Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch. 

Published June 28, 2018.

Where are you originally from? 

I was born & raised in Oswego, NY, and moved to Rochester in 2012.

What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?

100% the parks! There are SO many options within such a short distance no matter where you live, there’s really no reason to stay cooped up inside, even during the long, cold winter months!

What are some of your favorite/secret Rochester spots? 

Right in the city at Cobb’s Hill park is Washington Grove, located directly east and connected by the trails to the main reservoir area. I feel like this part of Cobb’s Hill isn’t as well known, but it’s beautiful in there. A little piece of trail heaven within city limits. I lived not far from there for about 5 years and would go there several times a week.

What's the most unique or interesting event you've ever attended in Rochester? 

I’ve only been a few times now, but heading to First Friday at The Hungerford is by far the most fun experience I’ve had in Rochester. The art community is absolutely amazing here, and to be able to see all the different forms of art local artists do on full display is really incredible. Not only that, but supporting local small businesses and artists is something I feel strongly about.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support? 

In addition to having a serious passion for my own pups, I work as a veterinary technician, so of course my heart goes immediately to any sort of animal rescue/help organization. Rochester HOPE for Pets is a wonderful organization that I love. Their goal is to help pet owners in need of financial assistance so their pet can get the care they need if the owner is struggling for whatever reason. Being that I work in the veterinary field, I see every day how difficult it can be to care for your pet financially, even if you have the best intentions. I love being able to support an organization that can help improve, or even save the lives of pets in our area.

If you had $100 and two hours to kill in Rochester, how would you spend the money/time? 

I would absolutely head to the Public Market, grab some freshly baked goodies, a cup of tea, and take home some delicious food after. Or, First Friday at The Hungerford and find that perfect art addition for my house.

What are some of your favorite local parks? 

Honestly, I love all of the parks around Rochester. I’ve visited almost all of them at this point at least once, and each park has something unique to offer that makes it worthwhile. If I had to choose, though, Mendon Ponds would definitely be my top pick. Mendon has every possible option to choose from all in one spot when it comes to hiking - rolling hills, open fields, ponds, flat trails… you name it, it’s there!

A close second would be Durand Eastman Park. I grew up not far from the lake in Oswego, and if quiet enough, you could hear the waves from our house. So the beautiful trails at Durand Eastman Park, followed by some beach time to enjoy the lake is always a welcome combination in my book.

What's your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather?

Getting out and being active. Simple as that. Weather has never stopped me from getting out to enjoy nature. In fact, some of my best and most memorable hikes have been done on days where the rain has been nonstop.

What is your favorite Rochester memory?

In addition to being an avid hiker with my pups, I also love running and have participated in endless local 5k’s, 10k’s, several half marathons, and one full marathon. While I currently am sidelined due to being pregnant, I’m so antsy to get back out there and start running again. And honestly, the reason I love running so much is due to the amazing camaraderie in the running community within Rochester. So that brings me to my absolute favorite memory I have since living in Rochester… it was the moment I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon during the first annual Winter Warrior Half in January of 2015. I had been training hard the year before, and had so much support from the community through Fleet Feet Sports programs & weekly group runs, and the feeling of accomplishing a goal I had set for myself years prior was just simply amazing. It’s incredible how supportive everyone is in the running community around here and really makes you strive to push yourself.

What makes Rochester unique?

Despite how nature-oriented I am, I find Rochester to be an amazing area for its general culture. The art community is phenomenal, and when we head to the public market, I love looking at the artwork on the buildings all around there, and then to follow up with local produce and other products kind of seals the deal.

What do you think could be improved about Rochester?

I’d love to see more outdoor-inspired events. Things that help promote the parks more, both in terms of keeping them beautiful, as well as simply enjoying what they have to offer. While most of the parks are well-maintained in general, I often find trash along the trails. Most of the time I carry an extra bag with me to pick up the trash as I go, but I feel like education in this respect could be improved to help keep our parks as beautiful as they can be.

If Rochester was a person, what kind of person would it be?

Rochester is that kind of person who likes to make sure everyone is happy. That kind of person who goes above and beyond to make sure everyone in the family has that little piece of comfort to keep them coming back for more fun & relaxation all in one.

Tell me a little bit about Expedition Husky. What inspired you to start the account?

My initial inspiration isn’t much, but it’s honestly what kept me going that really set it forth into what it is now. I started Expedition Husky back in 2011, not too long after Instagram had launched. Initially, my goal was to just post for my own sake so I could use it as a bit of a photo/memory book and look back to see how both my dogs & myself have changed. From there, I began meeting others who had similar interests, in addition to re-discovering my love for photography which had been set aside since high school. I began teaching myself how to use my camera, how to snap a good photo, how to post-process, and the account has grown in a way I never anticipated.

Within the last few years, due to my platform growing, I began opening up about my long-term struggles with depression & anxiety, in hopes of helping even just one person find the help they need like I’ve been able to do and letting them know it’s ok to need help. The main goal of my Instagram is to be active and promote being active with your dog. I use my activity to help me cope with my struggles, and I’ve piggybacked on that aspect as well. So a combination of being transparent, plus using activities such as hiking, running, being active, and my photography, have kind of driven the inspiration to keep my Instagram going.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to Rochester and wants to get to know the area?

Take the time to explore. At least once a week, either get out and go to a new park, or even just plan to attend a new event whenever you can. Rochester has so much to offer in so many different aspects, and really seems to draw attention from all sorts of different interests. It’s pretty impossible to be bored around here!