Tag: stuff

O Canada! International Travel Right Next Door

For a fun family vacation or couple’s getaway, think Canada. You can say you’ve been abroad without traveling far. Four major cities—Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Toronto—are within driving distance of four upstate New York cities—Binghamton, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica.

Toronto

If you’re a big league baseball fan, Toronto offers a different venue than New York City or Boston for Yankees or Red Sox games. When my son, Andy, was young, we took family trips to Toronto to see the Seattle Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr. in particular, play the Toronto Blue Jays.

My first trip to Toronto was with family from Oklahoma. We took in tourist attractions and did a lot of shopping. A year or two after Andy was born, my husband arranged for child care and surprised me with a trip to see “The Phantom of the Opera” at the beautiful Pantages Theatre (renamed the Ed Mirvish Theatre) in Toronto.

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Things to Do (Toronto)

Canada’s Wonderland: If you crave big thrills, shows and events, splash works and a kids’ area, then this amusement park north of Toronto is for you.

Casa Loma: This Gothic Revival style house, the former residence of a financier, is now a museum and landmark. Due to its unique architecture, it’s a popular filming location for movies and television and a venue for weddings.

CN Tower: The third tallest free-standing structure in the world and the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, the CN Tower was designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The revolving restaurant at the top gives a 360 degree view of the city.

Ontario Science Centre: Very kid friendly, with interactive exhibits that make learning fun for children and adults. Exhibits are devoted to the human body, space, the universe, the earth, nature, music, sports, the planets, technology and innovation.

Toronto Zoo: The largest in Canada, the Toronto Zoo is divided into seven geographical zones. It also has a Kids Zoo, Waterside Theatre and Splash Island.

 Ottawa

Mike and I took a “babymoon” or pre-baby vacation to Ottawa, Canada’s capital. Where else can you see the “changing of the guard” this side of the Atlantic? In their tall, black furry hats and impressive red uniforms, the guards perform drills every day (weather permitting) 10 a.m. on Parliament Hill early July through late August.

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Places to Visit (Ottawa)

Byward Market: In the heart of Ottawa, the Byward Market is a collection of eclectic shops, boutiques and restaurants. Most memorable from nearly 30 years ago? The street organ grinder with his little monkey and my husband buying me an original framed painting from a sidewalk artist.

Parliament Hill: The political and cultural heart of Ottawa, the Hill contains Gothic-style structures where politicians debate the present and future issues of the country. Free guided tours are available daily; Peace Tower offers an overall view of the city. The Hill hosts a number of celebrations, including Canada Day (July 1) with entertainment and a fireworks show; the Sound and Light show on summer nights; and Christmas Lights Across Canada during the winter holidays.

Rideau Canal: Making its way through Ottawa’s downtown, the canal is active with walkers, runners, in-line skaters and cyclists. This waterway connecting Kingston, Ontario, to Ottawa is used regularly by boaters and paddlers alike. When the canal freezes over, it becomes the world’s largest skating rink.

Montreal & Quebec City

This year, my son and I made Mother’s Day a long weekend, breaking up the drive from Syracuse to Canada by going first to Montreal and exploring that cosmopolitan city for a couple of days. Then, we headed north to Quebec City, the closest thing to Europe in the Western Hemisphere. After a short visit, we returned to Montreal for another night’s stay. The next day, I drove home and Andy flew back to Baltimore. Over six days, including travel time, we packed in a lot of sightseeing.

Everywhere we went, Andy and I encountered friendly, helpful people. It was refreshing to enjoy a different culture so close to home. Expect to be greeted with a “bon jour” in Quebec City and Montreal. Yet, French-speaking Canadians quickly switch to English when requested. Plus, you can download the Google Translate app to your smartphone if faced with a menu or directions in French. (Note: You can switch most websites from French to English.)

Using YELP and Trip Advisor apps, we plotted our “must see places” (many free!) and local eateries.

Did I rave about the food yet? It’s extraordinary! We used our apps to find highly rated, but not out of our price range restaurants. We were never disappointed. Most restaurants had an “authentic” feel with rustic furnishings and décor that added to their ambiance.

