Latest news with #Haudenosaunee
3 days ago
- Business
She's fought for clean water for years and fears proposed Ontario permit changes will hurt First Nations
Makasa Looking Horse Henry remembers the moment she learned some people in her community had never tasted clean tap water. A lot of people have to rely on buying water, not having any hooked-up water, piped-in water and running water in their households, she said. This is a huge stressor on Indigenous women's mental health and Indigenous families' mental health. For the past eight years, Henry has fought for water sovereignty in a place that's been her home her entire life, Six Nations of the Grand River, which is near Brantford and is home to people from all six Haudenosaunee nations. Now, Henry says, a proposed regulation from the Ontario government could roll back years of advocacy and sideline voices of Indigenous communities like hers. It's honestly really, really disappointing and disheartening, she said. It feels as if the proposal is designed to keep Indigenous Peoples out of the decision-making from water extraction, and governing our own waters and governing our own lands, Henry added. Enlarge image (new window) Henry, of Six Nations near Brantford, Ont., has been advocating for Indigenous water rights for the past eight years. Photo: Submitted The proposed regulation Under the province's current regulations, companies that want to extract groundwater must apply for a permit to take water, triggering environmental assessments, public consultation, a review of the purpose for taking water and a duty to consult Indigenous communities. Businesses that might want to take groundwater include agriculture, gravel mining and water-bottling plants. The proposed regulation would allow those permits to be transferred from one company to another without reapplying, so long as the intended use for the water and amount taken stays the same or declines. That means a business could be sold to a new owner who could inherit the water rights with minimal additional review. In an emailed statement from a Ministry of the Environment spokesperson, the province said this streamlines the permit approval process, potentially cutting months off the current approval wait time. The ministry said it would also continue to review all applicants in the streamlined process to ensure requirements are met. But according to critics, such changes to the process would bypass meaningful environmental checks. What's at stake Arlene Slocombe, executive director of Wellington Water Watchers, shares Henry's concerns. The [Premier Doug] Ford government wants to make water-taking permits transferrable, meaning no input, no consent and no accountability if corporate ownership changes hands, she said in a phone interview with CBC News. Enlarge image (new window) Arlene Slocombe of Wellington Water Watchers says the proposed regulation to make water-taking permits transferrable would bypass key environmental assessments. Photo: Submitted This move to change the water-taking permit process is essentially a water-grabbing tactic that would make water-taking permits functionally and potentially eternal once approved. Slocombe warns the regulation could lead to unchecked withdrawals from groundwater systems with unknown limits. It's essentially like writing checks on a bank account that you don't know the balance of, and at some point, you run out, she said. Nobody's really tallying exactly when that 'zero' mark happens. Slocombe said while most municipal wells supplying houses and businesses eventually return water to the watershed, facilities like bottling plants could permanently remove it by shipping it beyond the local ecosystem. Another major concern is the removal of the 30-day public comment period that currently accompanies water-taking applications. Slocombe said that when BlueTriton applied for its permit to run its Aberfoyle water-bottling operation, more than 32,000 people submitted feedback. Under the new rules, a permit transfer would not require any public input. Nor would it require consultation with Indigenous groups. Again, something else that they're trying to push and take our voices out of the entire conversation, said Henry. We're not going anywhere and they need to respect us as sovereign nations. The economics of water-taking Roy Brouwer, executive director of the University of Waterloo's Water Institute and an economics professor, said the province is undervaluing the true cost of its water. Enlarge image (new window) Roy Brouwer, an economics professor at the University of Waterloo and executive director of the university's Water Institute, says the province is undervaluing the true cost of its water. Photo: Submitted He said that when he moved to Waterloo region a decade or so ago, the cost was under $5 for 1,000 cubic metres of water (one million litres). Since then, the cost has increased, but not in a way that reflects limited supply or environmental impact. They just added $500 like a round number, $500 on the permit, he said. It has all the appearances of an administrative fee. And it doesn't necessarily reflect the scarcity costs of the resource now and into the future, benefiting multiple users, said Brouwer. He believes the transfer system, as proposed, ignores the fact that water is limited. Brouwer said he's also concerned about the environmental impact. Over time … what you initially identified as a maybe limited or moderate ecological risk is perhaps a bigger risk because you actually do the pumping and you can actually observe what is happening to the natural environment. The fight in Aberfoyle Henry was a vocal critic of the former Nestlé bottling plant in Aberfoyle, later sold to BlueTriton and now owned by Ice River Springs. Despite it being part of the application process, indigenous consultation was minimal. Nobody knew in my community that water extraction … was happening. And with the lack of consultation, not even the governments knew that that was happening either, she said. Our people had no idea. Over the years, she's held groundwater awareness rallies — sometimes by herself — and delivered cease-and-desist letters on behalf of her band council. She said she secured those by going to meetings at our long house and letting our clan mothers, faith keepers and chiefs know what was happening. And so they said deliver the cease-and-desist to them. And so that's what I did. Ice River Springs, an Ontario-based bottling company and the newest owner of the Aberfoyle water-bottling facility, has yet to apply for its water-taking permit. In an emailed statement to CBC News, executive vice-president and co-owner Sandy Gott said the company supports initiatives that maintain environmental protection and it would do its work with respect for the communities in which [they] operate. Concerns about being cut out The public comment period for Ontario's proposed water permit regulation runs until Aug. 1. After that, it moves to a review and decision stage. There is no fixed timeline for when a final decision will be made. Henry said she's concerned about being cut out of the process entirely. Right now, they're trying to take every single thing that they can and they're trying to take more water, she said. And so we're just trying to fight with everything we have to protect our waters and our lands. They go hand in hand.
