Blog Note

Regular readers might find this hard to believe, but...I'm moving again.

I know.

Remember Keuka Lake in Upstate New York, in the Finger Lakes region? I've sold my house in Wisconsin, which as you might remember was new to me only last Summer, and bought a small 1880 farmhouse a few hundred feet from Keuka's shores. The closings and the physical move take place late in July.

The situation is simple—I can relocate my work easily, and my girlfriend cannot. Neither one of us wanted to face another Winter traveling back and forth. (Delta Airlines stock ought to tick down a tad on this news.)

I'm going to call the new house "Eastlake," partly after the road it's on (East Lake Road), and partly in honor of Lady Eastlake, the first photography critic. (Hence yesterday's post.) A small portrait of her will adorn an unobtrusive spot near the front door.

Eastlake is beautiful, in a modest, rural, old-timey kind of way. It has a private boat launch but no lakefront, no dock, and no lake views. The reason for that is simple too—if the property were on the water, it would cost three times what I paid for it and would therefore not be mine. "Close enough but not too close" is a good thing in this case.

The move should be good for TOP in all kinds of ways. In the works are plans to have "print bins" on the porch with original work to view or buy, and, as soon as I can raise $30,000 or so (that might take a while, but I'll get there), plans are already drawn up for a separate gallery/museum building on the property that will be open to the public during the temperate months. The Finger Lakes are a legitimate tourist attraction as well as an outstanding destination for photographing, so Eastlake may host photography workshops.

Not the smallest consideration is that I get along very well with the area from a personal artistic/photographic/aesthetic perspective. I've known it was so ever since a wonderful photographing trip to Rochester several decades ago, when my brother Scott was working at the University of Rochester's Mt. Hope Family Center and I drove meanderingly up from D.C. to visit him. I might very well become much more of an active, working photographer again than I've been in recent years.

I'm personally excited to be nearer my girlfriend, of course, but I'm looking forward to many other aspects of the move as well. As I move I'm leaving my son (with his blessing and enthusiastic support—I wouldn't be doing this otherwise), a number of friends, and one brother and his family, but I'll be closer to my mother and stepfather, several East Coast friends, and our other brother and his family. And I'll be able to visit New York City more regularly to attend events and see museum and gallery shows and check out new photobooks.

I'm especially chomping at the bit to construct displays and exhibits in the postulated Eastlake Gallery. That will engage creativity, inventiveness, and resourcefulness, all of which I find immensely fun.

I'll post pictures for you once the place actually belongs to me.

So now you know why things haven't unfolded as I once said they would...life happened, and things changed for me, in a very big way. I'm going with the flow. On with the adventure! Life is grand.

Mike
(Thanks to Sherry, Linda and John, and S.)

Original contents copyright 2015 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Chris Mielke: "I read almost every post, but very rarely comment. However the irony of this move is interesting enough to me. I live south of you across the Illinois border about 70 or so miles. You are moving some 70 or so miles from my In-Laws. I’m sure I will visit you there as much as I did all the years you lived north of me. Congrats!"

Mike replies: I hope to actually give people something to come see at the new place. It was almost embarrassing when people wanted to come here, because there's just nothing at all here to see. Hopefully I'll at least offer some fun distractions at the new place, once I get settled in.

Ed Hawco: "Actually, as a regular reader I don’t find this hard to believe at all. I think I can speak for many when I say we’ve seen it coming. Congratulations!"

Nicholas Condon (partial comment): "Hell, I moved to the other side of Chicago just last year to be closer to my girlfriend, and she was only an hour drive away from my previous place. "

Stephen Gilbert: "Jeez: I only recently recovered from the stress of the last move. :-) Congratulations and good luck."

Tom: "Now we know why Mike's kitchen was so neat and tidy.  ;-)  Best of luck."

Jerome: "Mike, I'm so happy to read about this. Of course it is ironic to move again, just after settling in—but the next move will be much smoother. And with such joyful things to look forward to, moving isn't a burden at all. Life is wonderful, isn't it!"

Olivier Anthony: "Now it all makes sense, and I can stop wondering why your kitchen was so impeccable on the picture you posted! Congratulations on the new adventure."

Marcelo Guarini: "WHAT?????"

David A. Goldfarb: "Moving twice in such a short period of time is crazy [yup —MJ], but it sounds like a great move. I love the Finger Lakes Region, and being close to Rochester, Eastman House, and everything up there (not to mention the girlfriend) can only be a good thing for TOP. Good luck!"

Yvonne: "As entertaining as your posts about disastrous travel in winter were, I'm happy that you will be spared those kinds of adventures in the future. Like others here, I can't say I'm surprised about your impending move, and I wish you much happiness for the future."

Comments

[Luke]

Bravo, Mike!

