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After seeing the cliffs at Chimney Bluff State Park, we’ll take a scenic 45 minute drive to Fair Haven Beach State Park. Fair Haven Beach is a family oriented park. It’s clean Lake Ontario beaches are some of the finest in Upstate New York and the hilly woodlands above offer excellent hiking. Inland you’ll find Sterling Pond which is surrounded by cabins and campsites that are available to rent. Along with swimming, the pond offers excellent fishing and has rowboats, canoes and paddle boats for rent. The park also has playground and picnic facilities as well as sports playing fields. Finally, duck hunting is allowed in specific areas during the open seasons.

Another 35 minute drive along the Seaway Trail will bring us to historic Oswego. Oswego is home to Fort Ontario. The original fort was built in 1755 and was a British stronghold during the French and Indian War. The first fort was destroyed by the French in 1756 and reconstructed in 1759. The second Fort Ontario was destroyed by American troops during the Revolutionary War. The British reclaimed Oswego in 1782 and built the third fort which was given to the United States in 1796. The third fort was attacked and destroyed by the British during the War of 1812. Between 1839 and 1844, the final Fort Ontario was built because of the threat of another and a potential British invasion from Canada. Between 1944 and 1946, Fort Ontario housed victims of the Nazi Holocaust. In 1949, New York State began restoring the fort as a State Historic Site. Fort Ontario is now open for tours from early May until the middle of October on Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 – 4:30. There is a small admission charge.

Today Oswego is among the most important ports on Lake Ontario. In the springtime, Oswego Harbor’s sheltered waters have some of the finest brown trout and steelhead fishing in the Great Lakes. During the summer, many anglers concentrate on the fine walleye and bass populations. In Oswego Harbor, September means coho salmon. Large numbers of the large fish school in the harbor in preparation for the autumn run. The local charter captains can brag about their customers who have caught gigantic fish including a 33 pound coho in 1998 and a 33 pound brown trout in 1997. What ever the season, pack your favorite spices in your picnic backpack don’t forget your grill tools because you will be catching and grilling some great fish in Oswego Harbor.

In our next article we’ll spend a little longer in Oswego and then continue along the Seaway Trail to Pulaski. Stay tuned!

The Port of Rochester (also known as Charlotte & Ontario Beach) is located at the mouth of the Genesee River at Lake Ontario. It is one of the most important outdoor recreation areas in the Rochester area. There is a sandy beach with a large picnic area and ample playground equipment for the children. The focal point is “The Dutchess”, an antique carousel built in 1905. Still in original condition, this Western New York landmark is one of only 14 such carousels still operating in the United States. Ontario Beach also has a pier that extends about half a mile and divides the Genesee from the lake. It offers excellent pier fishing off the river side. Here’s a tip for you: While you’re at Ontario Beach, make sure you stop at Abbot’s for a frozen custard. I think Abbott’s custard is the best dessert in the world. Abbott’s is located at the end of Lake Ave. right at the entrance to the park. If your in Charlotte, you can’t miss it.

Okay, it’s time to pack your camping tent and say goodbye to Rochester and return to the Seaway Trail. Our first stop will be about 40 miles east or Rochester at Sodus Point. The two biggest attractions here are the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum and the amazing sport fishing. The lighthouse was originally built in 1824, and after it fell into disrepair, was rebuilt in 1870-1871. It was replaced by a less attractive but more useful beacon in 1900 and the original lighthouse became the residence for the lighthouse attendant for the next 80 years. In 1984 it was leased to the Sodus Bay Historical Society which still maintains it today. Climb the circular stairs to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the view as you overlook beautiful Lake Ontario and the Sodus Point piers from 70 feet above. The museum also houses several displays, including one on Sodus Bay’s amazing fishing, a small library and a gift shop. The grounds at Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum are a great place to unpack your wicker picnic basket and enjoy a great lunch. There are plenty of tables and grills for your use so don’t forget your grilling tools. If you happen to be there on a Sunday in the summer, make sure you plan to stay for their excellent Sunday concert series. Sodus Point is also the home of several fishing boats that you can charter. Whether brown trout, lake trout or coho salmon are your game, you’re sure to be able to find a boat and captain who will put you on the fish.

From Sodus Point, we’ll round the bay to Chimney Bluffs State Park near Wolcott. Though it has fewer facilities than most of the other parks we’ll visit, I chose this stop because of the spectacular geographic displays that mother nature has graced us with. The clay cliffs were originally formed by a glacier and are now eroded and re-shaped every day by the movement of Lake Ontario. The park has several hiking trails that offer many spectacular views of the cliffs. Make sure you wear appropriate shoes when you hike the trails because theterrain can be treacherous. Climbing the cliffs themselves is extremely dangerous and is also prohibited. When you visit Chimney Bluffs State Park, please don’t take anything but pictures and don’t leave anything but footprints.

In our next installment we’ll continue our trip along the Seaway Trail and visit Fair Haven Beach State Park, Oswego, The Selkirk Lighthouse and end the day at Selkirk Shores State Park. I hope you’re enjoying this series highlighting some of the sites along the Seaway Trail.