We burned off the extra calories by walking almost everywhere. Google Maps made directions easy, although Montreal (and Toronto) have good subway and other transport systems. And, we felt safe.

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 Things to Do (Montreal)

Biodome de Montreal: Home to the 1976 Olympics, the site has several exhibits. Andy and I visited the indoor wildlife park. Several ecosystems exist side by side, from tropical forests to temperate woodlands and rivers (including raccoons and otters) to the polar world where we viewed our favorite bird, the puffin.

Mount Royal: We walked through downtown Montreal and McGill University to reach this iconic landmark. Wooden steps intersperse the trail to make the climb easier. From the top, the view of the city is spectacular.

Notre-Dame Basilica: Our goal was to stay in or near the historic district of old Montreal to explore on foot. A must see is this gorgeous cathedral with wonderful wood carvings, stained glass windows and lots of sculptures. Quiet refuge in a bustling city.

Old Port Montreal: A scenic place to walk along the St. Lawrence River, with attractions such as Cirque de Soleil, Montreal Science Centre and a spa barge.

Where to Eat (Montreal)

We happened upon Le Robin Square, where Andy had pork belly. The wait staff was attentive, and the owner sat and chatted with us after the restaurant closed.

Andy’s top choice was Liverpool House, sister restaurant to Joe Beef that Anthony Bourdain featured on his TV show, No Reservations. I had the house special of lobster spaghetti; good, but a lot to eat of a very rich dish.

Quebec City

Places to Stay (Quebec City)

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is supposedly the most photographed hotel in the world. It looks like a European castle straight out of a fairy tale. Andy compared the city’s row upon row of little shops to Skaneateles, a popular summer resort town west of Syracuse, but “on steroids.”

We stayed at quaint, but comfortable boutique lodgings, the Hotel du Vieux-Quebec, in the heart of Old Quebec. A basket of traditional French breakfast food—croissants and jam, cheese and fruit­—appeared at our door each morning.

Things to Do (Quebec City)

Quebec City is located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River and was an important part of Canada’s early history. Statues of famous figures from the past are scattered throughout the city. This July, as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebration of its confederation and Rendez-vous Naval 2017, 40 tall ships will stop at ports in Ontario, Quebec and the Canadian Maritime.

Montmorency Falls Park: Would you believe this natural wonder is higher than Niagara Falls? Staircases offer several views, with plenty of opportunities to get up close and wet!

Ghost Tours of Quebec: We heard about it too late to attend, but Trip Advisor gives it high marks.

Musee de la Civilisation: A rainy day forced us inside, but we’re glad it did. This museum offers not only a historic perspective of the native Aborigines and early French and English settlers, but also fun activities for families.

Places to Eat (Quebec City)

We followed a friend’s recommendation of Hobbitt Bistro for a relaxing, light lunch Parisian style seated at a small sidewalk table. Andy had the salmon tartare, I, the roasted root vegetables.

Near the Musee, we ate at Café St Malo, where Andy and I both had a delicious broth-based fish soup.

A must eat restaurant for Andy was L’Affaire Est Ketchup, another Bourdain pick. In addition to its friendly wait staff and good wine selection, this restaurant holds a claim to fame for using an electric coil range and oven to cook its tasty entrees.

One Big Birthday Bash

This year, Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary of confederation. Although our neighbor to the north was settled centuries ago, July 1, 1867, the British North American colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) united under the single banner of a new nation.

Throughout 2017, Parks Canada is offering free admission to its national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas. All year, celebrations will take place throughout Canada’s cities and cultural centers.

Your Money Goes Farther

Since about 2014, the Canadian exchange rate is 70 cents to 80 cents of the U.S. dollar. You can check the exchange rate here: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/

Cash: It’s easier if you use a credit card (see below), but you may want to have a small amount on cash on hand. Foreign exchange places will charge a fee to convert your American dollars for Canadian cash and back. You can find them in tourist areas, airports, border crossings and large malls. With banks, you usually have to be a member to make an exchange. ATMs may charge a user fee.

Credit cards: Before you travel, check with your credit card company to see if it charges exchange fees. My son and I each got a new credit card that charged no exchange fees, plus gives us excellent reward points.

