As Pam and I enjoy an evening’s walk, the world seems suspended in a moment of tranquil reflection, as the golden hues of sunset touch the Cayuga Lake Inlet with a painterly glow. The water carries a double sun, its reflection a pathway of shimmering light that beckons the eye from the rustic charm of Cass Park toward the heights of CollegeTown on East Hill. Across the inlet, where the light catches, stands Collyer Boathouse, home to Cornell University Crew —a team steeped in history and crowned with the spirit of camaraderie and competition.
Lingering Light and Liquid Gold
As the day’s final light graces the hilltops, transforming buildings into silhouettes of flame, an ephemeral city of gold that contrasts with the calming blue of the approaching night. This is a time for reflection, not just of light upon water, but of life’s ebbing and flowing tides. Here, where students and athletes find respite and challenge, the lake becomes a mirror to ambition and the quiet introspection of twilight hours. It is a place where the golden reflections are not just remnants of the sun’s goodbye but the illuminated paths of countless rowers who have sliced through these waters with determination and grace.
A Rower’s Sanctuary
The Collyer Boathouse, with its storied past and promising future, sits silently across the inlet, its presence a testament to the enduring legacy of the Cornell Crew. Under the guidance of Head Coach Todd Kennett, now in his 21st year of service, the team’s Varsity 8 has shown commendable performance, finishing 10th at the IRAs. It’s a sanctuary where athletes have pushed beyond limits, where oars have cut through the very fabric of the water, carving out stories of triumph, tales of personal bests, and narratives of seasons marked by the camaraderie of the crew.
Echoes of Dedication
As the water carries the reflections of Cornell’s ambitions, it also holds the echoes of the crew’s dedication. The coach’s words resonate with the promise of leadership and the anticipation of challenges ahead, reflecting a collective spirit that is as much a part of this landscape as the boathouse itself. The returning Varsity 8+ athletes and the seniors bring not just experience to the team but also an unyielding drive to excel, to turn each stroke into a stride towards victory.
In this meditative moment, the photograph captures more than a sunset; it captures a legacy—of the Cornell Crew, of the natural beauty that surrounds it, and of the community that grows at its banks. It is here, in this interplay of light and shadow, ambition and tranquility, that one finds the essence of Ithaca’s charm and the indomitable spirit of its people.
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Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
interesting capture..
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wintertime the late afternoon light on west hill warms us
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Magnificent!
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lots of clean water around here, thank goodness
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