We got to hunting camp at around 4:00 on Friday. The sun was just beginning to set to our west. The sky started to get very dark and the northwest wind began howling through the trees. We had to set up camp fast because it was going to get dark soon and a possible winter storm was heading our way. My job was to pitch the camping tent while the others searched for the firewood.

After about 20 minutes the tent was up and my friends were walking up the trail carrying enough firewood for the whole weekend. My friend John said that they spooked three big bucks in the valley as they walked down the hill. He said they ran straight for the north side of the forest crossing an old creek bed. Now we knew where we were going to start our hunt early the next morning.

Before we could think about hunting, we had to get a fire started because the storm was on its way. We built a simple fire ring out of large rocks then started the fire and got the rest of our stuff unpacked and setup. As soon as we got the fire going to a roaring blaze it started to snow like crazy. It was very cold out so we decided to leave the sandwiches in our picnic backpack and cook up some thick strip steaks. Since John had just gotten new bbq tools, he got to do the cooking. Besides, nobody in our hunting group will ever complain about John’s cooking. He really is the king of the grill.

The snow started to build up very quickly. In a little over an hour we had a couple inches on the ground. My new four season camping tent was holding up to the snow and wind very well. Soon the steaks were cooked and we could get into our tent and enjoy our dinner. We grabbed the cooler out of the back of the SUV and climbed into the tent for an evening of storytelling, food and beer.

As we ate, the snow and wind got even worse. The tent was shaking hard but stood up to the winter storm. I was very glad I had gotten the four season tent instead of the three season one I had been considering. If I had purchased the three season tent, we would have either cancelled the trip or we’d have been sleeping in the truck. Soon the dinner and beer were just pleasant memories and it was time to climb into our sleeping bags and get some sleep. The alarm clock was going to go off early because the hunt was at hand!

Please come back soon for the next part of this story about my winter hunting trip. In part 3 I’ll tell you the story of the hunt and the huge buck I shot that day.

Are you planning on saving some money on this year’s summer vacation? Are you one of those people who have seen the world but never seen your own backyard? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’re a perfect candidate for a “staycation”.

A staycation is exactly what its name implies; a vacation where you stay home. Imagine how much cash you’ll save by not staying at a hotel or even a campground. In addition, you’ll be more comfortable sleeping in your own bed and won’t wake up with that miserable backache that comes from sleeping in a a bed you’re not used to. Finally, you can save even more money by eating at home instead of eating at expensive restaurants.

When I was a child, my family went on lots of camping trips. We always found a campsite at or near a State Park. The parks usually had a lake or pool for swimming, playgrounds and other great things kids and families. Mom always packed great food in our wicker picnic basket and nobody was better than my father with a set of barbecue tools and a grill. These were great days for us all but thinking about them now, something seems a little bit funny. We had three State Parks very close to home that we very rarely visited. These parks were every bit as good as the ones we used to travel to. Well I guess the economy was better back in the good old. In today’s economy, I’d suggest you visit some State Parks near your hometown.

I know what some of you are thinking: “this is great for families with kids but ours are grown up and gone. I wonder where we should go on our staycation.” Did you know that there are wineries in every single state? These wineries are usually located in very scenic surroundings. Most offer tastings and tours for little or no money. Some will allow you to walk in the grapevines and take in the wonderful aroma of the grapes. My favorite part is that a majority have decks or picnic areas and allow you to bring your own lunch. I’ll bet there’s a winery or two near your home. Grab your wine carrier and visit one on your summer staycation.

I’ve only scratched the tip of the iceberg of staycation ideas. I’m sure you can find many great places to check out in your area. So think about saving some cash this summer and have a fantastic time going on a staycation instead of a vacation.

Don’t you hate it when you have a hunting trip planned and the forecast calls for terrible weather? Have you ever canceled a camping trip because it was too cold or snowy? I don’t have that problem anymore. Last November I decided to go to hunting camp with my brother and some friends. We made our plans a couple weeks in advance so we’d have plenty of time to get our camping equipment ready. As opening day of deer season got closer, I watched the Weather Channel and things didn’t look good. The forecast was for a snowy, freezing week but we knew it wouldn’t keep us from bagging our deer.

You see, I had postponed too many camping trips in the past and recently bought a four season camping tent and some warm sleeping bags to stop it from happening again. The tent sleeps eight people so I knew we would have plenty of room for the four of us and our gear. I also knew we’d be warm and dry because the four season camping tent is made to withstand strong wind and heavy snow.

As Friday approached, I packed all my equipment with complete confidence that we’d be going camping as planned. What’s even better is that guys without the right camping equipment would be staying home. Fewer hunters in the woods would mean more deer for us. Also, doesn’t it seem like the deer know just when the season starts? Well, maybe because of the lousy weather they wouldn’t hide quite so carefully.

The weekend finally arrived and we stowed our camping gear in the car and started to back out of the driveway. All of a sudden I realized that we didn’t have the picnic backpacks with the sandwiches for our first day in it. We don’t cook on the first day because by the time we get to camp and set up our gear, it’s too late to bother cooking.  After the first night though, we cook all our meals on our portable grill.

