A supplement of the Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Summer Your guide to enjoying every moment CATCH UP WITH THE CRUSH IN 2021 See page 8 2 Cortland Standard – Summer – Wednesday, May 19, 2021 The What’s an introvert to do when the road less most popular hikes get traveled even more crowded? By TODD R. McADAM popular. Managing Editor Find a trail So, here are some alternatives [email protected] for otherwise really nice walks: We drove north on Route 91 n Finger Lakes Trail in- n Tuller Hill State Forest: in Truxton, a couple of extra teractive map: tinyurl.com/ The Virgil Mountain Loop on bottles of water, some bug re- az2dzbws the Finger Lakes Trail in Virgil is pellant and hats to protect our n CNYHiking.com: A list beautiful and easily accessible faces (and my ever-expanding and map of good hikes, in- at several different points in cluding two dozen or so in forehead) from the sun. and around Kennedy State For- Cortland County. There was the parking spot est — the view from the top of n New York State Depart- for the Labrador Hollow Unique ment of Environmental Con- Cortland County’s tallest peak is Area, and Tinker Falls, therein. servation: www.dec.ny.gov/ worth a walk. But it’s popular. We were considering climbing outdoor/351.html. Features Tuller Hill, just a couple of the hill to the overlook, where a guide to hikes across the miles away — less if one can hang gliders sometimes launch. state, including an interactive fly — is much quieter. Park on The view west over the hollow map, including many hikes in Clute Road in Virgil and you have and Labrador Pond — particu- the greater Cortland area. a choice: up or down. At 2,500 larly in the afternoon as the sun acres, there’s some space to descends toward the horizon — look around. is incredible. Not too long ago, we might It has a couple of access roads, So was the crowd at the park- walk the path around Hope and one can access them as eas- ing lot. Cars packed close togeth- Lake in Virgil, an easy walk on ily by foot as by vehicle. Easier, er, people packed even closer. a paved lane in a pretty place in fact. I’m afraid a low-slung Skip it, came the consensus with a certain amount of quiet. subcompact like I drive would from the back seat. And can Lately, we’re ducking off to the scrape its oil pan. And five miles we still get the celebratory ice side to keep socially distanced. of the Finger Lakes Trail mean- cream? We tried Dryden’s Rail Trail — ders across the forest’s eastern In the 14 months since a little beautiful, and we got to watch edge. known, little expected pandem- baby snakes on the trail side. n Morgan Hill State Forest: ic began ravaging the world and We saw fewer people in down- Labrador Hollow Unique area everybody’s social life, out-of- town Dryden. in Truxton is an easily acces- the-way places opportunities So what’s an introvert to do? sible trail with a wide variety like Labrador Hollow have be- Innovate. of challenges. A boardwalk come a Grand Central Station of The Finger Lakes Trail has doz- borders part of Labrador Pond the remote recreation set. ens of miles of pathways in Cor- and a bit south on Route 91, the Once, my family might casual- tland County, and dozens more trail to Tinker Falls is flat, wide ly stroll the trails at Lime Hollow in Tompkins County as part of its and pays off in a pretty water Nature Center, where Executive 950-mile length. Cortland also fall. North of the falls, the trails Director Glenn Reisweber said has 18 state forests and unique get nice steep for a good work- I was welcome to get my “soli- areas — so many they kind of out with a beautiful view at the tude fix.” We’re still welcome, run together in some places. end. That’s why the family and I Todd R. McAdam/managing editor but there’s no solitude about it. New paths and trails are open- decided to skip it. The Virgil Mountain Loop of the Finger Lakes Trail peaks at the Those dozen miles of trails are ing all the time, and one might highest point in Cortland County. But, in the background, Tuller as popular as ever. get to them before they get See TRAVELED, page 3 Hill State Forest offers good hiking, with fewer people. Cortland Standard – Summer – Wednesday, May 19, 2021 3 TRAVELED continued from page 2 * Gee Whiz Rail Trail: I and Western Railroad, that haven’t even seen it (yet), largely parallels Route 41. A SE as ON Instead, head north a and don’t know much about