Hi,
I’m Sue Freeman. My husband Rich and I have written and published 14 outdoor recreation guidebooks for Central and Western New York State. We’ve criss-crossed the region in search of hiking trails, biking trails, trails to waterfalls, cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing trails, and backpacking trails. I guess you could say we specialize in trails. But, not only the green kind. We’ve also explored blue trails – the lakes, ponds, creeks, streams and rivers for canoeing and kayaking. Along the way we were intrigued by the exotic cobblestone buildings that dotted the region – they seemed to pop up in the most unexpected places. So for a different kind of fun, we researched the region’s cobblestone history and wrote a biking or driving tour guide to see cobblestone buildings.
The company we formed to formalize our “play time” is called Footprint Press. Visit us at www.footprintpress.com. Rich and I ARE Footprint Press. You can’t get much smaller company wise. Before forming Footprint Press 10 years ago, we both worked at Eastman Kodak Company. For 10 years we lived through one round of layoffs after another, each time wondering if our turn would be next. Finally we decided that was no way to live – we woke up and decided to go on a long hike. I had backpacked a lot as a teenager and young adult, but my husband was a novice. We dove in and spent 6 months walking from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail.
At the end of 6 months our bodies were tired, sore, and skinny, but we didn’t want to stop hiking. We also didn’t want to go job hunting. So, we researched and wrote our first “Take A Hike” guidebook and launched Footprint Press. We vowed never to hire employees – and we’ve kept that vow.
While marketing our guidebooks we’d try to get stores, such as bike shops, to display our books near the cash register for quicker sales. We needed display stands, but couldn’t find any in low quantities and at a reasonable price, so Rich decided to make some for us. People began asking us where we got them, so another business was born. We set up DisplayStands4You.com as our web site, developed 9 different models and began production. Now we sell to schools, authors, publishers, museums, funeral homes, real estate agents, chefs, book shops, coffee shops, chiropractors, and all sorts of other businesses. We now even sell a hands-free open book holder that’s great for holding a cookbook while you cook. Take a look at http://www.displaystands4you.com.
The next chapter of our lives is fast approaching – it’s time for us to retire. We bought a 36′ Grand Banks Europa trawler. We’re busy upgrading her and learning how to operate her, which is a significant challenge for kayakers. We hope to take off this fall, live on her for 3 or so years and do the Great Loop around the US & Canada. I’ve started a new blog. If you’d like to read about this upcoming adventure and about our boat and our travels, take a look at www.choicesontheloop.wordpress.com.
Sue/Rich,
After renting kayaks throughout the summer I decided to purchase one for a spring ’08 delivery. I read an article in the Rochester D&C about you folks and your Take a Paddle books.
I just purchased the Finger Lakes version and look forward to next Spring and beyond (hope to retire from Xerox in ’09 after 42 yrs.) when I will surely put it to good use.
Nice job!
Rick,
Check out this website. We have a large group of people around our age who love canoeing and kayaking. You can join us any time without any charge or obligation.
The website is; http://www.huggersskiclub.org
Dave
Sue and Richard, how inspiring you are! I am approaching my 38th bearth day in May and although a novice would like to do a three day hike to celebrate. Any suggestions on how to prepare myself or if there is an organization out there that can help me prepare? I would be much obliged for any info.
Thanks and keep doing what you do–what a wonderful world it would be if we all followed our passion. . . or feet-:)
Hi Shah,
By a 3-day hike are you referring to a backpacking trip? The best instruction you can find on the face of the Earth is the company called Pack, Paddle, Ski. They are experts in taking novices out and gently teaching them all the skills needed to have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Check out their offerings at http://www.packpaddleski.com.
Another group that teaches backpacking skills is the Adirondack Mountain Club. The Genesee Valley Chapter in Rochester is very active. The main organization in the Adirondacks offers lots of classes. Peruse their programs at http://www.adk.org/home-flash.aspx.
Have fun and … happy early birthday. Sue
Very interesting blog. Alot of great information. Thanks for taking the time to blog so we can enjoy it.
Spring River Canoeing…
I enjoyed reading your blog. What a great thing it is to be able to share information like this on the Internet….
Hi – was wondering if you plan on covering beautiful Rensselaer county anytime soon or have I missed it? Thanks for the site, really enjoyed reading about you and your company.
Hey, thanks for putting together this resource! I’m a New Yorker always looking for outdoor opportunities, and it’s nice to have so much knowledge in one place.
Best,
Stillman
I love the blog ill be visiting NY someday soon so its very helpful
Hey, cool website. Thanks for sharing these great tips! I have been looking at New York (outside of the city), as a place to check out its wildlife. Your blog has shown me that it is a beautiful state indeed. Have a good one!
Hi:
Thanks for providing information about Winter Trails. Hope you can make one of the events. I am the overall coordinator for the WT program nationally. Will be at LIberty Mountain in PA that day. Have fun. MJT
Happy New Year, Sue! Thanks to your blog, I’ve gotten out and about more this year in a long time. Thank you for keeping us updated on the outdoor world of New York state.
Scott
Hi Sue and Rich,
Great blog! Next time you’re in the Albany area you’ll have to come visit us at the 2000 acre Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station in Rensselaerville, NY. We have ten miles of trails, a 100 acre lake for kayaking or canoeing, a beautiful waterfall and great public programs. It’s a little known gem in the Capital District.
Happy trails!
Chad
I just finished reading “Bruce Trail” straight through, without stopping. What a great adventure. I also bought Take a Paddle (WNY version) last month after borrowing it from the Public Library and deciding I needed to own it. We have already checked out Ellicott Creek and Bond Lake, what fun! Thanks for a great local guide. I only saw two other Western NY paddling books at the stores and they didn’t have too much near me (Amherst) Your book is great! I look forward to visiting most of the places mentioned. 🙂
So happy I found your blog. Wonderful to see all the areas of NYS. Do you know that the museum I work at has some nice small walkable family trails? One of our best kept secrets.
Hi,
We have been following your 200 Waterfalls book. We wandered upon a waterfall in Burdett, NY with upper and lower falls. We were wondering why they are not in your book. They are located across the street from the Burdett Fire Station.
We have completed 150 of the 200 waterfall site. Great Fun!
Thank-you,
Deborah Brush & Margarete Couture
Thanks for this wonderful site full off information and great places to go! I will look forward to seeing what your books will offer as well.
Guys this is a great resource. A friend just showed me your site/blog. TONS of content. Keep up the good work. I am originally from the Ithaca area, but now live in Utah. Gary M
Some very good news about the Rail Trail
Here: http://hillsdaleny.com/home/rail-trail-update-nov-2010/
and here:
http://clctrust.org/railtrail.php
This is a great blog! I would like to recommend outdoor advocates visit an outdoor historic site along the Old Erie Canal Towpath: Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. Located outside of Syracuse, we are the only historic reconstructed dry docks along the Erie. We have a nearly full-sized walk on canal boat and a reconstructed boat building and repair complex with blacksmith shop, canal-side store, sawmill, boat shop and visitors center. Email anytime: info@clcbm.org.