What are good places to go when in Ithaca NY? Also, how long does it take

to drive to Rochester from here?

Yes, Lounge--I am in Ithaca! :)

On first blush Ithaca is astonishingly like LaCrosse Wisconsin--it's almost unnerving really.

I'd always kinda wondered what an Ivy league college town would ook like; I managed to mss Cornell (where I'll be attending a conference) so I can't comment on the campus itself, but there is just something about college towns--like they whole town could use a coat of paint or something.

For the record I mean that in the nicest possible way--I lived in a small college town in Minnesoat for 7 years and it was about the coolest time in my life. :D

At any rate, setting aside the needed boom in roofing and siding, this is a town with a serious school in it, there's gotta be some artsy-beret-wearin'-poetry restaurant around here somewhere; does anybody wanna clue me in as to wear?

The only thing that might stop me is my own inherent laziness--it certainly wouldn't be a lack of outrage at that pun.

It's a cute slogan the first time you see it. I wouldn't mind if that place burned down, except there is a really good hemp goods store right next door.

;-)

And there are a number of other good restaurants within a few blocks of there. Over on the commons there is a really fantastic Thai restaurant.

That's a good area for hiking, but probably not in this weather. Ithaca is famous for the gorges in the area, hence the slogan "Ithaca is Gorges." :)

It is a gorgeous area though. I just can't imagine being outside to see any of it right now.

For outsoorsy stuff I brought my whitewater play boat--which I'm goign to take to a play park on the old Erie canal in Rochester this weekend. I stopped down at Lake Cayuga to take a look and maybe think about getting in some flatwater practice. However, there is a pretty strong breeze blowing straight down the lake so all the weeds were piling up right in front of the park. The warer seemed a little warmer than I expected.

http://www.kumacharmers.com/

Have fun

Well, I'll be here for a week or so, so maybe I can "squeeze" in a visit. ;)