Central & Western NY Outdoors
 September 2007 

     

 ~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~      

The Freemans "Live And In Person"

A New Hike/Bike Loop in Pittsford

Tours of the Seneca White Deer One Step Closer

Have a Tibetan Adventure at Home!

Everest Climber Donates Books to Cancer Climb

Hindus Become One with Nature

Use EveryTrail to Plan Your Next Adventure

Register Now For The Fall Ridgewalk & Run

Head North Eh?

What Are You Missing?

Love Birds? - Try this new site

Irondequoit Creek: Discover Rochester's Secret Wilderness

Toxic West Virginia

      The Freemans "Live And In Person"

We used to give lots of slide shows, but that ended abruptly in 2005 with our move to Florida. So, here's a rare opportunity. We're coming north for a wedding this fall. While in Rochester, we'll be giving a slide show on local paddling waterways to celebrate the grand opening of the EMS store in Pittsford Plaza. Stop-by and say hello.

What:   "Where to Canoe & Kayak Near Home" slide show and book signing
When:   Monday, October 15, 7 PM
Where:  Eastern Mountain Sports, Pittsford Plaza, 3349 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618

Slide the bow of your canoe or kayak (or a rented one) over the grass-lined shore and glide onto the cold, still water. Across the pond is a forest showing tinges of green as leaf buds unfurl with the coming of spring. Stroke, stroke, stroke. Your paddle slices into the water as you head for a point, wondering what lies around the bend. Peace and tranquility embrace your shoulders as you follow the shoreline and explore hidden alcoves. Memories of a long, cold winter fade from consciousness.

Water is plentiful near Rochester and provides recreational opportunities for the entire family. Paddle down a gentle stream, to watch for muskrats, beavers and river otters playing in the water. Round a bend and startle a group of deer standing in the waterway. Great blue herons and even eagles are common streamside residents. They fly ahead of your boat, land until you catch up, then fly ahead again, playing a game of paddler's tag. Or, look down to spot fish darting below your boat, weaving in and out of seaweed waving in the slow current.

Circumnavigate an island or paddle through an aqueduct on the Old Erie Canal. With over 620 miles of flat-water streams and rivers and 55 small ponds and lakes you can spend many delightful hours dipping your paddle in Central and Western New York State.

Rich & Sue Freeman, authors of fourteen local guidebooks, want you to "Take a Paddle." They'll share slides taken while researching their "Take A Paddle" guidebooks and show the most scenic, unique and just plain fun places you can flat-water paddle in a canoe or kayak. They'll also autograph any of their guidebooks, including 
"Take a Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks" and "Take a Paddle - Western New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

James Heliotis wrote to us recently about his discovery of a loop in Pittsford he dubbed the “Pittsford Post Office Loop.” In reading through it, I recognized it as a variation of our Electric Trolley Trail that appears on page 131 in the second edition of “Take Your Bike – Family Rides in the Rochester Area.”

However, it is a different loop and even if you’ve hiked or biked the Electric Trolley Trail, you’ll enjoy heading back for this loop. James and his dog certainly enjoyed it. He estimates the distance to be about 2 miles. 
Click here for a pdf map of James’ trail.

Here are James’ instructions:
-Start at the Pittsford Post Office at the corner of Marsh Rd & NY-31.
-Go south on Marsh Rd for a couple of hundred feet until the sharp turn.
-Keep going straight into the woods. This is an unpaved service road to get to the Erie Canal.
-Once you arrive at the canal, head west (right) for a short distance.
-Bear right onto the Auburn rail-trail.
-Cross Mitchell Rd.
-The trail ends at NY-31 just outside of Pittsford Village.
-Cross NY-31. (Caution: this is a busy road)
-You'll find a path heading away from the highway (not the one along the highway).
-Follow the path behind a residential community area.
-The path becomes the old route of the Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway Co.
-The path ends at Marsh Rd. Turn right onto the sidewalk.
-Follow the sidewalk to NY-31. Cross the highway and you're back at the Post Office.

Thank you, James, for sending us your new trail idea. Anyone else who discovers a new trail or a new route, please email us at info@footprintpress.com and we’ll help spread the word.

 

The non-profit organization Seneca White Deer Inc. (http://senecawhitedeer.org), headed up by Dennis Money of Canandaigua is working to save the white deer of Seneca County and open the area for public tours.

Recently, he signed a memo of understanding with Empire Biofuels that would permit tours to take place once Empire has acquired its building site and invested in additional acreage. In addition, Finger Lakes Technology, converting the depot's former Q area into a technology park, appears to be willing to partner with Seneca White Deer by allowing tours, Money said. “Having the ability to tour both the Empire and Finger Lakes Technology site would provide a great experience for tourism and be a significant revenue enhancer....” Money said.

