OUTDOOR Forum at canaaninstitute.org

[Mike_L]

Hello, fellow water lovers,
Just to keep you all updated we offer the following:

THURSDAY EVENING SKILLS SESSION 10/11/07
We've not heard from anyone of their wishes to join in the safety skills session for Thursday evening. If you were planning on this please let us know. RSVP as soon as you can. We will plan to hold this session at 5:00 p.m. in order to give those folks wishing to learn/practice wet exits and boat reentry time to get reorganized and join us for the 6:30 paddle outing as well as to take further advantage of the daylight.
Another option for this type of skills training: check with Puddledockers for weekend daytime sessions, if you are keen on having this training now, in the daylight and if the water remains above 50 degrees.

THURSDAY EVENING TRIP 10/11/07
It's still on for Thursday evening at 6:30, with the put in at Treman boat launch. Please be sure to have white lights as it will get dark. This is for the Touring group. Be sure to bring as many white lights as you can muster...we'll need to be extra visible as it's the New Moon night, and if there's cloud coverage it could create a very dark environment. But it should be fun! Some of the best paddling is done at night when no one knows you're out there! We'll stay fairly close to the west shore and be out for about 1.5 hours. Departure from Treman marina boat launch. Please arrive early, get all your gear in order and be ready to enter the water promptly at 6:30. If it's blowing a gale we could always head inland. But do be prepared for weather and wind. This is a deep water paddle, for Touring boaters. If Recreational kayakers are interested please let me know and we'll set up an inland waterway venture just for you...through the dark jungle with overhanging branches and mysteries around each curve. I promise, no snakes hanging out of the trees, nor gators. After 1.5 hours of paddling we'll reconvene on shore for birthday cake.

KAYAK RALLY POSTPONED
It's a sad message to convey but we are now forced to at least postpone the Kayak Rally scheduled for Saturday, October 20, 2007, until perhaps spring. This was sure to be an attractive enticement to other boaters who might still be deciding whether to join the new club. It would be wonderful to try planning this for a springtime date. It's a worthwhile effort, increasing kayak safety awareness while bringing in more potential paddling partners for our trips to share in the joyful camaraderie. Please have your energies at the ready!
Some background on this decision to postpone: The City has required a $1,000,000 insurance liability policy from us and as we are a new club with no economic foundation to speak of there isn't much chance we can go the $1,000 for the one-day policy. So the entire event will now be postponed.
Perhaps over the winter is the time to go about seeking a solution for this. It may raise some interesting dialog about how we wish to proceed. Many clubs forego insurance and keep a low profile in the community, i.e., with no community events, nor on City property. Think ski club, etc. Kayak groups may wish to join ACA (American Canoe Association) or BCU (British Canoe Union) for chartership to enjoy their blanket coverage. Some groups have met weekly on City property for fun and games (I'm thinking of the volleyball at Stewart Park that's been going on for 25 years, with dozens of teams) with absolutely no insurance or permits whatsoever. And this has gone on without incident for all these years. Where do we go from here? Do we attempt to align ourselves with another on-the-water group and ask to share their umbrella? Do we create our own? Do we go without and keep a low profile? For community-wide events, such as a kayak rally, do we combine our energies and share the spotlight with say, COE for instance? Or a shop? These are all questions we might wish to address in the coming months so we can be ready with, ideally, a Kayak Rally in the spring...May might be about the right month for this. We've got some work to do! Voice your thoughts and opinions, feedback is strongly urged.

KAYAK TRIPS FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
We'll plan on continuing with our kayak day trips, as outlined in the schedule that was sent out a week ago. Please continue to join us for these future day trip paddle outings. There are some lovely destinations planned.
Take good care, and until we slice the water with our paddles again,
Cheers.
Louise
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Hi there, paddle friends,

Our first Knowledge is PowerPaddling meeting was last night at our newly adopted club house, the Glenwood Pines, and boy did we get a lot on the agenda for all you folks!

