By STEVE VIRKLER, Watertown Daily Times, link to original post
Lewis County legislators continue to tweak a draft law restricting rails-to-trails development, with an eye toward a final vote in early June.
“There’s still time for a lot of public input,” said Legislature Vice-Chairman Michael A. Tabolt, R-Croghan, at a special meeting Wednesday. Mr. Tabolt said afterward that he remains optimistic of reaching a compromise that will make the project palatable to most legislators.
For the past several months, county officials have discussed buying the 10-mile Lowville and Beaver River Railroad line from Lowville to Croghan from the Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern Railroad Corp. for $425,000; the county would then acquire the 17-mile Lowville Industrial Track from Lowville to West Carthage for $1. Under the proposal, the corporation, a subsidiary of Genesee Valley Transportation, Batavia, would remove tracks from the donated spur so it could be developed as a recreational trail, but the Lowville-to-Croghan spur would remain intact to allow the Railway Historical Society of Northern New York to possibly operate a scenic railroad from its depot in Croghan.
A $450,000 state grant awarded in 2010 is to cover purchase costs. Lawmakers at a work session last week discussed potential restrictions for the lines, stemming from a raw proposal developed by Legislator Philip C. Hathway, R-Harrisville, and a corresponding rough-draft law composed by County Attorney Richard J. Graham. A few legislators and Mr. Graham later revised the draft legislation, and the latest version was presented to lawmakers for discussion Wednesday.
The current proposal would prohibit ATVs, aside from official county and emergency vehicles, from using the corridors. Snowmobiles would be allowed only by formal request of a town council for its portion of the line, then approval by county legislators.
The railway society would have six years to develop a tourist railroad, provided it assumes all financial responsibility for the operation, and local municipalities could make improvements at their own cost.
Special events, like bike races, could be held on the lines at the request of local municipalities or non-profit organizations. However, events promoting restricted uses, like ATV riding, would not be allowed.
The county trail coordinator would also be allowed to develop trails for non-motorized recreation, provided all costs — aside from county staff salaries — are covered by “grants, donations or from sources other than the Lewis County tax base.” Mr. Tabolt suggested that clause should also allow the use of county equipment for trail work and the payment of county money up front, provided it will later be reimbursed by grant funds.
Legislator Paul M. Stanford, D-Watson, continued to speak against the proposed rail purchase, expressing concern that the project would ultimately cost taxpayers something.
However, lawmakers unanimously voted to forward copies of the draft law to all 17 towns to give them ample opportunity to make suggestions. Legislators next Tuesday will likely set a public hearing on the proposed law for their June 5 meeting, allowing the matter to come to vote then.
Filed under: Northern NY, Rail-trail, Trail Building Tagged: Adirondack & Northern Railroad Corp, Lowville and Beaver River Railroad, mohawk, Watertown NY 
GPS Tracker Watch
Stay safe in the woods by wearing a GPS tracker watch.
Major features:
1.Real time locating and tracking by SMS or GPRS
2.Free web tracking function with route history.
3.Geo-fence function with SMS alert
4. Mobile phone function
5. SOS function.
6. Real time voice monitoring
By WKTV News, link to original post
The Mohawk Valley can now relive the healthy heart spirit of America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk every day of the year. The local chapter of the American Heart Association dedicated a new walking path at Utica College Wednesday morning. It’s in the area of Strebel Student Center.
The path is one of four walking paths that highlight some of the region’s prized locations. Additional paths run through Proctor Park, the Sculpture Garden at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, and the Village of Cooperstown. It’s part of an effort to keep the Mohawk Valley heart healthy. The paths are each about a mile long.
Filed under: Central NY, Hiking, Mohawk Region Tagged: Cooperstown, Proctor Park, Sculpture Garden at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, Utica College 
“Mothers’ Day is our perfect holiday,” says Gina Bradley, owner of Paddle Diva, Long Island’s premiere SUP instruction and stand up paddleboard tours outfit. “It brings together everything we love and celebrate: strong, inspirational women — which all of our mothers are to us — women’s fitness, the chance to show women of all ages and body types how easy and empowering it is to learn stand up paddling, while gliding along the waterways and inlets of the beautiful East End of Long Island, watching for birds and signs of spring. What mother wouldn’t want to spend her day this way?”
