Please join us for our planning meeting for our Spring/Summer calendar. Continuing around our beautiful Finger Lakes region, we will meet this time in Ithaca. Our planning meetings are always a great way to learn about Women Outdoors (our national organization), to meet members, and to have some fun. Please invite your friends.
We’ll start out at noon with lunch, then work on our calendar for May - July, and then head outdoors to reward ourselves with a walk/suburban hike on the East Ithaca Recreation Way.
Meeting/Lunch
Location: room 135, 120 Maple Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850. This is a Cornell University office building but off campus. There is plenty of parking. To find the right building entrance, look for the largest parking lot, directly opposite the Coal Yard Cafe which will have a large Espresso flag out front. The building's front door will be locked but someone will be standing by to let you in. Room 135 is straight ahead then slightly to the right, next to the kitchen.
Planning Meeting: Bring your trip ideas for spring and early summer, and of course your calendar. Think spring wildflowers - where can we go to see them in bloom? What are your favorite places to hike? Or is there a place that you’d love to check out?
Lunch: Please bring a DISH-TO-SHARE. There is a kitchen with frig, microwave, coffee maker and Keurig machine (please bring your own K-cup). We'll provide cold drinks and plates, cutlery, etc., but please bring your own re-usable to help save the environment.
Walk/Suburban Hike
We will be walking part of the East Ithaca Recreation Way, from Maple Avenue toward Game Farm Road, about 3/4 mile each direction, 1.5 miles round trip. The walk starts with 1/4 mile uphill from the meeting to the trailhead, although the trailhead has a few parking spaces if anyone wants a shorter walk. From the trailhead there is a downhill section to the main trail, which is flat and paved. An attraction on the trail is the MacDaniels Nut Grove, where nut trees planted in the 1930s were forgotten and later rediscovered. The grove has a few interactive activities but no paving, may be muddy.
For those who would like to continue farther, there are many loops through the Cornell Botanic Gardens. It is possible to stay on paved or gravel roads and avoid mud.
Dress for the weather. Dress in layers. Bring a water bottle, binoculars are optional.
If you would like to join us for the hike only, please meet us at the trailhead around 2 pm.
Link for the East Ithaca Recreation Way: https://ithacatrails.org/site/East%20Ithaca%20Recreation%20Way
MacDaniels Nut Grove: http://blogs.cornell.edu/mushrooms/nutgrove/
Cornell Botanic Gardens for longer walk or hike: https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/explore/gardens/garden-map/
This free event is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are invited to join us on two events to see what you think. The third time's a charm - we'll ask you to join Women Outdoors at that point. You can join now by clicking on Join Us.
*** RSVP and Cancellations – IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ ***
Please respect the trip leader and update your RSVP if you sign-up but then are unable to attend. Please also RSVP early, especially if there are only a few signed up. Events may be cancelled due to lack of attendance, as well as changes in weather or other circumstances. If you must cancel at the last minute, call or text the event host/trip leader (see your registration confirmation for contact details) and let her know who it is who is calling/texting. Be sure to copy down the address, directions, and trip leader contact information to bring with you as there might not be good cell service at the event location.