Global News
3 days ago
- Global News
Indigenous group says ancient remains found at Toronto job site are missing
An Indigenous organization is threatening to stop all construction at a Toronto job site after discovering that ancestral remains stored in a dump truck for over a year are now missing. The Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI), representing the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, said it's threatening to halt construction activities on Withrow Avenue after feeling like its pleas to find the remains were ignored. The HDI claims the City of Toronto and its consultants withheld access to the remains and denied repeated requests for involvement. The remains were excavated from a site located in what is acknowledged as historic Haudenosaunee territory. 'We've been denied basic information, denied consultation and denied respect,' said Aaron Detlor, legal counsel for HDI. 'Now we have been told, in writing, that those remains are actually sitting in a dump truck. This is beyond negligent.' Story continues below advertisement Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI), the consultant hired by the city, has confirmed that the human remains were placed in a dump truck and removed from the site, though they have not disclosed where the remains were taken. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Withrow Avenue site sits on top of an ancient Indigenous village and is designated a burial site investigation zone, according to the release. A city plaque across the street even marks the area's significance. HDI says it never consented to the excavation or handling of the remains, which it says violates both Canadian and international law. Other archaeological firms reportedly declined to work on the site due to ethical concerns. HDI alleges ASI proceeded without the required free, prior and informed consent from the Haudenosaunee. The group is calling for the immediate return of the remains and an end to all archaeological activity on the site until its jurisdiction is fully recognized. It says it's prepared to take direct action if the city does not comply. 'The remains of Haudenosaunee ancestors must not be treated like trash,' the statement read. 'They must be returned to the Earth with ceremony and dignity, not treated like garbage.' The city said it plans on holding a news conference on the issue. The remains were first uncovered in January 2024 during routine utility work. Since then, the site has been fenced off under 24-7 security, with the city spending nearly $200,000 to monitor it. Yet, no formal excavation or repatriation process has begun. Story continues below advertisement Tanya Hill-Montour, the archaeology supervisor for Six Nations of the Grand River, has previously criticized the city's lack of urgency and transparency. Hill-Montour said if the remains were of a European settler, she felt there would be more urgency to see a resolution to the matter by now. City officials have cited weather delays and ongoing negotiations with First Nations as reasons for the slow progress. However, HDI maintains that Indigenous communities with rightful jurisdiction were excluded from decision-making. The conflict also highlights growing concern over Ontario's Bill 5, which gives provincial ministers the power to override heritage and environmental protections, raising fears that more Indigenous burial sites could be compromised. For now, HDI says it will act independently to investigate and protect its ancestors unless the city reverses course. 'Due to the appalling disregard shown by the City of Toronto, we must proceed with our own investigation,' the HDI said. — with files from Matthew Bingley
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
She's fought for clean water for years and fears proposed Ontario permit changes will hurt First Nations
Makasa Looking Horse Henry remembers the moment she learned some people in her community had never tasted clean tap water. "A lot of people have to rely on buying water, not having any hooked-up water, piped-in water and running water in their households," she said. "This is a huge stressor on Indigenous women's mental health and Indigenous families' mental health." For the past eight years, Henry has fought for water sovereignty in a place that's been her home her entire life, Six Nations of the Grand River, which is near Brantford and is home to people from all six Haudenosaunee nations. Now, Henry says, a proposed regulation from the Ontario government could roll back years of advocacy and sideline voices of Indigenous communities like hers. "It's honestly really, really disappointing and disheartening," she said. It feels as if the proposal is designed to "keep Indigenous Peoples out of the decision-making from water extraction, and governing our own waters and governing our own lands," Henry added. The proposed regulation Under the province's current regulations, companies that want to extract groundwater must apply for a permit to take water, triggering environmental assessments, public consultation, a review of the purpose for taking water and a duty to consult Indigenous communities. Businesses that might want to take groundwater include agriculture, gravel mining and