Smartphones: Before crossing the border, check with your mobile phone provider for coverage in Canada.

At the Border

Good news! A New York Enhanced Driver License (EDL) will allow you to enter Canada and return to the U.S. Although I could not find the exact wording on the Canada Borders Services Agency, a call to the government agency assured me you could. If you’re taking a child or children, take their birth certificate(s). A passport card works if you’re driving across the border or traveling by boat, but if you fly, you must have a passport book. An EDL takes about two weeks to obtain; a passport, six to eight weeks.

Here’s information on obtaining a US passport.

Mapquest Miles

Miles From Upstate New York Cities to Canadian Cities

FROM/TO Montreal Ottawa Quebec City Toronto
Binghamton 325 267 483 297
Rochester 332 274 494 169
Syracuse 252 194 414 246
Utica 251 193 396 293

 

Ready to Run? The Hardest Part is Starting

The hardest part about running is starting. The best part is when it’s over. If you’d asked me about a year ago how to start running, I would’ve said don’t. That’s because I never gave it a shot. Since joining a running program, buying my first pair of real running shoes, and running a handful of 5K’s, my perspective has changed.

Don’t get me wrong—running is hard. It’s not just a thing you start doing one day and you’re magically good at it (at least it wasn’t for me). It took a lot of dedication, fighting self-doubt, and getting out there four times a week even when I didn’t want to.

My first month of running went something like this:

Week One

This sucks. I can hardly breathe and my legs are going numb.

Week Two

Why am I doing this? I’m not cut out for running. I am so sore.

Week Three

I’m not dying anymore, and I can kind of talk to others in the group when I run.

Week Four

I’m doing it! I’m really running and it’s not as horrible as I thought it was!

Soon enough, I was shaving minutes off my pace and I actually looked forward to going for a run. If you’re thinking what I used to think (that running is horrible and you should never do it) here are a few things that might motivate you to get out there and give it a try:

Join a running program

I signed up for the No Boundaries 2.0 training offered by Fleet Feet Sports I did it for the personal accountability (the program was just enough money that I didn’t quit when I felt like giving up), pressure to keep running when I wanted to take a break, and the social aspects, too.

Other running programs include those by the Utica Roadrunners, Triple Cities Runners Club in the Binghamton area, Fleet Feet Syracuse and the YMCA of Greater Syracuse.

Make the investment in good running shoes

Yes, the good ones are ugly, but it made a huge difference in reducing my soreness and eliminating my shin splints. I went to Fleet Feet for help selecting my sneakers, but if you’re a DIY kind of person, Matt Rogers, an exercise physiologist, gives some pointers for picking out the right type of shoes.

The key, he said, is to determine whether you need sneakers with motion control, stability or cushioned support. I love Matt’s suggestion for doing a “wet test” to determine which type of foot you have. You basically wet your feet, step on some paper or another surface and see which type of “blob” appears:

  • Is there a little arch? You likely have flat feet and might need a sneaker with motion control.
  • Is there tons of space between what looks like two “islands?” Consider sneakers with extra cushioning.
  • A normal arch will look like, well, a typical footprint. You might need a sneaker with stability control.

Download an app to track your runs

Try using Map My Run. I like seeing where I’ve run, my pace, and doing challenges with friends. You could also download a “couch to 5k” app instead of joining a running program, but you won’t get that same level of accountability.

Listen to music that pumps you up

It’s amazing how one song can get you in the groove or give you an added boost. Compile a playlist of your favorite jams before you hit the streets—that way you’re not skipping through your entire music library trying to find those energizing songs.

Volunteer to hand out medals at a marathon

You will appreciate running after seeing all of the different people crossing the finish line. If they don’t inspire you to give it a try, I don’t know what will.

I still wouldn’t classify myself as a “runner.” I don’t think I ever will. But it’s really cool to stick with an activity, even when you don’t want to, and overcome the mental challenges you’ve set for yourself. Give it a chance.

What advice do you have for new runners? Are there any tricks, or other local running programs, that worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Hidden Gem: Corning Museum of Glass

THE WORLD OF GLASS

When I mentioned to others I was headed to The Corning Museum of Glass, I heard a lot of, “Oh yeah, I was there in elementary school, but have not been back since.” On a recent trip to the museum, I learned that it was well worth a return visit.

