Natural Choice Vacation

Michael Head is a very quiet man. One has to be to take advantage of everything the wilderness offers.

And to an expert like Head, the wilderness offers a lot.

“The ancient people looked upon Earth as their mother, and like any mother she provided for all their physical needs,” Head writes. “This Earth is still our provider. Yet in our modern fast-paced society it is easy to lose sight of this connection, and no longer show the respect that we should for this gift.”

That’s why created Wilderness Way School in 1993. It’s not just an invitation to shiver in the great outdoors, it’s a call to study:

• The science behind survival techniques.
• The history, and pre-history, of ancient and aboriginal life skills.
• The philosophical and social layers of living in an environment without damaging it.

Head’s classes incorporate flint-knapping, fire-starting, edible plants and medicinal herbs, among others. Check them out at his website.

We know people who get between 40 and 50 percent of their groceries each week from within 30 miles of their house. Right in the heart of Natural Choices Vacation country.

It’s easy. Their first stop is to Cobblestone Valley Farm in Preble, where they pick up a few packages of grass-fed, organically raised beef. Or maybe they’ll buy half a pig, with no-nitrate sausage and smoked bacon. In the spring, they’ll pick strawberries there.

From there, they’ll head south to Marathon, where they get European style sheep’s milk cheeses from Northland Sheep Dairy. And maybe they’ll pick up some lamb chops of a bit of mutton.

They’ll head over the hills for a quick stop in Ithaca and its farmer’s market – which is as much a natural mall and gathering place with live music, prepared foods and Finger Lakes wine – as it is a place for local vegetables. Maybe they’ll browse at any number of locally oriented stores in the city.

And then they’ll head to their community-supported agriculture service just up the west side of Cayuga Lake.

Simple. Sometimes they’ll stop at Iron Kettle Farm in Candor or Crocker Creek Buffalo Farm in Owego for some variety, and a pleasant drive.

Either way, we’ve noticed our friends are gaining a bit of weight.

It’s hard not to find a great cycling route through the Finger Lakes. Whether it’s past the birthplace of John Rockefeller in Richford, in Tioga County, or along a wine route in Tompkins County, or through the farmlands of Cortland County – it’s all good.

In fact, the counties offer maps of suggested cycling routes for both road bikes and mountain bikes. Get them here:
• Tioga County
• Cortland County
• Tompkins County

If you like flatter terrain, the area around the Susquehanna River in Tioga County, or central Cortland County are idea, with wide roads and scenic views.

If hills are your thing, try around Tompkins County, where the central New York plain dips into the Finger Lakes. Incredible beauty. Or maybe you’d like a mix, like southern Cortland County, near Greek Peak.

You can’t go wrong, even if you get lost.