But, I’ve never been there, couple of miles on 91, turn it. The trail stretches from so I’ll need to explore. east on Route 80, then the village of McGraw to But it might well be simi- south on Herlihy Road in Stillwell Road in Solon and lar in experience to Dryden’s Fabius. Drive into the hills a social media announce- extremely popular Rail Trail OF COMFORT for a short way and you’ll ment said it offers about and its attached Jim Schug find a small parking area at five miles, round-trip, of Trail, or the Lehigh Valley the crossing of the Finger hiking, running and snow- Trail at Lime Hollow Na- Summer promises a laid back Lakes Trail. The forest has shoeing (which I think I’ll ture Center. Those trails 13 miles of trail that even- wait until winter for). are largely straight and flat, life after a tense 15 months tually connect in the west The social media post said easy walks for families (like to Labrador Hollow. Until the trail follows the old rail mine) with a wide range of By COLIN SPENCER you get to that point, you’ll from McGraw to Cincinnatus. physical ability. Staff Reporter wander through a scenic And if that’s the Erie and Cen- And maybe, just maybe, [email protected] valley in a trail that largely tral New York Railroad, later we’ll get there ahead of the It’s a beautiful sunny summer day and follows a creek. the Delaware, Lackawanna rush. you’re looking to get out of the house, but what do you do? With COVID restrictions loosening up as more people become vaccinated, Poole’sDrive In opportunities for entertainment this AM PM summer are expanding and people are Food Daily 11:30 to 8:00 turning their attention to activities in the great outdoors.. Friday Fish Fry 11:00AM to 8:00PM “We’re definitely seeing peaks in res- ervations at resorts and campgrounds Ice Cream and Homemade Pies! already,” said Kenneth Cohen, an asso- ciate professor in the recreation, parks Ed &Laurie Poole and leisure studies department at SUNY Route 13, Between East Homer &Truxton Cortland. (607) 753-1912 Since most entertainment events tanced from each other, allowing up were canceled last summer, people to 160 people to attend a show or per- became more engaged with the natu- formance. Attendees will be required ral world that surrounds them, he said. to wear a mask at all times except for Being outside at a park can also be a when consuming refreshments. safe way for people to reconnect with “It’s going to be brand new for every- each other. body,” he said. “The freedom to be outdoors and Actors will live together as well when Most Recommended in the Area connect on a personal level is some- they arrive, will be tested routinely thing most of us have been savoring,” and will wear masks during rehearsals, 24-HOUR TOWING Cohen said. Thompson said. Other outdoor opportunities, such as Some changes due to COVID will be sporting events and some concerts, are that the season is shorter than normal Approved also coming back to the county. — running from July to end of August Auto Repair The Cortland Crush baseball team, — and cast sizes will be smaller — the for example, is returning this year after biggest show will have six actors. losing last season. The shows — including “Goin’ to the TWO Some people will gladly go back to Chapel” and “A Midsummer Night’s attending pastimes such as a baseball Dream,” according to the theater’s LOCATIONS! game while others may still be uncer- website — will be lighthearted com- tain or worried about close contact edies, Thompson said. with others in those settings. As such, “It’s going to be a comfort season,” 607-662-4543 venues have been reducing ticket he said. “We’re just looking at it going prices and creating other incentives to to be fun and relaxing” after the stress 362 NY Route 13 •Cortland, New York return. caused by the pandemic. The Cortland Repertory Theatre also Cohen said that however people have 607-849-6898 offers outdoor, socially-distanced per- fun this summer, they should do so fol- 31 Cortland St. •Marathon, New York formances this summer, said Kerby lowing health guidelines, have a mask Thompson, the producing artistic direc- with them and be mindful of others. ronsbodyandpaint.com tor, said. Getting vaccinated, though, will be A stage will be set up outside at Dw- a big incentive for people to return to Free Loaner •Work is Guaranteed •TowTruck or Flatbed yer Park in Preble with an audience tent pre-pandemic activities.