Central & Western NY Outdoors
 November 2007 

     

 ~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~      

Waterfalls all across New York State

A Stroll Through Vosburg Hollow

Fall Hike through Steege Hill Preserve

A Backpack That Charges Your IPod?

Time is Running Short

Posts from Paradise

Scouting in Siberia

Local Climbers Raise over $50K

       Waterfalls all across New York State

Rich & I explored the waterfalls from the western edge of New York State, east to Utica, and from Lake Ontario, south to the PA border. We found well over 200 hundred that are accessible to the public. We wrote "200 Waterfalls in Central and Western New York - A Finders' Guide" to lead others to enjoy the same thrill we had in discovering each unique waterfall. 

Now, Russell Dunn has done the same for the Mohawk Region with his new guidebook "Mohawk Region Waterfall Guide". He also has guidebooks called "Catskill Region Waterfall Guide" and "Adirondack Waterfall Guide : New York's Cool Cascades" according to Amazon.com.

So, there's plenty of resources available for exploring New York's wonderful waterfalls. Go Outside & Play!

       A Stroll Through Vosburg Hollow

It had been several years since Rich & I visited Vosburg Hollow. The Webster Trails acquired access to the land that sits at the west end of the Hojack Trail where Shipbuilders Creek flows under the old Lake Ontario Shore Railroad (Hojack Line) through a large culvert. At that time, all we could do was park in the access area off Vosburg Road and follow a steep trail down to the culvert.

Returning now, we saw an immediate difference. From the parking area we could see a set of wooden steps leading downhill to a bridge over Shipbuilders Creek. On the other side of the creek, we followed a creek-side trail, passing an opening below a shaded tree canopy where a bench beckoned us for a contemplative rest, to the old (and highly adorned) culvert.

We backtracked to the trail junction, then headed uphill through the hollow. Signs of fall surrounded us, from the leaf-covered trail to the ferns, yellowed from the nip of frost. Such a peaceful stroll. We breathed in the aroma of fall leaves and listened to the twitter of birds.

After the short walk we met the Hojack Trail, where a sign and map box mark the junction, and headed back down through the hollow. To enjoy this peace of heaven yourself, a map of the Hojack Trail and location of Vosburg Hollow can be found on page 80 in Take Your Bike - Family Rides in the Rochester Area. There are more photos and a map available on-line at Friends of Webster Trails web site.

       

       Fall Hike through Steege Hill Preserve

11/11/2007, 1:30 PM, Steege Hill Nature Preserve

The Finger Lakes Land Trust invites you to join nature preserve steward Bob Corneau and Director of Preserve Stewardship Betsy Darlington for an end of fall hike at the Steege Hill Preserve.

Directions to the Preserve: From State Route 17 in Big Flats, take exit 49. Turn south from the exit ramp and go to Olcott Rd. At T intersection, turn right on Rt. 64 (unmarked), and right again on Rt. 352. Turn left on So. Corning Rd., cross the river, and turn left on Steege Hill Rd. Go about 1 mile and pull into the parking lot on the left, just before the pipeline cut. (Or park off the pavement on the shoulder of the road.)

Call the Finger Lakes Land Trust at (607) 275-9487 for details.

       A Backpack That Charges Your IPod?

When Rich and I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail we tried to go as lightweight as possible. The only electronic gizmo we took was a small camera. But, months of only woods noises wore down our normally sensory bombarded brains. Part way through the hike, we stopped at a store and purchased a small battery powered radio with earphones. From then on, Rich and I took turns sharing the radio, listening to music or National Public Radio broadcasts when the signal snaked it's way through the remote mountains.

Now researchers say the movement of a backpack (and, there is plenty of movement!) may one day generate enough power to recharge an IPod. Hikers of the future will have it so easy! Click here to read the full story. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071019183459.htm)

       Time is Running Short

Only one issue left. December, 2007 will be the last issue of the Central and Western New York Outdoors Newsletter. We’re converting it to a BLOG. In fact, the blog is already live and includes articles you’ll find in this newsletter between now and December. Plus it contains much more. We try to add an article or interesting link each day.