[Sandy Rothberg]

Congratulations!
Upstate NY is lovely (and cold)
Close to you your SO is warm

Yea for you

[Dennis Ng]

Lost the plot. Girlfriend? Totally miss that. I did follow your site relatively close. Got the dog, the coffee and the table things, ... Hence, I did not skip yours when it is not about photography. But really miss the girlfriend part.

And move again ... feel a bit hard to adjust. The farmland is great.

I better read more your site to get in touch or on the same page or same screen.

[I haven't written about my girlfriend for three reasons: 1. she likes to keep a low Internet profile; 2. she doesn't want to be a recurring character on a blog; and 3. things are always a bit delicate in a relationship, you know? The relationship comes first. I want to be courteous of her privacy as well as ours. It's a really amazing story, though, and one day I hope I'll be able to tell it. --Mike]

[Michael Bearman]

As a student, I once lived in 11 houses/apartments in 18 months. Needless to say, after I bought a house I stayed in the one spot - for some 25 years. Congratulations upon your decision - and condolences for the stress of your move!

[Paulo Bizarro]

Good luck in your new adventure:)

Plus, you getting out more to take pics can only end up in interesting stuff.

[Ann]

Congratulations! The good news is that most of the sorting and cleaning out are already done.

[Mark]

This comes as good news for your readers. Looking forward to future posts about new experiences.

[Richard Michalski]

Congratulations are in order Mike! A 2nd move within a year is disruptive but probably much easier than the first one was. It will certainly cut down on the commuting. A lot of changes in your life over the past few years but all for the better. Just goes to show that once you start something it can sometimes lead to pleasant and unforeseen consequences! Enjoy the ride.

PS Get started on that Gallery - I'm sure more than a few of us would like to drop in and visit you! :-)

[tex andrews]

A hearty congratulations. I hope that this will mean I may get to meet you, since getting up to the Finger Lakes is more plausible to me by car and weekend trip than out to the midwest, despite its own quiet charms.

[Craig A. Lee]

Congratulations and good luck! Looks like that new wide angle lens might be getting a lot of use too.

[David Emerick]

Hey Mike,

Born in the Finger Lakes and still have a cottage on Cayuga Lake, will be there the first week in August. Maybe we can meet for coffee or dinner. I love the region, congrats!

[Bill Langford]

No more ageism from Mike. Anyone that can move this often, and to be near their girlfriend, is still on the young side of "water house stops". ( A name for your gallery/museum project ? )
Moving, new projects, more shooting, girlfriend - be prepared to shed extra pounds at a new pace.

[Steven Ralser]

i had planned to visit sometime when i had to go to Milwaukee, but, alas NY is a little too far from Madison.

[Andrea B.]

Good for you!! Grab life when it offers itself!! And take a big show shovel!!

[Mike R]

Mike,

Wow, it seems like only a year ago that I bought a HELP TOP MOVE print, and then saw the images you posted of your new digs. Wait ... it was just a year ago. Well, it surely sounds like a great move on all counts.

If you will be in and around your new Keuka Lake home and TOP WW HQ between July 17 & 24 (family vacation brings me there, then), can I buy you a cup of coffee in Hammondsport? (Aroma Gallery cafe is an interesting venue for both light fare and art). Will your new home be closer to Hammondsport or to Penn Yann?

Good luck on everything. May happiness abound.

[Jon]

I hope you cleared this with Butters and Lulu! Also, does this mean you are going to become a landscape photographer now? Just no flowers!

Long distance relationships are hard so I'm glad you're doing this. Sounds like a huge plus that the area is beautiful and inspires your creativity. In college the career people try to get people to go wherever there is a good job. Their value system is messed up. Move where your love is and where you feel happy. Family, love, health are way more important than a job.

[Godfrey]

Sounds nice! I don't envy the moving part, but upstate NY is beautiful.
Good luck there!

[Adam Coupe]

We were over in that area last summer and it's easy to see why you're moving there Mike. Good luck Adam

[FK]

Congratulations again. In the earlier post (with the Keuka Lake pictures) were you and S. checking out new homes then?

[Richard Glaser]

New York is a wonderful State, so much going on. Good Luck with this next phase. Maybe we'll run across each other now that we're not neighbors.

[hugh crawford]

Ctein

The Crawford ranch is little east of Tracy.
Funny thing is that in April I parked in that cul-de-sac around the corner from your house to try to get to the beach with my daughter while waiting for her flight from SFO. I didn't know you lived there till Mike mentioned it in his report. We ended up going to fort funston to watch the hang gliders instead.

[Tuomas]

Congratulations! I think it will be like turning over a new leaf, not only for you and S., but for TOP and us readers, too. I hope that everything goes well, and that your stress level remains manageable! Have fun!

[Doug Reilly]

I live in Geneva, just northeast of you on Seneca Lake. I'd love to get together to chat photography and tell you what I know about the region...from restaurants to wineries to hiking. You're also welcome to visit my restored 1947 Spartan Manor travel trailer, which is large enough for me but not large enough for a photography museum. Welcome to the region! Feel free to get in touch if you have questions about the area!

