Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Bonnie Sanderson
Leader: Bonnie Sanderson
Co-Leader: Bobbie Scarpino

Eighteen Tramps and two guests embarked on an international biking adventure on an idyllic summer Saturday. We loaded our bikes on Horne’s Ferry, traversed Wolfe Island, then rode the Wolfe Island ferry into Kingston, Ontario.

Several options were available, and small groups explored each…some stayed & biked Wolfe Island only, some biked into Kingston & had lunch around Confederation Park, and some enjoyed a gourmet lunch at Chez Piggie.

After riding the ferry back to the island & stopping at the local ice cream shop (of course!), we again opted for different return routes…for some, a direct route back to Horne’s Ferry on paved roads was the choice; others decided to explore some of the island by way of the Head Trail, along the shore of Lake Ontario. All in all, a great day ending back in Cape Vincent with a cold beer…life is good!

(Should retitle this trip as “bike, eat, & drink our way across the border…not necessarily in that order”.)

Jim Wasielewski adds, “Thanks Bonnie and Bobbette for an enjoyable ride.”

Write-Up: Jim Wasielewski
Leader: Jim Wasielewski
Co-Leader: Debby Wasielewski

Eight of us hiked the 7.5 miles on a hot day. Again the bugs were a pain.

My 13-year-old grandson led most of the way. Thanks to Debby for sweeping.

Another train, I can’t believe it. Yow I was a little too close, kinda scary.

Write-up: Halsey Bagg and Deb Roberts
Leader: Halsey Bagg
Co-Leader: Deb Roberts

Fourteen Tramps took on the hike to the summit of Mt. Arab, a one mile hike with a 700 ft gain in elevation.  At the top is the Mt Arab fire tower and home of the fire tower steward and now fire tower museum.  It is also an Audubon Hummingbird sanctuary.

Along the way a fellow hiker offered to take our picture so all us Tramps could be included.

This was the conclusion of a successful Cranberry Lake weekend. Hopefully, this will be remembered as Tramp & Trail’s first Annual Cranberry Lake weekend.

More photos of this Cranberry Lake Weekend may be found in Photos: Gallery 2018, July.

Write-up: Deb Roberts & Halsey Bagg
Leader: Deb Roberts
Co-Leader: Halsey Bagg

The weather forecast was 60% chance of rain, but in our case it was 100%. Heavy rain started right at 9:30 am when everyone arrived at our lake house and while unloading their kayaks. We waited to see if it would let up. Consensus was to not to go out on open water.

So we, eighteen Tramps, all drove to Wanakena to go over the walking bridge and take the kiosk tour – a walking tour of the history of Wanakena. We then hiked a trial off South Shore Road where we were supposed to see a 200 year old pine tree that is six feet in diameter. The tree was elusive as we apparently had the wrong trail. Back to our house for lunch and the sun came out in all its glory.

We decided to kayak down the shore of Cranberry Lake where many beautiful sites were seen. We paddled across to Birch Island and across open lake back to our lake house. It was soon time for a cook-out with hamburgers, hotdogs and sausage with peppers and onions plus many delicious dishes brought by the Tramps. A beautiful day for all.

Later that night, we joined those staying at the Stone Manor and had a rousing game of cards.

We heard that the Friday night game was even rowdier and a group of young people were singing happy birthday that the Tramps joined.

More photos of the Cranberry Lake Weekend may be found in Photos: Gallery 2018, July.

Write-up: Jim Wasielewski
Leader: Jim Wasielewski
Co-Leader: Mary Pat Connors

Thirteen of us paddled 6.25 miles on a fantastic weather day on beautiful Blue Mountain Lake.
In addition, Bill Higgerson gave us a presentation on the Durant Family and other Adirondack industrialists. You’ve heard of Road Scholars, well this was a “Water Scholars” lecture.
Thanks Bill for another fascinating presentation.

Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-Leader: Richard Clair
Write-up: Jim Wasielewski

The 4th of July and we had our own fireworks on the ride. One Tramp flipped her bike going downhill and did a face plant on the side of the road. She was going downhill on a shaded secondary road wearing sunglasses and didn’t see this humongous dip/bump and lost control of the bike and over the handlebars she went. No broken bones but plenty of abrasions and 6 stitches to stop the bleeding from a severed artery in her inside upper lip. She was one lucky lady and is now recovering nicely.