New York Outdoors Blog can be found at http://www.newyorkoutdoors.wordpress.com.

Between now and December you’ll need to take a simple action to continue receiving outdoors news from us. You’ll have a few choices. The sooner you convert, the better since the blog will include all articles from the newsletter between now and year end.

Option #1: Receive the Blog via Email (just like you receive the newsletter now, only the email will arrive daily, rather than monthly). And, just like the email message you receive now, you will have to click on the email message to actually go to the blog where full articles with links and photos will be found.
Step 1: Click on http://www.newyorkoutdoors.wordpress.com or copy and past it into your internet browser to open New York Outdoors Blog.
Step 2: Locate the top grey box on the right that says “Subscribe to New York Outdoors Blog by Email” and click on it.
Step 3: Enter your email address. Then type the text you see above the grey box into the grey box and press “Complete Subscription Request.”
Step 4: An email verification will be sent to you. Click on the link supplied to verify your subscription.
Of course, you can just as easily unsubscribe at any time.

Option #2: Subscribe to a Reader
Step 1: Got to http://www.newyorkoutdoors.wordpress.com. Toward the upper right you’ll see an orange icon in a grey box. By clicking on it you can choose from Yahoo, Google, Myaol, Newsgator, Rojo, Bloglines, Netvibes or Pageflakes.
Step 2: I don’t pretend to know or understand most of these (I told you I was kicking & screaming into the 21st century.) For years I’ve had Google as my default page when I log into the internet. I selected the option under Google that adds the blog to my Google home page. Now every day when I access the internet, the Google page pops up with a box on it for New York Outdoors Blog, showing the titles of the latest 3 posts. I can click on any of them to go to the blog.
Hopefully most of you are more RSS Reader savy than me and select an option that suits your preferences.

Come sleep under the stars in your hammock on the beach as the waves washing over the sand lull you off to dreamland… without having to step on a plane!  

Pack Paddle Ski is off to the tropical paradise that is Belize for some fun in the sun, surf, and sand, and they’ll be updating friends, family, and virtual travelers daily.  Experience all this sea kayak adventure has to offer: snorkeling in pristine, multi-colored reef preserves with manta rays, sharks, iridescent fish, and amazing coral, seafood dinner caught daily by the guide, secluded, uninhabited islands, and Mayan ruins.

The adventurers will be posting updates to the Pack Paddle Ski website with the latest details of their tropical experience. Visitors to the site may also send messages to the travelers as they paddle through paradise. Visit www.packpaddleski.com starting on November 10^th to experience the adventure!

A local outdoor adventure guide recently returned home from a scouting trip in the Altai region of Siberia.  Pack Paddle Ski, an outdoor adventure company in South Lima, was invited to experience what the area has to offer by the Federation of Sustainable Development in Altai (FSDA). The FSDA is working to promote ecotourism in a place with breathtaking natural diversity and a rich cultural history but a poor economy.  

The Altai region shares its borders with Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia and is full of soaring mountain ranges, sweeping plains, and luscious valleys. Danica Stewart, the Pack Paddle Ski guide, traveled with a translator and driver over 2,300 kilometers of this area.  She met with outdoor adventure outfitters, reviewed the accommodations, and sampled the local fare in preparation for a July, 2008 trip offered by Pack Paddle Ski.  She returned with rave reviews!  If you are interested in learning more about this amazing region or have questions about the PPS trip to the area, please visit www.packpaddleski.com for more information.

      Local Climbers Raise over $50,000

A group of climbers trekking up Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro in March, 2008 have raised over $50,000 for American Cancer Society and the battle against cancer. They are climbing as part of Journeys of Inspiration, an endeavor by Pack Paddle Ski and ACS working to build community, strength, and support around a common love of the outdoors and the effort to fight cancer.  

Each climber has pledged $2,500 to ACS as part of their commitment, and a group has been working to fundraise toward their pledge and trip costs.  But the money is just one aspect of this amazing community: each member has somehow been affected by cancer, and each one’s experience is the motivation behind the challenging climb and fundraising.  

For more information on the climbers, how to support their effort, or becoming involved in the 2009 Kili Climb for Cancer please visit www.journeysofinspiration.com.

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