DON’T MISS

We loved the interactive demonstrations. There is something satisfying about observing the creation of glass artwork, and then watching it be smashed to smithereens!

You’d be surprised by the intricate torch work needed to bring a small glass bear to life. The longer shows allowed us to see a piece being made from start to finish, and to see all the intricate handiwork that goes into this craft. Questions were encouraged, and my children always have a lot of questions.

TRY IT YOURSELF

Shevah’s daughter crafting a glass piece.

We signed my kids up for a glass blowing class. You don’t usually get a chance to try something you just learned about! The teacher was patient and kind, and engaged them in the process. And now they have something at home to remind them of the trip.

Quick tip: If you have more than one day in Corning, make your own glass on day one. Your piece will need to slowly cool overnight (this is called annealing). Or they can ship your creation home for an extra fee.

Shevah’s son blowing glass

MY BIG SURPRISE

“It’s Raining Knives” Photo courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass.

My kids usually have little patience for traditional art galleries. But I was pleasantly surprised by how engaged they were at this museum.

The piece that sparked the most interest was “It’s Raining Knives.” Even without reading the sign, the symbolism came through.

WHAT TO SEE

We ended the visit with the Tiffany’s Glass Mosaics exhibit that just opened. The museum boasts that it has “the world’s best collection of art and historical glass” and they do not exaggerate. The exhibits were top-notch.

There are also galleries that resemble a science museum, explaining the history of glass that dates back centuries and its applications to modern day life. It is called the innovation center for a reason, illustrating how glass has changed our lives with inventions that have helped us for centuries (cookware and windows) and new ones that have changed our way of life (electronic screens, telescopes, and fiberglass).

THE GREATEST CATASTROPHE

The museum itself could be considered a work of art and has quite the history. Large, light-filled spaces swoop around the different levels. Since it opened in 1951, galleries have expanded multiple times so that it now has 50,000 objects on display. It is a resilient space as well, having weathered a devastating flood in 1972 that was called “possibly the greatest single catastrophe borne by an American museum” to become one of New York’s cultural showpieces.

BEYOND THE MUSEUM

We had the great opportunity to visit over Memorial Day Weekend and experience GlassFest. It takes place in Corning’s Gaffer district (A gaffer is another name for glassblower). There were outside glass making demonstrations, concerts, kids activities, and a street craft fair with some unique items. I liked it all; my kids especially liked the snow cones.

We even got an added bonus a week later in our hometown! The museum has a floating barge that will be offering glass blowing demonstrations in several towns this summer. Look for it in Seneca Falls (July 7-9) and Syracuse (Sept. 24-28)!

THE DETAILS

Website:
http://www.cmog.org

Hours of Operation:
9 am – 8 pm, May 26 – September 4, 2017
9 am – 5 pm, September 5, 2017 – May 24, 2018

Admission: Adults are $19.50, Kids 17 and under are Free
(Admission is good for 2 consecutive days)
Additional Charges for Make Your Own Glass

Hidden Gems: Downtown Rochester

I’m a Buffalo native. As far back as I can remember, the “City that Smells like Cheerios” was the most welcoming, happiest place I knew. So when I moved to the Rochester area, to attend The College at Brockport, I didn’t know what to expect. I then snagged an internship at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in downtown Rochester.

Along the way, I’ve come to learn that there are many beautiful treasures that the average passerby might miss without a keen eye. Thanks to some tour guides, that have now turned into friends, I have seen parts of downtown Rochester that I never knew existed.

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

In the middle of downtown Rochester, just a few paces from Geva Theatre, you’ll find Washington Square Park. This park isn’t “hidden” because you have to drive very far or follow a secret path to get to it. In fact, I drove past the park every day for two weeks before I even realized what it was. This attraction blends into the city so well; you might not even notice it, too.

Don’t miss
Strolling through Washington Square Park puts your mind at ease. My favorite time to go is on my lunch break. In the middle of the park there is a memorial to Civil War soldiers! If you glance upwards, you’ll see Abraham Lincoln looking toward the city.