water-bottling plants. The proposed regulation would allow those permits to be transferred from one company to another without reapplying, so long as the intended use for the water and amount taken stays the same or declines. That means a business could be sold to a new owner who could inherit the water rights with minimal additional review. In an emailed statement from a Ministry of the Environment spokesperson, the province said this streamlines the permit approval process, potentially cutting months off the current approval wait time. The ministry said it would also continue to review all applicants in the streamlined process to ensure requirements are met. But according to critics, such changes to the process would bypass meaningful environmental checks. What's at stake Arlene Slocombe, executive director of Wellington Water Watchers, shares Henry's concerns. "The [Premier Doug] Ford government wants to make water-taking permits transferrable, meaning no input, no consent and no accountability if corporate ownership changes hands," she said in a phone interview with CBC News. "This move to change the water-taking permit process is essentially a water-grabbing tactic that would make water-taking permits functionally and potentially eternal once approved." Slocombe warns the regulation could lead to unchecked withdrawals from groundwater systems with unknown limits. "It's essentially like writing checks on a bank account that you don't know the balance of, and at some point, you run out," she said. "Nobody's really tallying exactly when that 'zero' mark happens." Slocombe said while most municipal wells supplying houses and businesses eventually return water to the watershed, facilities like bottling plants could permanently remove it by shipping it beyond the local ecosystem. Another major concern is the removal of the 30-day public comment period that currently accompanies water-taking applications. Slocombe said that when BlueTriton applied for its permit to run its Aberfoyle water-bottling operation, more than 32,000 people submitted feedback. Under the new rules, a permit transfer would not require any public input. Nor would it require consultation with Indigenous groups. "Again, something else that they're trying to push and take our voices out of the entire conversation," said Henry. "We're not going anywhere and they need to respect us as sovereign nations." The economics of water-taking Roy Brouwer, executive director of the University of Waterloo's Water Institute and an economics professor, said the province is undervaluing the true cost of its water. He said that when he moved to Waterloo region a decade or so ago, the cost was under $5 for 1,000 cubic metres of water (one million litres). Since then, the cost has increased, but not in a way that reflects limited supply or environmental impact. "They just added $500 like a round number, $500 on the permit," he said. "It has all the appearances of an administrative fee. And it doesn't necessarily reflect the scarcity costs of the resource now and into the future, benefiting multiple users," said Brouwer. He believes the transfer system, as proposed, ignores the fact that water is limited. Brouwer said he's also concerned about the environmental impact. "Over time … what you initially identified as a maybe limited or moderate ecological risk is perhaps a bigger risk because you actually do the pumping and you can actually observe what is happening to the natural environment." The fight in Aberfoyle Henry was a vocal critic of the former Nestlé bottling plant in Aberfoyle, later sold to BlueTriton and now owned by Ice River Springs. Despite it being part of the application process, indigenous consultation was minimal. "Nobody knew in my community that water extraction … was happening. And with the lack of consultation, not even the governments knew that that was happening either," she said. "Our people had no idea." Over the years, she's held groundwater awareness rallies — sometimes by herself — and delivered cease-and-desist letters on behalf of her band council. She said she secured those by "going to meetings at our long house and letting our clan mothers, faith keepers and chiefs know what was happening. And so they said deliver the cease-and-desist to them. And so that's what I did." Ice River Springs, an Ontario-based bottling company and the newest owner of the Aberfoyle water-bottling facility, has yet to apply for its water-taking permit. In an emailed statement to CBC News, executive vice-president and co-owner Sandy Gott said the company "supports initiatives that maintain environmental protection" and it would do its work "with respect for the communities in which [they] operate." Concerns about being cut out The public comment period for Ontario's proposed water permit regulation runs until Aug. 1. After that, it moves to a review and decision stage. There is no fixed timeline for when a final decision will be made. Henry said she's concerned about being cut out of the process entirely. "Right now, they're trying to take every single thing that they can and they're trying to take more water," she said. "And so we're just trying to fight with everything we have to protect our waters and our lands. They go hand in hand."
