Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastman

10 Tramps

A major rain storm along with flash floods, and high winds were forecasted, so it was no surprise when the Tramps woke up to a drizzly dismal gray day at our motel in Leeds, NY. Certainly there was no “inspiration” for climbing an escarpment with nothing but a fog vista upon reaching the top! Dick and Mary Lou bailed before morning and the co-leader and her roommates disappeared at dawn! Those left behind decided that we could brave the elements to scout out the Rip Van Winkle Motel grounds for future accommodations. A most difficult .33 hike led us to the various cottages and cabins, all well-kept and reasonably priced. At one point our group became separated, never to see each other again. But fear not, the two groups miraculously came to the same intersection of the trail at the same time. Our arduous hike was cause to travel down the road a few miles for breakfast at Betty’s . . . wonderful omelettes, pancakes, and French toast! With steadier rain falling, we packed our bags and left for home. All agreed that we should return to the Rip Van Winkle Motel for a weekend of hiking in this area of the Catskills. The accommodations are conveniently located a half mile from the thruway, simple, but spacious, clean, well-kept rooms and friendly, helpful staff.

Jerry encouraged a few to drive up the road about 10 miles to the Cohotate Preserve in Athens, NY. The rain was only a mere drizzle as we turned into the trailhead for a 1.5 mile loop hike that took us down to the banks of the Hudson River. “Cohotate” means “where the river flows in two directions.” Although it wasn’t noticeable while we were there, this is where the water flowing north from the Atlantic meets the water flowing south from the Adirondacks. We had a nice view of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and in the distance church bells were playing. We took that opportunity to offer up a prayer for a fellow Tramp and thank God for all the special people in our lives.

 

 

21 Tramps and 1 Son of a Tramp

A weekend adventure took 21 Tramps 154 miles south to the bike/pedestrian trailhead of the Walkway Over the Hudson in Highland, NY. Lots of people crowded the bridge, so riding our bikes across was a cautious challenge. As we started over, Chuck’s son met us on his bike that he had taken on the train from NYC to Poughkeepsie. Once over and on the east side of the Hudson, the crowds soon thinned out. A beautiful autumn day and a newly paved trail took us 14 more miles south to Hopewell Junction on the Dutchess Rail Trail.

A bar and grill, “Daddy O’s” was literally at the end of the trail to greet us at the halfway point in Hopewell Junction. Sandwiches, a brew, and ice cream sundaes replenished the calories we had burned on our ride there. It was a picturesque ride back on the trail and over the bridge, now even more crowded. The beautiful day had drawn everyone out to enjoy the sunshine. A repeat of this bike has been requested, perhaps in the Spring. Total distance of the bike: 28 miles.

Some of us had reserved rooms at the Rip Van Winkle Motel in Leeds near Catskill in anticipation of Sunday’s hike to Inspiration Point and Kaaterskill Falls. Linda at the motel recommended Pomodoro’s in Catskill for our dinner. The Italian fare was delicious. The drive back from the restaurant to the motel proved to be confusing. One would think you would only have to retrace your steps. That was not the case. In the dark the road signs were poor and many of us got twisted around. Jim and Lorrie ended up crossing the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and found themselves on the other side of the river in an undesirable area! Apparently there is another Rip Van Winkle Motel on that side too! An hour later they finally found the right motel, having been guided back step by step on the phone with Steve at the office. Lesson to be learned . . . Never trust a GPS!