Lake Ontario
-
Scenes From a Yellow Wood
It was a crisp October Sunday. One might say it was the Platonic ideal of a fall day in Central New York — the kind of day that makes me feel a little guilty if I don’t spend at least part of it outdoors. If Mother Nature is going to provide an autumnal paradise, you Continue reading
-
Among Fallen Giants
Sterling Nature Center, in nearby Cayuga County, has a trail that leads to a secluded beach. This beach is like many along the Lake Ontario shoreline — rocky, windswept, and bounded by high bluffs. It is distinct in one regard though; the beach is strewn with fallen trees. The beach timber is a result of Continue reading
-
Cahill Pier
In recent years, the City of Oswego has been redeveloping areas along its waterfront as part of a broader urban renewal initiative. So far, the results have been impressive and have really added value to the city’s greatest natural asset. The latest project in this effort is the William S. Cahill Pier, a waterfront park Continue reading
-
This Highway Sponsored By: Mr. Madison’s War
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” William Faulkner Documentaries and articles about the War of 1812 tend to refer to it as a “forgotten war.” That’s probably true in most of the United States, but there are pockets of the country where the story of that war is intertwined with a community’s identity. In New Continue reading
-
A Secluded Beach
One of my favorite local places to walk is Sterling Nature Center. It’s just over the county line in Cayuga County, about a 20–25-minute drive from my house. (It took a bit longer to get there today as the nature center is just down the way from the local RenFaire, which is now in full Continue reading
-
A Trip to Rudy’s
It was one of those summer nights. Too hot to cook, and nobody in the house had enough energy to prepare a meal regardless of the temperature. Fast food or pizza weren’t going to cut it. After a little deliberation, we did what folks around here do in the summer — we got in the Continue reading
-
Lake Ontario Lighthouses Project: Tibbetts Point Light
Sometimes, when I’m within sight of Lake Ontario in Oswego, the thought occurs to me that I’m sitting at the edge of America; at least the land portion of America. Somewhere, out there in the middle of the lake, is the border with Canada. The Great White North is a close neighbor, but it’s still Continue reading
-
Silas Towne, Mexico Point, & Spy Island
A couple weeks ago, I traveled to the Oriskany battlefield and Fort Stanwix. I didn’t know it at the time, but an interesting prelude to the Oriskany battle unfolded at a place called Mexico Point, just 15 miles from my home. The story goes that there was a patriot spy named Silas Towne who was Continue reading
-
Fog Haven
Yesterday was a sunny, warm summer Saturday. In theory, it was a perfect day to visit the beach. Jen and I decided to drive the Fair Haven Beach State Park for a walk on the pier at sunset. It was past 7 p.m. when we got there, so I wasn’t surprised that there were no Continue reading
-
Lake Ontario Lighthouses Project: Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Light
This was an easy one to check off the list. Most of the lighthouses in our project are day trips. The Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Light is a familiar part of the backdrop of our lives. Oswego’s lighthouse, located about ten miles from our home, is a beloved local landmark (lakemark?). It’s something of a Continue reading
About Me
Researcher. Marketer. Teacher. Father of adult children and dogs. 20th Century holdover. Central New York native. Long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan. History nerd. Traveler. Vintage advertising enthusiast. Hat wearer.
a.k.a. V.J. 