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
She's fought for clean water for years and fears proposed Ontario permit changes will hurt First Nations
Makasa Looking Horse Henry remembers the moment she learned some people in her community had never tasted clean tap water. "A lot of people have to rely on buying water, not having any hooked-up water, piped-in water and running water in their households," she said. "This is a huge stressor on Indigenous women's mental health and Indigenous families' mental health." For the past eight years, Henry has fought for water sovereignty in a place that's been her home her entire life, Six Nations of the Grand River, which is near Brantford and is home to people from all six Haudenosaunee nations. Now, Henry says, a proposed regulation from the Ontario government could roll back years of advocacy and sideline voices of Indigenous communities like hers. "It's honestly really, really disappointing and disheartening," she said. It feels as if the proposal is designed to "keep Indigenous Peoples out of the decision-making from water extraction, and governing our own waters and governing our own lands," Henry added. The proposed regulation Under the province's current regulations, companies that want to extract groundwater must apply for a permit to take water, triggering environmental assessments, public consultation, a review of the purpose for taking water and a duty to consult Indigenous communities. Businesses that might want to take groundwater include agriculture, gravel mining and water-bottling plants. The proposed regulation would allow those permits to be transferred from one company to another without reapplying, so long as the intended use for the water and amount taken stays the same or declines. That means a business could be sold to a new owner who could inherit the water rights with minimal additional review. In an emailed statement from a Ministry of the Environment spokesperson, the province said this streamlines the permit approval process, potentially cutting months off the current approval wait time. The ministry said it would also continue to review all applicants in the streamlined process to ensure requirements are met. But according to critics, such changes to the process would bypass meaningful environmental checks. What's at stake Arlene Slocombe, executive director of Wellington Water Watchers, shares Henry's concerns. "The [Premier Doug] Ford government wants to make water-taking permits transferrable, meaning no input, no consent and no accountability if corporate ownership changes hands," she said in a phone interview with CBC News. "This move to change the water-taking permit process is essentially a water-grabbing tactic that would make water-taking permits functionally and potentially eternal once approved." Slocombe warns the regulation could lead to unchecked withdrawals from groundwater systems with unknown limits. "It's essentially like writing checks on a bank account that you don't know the balance of, and at some point, you run out," she said. "Nobody's really tallying exactly when that 'zero' mark happens." Slocombe said while most municipal wells supplying houses and businesses eventually return water to the watershed, facilities like bottling plants could permanently remove it by shipping it beyond the local ecosystem. Another major concern is the removal of the 30-day public comment period that currently accompanies water-taking applications. Slocombe said that when BlueTriton applied for its permit to run its Aberfoyle water-bottling operation, more than 32,000 people submitted feedback. Under the new rules, a permit transfer would not require any public input. Nor would it require consultation with Indigenous groups. "Again, something else that they're trying to push and take our voices out of the entire conversation," said Henry. "We're not going anywhere and they need to respect us as sovereign nations." The economics of water-taking Roy Brouwer, executive director of the University of Waterloo's Water Institute and an economics professor, said the province is undervaluing the true cost of its water. He said that when he moved to Waterloo region a decade or so ago, the cost was under $5 for 1,000 cubic metres of water (one million litres). Since then, the cost has increased, but not in a way that reflects limited supply or environmental impact. "They just added $500 like a round number, $500 on the permit," he said. "It has all the appearances of an administrative fee. And it doesn't necessarily reflect the scarcity costs of the resource now and into the future, benefiting multiple users," said Brouwer. He believes the transfer system, as proposed, ignores the fact that water is limited. Brouwer said he's also concerned about the environmental impact. "Over time … what you initially identified as a maybe limited or moderate ecological risk is perhaps a bigger risk because you actually do the pumping and you can actually observe what is happening to the natural environment." The fight in Aberfoyle Henry was a vocal critic of the former Nestlé bottling plant in Aberfoyle, later sold to BlueTriton and now owned by Ice River Springs. Despite it being part of the application process, indigenous consultation was minimal. "Nobody knew in my community that water extraction … was happening. And with the lack of consultation, not even the governments knew that that was happening either," she said. "Our people had no idea." Over the years, she's held groundwater awareness rallies — sometimes by herself — and delivered cease-and-desist letters on behalf of her band council. She said she secured those by "going to meetings at our long house and letting our clan mothers, faith keepers and chiefs know what was happening. And so they said deliver the cease-and-desist to them. And so that's what I did." Ice River Springs, an Ontario-based bottling company and the newest owner of the Aberfoyle water-bottling facility, has yet to apply for its water-taking permit. In an emailed statement to CBC News, executive vice-president and co-owner Sandy Gott said the company "supports initiatives that maintain environmental protection" and it would do its work "with respect for the communities in which [they] operate." Concerns about being cut out The public comment period for Ontario's proposed water permit regulation runs until Aug. 1. After that, it moves to a review and decision stage. There is no fixed timeline for when a final decision will be made. Henry said she's concerned about being cut out of the process entirely. "Right now, they're trying to take every single thing that they can and they're trying to take more water," she said.
