This weekend I got to share my city with someone who has never seen all the little haunts I hold dear. It was such a wonderful experience getting a different perspective from someone else and creating new memories of favorite places.

Our first stop was the Cobbs Hill Reservoir. This used to be a favorite place of mine to run (back when I did Insanity for fun...) and to take walks alone. I've spent hours here just enjoying the quiet and the expanse of water reflecting the sky.

While most people are very familiar with the reservoir, not as many know that through a trail in the woods, you can climb a small hill, and discover some of the greatest local and even international work from street and graffiti artists. I've been coming here for years, and especially around WALL\THERAPY season to check out how the pieces change and evolve over time. P.S.....If you live under a rock and don't know what WALL/THERAPY is, check them out. They are live painting murals right now around Rochester, and they can still use donations and volunteers.

As expected, there were some absolutely incredible new pieces up on the water towers. We even, as is often the case, ran into a couple guys who were tagging. We had a poignant conversation about analog photography and how we experience art and create memories. We promised that we'd be printing some of that day's shots and I think this one goes in the books. Also, if you're interested, there's this great documentary on Netflix about Bansky and the consumption of public art. We watched it during breakfast before trekking out for the day, and it really framed our mindsets and our collective experience. Here's a link: SAVING BANKSY

After the water towers, which I knew would be a crowd pleaser, I wanted to share probably my favorite park in all of Rochester, CORBETT'S GLEN. I don't think many people know that this tiny gem exists, but if you love water falls, flowers, and creek walks, this place has it all. I have come here through every season many, many times and it's perfection in all of them.

It was super humid on this day, and I had a few other spots in mind I wanted us to visit, so we didn't make this a day for hiking. That said, I was able to capture a few really beautiful photos, with a fresh set of eyes. It was a really interesting exercise, trying to look at a place with a fresh perspective, and discover new things to love about it. I suggest doing this as often as you can.

After a brief break for some brie and crackers at my place, we ventured back downtown to explore more of the murals throughout the city. I've already mentioned it, but I'll mention it again, Rochester is so damn lucky to have the access to public art by such world class artists like those pictured here (DALeast , MRPRVRT, Sarah Rutherford).

After dinner at SWILLBURGER/THE PLAYHOUSE for some veggie burgers and tots, we headed over to the MAG to check out the new installation Argentum: Double-Positive, by Jim Sanborn. If you haven't seen this thing lit up yet, what the heck are you waiting for?? The text depicts the history of film and photography, and it projects against the gorgeous architecture of the MAG and across the lawn. Plus, when we went, there were about a dozen locals enjoying the piece, and connecting with each other in real time. We really, really loved this piece, and I'm pretty sure I could have sat there all night if you let me.

The following day was a bit more relaxed. I maybe over-estimated the limits of my newly 33 year old body, and its ability to digest ice cream. But hey, you've got one life, and an occasional sad stomach is worth it for a little Bruessters ice cream date, amiright?

Since I know how much my partner loves street artist ROA, we got ourselves together for a little urban exploration. Rochester is lucky enough to have two pieces by this elusive Belgian; the most controversial is the two bears sleeping next to World Wide News downtown (which we had checked out the previous evening), and the more obscurely placed piece untitled of a chicken and egg.

I had visited this piece a few years back when it was first completed, but it was night, it was really dark, and it isn't the best area to hang out in after dark. So when my partner mentioned this piece, I was excited to give this one another look. Time and vandalism have obviously done some damage, but that's the really great thing about public art, it's not so much the creation, but the experience. It was nice to experience this one again in a totally new way.

Our final exploration for the weekend was the abandoned Genesee Hospital on Alexander. What I found out from a few people is that this was purchased by Buckingham Properties before the unfortunate plane crash, and no new plans have taken shape. We were able to get inside, but the whole fixture had been gutted, and there wasn't anything to see besides metal beams and drywall.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend exploring my city through the eyes of someone new. And an extra bonus, all this fun costs nothing. I'm really grateful to live in a place that still gives me butterflies after a decade long afair.

My City | A Day in the Life