Last year, a dozen lucky moms (and a few husbands, sons and daughters) enjoyed an hour and a half Paddle Diva lesson/SUP tour out of Maidstone Park Beach. Those with no prior experience on a stand up paddleboard (SUP) were welcomed with a lesson and some assistance from Paddle Diva instructors, as will be the case with this year’s tour. The popular “SUP Dog” SUP Yoga class (taught by Kama Deva’s Jessica Bellofatto) will also be on offer, with participants starting with some poses on land and then moving to the sea for a leisurely beginner-to-intermediate SUP tour. “We stop to enjoy the quiet inlets and maybe even try a few easy yoga moves on the boards,” said Bradley.
This year, Bradley and her Paddle Diva team are especially excited about Mothers’ Day as it coincides with the opening of the new shop in the Shagwong Marina — the only SUP center in the Hamptons with direct water access. “After spending two years exploring all the bays and waterways of the East End, I am delighted to have found a place to call home. The Shagwong Marina is a newly refurbished facility that offers clean, brightly lit bathrooms, a private beach for relaxing, shady grassy areas with picnic tables, and incredible sunsets over Three Mile Harbor. It’s such a perfect place to spend Mothers’ Day. Even if you are not a mom, I’d love for all women to join!”
Paddle Diva will continue to operate “mobile units” at various launch sites throughout the Hamptons, as they have for the past three summers. But as SUP grows in popularity, Bradley felt it important to provide one central location where new clients have a safe and easy place to learn stand up paddling.
“Not everyone who signs up their mom wants to participate, so having the amenities in the Marina is great. The Paddle Diva center includes a shop where clients can browse our SUP boards and our ‘Diva Picks’,” — clothing and accessories that Bradley has found to be the best of breed for surf and swim. “And for those who want to explore the area, the Center is just a short drive to the late Jackson Pollack’s art studio, a real working blacksmith’s shop, bountiful farm stands, and miles of quite bay beaches.”
Paddle Diva will be giving away a gift to the first 15 mom’s who are registered! Click here to sign up!
Interested in the SUP Dog SUP Yoga class? Register here.
Filed under: Long Island, Paddling Tagged: East Hampton NY, stand up paddle, SUP 
Legs, not cars, are the human form of transportation, but we’ve lost the habit and art of walking, and with them, a piece of ourselves. Click here to read “Walk Like Thoreau.”
source: Jim Loomis via FLTC enews
Boaters interested in recreational port hopping along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway will find a new online resource at the ready with photos and service listings. A series of expansive new aerial photos of the 518-mile-long coastal byway’s 24 major harbors is found online at www.seawaytrail.com/boating.
The Great Lakes Seaway Trail signed highway route that spans the freshwater shoreline of New York and Pennsylvania is an internationally-recognized water route for leisure boating.
Each photo of the byway’s harbors is accompanied by a list indicating which of 14 services are found there. The list includes transient and seasonal docking, launch facilities, gas, diesel, repairs, pumpout, electric and water service, grocery, and nearby restaurants, lodging, attractions, and shopping.
The website at http://www.seawaytrail.com also lists five distinct underwater discovery sites for scuba divers.
Filed under: Lake Ontario, Scuba diving Tagged: boating 
Farmall Hill Mountain Bike Challenge: open to anyone who might want to test their mountain biking skills. The event is happening each Tuesday night in May, starting May 1st. Races start at 6:30pm with registration from 5-6 pm.
May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.
Fees:$15.00 Member
$20.00 non-member
*** USAC License Required; USAC off-road member race fee is $15.00. Non USAC member race fee is $20.00. Annual licenses available on race day for $60.00. Release forms must be signed at race site. Parents or Guardians must sign for 18 years and under riders. Helmets required. Use USAC rules during events.
PRIZES, AWARDS & FOOD
BEST 4 OUT OF 5 RACES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES
(AWARDS AFTER LAST RACE ON MAY 29th !!!)
Course Description: Very Fun and Fast 2 mile cross country loop over a beautiful landscape of rolling hills! Combines use of single/double track in woods, open fields, technical sections, short/steep climbs and tough downhills.
Event Info
445 Loud Road
Fairport, NY 14450
May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th
Registration 5-6pm
Races at 6:30pm
Filed under: Mountain Biking, Rochester 
Spring is here and more Americans are taking part in their favorite outdoor sports and activities, but many are not taking easy steps to protect their eyes. In fact, almost half are not wearing sunglasses, which can lead to serious eye problems, including macular degeneration, sports injuries and even some cancers.
According to a national survey just completed by N3L Optics®, the nation’s only sports performance sunglass retailer, while 85 percent of Americans feel eye protection is a major component of their overall good health, less than two thirds are wearing eye protection consistently while outdoors, and only about a third of those age 18-24 do so.