In addition, Money said, Seneca White Deer would be given a seat on a wildlife management board. What it all depends upon, he told Seneca White Deer members in an e-mail, is the success of the developments. If they should fail for some reason, “everything is back to ground zero and the struggle would have to continue. This effort still has a long way to go to protect this open space and the natural resources of the depot.”

For the memo of understanding with Empire Biofuels to work, Money added, Empire and Cilion Inc. of California would have to invest $75 million in the building site and then acquire 4,500 additional acres at a cost of $4 million. Once those requirements are met, Seneca White Deer would then be free to offer public tours. Tours last fall drew hundreds of people from across the nation with many interested in the area's unique herd of white deer.

See the full article at:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070728/NEWS01/707280325/1002

 

       Have a Tibetan Adventure at Home!

 

Want to visit Tibet and Mt. Everest ’s famous Base Camp?  Now you can- without leaving the warmth and comfort of your home.  This month, a group of trekkers are taking a cultural tour of Tibet and Everest Base Camp, and they will be broadcasting live along the way!  Hear the exciting stories of adventure and immersion into the culture as they happen from the people who experience them.

They will be visiting ancient Buddhist monasteries, interacting with local Tibetans, crossing over soaring passes, and taking in the majestic Himalaya .  At Everest Base Camp they will see the “home away from home” for the daring mountaineers attempting to summit the world’s highest peak.  Thinking about a Tibetan trek?  Here is your chance to learn virtually first-hand about this rich, mystical culture.  The adventurers arrive in Lhasa , a bustling, holy Tibetan city, on September 3rd and depart on September 16th.  Experience the adventure at www.packpaddleski.com!

          Everest Climber Donates Books to Cancer Climb

Kevin Flynn is no stranger to mountaintops.  He is an Adirondack 46er (twice) and has climbed the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each continent).  His attempts to summit Mt. Everest are documented in his book, Mt. Everest: Confessions of an Amateur Peak Bagger.  The book humorously portrays the trials, tribulation, joys, and accomplishments of all that is involved in climbing the world’s tallest mountain.

Flynn has generously donated some of his books to Journeys of Inspiration, an effort to build community and support around the fight against cancer.  The proceeds from the sale of these books are going to a group of climbers hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro in February, 2008 to raise money for American Cancer Society.  For more information on Journeys of Inspiration or to purchase a book, please visit www.journeysofinspiration.com.

        Hindus Become One with Nature

Nature is such an integral part of the faith tradition of Hinduism. Over 300 Hindus from across the country got up close and personal with the beauty and magic of the natural world in upstate New York this summer. These children and young adults, age 8 to 21, were campers and counselors at a Hindu Heritage summer camp located in Penfield. Four sessions of campers each spent an afternoon in Ellison Park participating in an environmental education program run by Pack Paddle Ski. They paddled canoes on Irondequoit Creek, took silent walks barefoot among the variety of native trees, and sampled edible plants along the edge of a field. They also measured the health of the creek through the identification of “stream bugs”, and learned about animal tracks and how to find other indications of the presence of various mammals. Many games, lots of laughter, and new experiences made the day a wonderful success for all involved.

        Use EveryTrail to Plan Your Next Adventure

Everytrail.com has a goal to be the best platform to share trips with friends, family and the rest of the world. Everytrail.com lets users upload geocoded photos from their favorite hiking trails, biking routes and sailing trips. Visitors can check out sights along a specific driving route in Namibia, or examine trail conditions on a hilly bike route near Palo Alto, Calif. Plotting photos on maps allows trip planners to “see” the terrain before booking a trip. Visualize where you'd like to go.

      Register Now For The Fall Ridgewalk & Run

Looking to test that summer fitness program?  Maybe you're just seeking relief from a busy schedule and would prefer a getaway hike with family or friends atop western New York's highest ridge.

Since 53 participants entered the inaugural event in 1993,  Wellsville’s Ridgewalk & Run has grown to become one of the most prolific family oriented fall events in the region, showcasing the stunning fall beauty in the northern Plateau Region of the Allegheny Mountains. With another progressive step forward for 2007, Ridgewalk & Run will offer weekend happenings in Wellsville including a “block party,” a big pre-event dinner in town, and plenty of live music all weekend.