[Marcelo Guarini]

I wish you the best Mike

[Budd Riker]

Mike,
I am a native of the area (born and raised on the shores of Cayuga Lake) and I do miss the beauty and simplicity of the area (as compared to S. California where I am now). Congratulations on your move. Look forward to see many heart-tugging photos.

Budd Riker

[Chip McDaniel]

Congrats, Mike. My mother always used to say that three moves were as good as a fire for getting rid of the sedimentation of life's accumulations, so you're 2/3 of the way there. That's a beautiful area, and I don't think that the winters could be worse than the Milwaukee area.

[David Elesh]

Mike,

It sounds like you have your priorities in order. All the best.

[Carl Blesch]

I have always wanted to spend time in the Finger Lakes, but have only taken two short trips from my N.J. home: one to Skaneateles (which the locals pronounce "skinny atlas," which for the life of me I can't figure out!), and one to the Dr. Konstantin Frank vineyard north of Hammondsport. I do need to spend more time in the area.

I'll miss your being in suburban Milwaukee, where I was born and raised. I always liked reading your reports from the home front. I visit my cousin in Waukesha a few times a year, and I've been hoping to build enough time into one of those trips to visit you. I found the site of "Wisconsin #7" back in April when a last-minute weather-related flight delay gave me a few extra hours to spend in the area. It looked far less magical on that dreary spring day (typical of Wisconsin) I drove by.

Best wishes for a successful move and a new life in upstate N.Y.!

[Michael]

Mike,
I am looking forward to this! My wife is from near Owasco Lake (Auburn, which is a really interesting city, rich with history), and we are looking to move to that area in the next few years. While I will always think northern Ohio is best, upstate NY is hard to beat. There is always great scenery, and the weather nine months out of the year is great! (Snow!) I look forward to seeing the gallery and getting to meet you!

[Earl Dunbar]

When do we meet at Ravines winery? SOON PLEASE!

BTW, with reference to Mani's comment, Finger Lakes winter weather is also worse than that to the NORTH, which is why red wines are so variable in the area. Ravines, mentioned above, is one of the better producers.

I saw this coming (snicker) -- welcome to the area!

[Hélcio J. Tagliolatto]

"A man ruled by his woman" heheheehe (just kidding). Enjoy your new secret paradise.

[Hugh Weller-Lewis]

Congratulations and good luck, Mike. Maybe we'll find out what "S" stands for soon! 😀 Your plans for the new international HQ sound great.

[Jamie Pillers]

Mike, you've set yourself up nicely to host ... PHOTO WORKSHOPS! Beautiful landscape outside your backdoor, nice big gallery/workshop space, and [coming soon] the big beautiful bunk house for all us visiting photogs. Sweet, right? RIGHT? MIKE...??

[ctein]

Dear Hugh,

OK, that's outside of normal visiting range, I'm afraid.

Hah, I know exactly where you parked! It used to be possible to get down the cliffs from there, but that washed out 30 years back.

Possibly it wouldn't have made any difference had you known-- I was in Minneapolis from April 1 until the 15th.

pax / Ctein

[Jack]

If you are leaving WI, so will I.

[Colin Dixon]

Mike,

This sounds right so best of luck with all your grand plans.

Colin

[Hans Muus]

Congratulations, Mike, to you and 'S' ! Looks like the right thing to do. Hopefully not all your boxes were unpacked yet after your last move?

[expiring_frog]

I'm reading this the morning after we moved out of our home in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes. It was rainy and misty with occasional late evening sunlight on the treetops and little wispy clouds rising out of the hills as our bus rolled down NY-17. It was as if the countryside, beautiful enough as is, had decided to put on a grand show for our last day.

We will miss the Finger Lakes. Keuka is beautiful as are all the waterbodies in the region. We had a wonderful time there.

[Gilbert Maker]

Mike:

Sounds like a great move. As a Rochesterian, and a partner in The Image City Photography Gallery, I invite you to visit us after you get settled. Looking forward to meeting you sometime.

GIl Maker

[Clay Olmstead]

Congratulations! Sounds wonderful, in all aspects.

[Steve Jacob]

Hey Mike, that's great.

It's a beautiful area and I used to know it well. I have an old friend who used to live in Syracuse and we'd drive out there and do some sailing and hiking at the weekends.

At least you are used to the winters ;-)

[A. Costa]

I wish good luck to you, even if I was always against living in a location that forces you to depend on car for commuting/get groceries/go to medic or apothecary. The impact on the environment in terms of pollution is very bad.

[Tom Bell]

Congratulations Mike. I see that Fred is almost your neighbour over there in Saratoga ... A mere 200 miles away.
Where i come from that wouldd literally put you on the other side of the country.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be at your back ......

Tom

[Jordan]

Good luck Mike. You'll be a quick five-hour drive from Toronto.