There will be educational meetings for all those interested in the upcoming winter months. The third Sunday of each month has been designated learn-some-stuff-while-eating-and-drinking day. The timing is a reasonable one, it still allows you to get out and enjoy playing in the snow. We've set aside the hours of 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for these gatherings. Cost of admission is the price of a meal and your drinks. The Glenwood Pines management is generously offering us the use of their downstairs dining area with the caveat that we support them through the purchase of a meal. We love this spot, there's beer and you can see the water. Very important elements to most boaters. For directions go to: www.glenwoodpines.com

Mark your calendars. On tap and now on the schedule are the following:

Sunday, January 20 ~ How to Buy A Kayak. What to look for in a kayak, how to decide which type is right for your needs. A local luminary outfitter with broad kayak knowledge will be on hand to disseminate information. There will be handouts and catalogs as well, culled from some of the easiest to digest material found online, from sources ranging far and wide. RSVP Tom Every by 9 a.m. that day at tje4@cornell.edu so we know how many to expect.

Sunday, February 17 ~ Navigation Basics and Safety. Our very own Tom Every, our representative to the local Coast Guard Auxiliary and another keen paddler, will give us his run down of the Rules of the Road, er, Water, safety aspects of our chosen craft, requirements for daytime or nighttime paddling, who's got the right of way, how to choose a PFD and how to safely move and transport a kayak. Please RSVP Ken Bedell by 9 a.m. that day at skidocken@twcny.rr.com so we have an idea of how many people will be coming.

Sunday, March 16 ~ Great Expectations, Grape Destinations. It's the trip idea session! This is the big old melting pot of ideas for the trips you'd like to see the kayak club do over the coming months, May through October. Bring your ideas and desires for the trip(s) you want to have on our schedule, short trips, long trips, bring 'em all. Bring along information of put ins and take outs, directions, logistics. Consider your own leadership potential. How about special destinations, like a weekend trip to Mt. Man's Paddlefest, Atlantic Kayak Tours on the Hudson, or even your favorite waterside vineyard. (I'll bet Don Runyon knows of one!). Brian Lader and Chris Burnett-Wolle will lead this session. And you'll want to RSVP Brian about your intentions to be there, by 9 a.m. that morning at bml9@cornell.edu.

Sunday, April 20 ~ General meeting for all! Phew, there's lots of ground to cover here. Election of officers, club fee, choosing a name and logo, creating a web page or at least a blog, how best to help create Hospicare's support, discussions about the following events: our own kayak rally (in cooperation w/COE, shops? locations? south end East Shore Park, Boy Scout Camp, Meyer's, Island Fitness?), piggybacking onto other events (Ithaca Festival parade, Dragon Boat Race day, Gen. Clinton race, other?). And much more...All to be followed by Louise Adie's slide show, Kayaking In Antarctica (with all new slides from the current season). To RSVP email Louise at vesla2@aol.com.

Rest assured these dates will be presented to the various community media as a reminder and a stimulus to others wanting to join in the fun with us. Please encourage those you know to jump in and help out or just join us. We want to be sure ALL kayaking interests are covered. This is a place for us all to find our enchantment and kayak paddling bliss.

For now Chris and Ken will chase down the media outlets for us. If you have special skills in this area please email them with your ideas or suggestions. cburnett-wolle@claritas.com or skidocken@twcny.rr.com. Contacts and connections are what's needed.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays, many paddling plays and a stocking full of cool gear. That's right, it's time to treat yourself really well. *Support our local kayak shops!

And best wishes to those out of town folks who can't (or won't!) join us again until the lake warms up a bit...Don, Dusk and the others...

Until we meet again...Paddles Up (in a salute of joy)!