Finally we hit the road. I couldn’t wait to get to the woods and set up our camping gear before the snow and wind set in. For me nothing is better than a weekend at hunting camp with my best pals and the anticipation of the hunt to come. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you how we did on our winter weather hunting trip.

Are you searching for something relaxing to do now that spring is finally here? If you are, you really should think about going on a picnic. I feel myself relax as soon as I get out my picnic gear and barbecue tools and head for a day in the park. The fresh air and sunshine just seem to drain the stress right out of me and, let’s face it, a barbecue tastes better than food cooked at home every time!

I suggest you pick a place with a lake for your picnic. Maybe you can even do a liitle fishing. Whether you catch anything or not, you’ll find that when you’re fishing, all your troubles disappear and you feel completely relaxed. Just don’t count on the fish you catch for your picnic dinner because some days they just aren’t biting. If you don’t like fishing, you can take a leisurely stroll along the shore or just sit and watch the water. I’d suggest bringing a loaf of bread because there usually seem to be ducks around and feeding them is tons of fun.

Another activity you can do if you really want to enjoy your day at the park is read a great book. I like to leave the serious reading at home and bring one of the novels that I never seem to have time for. Just sit on your chaisse lounge and enjoy a good read. Please remember to either sit in the shade or protect yourself with some high quality sunscreen so you don’t regret it the next day.

Life in the 21st Century is very stressful for most of us. Luckily, there are many herbal remedies (legal ones) that can help us feel a little less stressed. These remedies work even better when coupled with stress reducing activities. When it comes to relaxing activities, I think that there are few better than packing your wicker picnic basket and heading to a park near your home. Try it sometime, I think you’ll agree.

Are you searching for a perfect way to jump start your romance? Are you working to win back the love of your life? I have an idea that might be just what you want. Surprise her by taking her on a romantic picnic. She’s going to be very happy with you and wait until you find out how little work you actually have to do.

First you’re going to need to do a little research and find just the right place for your picnic. You want to find a park with a nice stream because being near the water is a great way to relax. You’ll also need to find one that has picnic tables and grills so you can cook your picnic dinner. It will be even better if you can find a park that allows you to drink some of your favorite wine.

Next arrange for a friend to take her to a spa or shopping for a few hours so you can set the scene. Make sure it’s someone you can trust not to tell her what you have planned. Once she’s gone, you’ll be on your way to the grocery store. Buy a couple of really good steaks or whatever you might want to have for your meal. You’ll also want to get a great loaf of bread, some potato salad and some watermelon or other dessert. Unless you have a portable gas grill, you’ll also need to get some charcoal and charcoal lighter. Finally, you’ll need a couple bottles of good wine. If you like white wine, make sure you buy it already cold because you won’t have time to chill it in the refrigerator. Chances are you already have all the condiments and other supplies you’ll need in your home.

When you get home, pack your picnic basket and bbq tools and put them in the car before she gets home. After all, there’s no need to give up the surprise quite yet. When she gets home, ask her to wear something comfortable because you’re going out and will be outside. If she’s been to the spa, don’t forget to tell her how great she looks!

She’s going to be happily surprised when you get to the park for your romantic picnic. You’ll be well on your way to reaching your objective of pleasing her but you’re not quite finished yet. First, take her for a romantic walk by the water. When youget back to your picnic table, tell her to sit down and relax and you will take care of everything. Don’t let her lift a finger. You set the table, you barbecue the dinner and you clean up afterwords. I know you will be the hero for the day and maybe, just maybe you’ll save your relationship.

Remember the good old days before theme parks and expensive resorts when your family used to go on picnics? In these hard economic times, why not go back to these easier days by taking your family on a picnic? In this story we’ll help you figure out everything you need to make your picnic a memorable occasion for your entire family.

First, let’s talk about the picnic basket. Think about where you’re going to hold your picnic. Will you be able to park nearby? Will you have to walk or hike a distance to get there. If you’re going to be able to park near your picnic area, a traditional wicker picnic basket will work. However, if you’re going to have to walk to your picnic table, you might want to consider a picnic backpack. Picnic backpacks are very light and have enough room to carry everything you’ll need.

One of the things I really like about carrying a fully stocked picnic basket is that it’s a green alternative to bringing paper cups, paper plates and plastic silverware. Today, picnic baskets and picnic backpacks come with everything you need to make your picnic a success. You can get a picnic basket or backpack that’s complete with plates, silverware, glasses, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, a table cloth and even a cheese knife and cutting board.

Next you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to cook on your picnic or bring a selection of sandwiches and snacks. If you want to cook, make sure the park you’re going to has grills to use or bring a portable grill of your own. Today you can even get portable gas grills if you don’t want to mess with charcoal and charcoal lighter. Whether you cook on gas or charcoal you’re going to need a set of quality barbecue tools.

I hope you agree with me that a picnic is an money saving alternative to a day at the local theme park. Give it a try and I think you and you’re entire family will be very glad you did.