poop, running dogs, hill, rain,
pit stops, & photo ops
Don’t break our stride.
Barb, Lydia, & Jim
They look so trim
And we know just what they do
They go across New York State on a hike,
Looking for rough trails for us to bike
(we loved them all!)
Each day’s been fine
And we won’t whine
Just take those hills out of view.
We are prepared to handle the day
If we can look for golf balls along the way!!
The bike trip’s done
Six days of great fun
We can’t believe what we did
300 miles were biked across New York State
By Jim & Judy, Tony & Carol, and Ted & Kate
Pfeiffer Nature Center Presents an Native American Storyteller
Native American storyteller, wilderness expert and author of nine books, James Bruchac has performed in schools, museums, libraries and festivals across the United States sharing his rich heritage and culture.
Named as Storyteller of the Year in 1999 by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Authors and Storytellers, Bruchac delights audiences of all ages with tales about the natural world, the environment, and how to survive in the woods today.
Pfeiffer Nature Center
Lillibridge Rd
Portville NY 14770
Schedule of Event
2:00-3:30 Story Telling (General Audience, 7 years and older)
3:30 Refreshments
3:45-5:00pm Guided Hike by Jim (Pre-Registered, 12 years and older) Hike will be weather permitting. Information and hike registration: (716) 933-0187 or programs@pfeiffernaturecenter.orgIn conjunction with Olean Public Library & New York State Council on the Arts
Suggested Donation for Guided Hike $4.00/person
Watch for the June issue of Sea Kayaking Magazine. Sue Freeman
has an article about sea kayaking the Erie Canal. Others come from far away
to paddle our canal. Isn't it time you did it? Checkout other great places
to paddle with one of our
paddling books.
Nature and Photo Hike
May 6, May 7 (rain date), 10-12 AM - 1:30-3:00 PM, (2 sessions), cost $48 (RIC members $42)
RIC Campus and Mendon Ponds (Devils Bathtub)
Rochester Info-Courses, 1150 University Ave, Rochester, 14607, 585-256-1960 ext 201
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
- tips on video sound recording birds
- how to keep a personal log and journal
- how to nature even more through photography
Bring your camera and your enthusiasm!
Nature Photography
May 8, Monday, 7-8:30 PM (2 sessions), residents ?, non-residents ?
May 15, Monday, 7-8:30 PM
Greece Adult Education, 1785 Latta Rd., Greece 14515, (585) 621-1000
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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