Cheers.
Brian, Chris, Tom, Ken and Louise
*Puddledockers, Power and Paddle (Candor) and EMS.
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

> Hi there, paddle friends,
> Mark your calendars. On tap and now on the schedule are the following:
> Sunday, January 20 ~ How to Buy A Kayak. What to look for in a kayak, how to decide which type is right for your needs. A local luminary outfitter with broad kayak knowledge will be on hand to disseminate information. There will be handouts and catalogs as well, culled from some of the easiest to digest material found online, from sources ranging far and wide. RSVP Tom Every by 9 a.m. that day at tje4@cornell.edu so we know how many to expect.
>

Hi Folks:
Welcome to the New Year! So, how many of you made a resolution that you would do more kayaking and become better at it? Even if you didn't, the kayaking club that is sprouting up will help you learn more about equipment, develop new skills, and provide opportunities for group outings. OK, so we don't have an official name yet. But.....it's the spirit that counts and you have a ground (oops - water) floor opportunity to help launch all this.

As Louise noted previously, our first meeting of 2008 will be on Jan. 20th at Glenwood Pines. We've set aside the hours of 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for these gatherings. Cost of admission is the price of a meal and your drinks. The Glenwood Pines management is generously offering us the use of their downstairs dining area with the caveat that we support them through the purchase of a meal.

How can you beat an opportunity like this in the middle of winter? Please RSVP to me so we know how many people to expect.

Rev up your paddles for 2008 and think Spring. Or, get a head start and do a Spring break paddling vacation.

Cheers,
Tom
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Paddle meeting reminder Glenwood Pines restaurant at 4:30pm on this Sunday February 17


Hi Paddlers,

Ok, so you awoke to temperatures hovering around the 0 Fahrenheit mark this morning and paddling is probably the last thing on your mind. Or, perhaps you were dreaming of warmer temperatures and the fun you can have with your watercraft. Either way, Tom Every will be getting us psyched and filling us in on rules of the waterways. The actual description is included below:

Navigation Basics and Safety. Our very own Tom Every, our representative to the local Coast Guard Auxiliary and another keen paddler, will give us his run down of the Rules of the Road, er, Water, safety aspects of our chosen craft, requirements for daytime or nighttime paddling, who's got the right of way, how to choose a PFD and how to safely move and transport a kayak.

We will be meeting at Glenwood Pines restaurant at 4:30 pm on this Sunday February 17. Cost is only getting dinner with the rest of us at the Pines. Please RSVP to this address: skidocken@twcny.rr.com by Saturday the 16th 6pm so that I may advise the staff at the Pines on space we will need.

See you soon

Ken

PS. Please feel free to spread the word. If you have access to other outdoor lists please post there as well. Mike L, please post to your outdoor list. Walt, would you post to the IC list and outdoor-L? Thanks
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Greetings fellow double-bladers!
Getting psyched to get the season started already? Itchy palms? Great! It's coming soon, warmer weather, sunny days, a lake and great waterways that just call out for attention. But first, a little planning is in order.
As many of you have noticed the scheduled meeting for the March planning session never happened. No excuses, now, just looking forward to a moment when we might try to make up for lost time.
So here's the plan then. On Sunday, April 13 at 4:30, may we all convene (as many of us as are available) at Glenwood Pines on Rt. 89 to establish a framework of kayak outings to serve and please the masses. This means, please come as you are or will be on that day, and bring your ideas, calendars, guidebooks, enthusiasm and enough cash to pay for your meal, and a beer or two. Rain or shine, of course. If it's sunny/warm/dry get your playing in early that day.
Please consider joining us for this planning session as we attempt to create a fun and inspiring list of kayak outings for all those who desire shorter or longer distances, quiet or rowdy waters. Let your voice be heard, particularly if you have a favorite water haunt you wish to share with others. This only works if we work. If this fits into your calendar please consider yourself invited, cajoled, dynamited, inspired or generally motivated to give it your all and help this club get off the ground this year. Or is that into the water...? Yes! Let's get into the water in masses and droves! See that group out there? That could be US!
We hope to see you all at the schedule planning meeting on Sunday, April 12 at 4:30.
And please pass the word along to others who are not on the list but may have a deep-seated interest like yourself.
Cheers, and see you soon!
Louise Adie
Ken Bedell
Tom Every
Brian Lader
P.S. Haven't settled the name issue as of yet. Next up: we'll send out a list of choices for your voting pleasure.
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

