Sun sets on Lake Ontario behind spectacular Chimney Bluffs and the author.
Winter in the Finger Lakes requires a bit more planning and effort than during our warmer months. Though slick roads or white-out conditions can keep one at home, making time for fun and education can improve one’s mood and health greatly. Cold and wind have pushed me inside after many brisk walks. The Tompkins County Public Library is stocked with resources to exercise and relax the mind. From exotic cooking shows like Made in Spain to local books like “Memoirs of a Fall Creek Boy” and “Underground Railroad Tales: With Routes through the Finger Lakes Region.” I revel in the facts, stories, sights and meals. (Read this article about author Emerson Klees, for writing advice and other local historical books he has written.)
Sunshine becomes a rare treasure in upstate New York. Vitamin D, bright colors and imagery can warm one’s view and outlook. Sun graced snow covered fields and wetlands early this week, making a snowshoe at the Montezuma Audubon Center idyllic. Caution was necessary as trails were not easily followed with the fresh snow cover.
A rare road trip with friends to attend live music in another city offered greater fuel than one might think! Joyful dancers embody courage and hope of the human spirit. Local DJ, Mike Judah spreads positivity internationally through Reggae Explosions on WICB, Ithaca College’s radio station. He asks listeners to be conscious and loving in their actions, while sharing the affirmative messages of Reggae music each Thursday morning from 10-12 am.
Quite close by is The Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, “the North American seat of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.” A new contact shared a picture of the ceiling there which stuns! Meditation there is a special experience to discover and enjoy in these cold, worrisome times. I plan to go there soon! (Along with The Johnson Museum!)
My interdisciplinary studies of adventure education and media arts push and pull my social media and outdoor tendencies. After graduation, time near waterfalls were often spent composing tweets. I’ve reduced my social media activities in order to spend time in nature as uninterrupted as possible. At times, I do enjoy taking pictures but oftentimes I will spend my digital connection time outdoors attending to emails. When I’m indoors, I may be devouring images of nature and details of other adventurers, many on Instagram. Mud covered sneakers and boots inspired my name on Instagram and Twitter. Find me @mooredirtyboots.
Cold weather has proven to be a great time for planning events, developing partnerships and organizing photos! A new theme for my blog and other digital maintenance will highlight future and re-discovered photos well.
This summer’s projects are beginning to take shape, coloring partners’ outlooks vividly with images of people cooperating to improve and share the places where we work and play. There is a great deal of work to do but winter is long.
What helps you to thrive during Finger Lakes winters? Or if you are somewhere sunny and warm, feel free to brag nicely in the comments.
Adventures in the Finger Lakes 