The survey also found that one in 10 American adults has experienced an eye injury while participating in outdoor sports and activities. Men are twice as likely to have an eye injury than women. April is “Sports Eye Safety Month” and, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), nearly 90 percent of sports eye injuries can be prevented.
“Most people would never go out in the sun for an extended period of time without sunscreen,” said Bobby Dean, Education Director at N3L Optics. “Your eyes need that same kind of UV protection to prevent serious damage, and sunglasses are the best way to get that protection.”
The majority of those surveyed report worrying about their eye health, but nearly one in four do not know that sun exposure can cause eye cancer or cataracts. “N3L Optics was created to be a leader in educating Americans about proper eye protection,” Dean said. “Our Gearus are trained to listen to your needs and use our cutting-edge technology to make sure customers have the right performance sunglass or goggle for their sport or outdoor activity.”
Outdoor Activities and Use of Sunglasses
Survey respondents considered themselves to be active, with 76 percent walking for fitness, followed by participation in water sports (37%), hiking (35%), camping (33%), outdoor team sports (27%), and cycling (26%). Participation in outdoor activities was similar to a year ago, showing little impact due to the economy.
Of concern in some key sports categories, the survey found that more than 40 percent of runners and 35 percent of water sports participants do not consistently wear sunglasses during these activities, exposing their eyes to potential damage. Only 50 percent of men make it a priority to have the right sunglasses for their sport and for women, it’s even less (33%).
Why don’t more Americans Wear Sunglasses During Sports?
“Many people don’t wear sunglasses during their sport because they’ve had trouble in the past with clarity and fit,” said Dean. “Advancements in sunglass technology have corrected these concerns, and there are now many sunglasses to choose from that don’t slip, fog or impair your vision when you perform.”
“Many people also have no idea there are frames and lenses out there that will enhance their outdoor experience while protecting their eyes,” Dean said. Athletes and outdoor enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of lenses and frames that are both effective and fashionable.
Americans Feel Good in Sunglasses
Though safety and outdoor conditions are factors in choosing the right sunglasses, Americans definitely like to look and feel good as well. The survey found that 45 percent feel “confident” with their sunglasses on, and 42 percent feel “cool.” More than a third feel “sporty” or “safe,” and nearly that many feel “healthy.”
Confidence peaked in New York, where more than half feel “confident” in their sunglasses. Coolness peaked in the southwest, where 57 percent feel “cool” in their sunglasses. “Sporty” was one of the top three feelings while wearing sunglasses in the northeast, southeast, and west.
Almost a third of women feel “glamorous” in sunglasses compared to only 10 percent of men, and more women feel “classic.” Men feel more “masculine,” “serious” and “rugged.”
Many associate sunglasses with iconic sports moments, and nearly 30 percent recalled Lance Armstrong winning the Tour de France as the most notable sunglass moment in sports.
Tips for Choosing the Right Pair of Sunglasses
Polarized lenses are helpful for activities that require glare reduction. These activities include outdoor pursuits such as fishing, boating, kayaking and sand volleyball.
Select glasses or goggles with polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are impact and shatter resistant and filter out 100 percent of UV light.
Different colors work best for different sports. For example, golfers can benefit from lenses with amber, brown or rose tint. These tints enhance depth perception and help with following the ball in low or medium light conditions.
Consider the safety features you need for your activity. Many performance sunglasses are designed to address specific safety concerns such as protecting from sudden impact, shielding from flying debris and improving visibility in challenging terrain.
A good fit is critical. If sunglasses do not fit properly, they can’t protect properly. Many performance sunglasses have special features that allow them to stay in place during activities such as running, cycling and climbing. In addition, value added features have begun to find their place on active lifestyle or sport inspired sunglasses, allowing the wearer to look and feel great.
Bigger is better. Wrap around lenses sometimes work best because they block light and wind coming in from the sides and allow peripheral vision, a must for cyclists. In addition, larger lenses may be more effective because they cover more of the eye.
Related information
Video showing in-store technology: http://n3loptics.com/technology/store_experience Photos showing in-store technology: http://n3loptics.com/technology/store_experience Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/N3LOptics
About the Survey
In 2012, N3L Optics conducted a nationwide survey of adults to better understand behaviors and beliefs relating to sunglasses. The survey examined areas such as participation in outdoor sports and activities, use of sunglasses, health knowledge, and injury rates. The subject group was made up of 1,080 respondents from across the country between the ages of 18-54 years old. All respondents had purchased at least one pair of sunglasses during the last 24 months, and had participated in an outdoor activity within the past year. Additional data is available by gender, age group and sport.