While recently participating in a four-day, 54-mile paddle down Bayou Lafourche in southeast Louisiana as part of an organized group trip, I often thought of my Ithaca kayaking brethren and sisthren. I wondered if they might find this experience different from their paddles, maybe interesting, and who knows--some might even decide they want to do it next year. So, I thought I'd write a report about it and send it your way. I think it was a fun and interesting educational and cultural experience. Plus, we got a little exercise and had a chance to make new kayaking friends.

The trip was put on by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) to raise awareness to the neglect the bayou and the broader estuary area have suffered for many years. BTNEP hopes that bringing attention to the area will cause people to better protect it by not using it as a dumping ground and will help everyone recognize that it needs to be dredged so fresher water can flow in it all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The trip included people who work for BTNEP, who discussed these issues with us, often on our daily short bus trips from where our cars were parked to where our boats awaited for us for that day’s paddle.

Participants could choose to participate in a kayak, canoe (their own or a rental) or even a pirogue (down there a dugout, flat fishing boat), go solo or together with another person or persons, and do all four days ($70) or any combination of one, two or three days ($20/day). About 45 people did all four days with more than that number doing other days. Meals were cooked and donated by various people and groups along the way. A big joke was that one's spouse would not believe that the other was kayaking 54 miles when he or she came home weighing more than when they left home. Camping areas with showers and bathrooms were provided each night--at the large confines of a plantation (which is now a bed and breakfast), a nice college field, and a generous family's huge yard, or people could seek out any accommodations they wished elsewhere in the towns we passed through or even go home if it wasn't too far away. Most boaters were from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, although some came from further away.

The trip started in Donaldsonville, south and east of Baton Rouge and an easy 75 minute drive from New Orleans. From there the trip followed the bayou south to Napoleonville (where it's said that Napoleon invented the neoprene spray skirt) to Thibodaux to Raceland to the end at Lockport. Paddling distances each day were, according to my GPS, 16.5, 15.3, 16 and 5.6 miles. Each day included a lunch stop, and regrouping there was mandatory. While my Webster's defines a bayou as "a marshy, sluggish body of water tributary to a lake or river," they come in all sizes and sluggishness. Bayou Lafourche (the "r" is silent) is tributary to the Mississippi River, is more than 100 miles long, and through our 54 miles, was about 30-40 yards wide at most parts.

Some highlights included having a five-person African-American gospel group serenade us as we departed the first day; finding people on their docks along the way cheering us on and a few times people offering us beads and pralines; the always excellent food we were served for lunch and dinner, including shrimp spaghetti, crawfish etouffee, lots of gumbos, redfish, shrimp and grits, and some dessert tables with way too many offerings. A favorite was the lunch stop at a fruit and vegetable stand in the small town of Labadieville. Probably most of the town’s people were there (mostly elderly folk) who clapped when each boater arrived, all while a small band played. It was very sweet and like having your mom there asking you constantly if you wanted more to eat. We witnessed an Indian powwow demonstration by Houma tribe members after another huge dinner, and when we arrived at the end of the voyage on Sunday at noon, there was more food and a full Cajun band.

ODDS and SODS: The low price included a nice t-shirt, a kayak whistle and a swell laminated placemat with a map of the route, landmarks along the way and other information about BTNEP and the area. Birds: Although there were many kinds of ducks, and a few herons and egrets along the way, I see more birds and varieties on my in-town New Orleans seven-mile paddle. Plus--Bayou St. John in New Orleans often has everyone’s beloved pelicans. The daily drop-off of cars and shuttling back to the day’s paddle start worked great—having one’s car every night with camping gear, cooler, clothes and hair curlers was excellent.

