From the Home Team

Summertime in the Rochester area means community concerts, festivals, and celebrations of all sorts, people getting out, connecting or reconnecting, and enjoying the glory that is life in our (albeit relatively short) summer season.

I am a nature girl through and through, and I love spending the day deep in the woods, pondering life’s big questions with a best friend (or solo! It’s great for meditation too!). Mendon Ponds Park is hands-down my favorite to hike in, though I won’t turn down any invitations to other parks and am making my way through the list of area trails and parks to explore.

Other favorites of mine include Turning Point Park and its cool boardwalk over the river ending at the lake and the Port of Rochester, which is a beautiful place to reflect over Lake Ontario before making the return trip. Corbett’s Glen is amazing, walking through a tunnel to enter a new realm, Taughannock Falls I recently discovered with a friend, and, of course, there's the iconic Watkins Glen, Letchworth State Park, and Stonybrook, all within an hour’s drive. Anywhere I can get away from human stress, that’s where I decompress. We truly are blessed to have such incredible trail systems and nature preserves across the area.

I love cooling off in the water, and we’re blessed to have so many Great and Finger Lakes within our backyard. I was born and raised in The Chosen Spot, so Canandaigua Lake holds a nostalgic place in my heart and I treasure time in and around that water. Now Conesus is a solid favorite, and I’m embarrassed to say I only recently discovered Seneca’s peaceful beauty. We’re truly blessed.

Perhaps this summer, I’ll paddle my way on the Erie Canal, though kayaking on the serenity of the Finger Lakes and ponds is my favorite, with beautiful scenery, gentle waves, wind cooling me on a hot day, and splashes of lazy paddling the only disruption to the serenity.

With school out for summer, my daughters and I have a running list of adventures to explore, and this year, live music tops our list. I love discovering new bands at community park concerts and through the gig lists I follow for various venues around town. I recently discovered open mic nights for musicians, comedians, and even poets/writers. We have such talent around Rochester.

With airshows, art shows, cultural festivals and music festivals every weekend, there’s always something to do out and about around Rochester. And let’s not forget the New York State Fair at the end of August, with its exhibitions, animals, music, iconic butter sculpture, and, of course, my daughters’ favorite tradition of the fresh milk holding steady at a quarter for a cup of a delicious treat.

Whatever you fancy, you’ll find something to do or explore. Let’s come together or get away and celebrate the natural and human wonders within miles around our backyards.