An Italian Twist
The park usually hosts an Austrian cannon that the Italian government bestowed to the City of Rochester in the 1920s. The cannon honored local Italian-Americans who supported Italy during World War I by either joining the Italian or American army. The cannon, however, fell into disrepair so it was removed from the park to undergo restoration.

For more information: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589935120

“SECRET ROOM” AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

What’s the secret?
Unlike Washington Square Park, you have to search for this Rochester treasure. It’s at the Bausch and Lomb Public Library Building, in the Children’s Center, but that’s all the help I’m going to give you!

Somewhere in the Children’s Center, which is filled with colorful books and paper animals, there’s a secret passageway that takes kids through a story book- like adventure, into a room that you can’t see from the outside.

What else?
Anyone can explore this treasure, and while you’re there, check out the rest of the library! They have a reading garden, multiple cafes, meeting rooms, and sections dedicated to the arts, social sciences, and travel.

For more information: http://www3.libraryweb.org/article.aspx?id=514035

Lush Gardens

This peaceful sanctuary is nestled in the shadows of St Mary’s Church and the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield building. The pictures hardly capture how truly beautiful it is!

Don’t miss
Check out the “Madonna of the Highways” statue. Surrounded by a variety of flora, this monument is tucked away toward the back of the garden, but is such a great place to sit and gather your thoughts. This isn’t the only monument here, though!  A couple yards away you can find one of the fiberglass pieces from Rochester’s Horses on Parade in 2001.

There is just enough shade to feel refreshed in the summer heat, but the sun still shines through the surrounding trees. The garden is filled with a variety of shrubbery.

Flowers vs. Hot Dogs
I would recommend stopping and taking in the scent of flowers, but it might be overpowered by the delicious smell of a beloved hot dog vendor,  just a few feet away on Court Street. So, while you’re sitting on the benches, enjoying the beauty of nature in the middle of a busy city, you can also get lunch for a reasonable price.

Genesee Riverway Trail

Are you’re looking to squeeze in exercise while working or living downtown? Then walk, run or bike down the Genesee Riverway Trial. The pathway runs along the Genesee River and passes so many historic points of Rochester. It’s a great way to get a walking tour of the area.

Don’t Miss
If you love taking pictures as much as I do, be sure to bring your camera on this walk! You can get a great shot of the Rochester skyline, as well as parks, waterfalls and scenic gorges.

For more information (and to download a trail guide): http://www.cityofrochester.gov/grt/

A once unfamiliar city is now starting to feel more like home with each passing day. Although I’m still adjusting to the change in scenery, and Buffalo will always be my favorite place in the world, I think Rochester is one I could love as well.

22 Ice Cream Shops to Check Out This Summer

When I was a kid, my favorite ice cream shop was always the one closest to my house. It was next to the park and my friends and I were able to ride our bikes or walk there so we didn’t have to ask our parents to drive us.

No one ever bothered to learn the actual name of the place because everyone knew it as, “the spot next to the park.” You couldn’t miss it. Almost every night there would be families and soccer teams crowded around one of the few tables or sitting in the grass.

The ice cream spot in my town is one of those places that makes it feel like it’s actually summer when it opens for the season.

Some of my co-workers’ favorite ice cream places range from franchises to one-of-a-kind mom and pop shops. Here are the creameries and some of their flavors or specialties!

And no matter what anyone says – a trip to the ice cream shop can be part of an adequate diet. Moderation is key. You can always ask for a kiddie cone, opt for low-fat frozen yogurt or consider walking or riding your bike to the ice cream place.

CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION

Camillus

  • Peter’s Polar Parlor: Blueberry, red raspberry sherbet, watermelon sherbet, pistachio soft serve, very berry twist

Manlius

  • Sno Top: Trash can sundae, lemon dole whip, gourmet sundaes, gourmet slurries

North Syracuse

  • Big Dip: Homemade ice cream, twin berry twist, peanut butter chocolate twist, sunset twist (orange and lemon dole whip), shark attack sundae, homemade whipped cream
  • The Ice Cream Stand: Variety of organic/vegan/non-GMO ice cream flavors, toasted marshmallow toppers

Oswego

Syracuse

 

FINGER LAKES REGION

Avon

  • Tom Wahl’s: Twin kissed soft serve, root beer float, orange float, homemade root beer

Bloomfield

Gates

Spencerport

Victor

  • Papa Jack’s Ice Cream: Cookie monster and chocoholic sundaes; frozen custard, frozen yogurt, ice cream pies/cakes and milkshakes

Webster

  • Bruster’s: All ice cream made on site. Chocolate raspberry truffle, white turtle, free doggie sundaes. On Thursdays, bring your own banana and get half off a banana split

Pittsford

 

UTICA REGION

Boonville

  • Mercer’s Dairy: Five percent alcohol by volume wine ice cream, 10 soft serve flavors, and 30 hard serve flavors. All ice cream made on site

Hamilton

Utica

  • Nicky Doodles: 50 flavors of soft serve ice cream, 30 flavors of hard ice cream, 28 specialty sundaes

Remsen

  • Ward’s Drive-In: Sorbet, black raspberry frozen yogurt, campfire s’mores ice cream

 

SOUTHERN TIER

Elmira

  • Big Top Ice Cream: Superbowl sundae, turtle sundae, strawberry shortcake with homemade biscuits

Vestal

Binghamton

  • Jones Humdinger: Blueberry cheesecake, oreo joe, cookie dough, peppermint patty

Did we miss your favorite creamery? Add it to the comments section below!

Hidden Gems: Cornell Botanic Gardens

The rhododendrons and azaleas were in full bloom, from magenta to pale pinks and creamy whites, when my work colleague, Linnea, and I visited the Cornell Botanic Gardens in June. This little gem of a park is not so little. It covers acres of land that are part of the Cornell University campus and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Gardener’s Delight

If you like nature, flowers and trees, then this is the place for you. Linnea and I spent a couple of hours enjoying the beauty of the landscape, pausing to enjoy flowers close up and sniffing their delicate fragrances. We snapped a lot of photos, especially of plants we favored for our own gardens. Each plant is tagged with its common and scientific names for easy identification.

Not only did the garden’s beauty delight us, but also its statues, buildings, including a pagoda, and meandering trails.

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Would you believe there are 17 themed beds? They include ornamental and practical herbs, heritage vegetables, perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, conifers, containers, and plants of winter interest.

Herbs to Dye For

In particular, I wanted to visit the herb garden. I was not disappointed. Plants are grouped as:

  • Ancient herbs
  • Bee herbs
  • Dye herbs
  • Edible flowers
  • Herbs in literature
  • Herbs of Native Americans
  • Medicinal herbs
  • Ornamental herbs
  • Sacred herbs
  • Salad and potherbs
  • Savory seed herbs
  • Tea herbs

Tussie mussies and nosegays, gatherings of fragrant herbs and flowers. invoked images of Victorian ladies.

The site also includes a 100-acre arboretum. More than 100 different species of birds have been sighted there. If you’re into hiking, there are several trails.

I discovered the gardens when I was writing a story about herb gardening for this blog. My Google search for Cornell Cooperative Extension, a free, excellent resource for farmers to weekend gardeners, brought me to this place. I had no idea it existed, even after living in upstate New York for more than 40 years and visiting the Ithaca area several times.

The Details

Location: 124 Comstock Knoll Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14850
Approximate driving times: Binghamton, 75 minutes; Rochester, two hours; Syracuse, about 80 minutes; Utica, a little more than two hours.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk year round.
Accessible: Yes, a few stairs on some paths.
Dog friendly: Yes, on a leash.
Admission and parking: Free.
For more info: cornellbotanicgardens.org/our-gardens/botanical or 607-255-2400

More to Explore in Ithaca

Although there’s plenty to explore on the Cornell campus, Ithaca has much to offer, including the Cayuga Nature Center, Museum of the Earth and the Sciencenter and its Sagan Walk, a ¾ mile 1:5 billion scale model of the solar system that’s also a memorial to Ithaca resident and astronomer Carl Sagan. Ithaca Commons is a mix of restaurants, shops and events. Linnea and I were lucky enough to visit the gardens at the same time of Ithaca’s Annual Festival.