Generally, the people of this area could not have been friendlier and more hospitable—and they seemed quite thrilled that we were there in their part of Louisiana.

If you are interested, the web site for BTNEP for this trip was http://paddling.btnep.org. I’ve noticed that now they’ve taken lots off the site, but some information is still there. Also, feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions. I believe the trip is always planned for the week/weekend after Easter.

Next up: April 19--The Bluz Cruise—a 22 mile race on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, MS

Dusk Lipton
New Orleans
Advocate of IthaYaks
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Hello again,
This is just a friendly reminder that we'd love to have your input and ideas about what kayak outings would be pleasing for you to look forward to in the coming weeks. As spring unfolds the lake beckons us closer and closer. Some are getting their boats in the water just to say they did it, but guess what? After that paddle dips the water just once it's all a GO from there!
Give it some thought. What would YOU like to do on the water this season? Where would YOU like to go, and see and do? Some of you have emailed back already with your wishes. This is good! Better yet would be to have your smiling faces around the table as we put on our magic Look Into the Future glasses and identify and locate those places that would make our paddling a little more special this year.
Just so you know we'll plan on creating outings to accommodate those who wish for short distances as well as long, inland as well as open water, near and/or far. In short, something for everyone.
Won't you give it some consideration and think about joining us this coming Sunday, April 13, at 4:30 p.m. downstairs at Glenwood Pines for our planning session? Bring your maps, guidebooks, whatever you think will help.
NEXT UP: EMS Club Sale Days. We've been invited to place a table by EMS at their Club Day sales on Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19. I'm happy to take on a couple of shifts, in between my other plans. Will you consider a two-hour shift as well? We'll be working on making the table colorful and interesting...a stack of paddles? Or PFDs or...or...or... Anything to get attention as well as enlisting new membership. If a customer appears who does not belong to a club or group they can give our club a $10 donation which entitles them to take advantage of the sale discounts. AND it's a great way for our club to get a bit more notice. Please contact me and offer just two hours of your time, we're all busy but somehow the busiest people get the most things accomplished. It's an easy gig, smile, be friendly, offer info. We'll have something printed up by then that you can hand out.
Take good care and if you can't keep the open side up at least dress for the dunking! Have fun out there and be safe.
Cheers!
Louise A.
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Hi there, kayak aficionados,
With this unseasonably great weather lots of people will be out and about, some taking down their kayaks and putting paddles to water this weekend.
If you're otherwise preoccupied with shore duty please give some thought to doing a little PR work for the club at the EMS Club Sales Days. There are two 2-hour shifts we need help with. Would you be one of those willing to chat it up with interested people? Great! Please respond to this email if you can spare the time to help out on Saturday...the hours we need to fill are 12-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
The task is simple...provide info about the club (the little bit we all might know), hand out schedules and offer support and enthusiasm for their intentions to get out kayaking this year...or to purchase a new kayak!
To help with this on the schedule for May 18 we're offering a swap boat moment. After a 2-3 hour paddle out on the lake we'll meet 'n' greet at 3:00 back at Taughannock for a pot luck/dish to pass that is open to all. Plan on trying out whatever people have brought to get a feel for the various kayaks. We'll do this for about an hour or so. This might be a good time for those without boats to try out a few with user's comments included.
As we poke along trying to determine how best to assemble a list serve and before we actually have a real web page we present to you ~
www.ithacakayakclub.blogspot.com
Hopefully just a temporary means of communication, posting schedules, photos, etc. It's not ideal and we hope things will change soon.
Please feel free to pass this along and invite others to "join" too...meaning we aren't collecting membership fees yet. Encourage people to communicate by clicking on Comments.
Until we meet on the water stay safe and dress for immersion...the lake and streams are still fairly cold.
Cheers!
Louise
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

http://www.ithacakayakclub.blogspot.com/

Check out updates to Ithaca Kayak Club blog.
www.ithacakayakclub.blogspot.com
Suggestions, comments, ideas welcomed!
Happy paddling!
~LA
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Hope to see you all there! May 20th
MEET, GREET 'N' EAT on Tuesday night at Taughannock Falls State Park.
Try out each other's boats.
Read about it here:
www.ithacakayakclub.blogspot.com
~Louise
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

list serve http://lists.shorttow.org/mailman/listinfo/ikc
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

Greetings Happy Paddlers!