National Geographic
10-07-2025
- National Geographic
Why New York's underrated Finger Lakes should be on your radar
While the bright lights and skyscrapers of the eponymous metropolis often come to mind when picturing New York, once you step beyond the five boroughs, the state is often overlooked for its diversity of magical scenery rivaling much bigger states out west. The Empire State, the only one in the country with both Atlantic and Great Lake coastline, also comes equipped with three majestic mountain ranges, countless enchanting verdant forests, and perhaps its most underrated treasure among its endless captivating bodies of water—the Finger Lakes. Etched into the terrain over eons of glacial activity, this corner of New York doesn't just promise a wealth of adventures in nature among four distinctively beautiful seasons; lively cities and some fascinating historical twists are also yours to discover. Start and end: Greater Syracuse, New York From Cortland/Homer: I-81N (30.2 miles) Within Syracuse's abundant Americana charms lie many surprises that are much more than they initially seem. Clinton Square's shallow pool and festive fountain make for pleasant ambiance downtown, but subtle clues in the perimeter reveal the landmark's origins as the worn remnants of the Erie Canal. An unassuming nearby plaque tells the tale of the Jerry Rescue of 1851, a famous event from the city's abolitionist past as the 'Great Central Depot' of the Underground Railroad. Outraged at the apprehension of a formerly enslaved local named William Henry (a.k.a. Jerry) due to the recent passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, a group of residents took up arms, forcibly stormed the jail adjacent to the plaza, liberated Jerry, and granted him safe passage to Canada where he lived the rest of his life in freedom. To the west in Liverpool, it might amaze spectators of the rainbows of flora, swooping birds, and picturesque twilights over Onondaga Lake to know that the idyllic waters were, until recently, considered among the most polluted in the country. The big surprises don't end there, either—this was also the birthplace of the archetype for American democracy. Onondaga Lake was the founding location of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a collective of tribes from Upstate New York whose union was characterized by checks and balances, separation of powers, and representative delegation. If that sounds familiar to the American system, that's no accident. In 1987, Congress formally acknowledged the direct influence of the Haudenosaunee on the fledgling United States government. (America has a hidden 740-mile river adventure that's finally being revealed) Onondaga Lake is hardly the only attractive outdoor space around Syracuse. Get lost in the shady forests of Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville or Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, making sure to end your trek at the latter with a delightful waterfront lunch at Yards Grille. Syracuse is an excellent town for big appetites: Taste New York's Italian heritage in the succulent slices baked at Apizza Regionale, savor a tantalizing plate of noodles at Pastabilities, or indulge your inner carnivore at the original location of famed New York staple Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Finally, don't forget to try the mouthwatering Peruvian fare and paninis of Hope Cafe, where the eatery's moniker is more than just a name—the profits go toward fighting hunger and funding humanitarian causes worldwide. Deer Haven Park (Romulus) From Syracuse: I-81N to I-90W to Rte. 414S (58.3 miles) Deer Haven Park is home to the Seneca white deer. Photograph by Deborah Egan, Deer Haven Park LLC. Crossing west into Seneca County—occupying a narrow isthmus between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes—uncovers a wonderland of gorgeous greenery and secluded lakefronts. There is also the occasional dose of the strange, beginning with a series of derelict weapon huts and clandestine government buildings, overgrown with vegetation and weathered walls after years of neglect, with grounds patrolled by ghostly, stark-white deer. While this scene sounds like something straight out of a post-apocalyptic film, this is just a typical day at Deer Haven Park in Romulus. The former Army depot ensnared a population of these otherworldly fauna when constructed during World War II, allowing their numbers to thrive in the subsequent decades of operation. While there is a choice for a self-guided auto tour, the weekly guided bus experience is recommended for the added historical context and glimpses into the remaining structures. Step into the silent and haunting liminal spaces behind the weighty doors of the imposing concrete bunkers, see the mysterious fenced-off 'Q' sector