Spanking new year,
same old story: we all peer outside from the warmth of our homes for a couple
weeks and then, realizing that winter ain’t going
anywhere anytime soon, concede that if we want to stave off cabin fever, we’re
going to have to make with the bulky coats and really unattractive boots.
So when you finally achieve
acceptance (the final stage of grief), there are a number of activities you can
participate in to make the cold-weather months tolerable, and possibly even
enjoyable. And if you’re one of the many who are in denial (that’s the first
stage of grief) about the current climate, Rochester
actually does offer a couple of summer-esque pastimes
that just might make the snow melt faster.
Communing with nature: The Rochester
Birding Association (www.rochesterbirding.com) has a number of birdwatching trips planned, and the Genesee Valley Audubon
Society (www.gvaudubon.org) hosts hikes the first Sunday of every month as well
as various nature walks and talks on animal conservation. The Genesee
Valley Hiking Club (www.fingerlakestrail.org/gvhc.htm) also has hikes scheduled
weekends during the month of January.
LetchworthState Park
offers a wide spectrum of programs ranging from ski hikes to ice-fishing clinics
and is considered one of the New YorkState’s best winter parks. But “the
Grand Canyon of the East” doesn’t have a website, so give the people over at The Genesee Naturalist a call (493-3625)
if you’d like a calendar of events.
And don’t forget about RochesterMuseum and ScienceCenter’s CummingNatureCenter
(www.rmsc.org/cnc/cncframeset.htm) in Naples,
West Irondequoit’sHelmerNatureCenter
(336-3035), and the NatureCenter
at GeneseeCountryVillage (www.gcv.org/attractions/natureCenter.shtml)
in Mumford.
Orienteering: This is a sport that combines map reading with physical activity, be it hiking,
biking, canoeing, or, in the winter months, skiing. The Rochester Orienteering
Club (roc.us.orienteering.org) wraps up its season with a ski meet on January
22 in MendonPondsPark. Appealing to all ages and
fitness levels, orienteering can be either a competitive team or leisurely
group event. Visit ROC’s website or call their
hotline at 377-5650.
Skating: The rink at Manhattan Square Park is closed for major renovations during the
2005-2006 season, so a city dweller’s best ice-skating bet might be indoors at
Genesee Valley Park Ice Rink, 131 Elmwood Avenue, where they offer skating
lessons, open skate time, and hockey leagues. Call 428-7888 for programs and
hours of operation, or visit www.cityofrochester.gov. There’s also ESL Sports
Centre (www.handzon.com/itechapp/esl), Thomas Creek
Ice Arena (www.tcice.com) in Fairport, and the Webster Ice Arena
(www.websterarena.org).
Skiing
and snow boarding: Of course there’s Bristol Mountain Resort
(www.bristolmt.com), SwainSkiCenter (www.swain.com), Brantling in Sodus (www.brantling.com), and, a little
farther afield, Cortland’s
GreekPeak
(www.greekpeak.net). Swain also runs the learn-to-ski programs at Northampton
and PowderMillsParks (www.monroecounty.gov).
Cross-country aficionados should
visit the websites of the Rochester Nordic Ski Club (www.rochesternordic.org)
and the Rochester Cross-Country Ski Foundation (www.xcrochester.com) for
comprehensive information on trails, day trips, and snow reports.
Outdoor
recreation indoors: Shoot hoops, kick a soccer ball, or visit the batting
cages at RochesterSportsGarden (www.rocsportsgarden.com),
or join an indoor baseball league at Frozen Ropes
(www.frozenropesrochester.com). Golf addicts (i.e., all golfers) can ride out
the winter at the driving range at the Rochester Sports Dome
(www.salmoncreekcc.com/sports_dome/default.htm).
But if you have no interest at all in
leaving the house yet you still have a hankering to make snowpeople, visit www.benjerry.com/fun_stuff/online/virtual_snowman. A
steaming mug of cocoa following cyber-construction might be overkill, but it
certainly aids in ambiance.
Check in with City‘s weekly sports and recreation listings for information on
specific events.
This article appears in Jan 11-17, 2006.