The 15^th Annual Ridgewalk & Run, Sunday, October 21, offers a versatile pallet of spectacular trail walks and runs.  An annual cap of 900 outdoor enthusiasts, are guaranteed an exhilarating outdoor experience.  A choice from seven (7) competitive or non-competitive distances take you along remote, privately owned trails "opened" for public use only once a year. All events conclude on the Shear’s horse farm located in a picturesque valley south of Wellsville.  Participants and their families are offered plenty of post event refreshment and activities in and around Jones Memorial Hospital’s huge finish line tent.

Walking distances vary from a casual 2 mile road walk, a 6, 9, or the 14 mile walk.  Hearty runners compete for prizes and awards in the 5K  trail/road run, 10K trail road run, or the 14 mile “monster adventure” trail run.  Each trail walking event features a variety of educational signage highlighting floral, fauna, historical, and topographical features.

All proceeds from the 15^th Annual “Ridgewalk & Run” benefit Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce and Allegany County United Way.  To obtain more information, download an entry, or enter online www.ridgewalk.com or e-mail the event director at info@ridgewalk.com.

Thinking of expanding your horizons? Consider heading northwest into Ontario Canada for some outdoor fun. Here's a web site that can wet your whistle and give you some ideas:
www.journeysontario.ca

Of course, just across the border is the Bruce Trail.

What Are You Missing?

      

We so often ignore the wonders in our own neighborhoods. Lynn B. of Penfield certainly did. Here's the review of "Cobblestone Quest" she posted on Amazon.com:

"Fabulous resource. I live in the Rochester area but it took visiting friends, who brought this book with them, to discover the area's treasures. We spent a wonderful day following one of the trips - the directions were superb, the explanations about each structure were well done - in short - I bought the book, read it, found some more hidden delights! This book is worth every penny!"

Thanks Lynn. We agree whole-heartedly!

To view what this book has to offer, click here.

 

Bird Cinema has launched a new service that you might be interested in. Birdcinema.com is a place for people to post many different types of bird videos and photos. Their goal with this site is to provide a community of people who love birds, domestic and wild. They hope both amateurs and professionals will come to the site and share their bird videos and a little about the bird, the video, or whatever else they feel is relevant. Submission of videos and pictures is simple: upload your videos and pictures just as you would upload a YouTube video. 
http://www.birdcinema.com/

To find great places to go birdwatching, pick up a copy of Birding in Central and Western New York - Best Trails and Water Routes for finding Birds or 25 Great Wildlife Viewing Sites in the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Region of New York State.

Saturday, October 13, 2007 
(rain date Saturday, October 20, 2007)
or
Sunday, October 14, 2007 
(rain date Sunday, October 21, 2007)

 

In honor of our intrepid Landmark Society world traveler, Florence Williams of Batavia, this is our 1st annual Florence Williams adventure tour dedicated in memory of her.

Join the Landmark Society as we spend the day discovering Rochester’s early history and secret wilderness right at your doorstep, as we paddle the wetlands of Irondequoit Creek adjacent to Ellison and Tryon Parks!

Getting into our “War Canoe” (or if you prefer a Kayak), at Bay Creek Paddling Center on Irondequoit Bay, we will enjoy the calm waters of Irondequoit Creek. The “War Canoe” holds 12 people and offers a very stable paddling experience, even for the most timid adventurer.

During our paddle, with the bustling city hidden from view, our expert guides will offer stories of the natural and human history of this enchanting area. Stories include a once mighty river, the period of the glaciers, uses of the creek by Seneca Indians, the arrival of fur traders and a famous explorer, the settlement and early uses by pioneers, and today’s attempts to preserve and restore the ecology of the area. Cynthia Howk will inform us of the rich history along the creek and the Rifle Range.

After our wonderful paddle and working up a huge appetite, we will lunch at MacGregors, where we can relax and talk about the fond memories of our delightful day. After lunch you will have the option, with Cynthia Howk, to learn more about the area.

What a great way to share an outing that combines nature, history, exercise, good food and the great outdoors on a beautiful fall day! Plus an unforgettable way to explore Rochester’s Secret Wilderness!

Please keep in mind that you will be required to paddle. There are “no passengers” on this tour. You must be moderately physical fit and be able to paddle at a moderate pace for the duration of the 2-hour program.

No experience is required to join this guided tour of the area. Sign up early, space is extremely limited!

Cost of the tour is $87 per person. Tour includes relaxing paddle, war canoe or kayak, expert guides, delightful lunch, and lots and lots of nature and history!

Call Cheryl at 546-7029 x23 for a reservation form or more information.

ViceTV produced a five-part mini-documentary called Toxic West Virginia. Here's one of the video segments that shows the impact of mining on West Virginia's landscape:  http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452319916/bctid494918454

For more of their documentaries, visit:
http://vice.typepad.com/vbs/

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