that once housed nuclear weapons, drive past dusty dirt patches used long ago for training exercises, and catch the sight of run-down outposts towering above the trees. Combined with the Seneca White Deer, this unique park makes for an unforgettable, can't-miss stop. D&K Ranch (Interlaken) From Romulus: Rte. 96S (12.9 miles) With rooms including a swanky converted grain silo and cozy wooden cabins, the D&K Ranch in Interlaken promises a fantastic place to take in the splendor of the Finger Lakes National Forest. Navigate the serene "Faerie Trail' lined with surreal art displays made up of figurines and other bits of lovely casual weirdness, or engross yourself deeper in the leafy canopies by taking a horseback excursion arranged by the property. Don't miss an atmospheric nightfall at the nearby Finger Lakes Cider House, where a colorful garden perfect for carefree strolling awaits with fiery sunsets best appreciated with a refreshing beverage in hand. Ithaca From Interlaken: Rte. 89S (18.9 miles) The Myers Lighthouse on Cayuga Lake has been in use since it was built in 1998. Photograph by Thomas Farlow, Alamy Stock Photo Leave Seneca County to find the offbeat vibes of Ithaca at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. Post up at the shore and admire the shimmering waters or immerse yourself in them properly by hopping into a kayak from Paddle-N-More. Witness why "Ithaca Is Gorges," to borrow a local catchphrase, by taking in the misty spectacle of roaring Ithaca Falls or following your curiosity onto one of the many access points leading to the Cascadilla Gorge Trail. Running straight through the center of town, marvel at the craggy facades lining the walk that often feature mesmerizing cascades flowing down their earthen grooves. The gorge eventually leads to Cornell University. The treats from Cornell Dairy are more than splendid to the taste buds; the ingredients come locally sourced from the Veterinary College. Listen to the music fluttering in the treetops of the Sapsucker Woods, and use the app developed by the School of Ornithology to decipher what avian species were heard based on their songs. An unbeatable stay lies ahead at the student-run Statler Hotel, where peerless service, cozy quarters, incredible meals, and friendly bartenders exemplify an outstanding slice of the Hospitality School. Downtown Ithaca is a delight to explore with its pedestrian-friendly streets and quirky local businesses. Catch a flick at the funky Cinemapolis, browse the glamorous new conference center, or check out the delights of the charming Dewitt Mall, whose corridors conceal a music shop, a co-op grocery, the laid-back Cafe Dewitt, and the savory dishes of legendary vegetarian establishment Moosewood. The restaurant, recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, has been enjoyed by countercultural luminaries like Allen Ginsberg and the Grateful Dead over the years. Aspiring chefs should also snag a copy of Mollie Katzen's foundational cookbook, recently ranked as one of the most influential of the past century. End the evening at the Northstar Public House or the Ithaca Beer Company, where tasty concoctions pair fantastically with the live music lasting well past sundown. In the morning, bite into a doughy pastry fresh from the ovens of Ithaca Bakery. Cortland / Homer, NY From Ithaca: Rte. 13N (23.4 miles) The Hope Lake Lodge, part of Cortland's Greek Peak Mountain Resort, is a superb family-friendly attraction regardless of season. The colder months offer numerous ski routes, snow tubing, and an indoor water park, while summer unveils the thrilling zip line and riveting alpine coaster. Maintain your outdoor fix at the nearby Lime Hollow Nature Center, seeing how many surreal sculptures you can encounter within the inviting Art Meadow. Twist your fork in some spicy spaghetti from Rex's Pasta, satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop on the Cortland County Ice Cream Trail, greet the sunrise with a poached benedict breakfast from The Exchange Restaurant, or have dinner and drinks with a view over the endearing streets of tiny Homer from the hospitable Dasher's Corner Pub. Brew enthusiasts should make time for a visit to Homer Hops, where a compelling selection of craft beer lies in store alongside an expansive patio overlooking a lush meadow often hosting concerts in the warmer months. John Sizemore is an Austin-based freelance travel writer, photographer, yoga teacher, and visual entertainment developer. He loves covering road trips, parks, cities, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and the occasional strange one-off experience. In addition to exploring the world, he also enjoys immersing himself in the worlds of languages, music, games, cinema, cooking, and literature. Follow him on Instagram at @sizemoves.