Check them all out on the discovery trail.

Hidden Gems: Washington Grove

What’s the secret?

A “forest in the city,” Washington Grove is a unique, oak-hickory forest. It’s located on the eastern edge of Cobbs Hill Reservoir in Rochester, New York. The park is a grove of giant old trees that transports visitors into a quiet, secluded woodland. Here, it’s easy to forget how close you are to the city.

Highlights

Washington Grove offers all the marvels of a forest in close proximity to other amenities of Cobbs Hill Park and the City of Rochester. It’s a great place for hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing, bird watching, dog walking and observing local flora and fauna. In addition, as you wind your way through the many trails of the park, you experience firsthand our region’s glacial topography and 200-year-old trees.

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The Details

Designated as Washington Memorial Grove in 1932, the park features about 26 acres of a relatively undisturbed forest of oak and hickory trees.

Easy entrances:

  • East entrance – end of Nunda Blvd (14610)
  • West entrance – top of Reservoir Road in Cobbs Hill Park.

The park is maintained through a partnership with the City of Rochester and a citizen group, the Friends of Washington Grove. The group works to preserve the park’s natural history by removing invasive plants and re-introducing native forest plants as part of the Washington Grove Restoration Project.

It’s important to protect and preserve this hidden gem by obeying park rules, including:

  • Walk bikes through the park area
  • Keeps dogs on a leash
  • Stay on trails

Don’t Miss

 The water tanks near the northern edge of the grove – they feature beautiful local artwork!

Still exploring? Just a short drive away is Corbett’s Glen Nature Park.

Personal Spotlight on Tim Reed, the Man Behind the Boilermaker

Tim Reed, President of the Utica Boilermaker Road Race

Tim Reed is the president of the world renowned Utica Boilermaker Road Race, which will be celebrating its 40th running on July 9, 2017. This year will mark the 10th year that Tim has been involved as president of the organization. Prior to the Boilermaker, he was employed by ECR International for 24 years. The Boilermaker was the brainchild of his brother, Earle, who envisioned a race that would start in front of Utica Radiator (now ECR International) and end in front of the F.X. Matt Brewery.

Tim says he’s a firm believer that community give-back is a must. He has served on the United Way (including one year as interim executive director), the Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Oneida County Tourism Bureau and the Grace Episcopal Church vestry.

What’s your secret to healthy eating?

Eat slower! Don’t put salt on food before you’ve even tasted it. Keep up with your water drinking throughout the day – a lot less calories in water than cookies!

How do you juggle a career, family and a healthy lifestyle?

Being an ‘empty nester’ has helped not ‘inviting’ non-nutritious foods into the house. Worst thing is going to evening meetings with the obligatory pizza and saying no.

Tim Reed and his son go for a run.

How do you stay active in the winter?

I am definitely not a winter lover. When the lousy weather arrives into the gym I am driven.

How does a healthy lifestyle help you at home and/or at work?

I definitely notice that I’m more ‘with it’ when I’m watching what I’m eating. I’ve really tried to cut down on caffeine consumption as I tend to ‘crash’ in the afternoon.

It’s so hard to lead a healthy lifestyle. What advice do you have for others?

Don’t try to do too much at once: it’s a road to failure. The old adage “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time” is fitting. Many small changes will add up to success. It took you a long time to get where you are so what makes you think you’ll change overnight?

Get a Fitbit or similar fitness tracker – what gets measured gets better!

What are your favorite, local “healthy” spots?

As I have gotten older, I have more and more embraced walking to running. I love just walking through the neighborhood or one of Utica’s fantastic parks! My favorites are Frederick T. Proctor Park and Thomas R. Proctor Park. Both parks were designed by Fredrick Olmsted who also designed Central Park in New York City – not too shabby!

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is a proud sponsor of the Utica Boilermaker Road Race Corporate Cup.

7 Tips for Choosing the Best Sunglasses

Certain slices of Americana are just ingrained into our culture. You know, things like mom, apple pie, pizza, and yes, cool sunglasses. Images of famous people like JFK, The Blues Brothers, Tom Cruise, Barack Obama, and others in their favorite shades have helped promote them all over the globe.