Join in a paddle on beautiful Skaneatlas Lake on Saturday, August 30. When my daughter visited the lake this summer from Minnesota, she said it was a mini version of the beautiful waters of Lake Superior. I have to agree! So come check it out! We'll launch boats at Sevey's Boatyard in New Hope on the west side of the lake.

TIME: Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Sevey's (we should be back at Seveys by mid-late afternoon) Please email me (dewinch3@yahoo.com) to let me know if you'll be coming.

WHAT'S UP: Fee to launch & park is $5/car - carpool if you want

WHATCHA GONNA DO: We'll paddle across the sparkling lake to the east shore, then head north for less than a mile to a beach that I've always called Poison Ivy Point. Good place to stop for lunch and swim. It' also a great place to practice wet exits and rescues in the the amazingly crystal clear waters of my favorite Finger Lake! The rescues are not mandatory...just open for anyone who wants to practice, like me!

WHATCHA NEED TO BRING:

* PFD
* Paddle
* Plenty of water--stay hydrated!
* Fishing pole (good perch and bass fishing at the Point)
* Lunch/snacks/other beverage
* Hat/towel/sunscreen...whatever else you want!
* Wear or bring your sprayskirt in case the water gets choppy from boats/weather.


WHAT ELSE?: Dependent on weather/winds of course, the water that early in the morning should be relatively calm, but with winds or boat traffic, a chop can develop later in the day, so you should be comfortable paddling in waves. If the weather forecast calls for winds and swells/chop, we may change our launch site to Glen Haven on the south end of the lake and just paddle in some of the protected areas there. Please call if you want to check on the launch plan. My home number is 607-708-4121 and my cell is 607-745-4494. I will be leaving for the lake around 8:15 a.m. but will have my cell with me.

HOW DO I GET THERE?: From the Cortland/Dryden area, take Route 41 north out of Homer, turn left onto 41A which will take you all the way to Glen Haven Road (New Hope), turn right onto Glen Haven Road, take 1st left onto Carver, then a right onto Glencove Road, follow to end to marina

From Ithaca....head toward Moravia...follow directions below
Sevey's Boatyard Incorporated
6510 Glencove Road - Moravia

Phone: (315) 496-2092

* Start at E SHORE DR, ITHACA going toward ESTY DR - go 4.6 mi
* Turn Right on ASBURY RD(CR-108) - go 0.4 mi
* Turn Left on N TRIPHAMMER RD(CR-122) - go 0.9 mi
* Turn Right on AUBURN RD(RT-34) - go 5.0 mi
* Turn Right on LOCKE RD(CR-154) - go 2.5 mi
* Continue on CREEK RD(CR-4 - go 1.4 mi
* Continue on RT-90 - go 1.4 mi
* Turn Left on RT-38 - go 3.6 mi
* Turn Right on CHURCH ST - go 0.2 mi
* Turn Left on WILLIAMS ST - go 0.1 mi
* Turn Right on RT-38A - go 6.6 mi
* Turn Right on BURDOCK RD - go 0.9 mi
* Continue on NEW HOPE RD(CR-66A) - go 1.0 mi
* Continue on N GLEN HAVEN RD(CR-66A) - go 0.7 mi
* Turn Left on CARVER RD - go 0.7 mi
* Turn Right on GLEN COVE RD - go 1.3 mi
* Arrive at 6510 GLEN COVE RD, MORAVIA, on the Right


See you on Saturday!

Deb
D. Lucchesi
607-745-4494 cell
607-255-7023 (Cornell AEM)
"It's the going, not the getting there that counts. Enjoy the journey."
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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