It was very fortunate to have the immense help of our fellow tramps, especially Carl who rode like a demon to get his car to take the victim back to the parking lot. Thanks to Bobbette and Richard for leading the bike and to everyone else for their support.

We can’t forget Al who showed us a historic aqueduct.

Write-up: Mary Pat Connors
Leader: Mary Pat Connors
Co-Leader: Kathy Countryman

Nineteen Tramps attended the Summer Solstice Garden Tour & Craft Sale at Sycamore Hill Gardens in Marcellus, NY. The weather had been threatening, so many started out with umbrellas and raincoats. As luck would have it we were soon shedding our coats and enjoying a lovely warm summer day.

The grounds of Sycamore Hill are truly spectacular. It was such a pleasure to stroll the grounds seeing the beautiful sights in the many nooks and crannies. Owners Karen and George Hanford are to be commended for their vision, design and hard work.
“The nearly 40 acres of privately-owned land west of Marcellus include diverse statuary, koi ponds, stonework, a formal garden, a hedge maze and more. Recent plantings of 10,000 trees and shrubs have turned the land surrounding the garden into one of New York State’s largest privately held bird sanctuaries.” (sycamorehillgardens.com)

The hedge maze proved to be too daunting for most of us. However, Kathy Countryman reports, “Thanks to Sharon Kaelin’s excellent instructions on how to find one’s way out of a maze, Francis Roy and I managed to easily reach the “prize” at the center and still make it out before dark. The trick is to keep one hand on the hedge wall all the way in, around the center, and back out. I garnered some funny looks by doing that, but we also ended up with some grateful followers!”

Many of us purchased lunch from the “Chicken Bandit Food Truck & Eatery,” picnicked at tables with tablecloths with a musical duo to entertain us. Not our usual grub or experience on hikes.
Thank you to Deb Cantales for letting me know of this hidden gem, and for helping us find some of the not-so-obvious treasures.

The gardens are only open to the public on a very limited basis, thus far only Mother’s Day and this summer solstice day, a fundraiser for the CNY Land Trust.
This is a worthy cause as the Land Trust currently protects 2800 acres in 48 nature preserves within Onondaga and Oswego Counties.
More information, including the history of the development of the gardens, may be found at sycamorehillgardens.com. You can also be placed on a mailing list for any additional events.

Many more photos may be found in Gallery 2018: June.

Write-up: Susan Manier
Leader: Susan Manier
Co-leader: Bobbie Scarpino

Eaton Brook Reservoir is a small Y-shaped water body located in Madison County near the Hamlet of West Eaton. It is one of the numerous area reservoirs that was built to supply water to the Erie canal.20 members kayaked around on Eaton Brook Reservoir.

 After the two-hour kayak we went back to Sally and Jeff Steele’s home that overlooks the reservoir, for hotdogs and snacks. It was a beautiful sunny day and a wonderful time was had by all.

Write-up: Pam Carrier
Leader: Pam Carrier
Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastman

A great day for a hike! Five of us, including Amy DeVries on her first Tramp outing, started out from Mapledale right at 7 a.m. Before we got to Old Forge, we were stopped to wait for a moose making up its mind which way to head out of the north bound lane. The photo was taken by Carolyn Eastman through the open sunroof.

We arrived at the trailhead shortly after ten without any further excitement. The weather and bugs cooperated and we had a comfortable ascent up the nearly 1500 feet of elevation to the summit.  The scenic view was seen on the way up at a couple of outlooks.

The summit view, suggests why only those looking to complete the Saranac six hike here.  There were no crowds on Scarface.

Refreshments were at the Toboggan in Eagle Bay, followed by shopping at Mountainman in Old Forge before heading home.

Write-up: Cindy McCormack
Leader: Cindy McCormack
Co-Leader: Mary Kate Scott

Just wanted to say “THANK YOU” to the 29 people who went on my hike today (which was my first one). I believe all had a good time, we had some little muddy areas, not bad, and bugs did cooperate while we walked. Can’t wait to do another!