About N3L Optics
N3L Optics (Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion) is a new and revolutionary sunglass store committed to carrying the world’s best assortment of sport performance optics. Designed specifically for the athlete and outdoor enthusiast, N3L Optics’ innovative retail technology and highly trained associates will forever change the way performance eyewear is discovered, ensuring that you will always find the right frame and lens to enhance your active lifestyle. N3L Optics stores are located in Phoenix and Tucson Ariz.; Mission Viejo and San Mateo, Calif.; Broomfield and Denver, Colo.; Orlando, Fla.; Dallas and El Paso, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah, with a new store slated to open in Boulder, Colo., in summer 2012.
For more information, visit www.N3LOptics.com . N3L Optics is an Oakley company. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group LUX -2.60% (mta:LUX), a Milan, Italy-based global leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. Additional information is available at www.Oakley.com and www.Luxottica.com .
Filed under: Gear Tagged: sunglasses 
Now you can enjoy the Chemung River and win prizes while doing so.
The Friends of the Chemung River Watershed have hidden gold-painted shoes at boat launches and trails along the river in Chemung County as part of the annual “Gold Shoe” hunt.
Each week, between April 20 and May 18, gold-painted shoes and sneakers will be hidden along the river. If you find the shoe, keep it and read the instructions inside to win your prize. Then take the shoe and the instructions to Tanglewood Nature Center in Big Flats on May 19 between 9 a.m. and 11:00 to register to win a prize. Prizes will be awarded on the 19th until noon
Other organizations will hide 300 gold shoes in parks, trails and nature centers throughout Chemung County as part of the annual event, sponsored by Tanglewood at 443 Coleman Ave.
The gold shoe hunt encourages the public, especially children, to get fresh-air exercise while enjoying our parks, waterways and natural environment.
For more information, visit www.tanglewoodnaturecenter.com or contact Please contact Michael Branch via email at mbranch15@elmira.edu
Filed under: Canoeing, Contest, Hiking, Kayaking, Paddling, Southern Tier Tagged: Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, gold shoe hunt, Tanglewood Nature Center 
By Jacob E. Osterhout AND Amanda P. Sidman / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, link to original post
FORT TRYON PARK
741 Fort Washington Ave., Manhattan
Yes, the trails are paved and the sounds of nature can be hard to hear over traffic from the Henry Hudson Parkway more than a hundred feet below, but a walk through the 3 acres of Fort Tryon Park in spring is as close to heaven as a nature lover gets in New York City. Plus, when the pollen really begins to aggravate allergy sufferers, you can always duck into the Cloisters, a medieval monastery that houses the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s uptown branch. Unicorn tapestries? check. Blossoming rhododendrons? Check. After exiting the A train at 190th St., wind your way north through the Billings Lawn and Pine Lawn, making sure not to miss Heather Garden, the largest public garden with unrestricted access in the city. A loop around this Washington Heights park takes a little more than an hour and provides spectacular views of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge and the rooftops of the Bronx. Long an overgrown afterthought, the Alpine Garden on the eastern side of this oasis was recently restored, guiding visitors up and down a 150-foot slope complete with mossy rock outcroppings.
KAZIMIROFF NATURE TRAIL IN PELHAM BAY PARK
1 Orchard Beach Road, Bronx
Located in the northeast corner of the Bronx, Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest municipal park, containing 2,765 acres of land. That’s over three times as big as Central Park and provides ample opportunity for New Yorkers to stretch their legs. The Kazimiroff Nature Trail, named for local dentist and wildlife advocate Theodore Kazimiroff (1914-1980), begins on the north side of the massive Orchard Beach parking lot and takes hikers on a 2-plus-mile loop of 189-acre Hunter Island. Along the way, you pass through meadows, forests, salt marshes and rocky shorelines. If you’re lucky, you might even catch sight of great horned owls, which live in the white pines and Norway spruces.
MIDWOOD TRAIL IN PROSPECT PARK
Lincoln Road/Ocean Ave. entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Deep in the heart of New York’s most populous borough lies Brooklyn’s oldest remaining forest, called Midwood. The appropriately named Midwood trail, which begins and ends at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, takes visitors on an easy 30-minute walk through tulip trees and towering red, black, white and pine oaks. For three-quarters of a mile, nature lovers will forget the surrounding city, isolating themselves in a canopy of trees that are hundreds of years old. And unlike other trails that are haphazardly marked, the Midwood Trail is not only easily navigable but also provides interpretive sign panels to educate the walking public.
Filed under: Hiking, New York City Tagged: Pelham Bay Park, Prospect Park 
Yoga Local NYC:
