urbanhermit
Milkshake
"Domine,miserere nobis"
Posts: 212
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Post by urbanhermit on Mar 22, 2011 20:40:06 GMT -5
Where in Utica and the surrounding Mohawk Valley do you drive or walk to in order to "retreat" from the world for even a brief minute to gain even a glimpse of serenity or spirituality? Is it a specific place of worship, or perhaps a favorite drive in the countryside or a view like Trenton Falls? When I'm unable to go up to the Adirondacks (let's exclude the ADKS, we all know they're great:), I find serenity in several area walking spots. A hidden gem is the South Woods Switchbacks located up on the Valley View Golf Course. Also, Forest Hill Cemetery has an almost "spiritual" feel to it, as I walk through enjoying the beauty of nature, but also marveling at all the people that have gone before me, and reflecting on all the history that is part of Utica. Overlooking the city and seeing the Gold Dome and the steeples of St. John's Downtown etc. Walks over the Parkway admiring the homes and the history. I used to love the days when they could leave the doors of the Churches unlocked. We have a lot of "hidden gems" in this area. Where are some of the areas you seek to "retreat" to, to gain a glimpse of serenity?
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Post by bobbbiez on Mar 22, 2011 21:35:35 GMT -5
 For years now I always enjoy sitting and walking through "the Glen" at Hamilton College. Very beautiful especially in the spring and fall and very quiet and serene. The wives of the Professors are the ones responsible for it's beauty in keeping the grounds clean, planting and caring for the flowers and plants. Have had my most peaceful moments there. 
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urbanhermit
Milkshake
"Domine,miserere nobis"
Posts: 212
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Post by urbanhermit on Mar 23, 2011 4:06:57 GMT -5
For years now I always enjoy sitting and walking through "the Glen" at Hamilton College. Very beautiful especially in the spring and fall and very quiet and serene. The wives of the Professors are the ones responsible for it's beauty in keeping the grounds clean, planting and caring for the flowers and plants. Have had my most peaceful moments there. I've heard so much about the Root Glen. I think I may have seen it once?, but definitely will have to check it out this Spring. That whole Hamilton Campus is a very beautiful place , especially the Chapel. Thanks for sharing! |
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Post by kit on Mar 23, 2011 9:25:42 GMT -5
Yes, the Hamilton College Chapel is a wonderful place, as well as Root Glen. As a photographer of 50 years I've photographed many weddings of various denominations in the chapel and it always gave me peace. Same when taking a liesurely walk through the glen.
But I get the most peace and serenity in the Forest Hill Cemetery. When my grandmother died, my mom's uncle bought a 24 grave lot there a few years before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Several of my relatives are there as well as my great grandmother, grandparents, my mom, dad and a brother, and that's where I'll be some day. In doing an extensive family history, I found that many other of my relatives are also buried in Forest Hill and as I walk or drive through the cemetery, peace and serentiy just overwhelm me. When I visit my great grandfather's grave, just 25 feet away is the cemetery's back fence beyond which is a hill that goes down to Mason Road where many of our family lived for many years. Several of my cousins used to play in the cemetery and today it looks much the same as it did when they were kids. I was born when my family lived there and I guess the cemetery's draw for me, rather than the thought of dead bodies, is that the graves and memorial stones will be there forever (unless some politician starts messin' where he shouldn't be messin').
By the way, if you're like me, once the genaology bug bites you it doesn't want to let go... like that nasty little dog that gets you in the seat of the pants. I've discovered so many shirt tail relatives who are buried in Forest Hill that a 'quick trip' to the cemetery now lasts all day. Can anyone identify with that?
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Post by firstamendment on Mar 23, 2011 11:14:15 GMT -5
When I still lived in Utica, typically it would be Proctor Park, or even any of the cemetaries where relatives are burried. Calvary is one in particular where I have parked near my grandmother's grave, if not to visit her, to enjoy a peaceful moment.
Being that I live in the Valley for the last decade, there are plenty of places to get lost. Even when I was younger and still lived in Utica, it was not uncommon for me to roam the backroads of Frankfort, Cedarville, Ilion gorge, etc. Couple of occasions even as far as Van Hornesville and Richfield Springs. Even with the cost of gas, I sometimes don't mind going for a very rural drive, away from road rage and other morons in traffic.
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Post by dgriffin on Mar 23, 2011 12:14:13 GMT -5
Kit and FA mentioned them, but for me graveyards have always filled the bill. For reasons I can't bring to mind, I took a liking to the little yard up in Mapledale, less than a half mile west of Rte. 12 on Mapledale Road. I take a book up there and read when I was 18 or 19 years old. St. Agnes is OK and for me nostalgic, since we played there as kids and my ancestors are buried there, but there is usually staff there and I'd bet the frown on people leaned back against a headstone reading a book on a nice sunny day.
Cemeteries can be very useful. I taught both my children to drive in a local cemetery. The roads were narrow enough for them get a feel for steering and all the pedestrians were already dead.
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Post by firstamendment on Mar 23, 2011 12:32:38 GMT -5
Cemeteries can be very useful. I taught both my children to drive in a local cemetery. The roads were narrow enough for them get a feel for steering and all the pedestrians were already dead. I am laughing my balls off right now. All the pedestrians are already dead. OMG!!!!! |
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Post by chris on Mar 23, 2011 13:14:15 GMT -5
I would have never thought to go to a graveyard , but since my dad passed away and I stop in to visit, it is a nice place for some sereneity and solitude. My escape is the lake.....when no one is there and I can sit or walk and hear the waves coming in and back out.
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Post by chris on Mar 23, 2011 13:17:15 GMT -5
First ...........did you get them before your kids did ;D
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urbanhermit
Milkshake
"Domine,miserere nobis"
Posts: 212
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Post by urbanhermit on Mar 23, 2011 14:11:46 GMT -5
Yes, the Hamilton College Chapel is a wonderful place, as well as Root Glen. As a photographer of 50 years I've photographed many weddings of various denominations in the chapel and it always gave me peace. Same when taking a liesurely walk through the glen. But I get the most peace and serenity in the Forest Hill Cemetery. When my grandmother died, my mom's uncle bought a 24 grave lot there a few years before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Several of my relatives are there as well as my great grandmother, grandparents, my mom, dad and a brother, and that's where I'll be some day. In doing an extensive family history, I found that many other of my relatives are also buried in Forest Hill and as I walk or drive through the cemetery, peace and serentiy just overwhelm me. When I visit my great grandfather's grave, just 25 feet away is the cemetery's back fence beyond which is a hill that goes down to Mason Road where many of our family lived for many years. Several of my cousins used to play in the cemetery and today it looks much the same as it did when they were kids. I was born when my family lived there and I guess the cemetery's draw for me, rather than the thought of dead bodies, is that the graves and memorial stones will be there forever (unless some politician starts messin' where he shouldn't be messin'). By the way, if you're like me, once the genaology bug bites you it doesn't want to let go... like that nasty little dog that gets you in the seat of the pants. I've discovered so many shirt tail relatives who are buried in Forest Hill that a 'quick trip' to the cemetery now lasts all day. Can anyone identify with that? Wow! Can I ever relate, and how I am enjoying reading the replies! I couldn't wait to get home from work to see if anyone else felt the serenity that I do in a cemetery? My sister and I thought we were the only "sickos" that spent so much time in cemeteries that we were thinking of starting a Geneaology service entitled "Skeleton Finders Inc." I also was bracing myself for some "Topix-like" responses of Killabrew or Teasers etc.! That's okay too, if it "floats your boat and fills you with serenity?" Maybe visiting a cemetery with someone from Teaser's? ;D Seriously though Kit, I really enjoyed your reply and got goosebumps reading it.I've noticed how there are so many large family graves at Forest Hill. Our family is at St. Agnes and Mt. Olivet (Whitesboro) (my Mom is at Calvary) and I love the old Irish History in particular, but the outdoor beauty and tranquility that encompasses Forest Hill can't be matched in my book. A lot has to do with Religion, as most of the Irish Catholics from the early years were buried in St. Agnes on Mohawk St. I like the fact that Forest Hill is non-denominational too. Since my parent's were divorced and in different Cemeteries, I've decided to be buried at St. Agnes with my original ancestor's from Ireland. I'm single and don't plan on changing that at this stage of the game , so I figure that the name should end with the people where it began. I remember my excitement when I first discovered their headstone and it read, "Born in Co. Meath, Ireland". There is a "bug" once you start on your family history and you find yourself on the computer and searching for people for endless hours. My sister loves Forest Hill so much, that she is talking about being buried there. We'll be scattered about like a band of Gypsies! We always kid around that no one will ever be doing Geneaology on us some day. I don't consider this discussion "morbid", maybe a bit eccentric, but I'd like to think of myself being a bit eccentric! Keep the thoughts coming, I really enjoy everyone's input. J.G. F. |
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Post by firstamendment on Mar 23, 2011 16:35:10 GMT -5
First ...........did you get them before your kids did ;D Actually, I have a teenage daughter who needs to get in some pratice so thanks for the suggestion. I never would have thought of practicing in the cemetary. |
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urbanhermit
Milkshake
"Domine,miserere nobis"
Posts: 212
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Post by urbanhermit on Mar 23, 2011 16:47:18 GMT -5
First ...........did you get them before your kids did ;D Actually, I have a teenage daughter who needs to get in some pratice so thanks for the suggestion. I never would have thought of practicing in the cemetary. So that's how all those Headstones get knocked over? I thought it was the work of teenager's, but I never realized it was while they were practicing their driving!? NH Shopping Center after hours is a good place for Driver Training too. Lots of room for error! I walk at Forest Hill!!!  |
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Post by dgriffin on Mar 23, 2011 18:07:59 GMT -5
When I still lived in Utica, typically it would be Proctor Park, or even any of the cemetaries where relatives are burried. Calvary is one in particular where I have parked near my grandmother's grave, if not to visit her, to enjoy a peaceful moment. Being that I live in the Valley for the last decade, there are plenty of places to get lost. Even when I was younger and still lived in Utica, it was not uncommon for me to roam the backroads of Frankfort, Cedarville, Ilion gorge, etc. Couple of occasions even as far as Van Hornesville and Richfield Springs. Even with the cost of gas, I sometimes don't mind going for a very rural drive, away from road rage and other morons in traffic. Me too! I'd put $2 worth of gas in my father's car and zoom up Albany St. Hill, my foot pressing the accelerator through the floor of Dad's Falcon. (It didn't help.) I miss Smitty's In The Gorge. By the year I discovered it the place was as quiet and serene as a cemetery and when I was at MVCC I'd bring a book and read while sipping a beer. I was the only patron and Smitty would fall asleep sitting behind the bar. So would his wife. You could hear her snoring through the door behind the bar that led to their living room. I remember locking the outside door behind me as I left one night while the two old folks snoozed away. |
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Post by firstamendment on Mar 23, 2011 18:58:39 GMT -5
If you really wanted to test out how well a car could power up hills, I suggest Dutch Hill Road in Frankfort Center.
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Post by dgriffin on Mar 23, 2011 20:24:51 GMT -5
If you really wanted to test out how well a car could power up hills, I suggest Dutch Hill Road in Frankfort Center. Yes, I know Dutch Hill Road. Just over the ridge from Brother Jesse's on Mucky Run. But I wasn't testing out the Falcon. It was a '60 and I was just trying to get it up to the top of the hill! |
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For years now I always enjoy sitting and walking through "the Glen" at Hamilton College. Very beautiful especially in the spring and fall and very quiet and serene. 