Of course, sunglasses do have a more important purpose than letting us channel our inner celebrity. Whether you’re on the road, beach, boat or the slopes, wearing the right sunglasses is a great protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause eye damage, including tumors and other eye diseases that can cause blindness.

Spend your hard-earned dollars wisely. Here are seven tips for buying your next pair of sunglasses from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

  1. Look for this tag
    Look for a sticker or tag noting that the glasses block 100 percent of UV rays. About half of sunglass wearers, however, fail to check UV ratings before buying a pair of shades, according to a survey by the Academy.
  2. Go big
    Consider buying oversized or wraparound glasses. The larger the sunglasses, the lesser the risk of the sun damaging your eyes. Don’t let those pesky UV rays sneak in from the side of your glasses!
  3. Darker lenses?
    You might feel like a dapper chap in your darker shades. But darker lenses don’t necessarily block more UV rays.
  4. Don’t worry about the colors
    Sunglasses with amber, green or gray lenses don’t block more sun. The lenses, however, can increase contrast, which might be good for baseball players, golfers and other athletes.
  5.  Cut glare, not UV.
    Polarized lenses cut glare from water, pavement and other reflective surfaces. They don’t offer more protection from the sun. But wearing these lenses while driving or being on the water can make the activities safer or more fun.
  6. Don’t worry about $$
    The best sunglasses don’t have to cost a lot of money. Cheaper glasses marked as 100 percent UV-blocking can be just as effective as more costly options.
  7. Finally …. Do you wear prescription glasses? Then don’t forget those prescription sunglasses!

Hidden Gems: Letchworth’s 1,000 Steps

Letchworth State Park lends its beauty to the Rochester area, and if you’ve ever been there you know just how breathtaking the “Grand Canyon of the East” can be.

The Story:

My aunt, who lives about 10 minutes from Letchworth, almost always took me to the state park when I visited. When we did go, we made a day of it, which included some sight-seeing, a mini-historical tour, a picnic lunch, and of course the daunting 1,000 step trail that we took to earn our lunch.

(To be honest, I’m not sure if the trail I’m about to describe is exactly 1,000 steps, but it sure did feel like that when I was growing up!)

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Why You Should Go

The rugged hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and an annual arts and crafts festival are part of a beautiful state park that’s in our own backyard. You can also embark on guided walking tours, white water rafting trips and take a hot air balloon ride over the park.

The park even won a USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Award for Best State Park in the U.S.

The Trail

As a child, the author hiked from the Glen Iris Inn to the Upper Falls and back. He now hopes to return and hike all the way from the Lower Falls to Upper Falls.

We almost always started our trip to the Upper Falls near the Glen Iris Inn, mostly because there’s more parking around there and it was a good point to start for beginning hikers. From there, we hiked along the Gorge Trail leading up to the best viewing point for the Middle Falls, and after that is where you start to get your cardio. I remember being glad I brought my toughest sneakers because after the Middle Falls, the elevation got higher, and so did my heart rate.

There were a lot of stairs leading to the Upper Falls, and by making the train trestle our end point, we had a clear goal to the top! As 14-year-old me breathed heavily, my aunt and I would trek, talk, and have a good time while seeing some incredible sights. After we reached the top, we carefully walked down the road leading back to the Glen Iris, and ate our packed victory lunch.

Important Note!

Part of this trail – from Middle Falls to Upper Falls – is currently closed for the rest of 2017. But you can still access Park Road and Middle Falls. Click HERE for more details.

THE DETAILS

Location: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427
Hours: Open year round
Entrance Cost: $10 per vehicle , Non-Profit Buses $35, Commercial Buses $75 (Collected: 5/7 – 5/27: 9 am – 5 pm, weekends only, 5/28 – 10/16: 9 am – 5 pm, daily)
For more: Visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/79/details.aspx

Last Thoughts

This summer, I hope to take on Letchworth again, but this time hiking all the way from the Lower Falls right to the top at Upper Falls, as shown in the trail map above, which is nearly 2 miles.  If you’re even more of a hiking enthusiast, here is a full trail map of all of the different routes you can take.

Happy hiking!